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| Sarcoidosis |
| Etiology •Completely unknown. |
| Pathogenesis •The constitutional symptoms are due to the secretion of cytokines by the activated macrophages called epitheloid cells. •The reduction in respiratory function is due to extensive involvement of lung parenchyma by disease., |
| Epidemiology •Much more common in black people than in Caucasians. •Almost unheard of in Asians. •Somewhat more common in women. |
| General Gross Description •Often, there is no gross alteration in an organ affected by sarcoidosis. •Coalesence of granulomas in advanced disease may give rise to hard nodules. •Lymph node and splenic enlargement without obvious lesions is common. |
| General Microscopic Description •Sarcoid is typified by non-caseating granulomas, with epitheloid cells and Langhans giant cells. •Two formations seen in some of these giant cells are (1) laminated, calcified structures called Schaumann bodies or (2) star-shaped "asteroid bodies." •While they are often seen in sarcoidosis, these structures are not pathognomonic of this disease. |
| Clinical Correlation •Sarcoid may present as a vague, constitutional disorder with fever, weight loss and lymphadenopathy. •Later, with extensive involvement of the lung parenchyma, some compromise of respiratory function may ensue. •The course of the disease is unpredictable. |
| References • Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 712. |
| Sarcoidosis |
| Synopsis by: T.V. Rajan M.D. (T07000D08280)[191] |
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