Radiological findings in sarcoidosis.
BACKGROUND
Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disorder of unknown cause that primarily affects the lungs. The diagnosis is based on the clinical manifestations, radiological findings and histological examination.


OBJECTIVE
To review and illustrate the typical and atypical radiological findings of sarcoidosis in the chest.


METHODS
We analyzed the radiographic thoracic findings of all patients who had biopsy-proven sarcoidosis over the last 10 years.


RESULTS
There were 100 consecutive patients (36 men and 64 women, age 20-84 years) with an established diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Thoracic lymphadenopathy was detected in 89 patients (89%). Lung parenchyma involvement was found in 60 patients. These changes were variable and included: ground-glass attenuation (n=39), multiple small nodules (n=44) and irregular thickening of the interlobular septa (n=16). Larger nodules (1-3 cm) were identified in 12 patients and frank consolidations were seen in 12 patients. Pleural thickening with subpleural nodules was identified in 17 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Sarcoidosis has a wide variety of radiological manifestations in the chest. Familiarity with the various radiographic findings is important for diagnosis and management.
Department of Radiology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Michael
M
Avital
Irith
I
Hadas-Halpern
Maher
M
Deeb
Gabriel
G
Izbicki
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed