Pulmonary sarcoidosis with pleural involvement in a 44-year-old patient: a case report

Although sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease with unknown etiology involving multisystems, the pleura is rarely affected in this disease. Here, a case of sarcoidosis with pleural nodules and pleural effusion was presented. The patient suffered from dry cough and dyspnea lasting for 4 weeks. Chest computed tomography showed pulmonary nodules, subpleural nodules, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and bilateral pleural effusion. Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination demonstrated non-caseating granulomas, confirming sarcoidosis-related pleural involvement. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, and all discomfort symptoms gradually regressed. A follow-up CT performed 8 weeks later exhibited the complete resolution of pleural effusion. The present case report highlights that when pleural effusion and pleural nodule are observed in a patient, sarcoidosis should be considered as the underlying disease while other potential causes are ruled out.