Sarcoidosis Flashcards
What is sarcoidosis?
Multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause
Symptoms of sarcoidosis?
Dry cough
Progressive dyspnoea
Reduced exercise tolerance
Chest pain
Features (different to symptoms) of sarcoidosis?
Erythema nodosum (painful/tender, red/purple, lesions on the shins)
Lupus pernio (sarcoidosis lesions on the skin)
Arthralgia
Lymphadenopathy
What special blood result might be associated with sarcoidosis and why?
Hypercalcaemia
- sarcoid tissue can activate vitamin D and cause hypercalcaemia
What investigation results does sarcoidosis show?
Elevated calcium
Elevated ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme)
Tuberculin test is negative
Biopsy + histology show non-caseating granulomas
How is sarcoidosis diagnosed?
Biopsy + histology showing non-caseating granulomas
What test USED to be done for sarcoidosis?
Kveim-Siltzbach test
- not done anymore
How is sarcoidosis staged and what are the stages?
CXR findings
- Stage 1 - bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
- Stage 2 - bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy + lung involvement
- Stage 3 - lung involvement only
- Stage 4 - lung fibrosis
How is sarcoidosis treated?
Steroids + immunosuppressants
