Pulm| Sarcoidosis

2.13 Sarcoidosis Pulmonary system review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with non-caseating granulomas in various organs Most commonly affects the lungs and causes restrictive lung disease Classic patient is a young black female in her 20-30s, but can affect any gender or race Symptoms vary depending on which organs are affected, and can include uveitis, skin lesions, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy is a classic chest X-ray finding Restrictive lung pattern on spirometry with normal FEV1/FEV ratio and decreased total lung capacity Bells palsy can be a rare symptom caused by inflammation of the facial nerve (CN VII) and external compression by granulomatous mass Non-progressive sarcoidosis doesn't need treatment, but patients with respiratory symptoms or bells palsy can be given immunosuppressants like corticosteroids or methotrexate.