Sarcoidosis: an update on multisystem disease

Abstract

 Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that can affect patients of both sexes, of all ages and races. It has a peak incidence in the third and fourth decades of life. The pathophysiology of the disease is based on exposure to specific environmental antigens in a patient with a genetic predisposition, generating a granulomatous inflammatory response.  The clinical presentation covers a wide range of manifestations, from mild and limited involvement to multi organ damage and death. The most affected organ is the lung, however it also affects organs such as the skin, the eye, the liver, the spleen, the peripheral lymph nodes and the central nervous system. Diagnosis is based on the patient's symptoms, which must be associated with radiological images and biopsy of the affected tissue or organ, where non caseating granulomas associated with giant cells are typically observed histologically.  Treatment is based on the patient's need, expectant management can be given waiting for spontaneous resolution or pharmacological management with corticosteroids.