Unusual Presentations of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: Cases from the Medical University of South Carolina

ABSTRACT

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease that can affect any organ in the body, but most commonly the lung. Any part of the thorax may be affected by sarcoidosis, including the lung parenchyma, airways, and mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. When the parenchyma is involved, sarcoidosis has a predilection for the bronchovascular bundles and subpleural locations.

On occasion, the presentation of pulmonary sarcoidosis may be atypical. Atypical presentations may result in a delay in diagnosis as well as unnecessary treatment or diagnostic testing. We discuss four patients with an unusual presentation of thoracic sarcoidosis seen at our Sarcoidosis Clinic.

KEYWORDS

Sarcoidosis - granuloma - diagnosis - emphysema - vasculitis - emphysema pulmonary nodule - pleural effusion

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