[Hematologic changes in sarcoidosis]

On the basis of the literature authors analyse the importance of the involvement of spleen in sarcoidosis and the haematological changes that follow from this. In a group of patients with sarcoidosis of their own department (more than 1200 patients) they observed 2 women with thrombocytopenic purpura, one woman with thrombo- and leukocytopenia, and one woman with agranulocytosis. They shortly reviewed the previous history of their patients, the disease process, and the results of the treatment. All the four of their patients were given corticosteroid treatment and with this the thrombocytopenia was cured. No relapse was observed. One of the patients they have followed for 25 years, and an other one for 20 years. The patient with agranulocytosis was given corticosteroid, granulocyte concentrate, gammaglobulin, and antibiotics, too. Her status also became settled, and during the 10 years after her first observation we did not notice any relapse. The fourth patient is still being treated.