Airway involvement in pulmonary sarcoidosis: Clinical and CT features

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder with frequent respiratory system involvement, yet comprehensive data on airway abnormalities remain limited. This study aims to assess the prevalence and characteristics of airway involvement in pulmonary sarcoidosis and its correlation with clinical and radiological features.

A retrospective, single-center study was conducted at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, including 842 patients diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis between March 2013 and September 2023. Airway abnormalities were identified via bronchoscopy, and clinical, radiological, and pulmonary function data were analyzed.

Airway involvement was observed in 27.1 % of patients (228/842), with thickening (21.4 %), nodularity (11.9 %), and plaques (7.2 %) being the most common patterns. Patients with airway involvement exhibited higher cough prevalence (67.1 % vs. 51.5 %, p < 0.001), elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (SACE) levels, and more extensive pulmonary parenchymal infiltration on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Cobblestoning, nodularity, and plaques were strongly associated with granuloma detection in endobronchial biopsies.

Airway involvement in pulmonary sarcoidosis is associated with more severe symptoms, higher disease activity, and distinct radiological patterns. These findings highlight the interplay between pulmonary parenchymal and airway pathology, warranting further investigation into their relationship.