[A case of spontaneous resolution of sarcoidosis with primary pulmonary cavitations]

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2007 Jan;45(1):59-64.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

On routine physical checkup, a 27-year-old man with productive cough was found to have multiple nodules with cavitation in the bilateral lung fields and mediastinal and hilar lymph adenopathy on chest X-ray film and CT scan. Serum levels of angiotensin converting enzyme and lysozyme were high. Tuberculin reaction was negative. Non-caseous epitheloid granulomas were confirmed in the bronchial wall specimens obtained by trans-bronchial biopsy. The number of lymphocytes and the CD4/CD8 ratio of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was increased. Therefore, pulmonary sarcoidosis was diagnosed, and the lung nodules with cavitation were considered due to sarcoidosis. The walls of the cavitations gradually thinned and had almost completely vanished after 6 months of careful observation without steroid therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Granuloma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Granuloma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed