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EBUS‑TBNA is a well‑established procedure for diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy replacing the need for mediastinoscopy. In certain diseases like lymphomas, the yield is reportedly 50%, sarcoidosis lymph nodes also give a yield of 80% with EBUS and at times, more material is needed for better characterization of malignancies. EBUS‑intranodal forceps biopsy may be useful in these situations. In our series of seven cases, we describe a unique and safe technique of obtaining forceps biopsy from mediastinal lymph nodes under real‑time endobronchial ultrasound guidance using a 19G EBUS‑TBNA needle tract and thin biopsy forceps. Lymph node biopsy was able to give a conclusive diagnosis in 42% patients negative with TBNA, and was able to suggest a diagnosis in one case. No complications were seen. Thus, surgical biopsy can be avoided in nearly 50% of failed EBUS‑FNAC cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is an unusual, but potentially harmful, manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis (SA), a chronic disease characterized by organ involvement from noncaseating and non necrotizing granulomas. The cardiovascular involvement is usually associated with a bad prognosis and is responsible for the major cause of death and complications. Aim: The present study aims to evaluate clinical manifestation and diagnosis of Cardiac sarcoidosis -terials and methods: This retrospective study was carried out in the department of medicine, cardiology and CTVS in a tertiary care hospital, India. A total of 140 patients age ranged from 18 to 70 years, with a sarcoidosis diagnosis were screened, and 35 patients were diagnosed with CS based on JCS 2016 Guidelines. All medical records contain socio-demographic and clinical data was evaluated. Results: The majority of the patients 37.2% were 41-60 years age group, median age was 45.9 years. 60% was male, 54.3% residing at rural areas and 42.8% belonged to lower socioeconomic class. Common clinical manifestations of CS were dyspnoea (71.4%), palpitation (48.6%), fatigue (34.3%), dizziness (31.4%) and chest pain in 25.7% of patients. Syncope (20%) and cardiac arrest (11.4%) were the common complication of CS Conclusion: As systemic sarcoidosis, CS remains a challenging issue in the matter of diagnostics. The evolution of clinical manifestation and diagnostic techniques in recent years has led to a significant improvement in the detection and classification of the severity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: The epidemiology of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in developing countries remains unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence, prevalence, and national burden of ILDs in India. Methods: Data of consecutive subjects (aged >12 years) with ILDs included in a registry between March 2015 and February 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The proportion of each ILD subtype was determined. The crude annual incidence and prevalence of ILDs for our region were estimated. Subsequently, the primary estimates of the national annual incident and prevalent burden of ILD and its subtypes were calculated. Alternative estimates for each ILD subtype were calculated using the current and a large, previous Indian study (n = 1,084). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 and are presented descriptively. Results: A total of 2,005 subjects (mean age, 50.7 years; 47% men) were enrolled. Sarcoidosis (37.3%) was the most common ILD subtype followed by connective tissue disease (CTD)-related ILDs (19.3%), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF, 17.0%), and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP, 14.4%). The crude annual incidence and prevalence of ILDs were 10.1–20.2 and 49.0–98.1, respectively per 100,000 population. The best primary estimates for the crude national burden of all ILDs, sarcoidosis, CTD-ILD, IPF, HP, and other ILDs (in thousands) were 433–867, 213–427, 75–150, 51–102, 54–109, and 39–78. The respective alternative estimates (in thousands) were sarcoidosis, 127–254; CTD-ILD, 81–162; IPF, 46–91; HP, 130–261; other ILDs, 49–98. Conclusion: In contrast to developed countries, sarcoidosis and HP are the ILDs with the highest burden in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of anti-HMGCR antibodies in idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) at a tertiary care centre in northern India. Data (adult and children) were retrieved from the MyoCite dataset, identifying patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and antibody-negative IIM whilst fulfilling the ACR/EULAR criteria. SLE, sarcoidosis, and systemic sclerosis were included for comparison as disease controls. The baseline clinical profile, laboratory tests, and muscle biopsies were retrieved and analysed. