[Differential diagnosis of necrotizing sarcoid angiitis: necrotizing sarcoid angiitis and collagen disease--a case...

The chest x-ray showed a bilateral micronodular pattern and hilar lymph nodes. Lung function test revealed a diminished VC, TLC and a reduced compliance and CO diffusion capacity. The histological examination of the lung biopsy showed sarcoid-like necrotising granulomatous formations of the vessel walls and destruction of these. Unusual was the coincidence of a sarcoidal necrotizing angiitis and a connective tissue disease which presented as Raynaud's disease. Antinuclear antibodies and antibodies against SSA-RO and Scleroderma 70 were identified. The histological examination of the skin biopsy showed changes pertaining to scleroderma. In accordance with the definition by Laevitt (4, 5), this disease is a polyarteritis overlap syndrome.