Recovery of pulmonary and skin lesions of sarcoidosis after thymectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas and an inflammatory process in which T lymphocytes, especially type-1 helper T (Th1) cells, macrophages and different cytokines are involved. Different studies have shown the importance of genetic background in addition to environmental exposure in explaining different clinical phenotypes and disease outcome. In addition, potential auto antigens that might lead to the disease have been identified.


METHODS
Here, we present a 53-year-old female patient presenting with subcutaneous nodules and mediastinal hilar lymphadenopathies refractory for corticosteroid treatment. Computed tomography of the thorax revealed a soft-tissue lesion in the thymus location.


METHODS
The lesions due to sarcoidosis resolved after thymectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The remission of skin and pulmonary sarcoidosis only after thymectomy does potentially indicate the critical role that the thymus might play in the pathogenesis of this disease in a certain group of patients.
a Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
Dorina
D
Esendagli
a Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
Deniz
D
Koksal
a Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
Salih
S
Emri
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013952:Thymus Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Sarcoidosis; Thymectomy; Thymic hyperplasia