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistics were used for comparison. Among 128 IIM (112 adults, 16 children, M:F 1:2.8) of age 37 (24–47) years and 6 (3–17) months disease duration, 4 (3.6%) young adults tested positive for anti-HMGCR antibodies. All children and disease control tested negative for the antibody. Anti-HMGCR + IIM exhibited higher muscle enzymes [AST (367 vs 104 IU/L, p = 0.045), ALT (502 vs 78 IU/L, p = 0.004), and CPK (12,242 vs 699 IU/L, p = 0.001] except lactate dehydrogenase with less frequent systemic features such as fatigue than antibody-negative IIM. One young girl presented with a Limb–girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) with chronic pattern. None of the patients exhibited rashes, statin exposure, or cancer, though one had anti-Ro52 and mild disease. Our observations depict a younger population while affirming previous literature, including NM-like presentation, and chronic LGMD-like pattern of weakness in one case. Although a small number of children were included, ours is one of the few paediatric studies that evaluated HMGCR antibodies thus far. Further investigations in a larger Indian cohort are warranted to substantiate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of data on the prevalent practices of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in India. Aim: To study the current practices of EBUS-TBNA in India. Methods: This survey was an online questionnaire designed on the Google forms interface. The survey included various questions related to demographics, sedation, analgesia and anesthesia, technical aspects, and infection control related to the procedure of EBUS-TBNA. Results: Data from 134 respondents (mean age: 42.2 years) were analyzed. Most (97.8%) were pulmonologists or physicians, and a majority (94.8%) practicing in either a private multi-specialty setting or medical college. 40.3% had received procedure training at a formal training program. Mild/moderate sedation was the most common strategy (70.1%). Midazolam (76.7%), Fentanyl (76.0%), followed by propofol (46.5%), were the most frequent drugs, and 82.8% preferred combination sedation. 26.1% used cricothyroid lignocaine injection, and the use of 1% or 2% lignocaine for spray-as-you-go administration was similar. The oral route was preferred, while the laryngeal mask airway was the most common airway conduit under general anesthesia. Suspected granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenopathy (TB/sarcoidosis) (67.2%), followed by lung cancer (32.8%), were the most common indications of EBUS-TBNA. 81.3% performed EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer staging. 21 G needle was preferred (64.9%), and vacuum suction was common (80.6%). 55.2% routinely performed ROSE. Alcohol fixed glass slide smears were the most common method (93.1%) for cytological preparation. 49.3% also performed EUS-B-FNA. 76.9% routinely obtained endo bronchial biopsy and transbronchial lung biopsy in patients with suspected sarcoidosis. Elastography was infrequently used. Nearly three-fourths (77.6%) reused EBUS needles. Conclusion: There is practice variability in the multiple aspects related technical performance of EBUS-TBNA. Evidence-based guidelines addressing the multiple technical aspects are required to standardize the practice of EBUS-TBNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease with a varied clinical presentation. We describe the clinical characteristics of patients with sarcoidosis from a tuberculosis (TB) endemic setting. Methods: We performed an analysis of the sarcoidosis database at a tertiary care facility in North India. Results: Of the 327 patients, 50.8% were male, with a mean age of 42.8 years (range: 16-70 years). Females were significantly older. 42.6% had comorbidities, of which diabetes (17.1%) was most common. More than half (57.1%) were obese. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were elevated in 186 (57.9%). Eleven (3.8%) had hypercalcemia, while hypercalciuria was present in 54 (31.7%). The majority (89.9%) were tuberculin skin test negative (<10 mm induration), while 71.9% were tuberculin anergic. 47.7% had normal spirometry, while a restrictive impairment was the most common abnormality (44.6%). Obstruction on spirometry was present in 8.3%. Nearly half (160, 49%) had involvement of an extrapulmonary site. Most patients were (96%) symptomatic. Cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, and fever were the predominant symptoms. A majority had Stage 1 (47.7%) sarcoidosis. Two hundred and eighty-seven (87.8%) patients underwent bronchoscopy or endosonographic (endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration [EBUS-TBNA] or transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration [EUS-B-FNA]) sampling. A histopathological diagnosis with the demonstration of granulomas was achieved in 90.8%. The diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA/EUS-B-FNA was 77.4%. In 13.5% of patients, necrotizing granulomas were present in tissue samples. Conclusion: The clinical profile of patients with sarcoidosis in TB endemic settings has certain differences from nonendemic populations. Bronchoscopy and endosonography allow a confident diagnosis in the majority of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We report a series of orbital sarcoid in a south Indian patient population and their outcome.Materials & Methods: Retrospective interventional case series.Results: Eleven out of 144cases of biopsy-proven sarcoidosis had orbital involvement. The mean age was 50.64 ± 9.52years and was more commonly seen in women (90.91%). Unilateral presentation with right orbit involvement was more common. Bilateral lacrimal gland enlargement (4cases), inferior orbital mass presenting as proptosis (4cases), preseptal mass above upper eyelid (2cases) and orbital mass encasing the globe (1case) were the different types of orbital presentation. All cases had a dry eye and a negative mantoux test. CT thorax was abnormal in 7cases (63.61%). Biopsy in all cases showed noncaseating granulomatous inflammation. Oral steroids were the standard mode of treatment and none of the cases had recurrences.Conclusions: Orbital sarcoidosis is seen in a high TB endemic country like India and is definitely underreported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Sarcoidosis is a systemic disorder characterized histologically by noncaseating granulomas. There is paucity of Indian data on cutaneous sarcoidosis. Aims: To describe the clinical, histopathological findings, and extracutaneous involvement in cutaneous sarcoidosis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was done in patients of cutaneous sarcoidosis who had attended the dermatology clinic of a tertiary health care center in India from May 2009 to April 2015. The clinical details, histopathological findings, treatment, and response were reviewed. Results: There were 38 patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis. Mean age was 48 ± 13 years; 58% were female. Median duration of disease was 11 months (IQR 4–48 months). More than one morphology was seen in 28.9%, commonest being plaques (65.7%), and papules (50%). Erythema nodosum was rare. More than one site was involved in 55.3%, most commonly trunk (52.6%). Six patients had isolated cutaneous sarcoidosis. Commonest extracutaneous organs involved were lung (73.7%) and lymph nodes (68.4%). Histopathologically, classical naked sarcoidal granulomas were found in only 55.3%. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels were elevated in 74.3% (26/35) with significant association with extracutaneous disease. Treatment included topical and/or systemic corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, and tacrolimus. Statistics: Pearson's Chi-square test was done to analyze associations between the skin lesions, ACE levels, and systemic involvement; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Conclusions: Cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis are varied, commonest being erythematous plaques. Even though most patients had systemic involvement, we found no significant association of the type and number of skin lesions with extracutaneous involvement or prognosis. Elevated ACE levels were significantly associated with systemic involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystemic, non-caseating granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Early-onset disease classically presents with a triad of skin rash, uveitis, and arthritis, but bone marrow involvement is rare. We report a 9-1/2- year old Indian female child who presented with bleeding manifestation, skin rash, uveitis, and arthritis. Bone marrow biopsy showed multiple non-necrotizing granulomas comprising epithelioid cells, mature lymphocytes, and multinucleated giant cells with few eosinophils in the background, with negative staining for acid-fast bacilli or fungi. She was treated successfully with oral prednisolone. This is the first report of an early-onset childhood sarcoidosis with bone marrow involvement from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 49-year-old male was evaluated in our hospital for chronic cough, cervical lymphadenopathy, and a testicular mass. As a part of the management, he underwent a cervical lymph node biopsy, which showed metastatic deposits from papillary carcinoma thyroid. Subsequently, he underwent orchidectomy for suspected testicular malignancy, but the biopsy showed discrete granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis. This was followed by total thyroidectomy with neck node dissection. Nodal histopathological examination, this time, revealed a single node containing both malignancy and granulomas. Prior to the thyroid surgery, he underwent a mediastinoscopic sampling of the mediastinal nodes, which also showed granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis affecting the genitourinary system is a rare entity. The coexistence of sarcoidosis and thyroid malignancy poses a diagnostic challenge. A thorough review of the literature was done, and there are no reports from India on the above association. This is a unique case, which could possibly suggest an association between sarcoidosis and malignancy and highlights the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis in such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Neurosarcoidosis (NS) is a chronic disease with a diverse clinical spectrum, therapeutic response, and outcome. There is scarce literature from our country regarding the same. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical spectrum, therapeutic responses, and outcomes of NS in an Indian cohort. Settings and Design: In a cross-sectional study, we included all patients with NS treated at a quaternary care teaching hospital in India from January 2007 to October 2019. Subjects and Methods: Patients older than 18 years of age fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for NS from the Neurosarcoidosis Consortium Consensus Group were included in the study. The therapeutic response and the degree of disability at last follow-up were assessed. Results: We identified 48 patients, among them 3 were categorized as having definite NS, 30 probable NS, and 15 possible NS. Cranial neuropathy was the most common presentation (47.9%), followed by myelopathy (25%). Systemic involvement was identified in 95.83% and mediastinal lymph nodes were the most common site. Clinical improvement was seen in 65.8% and disease stabilized in 28.9%, while 5.26% deteriorated. Fifty percent recovered without any residual disability, while 26.3% had minor and 23.7% had major residual sequelae. Conclusions: NS is a diverse illness, with a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical presentation, treatment response, and outcome. Cranial neuropathy is the most common presenting feature and has a good prognosis while myelopathy has an unfavorable prognosis. Meningeal and brain parenchymal disease is difficult to diagnose accurately unless systemic involvement is present. The diagnosis of NS should be clinically suspected in the appropriate clinical setting, the presence of systemic involvement should be investigated, and histologic confirmation should be attempted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous disease affecting multiple organ systems. Neurological manifestations are rare and seen in approximately 5% cases of sarcoidosis. They may commonly precede the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Since there is paucity of Indian literature on this subject, we decided to review the clinical and radiological profile, laboratory abnormalities, treatment and long-term outcomes in our patients with neurosarcoidosis (NS).Methods: The study was done by retrospective review of medical records for all cases diagnosed as NS during the period Jan 2014-Jan 2018. These cases were classified as definite, probable, and possible NS, on the basis of established diagnostic parameters (Zajicek criteria). The follow-up record in these cases ranged from 6 months to 3 years, with special emphasis on monitoring the response to treatment and long-term disability.Results: The cases showed varied clinical abnormalities and imaging findings. Cranial neuropathies and myelopathy were the most common clinical presentations. Optic neuritis was most common cranial neuropathy, followed by facial nerve palsy and lower cranial nerve palsies. Most common magnetic resonance imaging findings were T2 hyperintense parenchymal lesions and meningeal enhancement. There was strong correlation between baseline clinico radiological parameters and long-term outcomes, as evidenced by relatively poor prognosis seen in cases with bilateral optic neuritis, myelopathy and imaging evidence of hydrocephalus, or leptomeningitis.Conclusion: The diagnosis of NS requires a high degree of suspicion, coupled with exclusion of alternate diagnosis. It commonly precedes the onset of systemic sarcoidosis. Central nervous system involvement in sarcoidosis is associated with poor clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Catheter ablation (CA) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) has been reported with varying success. However, there is a scarcity of data on the outcomes of CA based on ongoing inflammation. Objective: We hypothesized that the response to VT ablation depends upon the stage of the disease. Methods: Between July 2004 and December 2018, 24 patients of CS presented with drug‐refractory VT at CARE Hospital (Hyderabad) and the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN). Patients were classified into two groups based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography: (a) inflammatory phase, (b) scar phase. All patients underwent 3D electro‐anatomic mapping guided CA. Results: The clinical VT was ablated in all but one patient. In 16 patients (66.6%), both the clinical and nonclinical VTs were ablated (complete success), while in seven patients (29.1%) nonclinical VTs was still inducible. In patients with inflammation (group A), complete success for VT ablation was achieved in 10 out of 17 (58.8%). In patients without inflammation (group B), complete success was achieved in six out of seven patients (85.7%). Eleven patients (45.8%) had a recurrence of VT. Among patients in the inflammatory phase (group A): 10 out of 17 patients had a recurrence of VT, while only one out of seven patients in the scar phase (group B) had VT recurrence over a mean follow‐up of 5.7 ± 3.9 years. Epicardial ablation was performed in 10 (41.6%) patients. Conclusion: CA of drug‐refractory VT in CS is effective, often requiring the epicardial approach. Incomplete success and recurrence of VT were higher in the inflammatory phase of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ten to 15% of patients with sarcoidosis have associated arthritis. Chronic arthritis is fairly uncommon. There is a paucity of data on articular manifestations of the disease from India. Methods: Case records of adult patients with sarcoidosis presenting to 11 rheumatology centers from 2005 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Joint involvement was assessed clinically, classified as acute or chronic depending on duration of symptoms less or greater than 6 months, respectively. Results: A total of 117 patients with sarcoid arthritis were reviewed. Forty‐five patients were classified as having Lofgren's syndrome. The pattern of joint involvement revealed the ankle to be most commonly affected in both the groups. Shoulder, wrist, metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal joints of hands and knee joint involvement were significantly more common in chronic sarcoid arthritis. Peripheral lymphadenopathy