What is Pulmonary Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease that affects a whole range of organs.

However, considering that pulmonary involvement occurs in almost all (well over 90%) of Sarcoidosis cases, it is often referred to as Pulmonary Sarcoidosis.

What are typical characteristics of Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is characterized by formation of granuloma - collections of immune cells. However, it is important to note that there is often a close resemblence between Sarcoidosis and several other granulomatous disorders, including tuberculosis. The formation of granulomas -and the tissue damage so caused -are the typical indicators of Sarcoidosis. Pulmonary sarcoidosis usually causes increased lung stiffness and, therefore, results in loss of lung capacity.

Sarcoidosis Symptoms:

Considering that Sarcoidosis is usually asymptomatic, most of the Sarcoidosis cases are usually discovered accidentally during a routine x-ray.

However, the following symptoms may also be observed:

• Fever,
• Chronic fatigue,
• Unexplained weight loss,
• Chronic dry cough,
• Chest pain,
• Blood in cough,
• Colored spots (indicative of granulomas) in the lung tissue,
• Pneumothorax
• Shortness of breath,
• Wheezing,
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the chest,
• Recurrent sinusitis,
• Pulmonary/Airway obstruction/ pneumonia
• Ophthalmological Symptoms including:
  • Blurred vision in both eyes,
  • Sensitivity to bright light,
  • Excessive tearing,
  • Glaucoma, and
  • Cataracts.
• Dermatological Symptoms including:
  • Erythrema nodosum lesions on legs,
  • Chronic Lupus pernio lesion on the nose, ears, and cheek.
• Abdominal pain,
• Jaundice,
• Bells palsy, and in some cases,
• Congestive heart failure.

Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis:

The first step in diagnosis of Sarcoidosis usually involves eliminating other lung disorders, such as tuberculosis. Sarcoidosis diagnosis may involve the following:

• Detailed review of patient's medical history,
• Eye Exam,
• Blood Tests,
• Chest x-ray,
• Bronchoscopy,
• Pulmonary Function Test, and
• Kveim-Siltzbach Skin test.

Treatment Options for Sarcoidosis:

Well over 60% to 80% of sarcoidosis patients partially recover within two to three years -if not completely- without any form of medical intervention. Because the cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, it is difficult to treat sarcoidosis. Those that require treatment may be prescribed:

• Corticosteroids (such as prednisone),
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs such as Aspirin,
• Cytotoxic drugs such as Methotrexate, or Cyclophosphamide,
• Azathioprine, and
• Chloroquinine (Malaria) drugs.

Sarcoidosis Prognosis:

Majority (nearly 50%) of Sarcoidosis patients recover (at least partially) spontaneously. The fatality rate in Sarcoidosis patients is approximately 5%.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Treatment News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Treatment Articles.

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