Sarcoidosis Presenting in Breast Imaging Clinic With Unilateral Axillary Lymphadenopathy

Thao Doan; Nga T Nguyen; Jing He; Quan D Nguyen

doi:10.7759/cureus.13245

Sarcoidosis Presenting in Breast Imaging Clinic With Unilateral Axillary Lymphadenopathy

Cureus. 2021 Feb 9;13(2):e13245. doi: 10.7759/cureus.13245.

Authors

Thao Doan¹, Nga T Nguyen², Jing He³, Quan D Nguyen²

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
² Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
³ Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic systemic granulomatous disease that presents with noncaseating granulomas most commonly affecting the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Patients often have nonspecific symptoms, including cough of unknown cause, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, or weight loss. The diagnosis for sarcoidosis is relatively challenging in the sole presence of swollen lymph nodes and the absence of the aforementioned symptoms. We present a case of unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy found on routine mammography; ultimately proven to be an atypical symptom of sarcoidosis. Our goal is to highlight radiologic features that help distinguish sarcoidosis from potential malignancy.

Keywords: adenopathy; breast cancer; granulomatous disease; sarcoidosis; systemic disease; unilateral lymphadenopathy.

Publication types

Case Reports