[Sarcoidosis--an uncommon cause of pancreatic mass]

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system granulomatous disease that mainly affects the lungs and the lymphatic system. Involvement of the digestive system is rare, while the presentation of a mass in the pancreas as the first sign of sarcoidosis in the digestive system is yet rarer. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. The presentation of a mass in the pancreas is indicative of malignancy or inflammation and thus makes the diagnosis of sarcoidosis very difficult. Often it is discovered only after surgical intervention. We present a case study in which the involvement of the pancreas, bile ducts and mesentery lymph nodes led to a Whipple operation. However, on biopsy, non-caseating granulomas were found with no signs of malignancy. In view of the difficulties in diagnosing sarcoidosis of the digestive system and pancreas, we present a review of the literature on the diagnosis and management of this form of sarcoidosis.