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Sarcoidosis involving the thyroid and pleura
M E Warshawsky1, H M Shanies, A Rozo
1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, City University of New York, USA.
Summary
This study details a rare sarcoidosis case with concurrent thyroid and pleural involvement. Both conditions, confirmed by biopsy, showed noncaseating granulomas, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Endocrinology
- Pathology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by granuloma formation.
- Thyroid nodules and pleural effusion are uncommon manifestations of sarcoidosis.
- Diagnosis requires clinical, histological evidence, and exclusion of other granulomatous diseases.
Observation:
- A patient presented with a thyroid nodule.
- The nodule biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas.
- Subsequently, the patient developed pleural effusion, also confirmed as noncaseating granulomas on biopsy.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates the coincidence of rare sarcoidosis manifestations: thyroid and pleural involvement.
- Percutaneous needle biopsies confirmed noncaseating granulomas in both sites.
- Acid-fast bacilli stains and cultures were negative, ruling out infectious causes.
Implications:
- This case highlights that sarcoidosis can present with rare, isolated organ involvement.
- It underscores the importance of considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained granulomatous thyroid nodules and pleural effusions.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on integrating clinical presentation with histological findings.