Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues. The exact cause is unknown.
In those who have the disease, tiny clusters of immune cells called granulomas form in certain organs of the body. The disease can affect almost any organ, but most commonly affects the lungs.
Signs & Symptoms
Almost all patients affected by sarcoidosis have lung or chest symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
Other symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint ache or pain (arthralgia)
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Raised, red, firm skin sores
- Rash
- Scars that become raised or inflamed
- Headache
- Seizures
- Weakness on one side of the face
- Burning, dry, itching, or painful eyes
- Discharge from the eye
- Vision loss
- Dry mouth
- Fainting spells
- Nosebleed
- Swelling in the upper part of the abdomen
- Liver disease
- Swelling of the legs
- Abnormal heart rhythm
Diagnosis
A Deborah physician may order the following imaging tests to help diagnose sarcoidosis:
- Chest x-ray to see if the lungs are involved or lymph nodes are enlarged
- CT scan of the chest
- Lung gallium scan
- Imaging tests of the brain and liver
- Echocardiogram or MRI of the heart
A biopsy is also needed to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy of the lung is usually done though other body tissues may also be biopsied.