Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Cardiac sarcoidosis: an elusive diagnosis
Nicola J Kingston1, Peter N Ruygrok, Graeme B Taylor
1Department of Histopathology, Lab Plus, Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
Abstract:
The diagnosis of sarcoidosis of the heart can be elusive, and is seldom established in life. We report the case of a 43-year-old man who underwent heart transplantation for presumed idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Endomyocardial biopsy before transplantation showed only a mild infiltrate of lymphocytes. Histology of his explanted heart revealed extensive noncaseating granulomas and scarring, typical of sarcoidosis. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis had been made several years before by mediastinoscopic biopsy, after routine chest X-ray revealed mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Aside from the cardiac manifestations, the patient had no other symptoms of this disease. We discuss the inherent difficulties in the diagnosis of this rare but important condition, its varying presentations relating to the underlying pathology, as well as treatment options, including the role of transplantation.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies