sarcoidosis Flashcards
What is sarcoidosis?
chronic multisystem (e.g. heart, liver, kidneys) granulomatous disorder of unknown cause
What type of people does sarcoidosis occur in?
Younger adults
- with pathological background of type lV hypersensitivity reaction
-> leading to granuloma formation
what 5 presentations are found in acute sarcoidosis?
- Breathlessness
- cough
- fatigue
- weight loss
- erythema nodosum (red inflamed patches on shins etc.)
what 4 presentations are found in chronic sarcoidosis (features of pulmonary fibrosis)?
- chronic breathlessness and cough,
- clubbing
- fine end inspiratory crackles
- right heart failure
what 2 presentations will you find in extrapulmonary features of sarcoidosis?
- Anterior uveitis (inflamed red eye)
- arthralgia (joint pain)
What are 2 things are blood tests used to find in sarcoidosis?
Raised serum angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE)
hypercalcaemia in sarcoidosis
what do you find in a chest x ray with sarcoidosis?
acute: bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
chronic: fibrosis
reticular opacities (especially in upper zones)
what do you exclude in a chest x-ray?
Tuberculosis
why is spirometry used in sarcoidosis?
- usually normal
- might show obstructive/restrictive patterns
what might a biopsy show in a sarcoidosis investigation?
non-caseating granuloma
what is glucocorticoids use for an sarcoidosis treatment?
Intolerable symptoms, lung disease or extrapulmonary symptoms
What is immuno suppression used for in sarcoidosis treatment?
- steroid resistance
- deteriorating symptoms
