Rare localizations of bone sarcoidosis: two case reports and review of the literature

Rheumatol Int. 2011 Nov;31(11):1503-6. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-1315-7. Epub 2009 Dec 15.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown origin. Granulomatous bone involvement has an overall incidence of 1-13%. This incidence is probably underestimated in certain patient series because bone involvement is often asymptomatic. The small bones of hands and feet are the most common localizations, while skull, knee, rib, pelvic and sternal localizations are rarely reported. Here we describe some interesting cases of chronic sarcoidosis with unusual bone localizations observed at our regional referral centre for sarcoidosis. We also review the literature to underline the complexity of the disease, the problem of differential diagnosis with respect to malignancies and the need for appropriate and effective therapy of this rare localization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alendronate / therapeutic use
  • Bone Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Diseases / drug therapy
  • Bone Diseases / pathology*
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteolysis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteolysis / pathology
  • Radiography
  • Rare Diseases*
  • Ribs / diagnostic imaging
  • Ribs / pathology
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoidosis / drug therapy
  • Sarcoidosis / pathology*
  • Skull / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull / pathology
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging
  • Spine / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Alendronate
  • Methylprednisolone
  • Methotrexate