Wegener's granulomatosis followed by development of sarcoidosis

Although both Wegener's granulomatosis and sarcoidosis are considered granulomatous disorders, their clinical courses differ markedly, and typically patients with these two diseases are readily distinguishable. We report an unusual case in which the patient presented with a systemic vasculitis consistent with Wegener's granulomatosis that remitted with therapy and then, months later, developed sarcoidosis. This is the first case report of the sequential development of the two diseases. We review the relationship of vasculitis to sarcoidosis and speculate on the etiopathogenesis that might link the two.