Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Multisystemic Sarcoidosis with Early Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Catarina Mota1, Carlos Ferreira1, Maria Emília Oliveira2
1Medicine II Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal.
Digestive tract sarcoidosis is rare, presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms and systemic granulomatosis. Corticosteroid treatment led to complete resolution, supporting this diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas.
- Digestive tract involvement in sarcoidosis is exceptionally rare, necessitating careful differential diagnosis.
- Distinguishing gastrointestinal sarcoidosis from other granulomatous diseases like Crohn's disease is crucial.
Observation:
- A case of multisystemic granulomatosis initially presenting with gastric and colonic symptoms is described.
- The patient exhibited pulmonary nodules, pleural effusion, ascites, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy.
- Diagnostic clues included reticulo-endothelial expression and hypercalcemia.
Findings:
- A rapid and complete resolution of symptoms following corticosteroid therapy strongly supported the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
- The case highlights the diverse manifestations of sarcoidosis, including rare gastrointestinal involvement.
- Comparison with Crohn's disease presenting with pleuro-pulmonary involvement is discussed.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms.
- Early recognition and appropriate management of digestive tract sarcoidosis can lead to favorable outcomes.
- Further research into the specific mechanisms and management of gastrointestinal sarcoidosis is warranted.
More Related Videos
07:25Author Spotlight: A Focus on Standardized Salivary Gland Ultrasound Protocol in Connective Tissue Disease Research
Published on: October 13, 2023
10:21Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:30Other Disorders of Digestive System
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...