Splenomegaly in sarcoidosis: a report of 16 cases

The reported frequency of splenomegaly in sarcoidosis has ranged from 1% to 40%. Splenomegaly has been associated with clinical evidence of more extensive extrathoracic sarcoidosis. In a previous study, we reported that splenomegaly was associated with a poor outcome of the disease. The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of the sarcoidosis patients with splenomegaly seen at our institution. Of 284 sarcoidosis patients, followed up at our hospital, 16 (5.6%) had splenomegaly on physical examination. These patients showed other extrathoracic manifestations as well, and all but two showed intrathoracic involvement. Eleven patients received corticosteroid therapy. Splenectomy was done in three patients, but the natural history of their sarcoidosis remained unaltered two years after diagnosis. The results of this study disclosed that patients with splenomegaly had evidence of extensive pulmonary and extrathoracic sarcoidosis with a poor prognosis in spite of steroid therapy.