Dermatologic aspects and cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease that may involve any organ or system. Cutaneous manifestations occur in 25- 30% of patients with sarcoidosis. Recognition of cutaneous lesions is important because they provide a clue about the diagnosis and provide an easily accessible source of tissue for histopathologic examination. Sarcoidosis can present with reactive non- specific lesions like erythema nodosum or specific manifestations showing granulomatous microscopic pathology including papules, plaques, lupus pernio, scar sarcoidosis, and rare morphologies such as alopecia, hypopigmented patches and ichthyosiform lesions. Treatment of cutaneous lesions can sometimes be difficult. For patients with widespread or severe lesions systemic glucocorticoids might be warranted. This article provides a comprehensive review of the dermatologic aspects of sarcoidosis and discusses the clinical manifestations, pathology and treatment of cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis.