Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: Typical and Atypical Multi-Slice CT Findings

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem chronic inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. It is characterized by noncaseous epithelioid cell granulomas and changes in tissue architecture, which may affect almost any organ. Involvement of the mediastinal lymph nodes and the lung is most common, being seen in approximately 90% of patients. Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) plays a very important role in diagnosing typical and atypical nodal affection in sarcoidosis. Aim of the Work: The purpose of this study is to depict the different patterns of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in sarcoidosis (especially atypical cases) and explore the role of MSCT for its diagnosis. Patients and Methods: This study included 47 cases; 42 females and 5 males, age range 23 to 62 years old (average 42.66 years). Cases were referred to the Radiology Department Kasr Al-Aini for MSCT assessment of the chest. The patients were subjected to thorough clinical evaluation, laboratory assessment, CT chest (post intravenous IV contrast administration) done to all patients using MDCT (Toshiba- Aquillion, 64 detectors). Results: In this study multislice computed tomography (MSCT) detected various CT chest signs in sarcoidosis patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy.