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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Airway involvement in sarcoidosis.
Vlassis S Polychronopoulos1, Udaya B S Prakash2
1Third Pulmonary Department, Sismanoglion General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Chest
|November 7, 2009
Summary
Sarcoidosis commonly affects the lungs, but airway involvement can cause airflow limitation and other symptoms. Diagnosis and management rely on pulmonary function tests, imaging, and bronchoscopy.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease.
- The respiratory system is affected in over 90% of sarcoidosis cases.
- Intrathoracic lymph nodes and lung parenchyma are most commonly involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the manifestations of airway involvement in sarcoidosis.
- To highlight the clinical significance of airway symptoms.
- To outline the diagnostic and management approaches for airway sarcoidosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations and diagnostic modalities for airway sarcoidosis.
- Emphasis on pulmonary function testing, radiologic imaging, and bronchoscopy.
- Correlation of airway findings with clinical symptoms and disease outcomes.
Main Results:
- Airway involvement in sarcoidosis can present as mucosal changes (erythema, edema, granularity, cobblestoning), plaques, nodules, and stenosis.
- Manifestations include airway distortion, traction bronchiectasis, and bronchiolitis, potentially leading to airflow limitation.
- Oral, nasal, and pharyngeal mucosa can also be affected, causing hoarseness, dysphagia, and upper airway obstruction.
Conclusions:
- Airway symptoms are crucial indicators of sarcoidosis affecting the respiratory tract.
- Pulmonary function testing, imaging, and bronchoscopy are essential for diagnosing and managing airway sarcoidosis.
- Understanding airway involvement is key to comprehensive sarcoidosis patient care.
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