Sarcoidosis, granulomas and myopathy syndromes: A clinical-pathology review

J Neuroimmunol. 2022 Dec 15:373:577975. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2022.577975. Epub 2022 Oct 3.

Abstract

Muscle involvement in sarcoidosis is common by pathologic analysis, but symptomatic disorders are less frequent. Sarcoidosis-related muscle pathology includes non-caseating granulomas, muscle fiber changes that are diffuse or anatomically related to granulomas, and perimysial connective tissue with histiocyte-associated damage. The mechanisms by which granulomas form, enlarge and damage muscle tissues are incompletely understood. Sarcoidosis-related clinical syndromes with muscle involvement include: chronic myopathies with proximal weakness; nodular disorders; subacute onset disorders involving proximal or eye muscles; myalgia or fatigue syndromes; and, possibly, inclusion body myositis-like disorders. Corticosteroid treatment may benefit some syndromes, but clinical trials are necessary.

Keywords: Granuloma; Myopathy; Myositis; Sarcoidosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Graft vs Host Disease*
  • Granuloma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Muscular Diseases* / complications
  • Myositis*
  • Sarcoidosis* / complications