[Polyarthralgia as an initial symptom of sarcoidosis]

A 39 year-old patient consulted his family doctor due to migratory polyarthralgia, with C-reactive protein 7.99mg/dl, ESR 89mm and normal anti-streptolysin O (ASO). A sample was taken for analysis in the Rheumatology Clinic: ACE 72 IU, with normal rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein and ASO; HLA non-specific. Chest X-ray showed an increased pulmonary interstitial pattern, and his chest-CT showed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymph nodes. A differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative process was considered. A gallium scintigraphy was performed with no relevant findings. The patient was referred to Thoracic Surgery for a lymph node biopsy by mediastinoscopy, which showed a non-necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis consistent with a sarcoidosis. Treatment with prednisone and anti-osteoporosis drugs was started and the patient was evaluated at four months with a new chest X-ray. There was a clinical and radiological remission therefore it was decided to gradually reduce the corticosteroid therapy.