[Soft-tissue mass as a rare presentation of sarcoidosis].
BACKGROUND
The most important differential diagnosis of a soft-tissue mass is soft-tissue sarcoma, and the diagnostic process should be aimed at diagnosing or excluding this.


METHODS
A 28-year-old man was referred to the surgeon with a progressive painless swelling on the right shoulder. Diagnostic imaging suggested a sarcoma with axillary lymphadenopathy. Repeatedly biopsy revealed a non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was finally made, after exclusion of malignancy and infectious causes.


CONCLUSIONS
When a patient presents with a soft-tissue mass, malignant causes such as soft-tissue sarcoma should be excluded. If pathological investigation reveals a granulomatous inflammation, a soft-tissue mass as a rare presentation of sarcoidosis should be considered. It is, however, important to first exclude a sarcoid-like reaction.
Kennemer Gasthuis, Haarlem.
Dieuwertje
D
Ruigrok
Robin
R
Soetekouw
Hein B A C
HB
Stockmann
Kees
K
van Krimpen
Ileana
I
Chesaru
Maarten A
MA
Sulzer
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012782:Shoulder / Q000473:pathology*