Sarcoidosis Lung Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Lung sarcoidosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis functional Signs

        Functional signs is mostly dry cough. Dyspnoea is a sign of severity. The pulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis are inconstant and not specific.

Lung sarcoidosis general Signs

        General signs are rare and may be fever, weight loss or night sweats.

Lung sarcoidosis physical Signs

        The pulmonary auscultation is normal.

What is Lung sarcoidosis?

        Sarcoidosis is a non-contagious inflammatory disease caused by a reaction of the body that tries to defend itself against an agent (antigen), which until now remains unknown. Sarcoidosis is characterized by the formation of inflamed small buttons called granulomas, which are formed in the affected organ. This disease can attack several organs of the body (lungs, eyes, skin, bone, liver, spleen, muscles, nervous system, etc.).

        There were cases where the afected organs were the glands (thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas and adrenal), pleura (lungs envelope) and certain blood vessels. The granulomas may also occur in the form of lesions on the skin. The lungs are the most affected organs, suggesting that the route of entry of the antigen is the respiratory system. It even travels in the bloodstream to possibly reach other parts of the body.

        In most of the cases, sarcoidosis is asymptomatic, has no serious consequence and it's cured in a few years. However, sometimes it leaves irreversible damage to some organs and causes respiratory and cardiac complications that seriously limits the life quality of the person.

Lung sarcoidosis pictures and pulmonary sarcoidosis pictures

Who is affected by pulmonary sarcoidosis?

        This relatively rare disease affects approximately 20 personnes/100 000 around the world. Young adults are the most affected, particularly women. For unknown reasons, the black people seem to be mostly affected by this disease. The lung damage is usually diagnosed by the discovery of opacities (thick shadows) and / or the presence of ganglia at the level of pulmonary Hiles (zone where vessels and nerves are passing to an organ) visible on a chest x-ray.

        It is sometimes necessary to make a lung biopsy using a bronchoscope (internal examination of the bronchi), in addition to chest scan and make lung function tests. At this early stage of the disease, the results of lung function tests often reflect obstructive syndrome. However, advanced stage can give pulmonary fibrosis.

        The prescription of treatment in asymptomatic patients, which presents radiographic parenchymal abnormalities remains highly controversial. Broadly speaking, the monitoring in these cases is necessary.