THE OUTCOME OF PATIENTS WITH INITIAL DIAGNOSIS OF SARCOIDOSIS

Classic sarcoidosis usually presents as bilateral hilar adenopathy on chest radiograph. Definitive diagnosis of sarcoidosis requires demonstration of noncaseating granulomas in tissue biopsy and exclusion of other disorders known to cause granulomas. Over the five years, from 1994 to 1999, 25 cases of sarcoidosis were diagnosed on the basis of clinical, radiologic and histological criteria in Sabol, an area with high prevalence rate of tuberculosis (TB). During the follow up period, development of new clinical and radiological symptoms in nine patients resulted in final diagnosis of tuberculosis in six patients and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the three remaining patients. Tuberculosis was confirmed by the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and lyn1phoma by the tissue biopsy. In geographic areas with a high prevalence rate of TB, hilar adenopathy and noncaseating granulomas which are essential components for diagnosis of SA, do not generally indicate SA, but warrant a careful follow up with the special consideration for exclusion of TB.