Pulmonary sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis can occur after genetically susceptible individuals interact with unidentified environmental antigens. Diagnosis requires clinical evaluation, chest radiography, lung function testing, judicious tissue biopsy (endobronchial ultrasound now being a preferred method) and exclusion of other granulomatous disease. No long-term systemic therapy is usually needed for the common presentation of Löfgren’s syndrome (bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, erythema nodosum, transient iritis). Individuals whose disease needs treatment early after diagnosis have increased mortality risk.