title: Sarcoid sine sarcoidosis? A classificative, semantic and therapeutic dilemma.
abstract: Differentiation between sarcoidosis and sarcoid type reactions at the present time remains problematic, if not impossible. Criteria for clinical behavior and/or a systematic diagnostic approach in cases of proven epithelioid cell granulomas in lesional tissue do not currently exist. This is probably the main reason for chronicity of the sarcoid-type reactions within a specific disease or for their progression with the application of incorrect therapy. The refinement of the diagnostic criteria and the classification of both conditions remain objects of further consideration. We present a model for recommendations for an optimal diagnostic approach in patients with epitheloid cell granulomas, aiming to facilitate the differentiation between sarcoidosis and sarcoid type reactions, hopefully leading to optimization of subsequent therapy.
authors.affiliation: Policlinic for Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Lozenetz, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tchernev
authors.affiliation: Onkoderma-Policlinic for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Chokoeva
authors.affiliation: Unit of Internistic Ultrasound, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. dAnnunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tana
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Dermatology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt Academic Teaching Hospital of the Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wollina
authors.affiliation: Professor and Chair of Dermatology, University of Rome "G. Marconi", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lotti