[Hyalinosis in generalized sarcoidosis located primarily in the lungs simulating a tumor]

Almost complete fibrotization and hyalinosis of sarcoid granulomas in the lungs and pleura and longitudinal extending fibrotization of alveolitis is a finding conceivable from the formal genetic aspect, however, exceptional when found in such an advanced stage. The process of fibrotization and hyalinosis in the lungs causes an ever increasing interest in the understanding of their mechanism. Today there exists already a number of known growth mediators which are produced within the framework of the altered immune state by activated monocytes and T lymphocytes. Under experimental conditions their actual importance in the process of fibrotization can be proved. In untreated sarcoidosis we observed generalization of the process which in the course of cca 15 years changed into developed adhesive pleuritis, fibrotization of the interstitium of the lung and tracheobronchial nodes, spleen and bone marrow. Neither the process proper of sarcoidosis nor cor pulmonale were the immediate cause of death which was due to massive fused pseudolobar purulent catarrhal bronchopneumonia.