High resolution computed tomography in 2-year follow-up of Stage I sarcoidosis

There are as yet no markers known to predict the course of sarcoidosis. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a tool that enables to visualize subtle parenchymal opacities in the lungs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of HRCT at Stage I sarcoidosis. Fifty one patients (28 males and 23 females, aged 23-58) were studied. Based on HRCT examinations, two groups were distinguished: HRCT-positive (28 patients with pathologic changes in pulmonary parenchyma - mainly nodular opacities) and HRCT-negative (23 patients without parenchymal opacities). We found no significant differences between HRCT-negative and HRCT-positive groups in the mean values of pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, DLCO, and d(A-a)O2) between the starting and ending measurements of a 2-year long observation (check-up every 3 months). Likewise, there were no differences in the X-ray follow-up between the HRCT-positive and HRCT-negative groups. Nor were there significant differences in the percentage of patients showing stabilization, progression, or improvement between both groups (18 vs. 39 %, 21 vs. 4 %, and 61 vs. 57 %, respectively). We conclude that HRCT examination in stage I sarcoidosis has no significant prognostic role during a 2-year follow-up.