Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown aetiology characterised by non-caseating granulomas. It is more common in young adults and in people of African descent
Features
Syndromes associated with sarcoidosis
Lofgren's syndrome is an acute form of the disease characterised by bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), erythema nodosum, fever and polyarthralgia. It usually carries an excellent prognosis
In Mikulicz syndrome* there is enlargement of the parotid and lacrimal glands due to sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or lymphoma
Heerfordt's syndrome (uveoparotid fever) there is parotid enlargement, fever and uveitis secondary to sarcoidosis
*this term is now considered outdated and unhelpful by many as there is a confusing overlap with Sjogren's syndrome
Features
- acute: erythema nodosum, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, swinging fever, polyarthralgia
- insidious: dyspnoea, non-productive cough, malaise, weight loss
- skin: lupus pernio
- hypercalcaemia: macrophages inside the granulomas cause an increased conversion of vitamin D to its active form (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol)
Syndromes associated with sarcoidosis
Lofgren's syndrome is an acute form of the disease characterised by bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), erythema nodosum, fever and polyarthralgia. It usually carries an excellent prognosis
In Mikulicz syndrome* there is enlargement of the parotid and lacrimal glands due to sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or lymphoma
Heerfordt's syndrome (uveoparotid fever) there is parotid enlargement, fever and uveitis secondary to sarcoidosis
*this term is now considered outdated and unhelpful by many as there is a confusing overlap with Sjogren's syndrome