and uveitis were significantly more frequent in chronic sarcoid arthritis. Forty out of 49 patients with acute arthritis followed up over a median of 1.8 years had achieved complete remission. Twelve out of 16 chronic sarcoid arthritis (median follow up 2.5 years) had achieved complete remission with 15, 12 and five patients on steroids, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, respectively. One patient with acute sarcoid arthritis with concomitant interstitial lung disease had died due to lung infection. Conclusion: Acute oligoarthritis was the commonest presentation with the ankle being the most commonly affected joint. Upper limb joint (predominantly distal) and knee involvement were more common as reported in our largest series worldwide of chronic sarcoid arthritis in adults. Hilar adenopathy and erythema nodosum were common extra‐articular features in both acute and chronic sarcoid arthritis. A limitation of the study was the retrospective nature of the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report our experience of using Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lymph node aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in assessing the etiology in uveitis from two tertiary eye-care centers in India. Materials & Methods: Retrospective interventional case series. Results: A total of 99 patients of uveitis who underwent EBUS-TBNA were included in the study. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) was detected on culture in 5 cases, 3 cases by polymerase chain reaction and caseating granulomas in 25 cases. None of these patients had any symptoms of systemic tuberculosis (TB). Biopsy was inconclusive in eight cases. Granulomatous inflammation was seen in 91 cases. In 51 cases, it was difficult to differentiate between sarcoidosis and TB on biopsy. None of the patients had any significant complications. There was a fair agreement between the biopsy diagnosis and the final ocular diagnosis. Conclusions: In high TB endemic countries, procedures like EBUS-TBNA are useful in obtaining tissue diagnosis of TB when ocular diagnosis may be inconclusive due to paucity of ocular tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To review the role of high resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT) in ocular sarcoidosis in a high TB endemic population.Methods: This was a retrospective study.Results: Out of 140 cases, 54 had ocular sarcoidosis, while 86 cases had ocular tuberculosis. Abnormal HRCT findings was noted in 52 cases (96.3%) of ocular sarcoidosis compared with 55 cases (64.7%) of ocular tuberculosis (p = 0.001). Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was the most common finding in both groups (p = 0.544). Hilar lymphadenopathy and fissural nodules were significantly seen in ocular sarcoidosis (p = 0.001). Necrosis was seen in three cases of ocular sarcoidosis. In nearly half of the cases, it was not possible to differentiate between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis on HRCT.Conclusions: HRCT is a useful diagnostic tool in ocular sarcoidosis. Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and fissural nodules are significant findings in ocular sarcoidosis. A confident diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis is made by the amalgamation of results of clinical, radiologic, and other laboratory investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blau syndrome (BS) is a rare autoinflammatory disorder characterized by the clinical triad of arthritis, uveitis, and dermatitis due to heterozygous gain-of-function mutations in the NOD2 gene. BS can mimic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ocular tuberculosis. We report a family comprising a mother and her two children, all presenting with uveitis and arthritis. A NOD2 mutation was confirmed in all the three patients - the first such molecularly proven case report of familial BS from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoidosis affects different systems of the body including the skin where it can affect various cutaneous sites. Among these sites, the scalp is a very unusual location for lesions of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis of the scalp can very rarely be accompanied by cicatricial alopecia. We report here a rare case of sarcoidosis of scalp with cicatricial alopecia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such report from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Retrospective analysis of the clinical features, investigative profile, response to treatment, and final visual outcome in histopathologically confirmed cases of sarcoid uveitis. Methods: Retrospective case series analysis was done of 15 eyes of 9 patients seen between July1999 and August 2003 with biopsy-proven sarcoid uveitis. There were 3 were males and 6 females. The mean age at presentation was 44.1 years (range 11-62 years), The mean follow-up was 28.4 months. Results: Six patients had bilateral ocular involvement and 3 had unilateral involvement. Five out of 9 patients had primarily ocular involvement. The most common presentation was intermediate uveitis and granulomatous anterior uveitis in 7 patients. Eight of 9 patients responded well to the medical treatment with systemic and periocular steroids. Conclusions: Ocular lesions can be the primary manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis. Sarcoid uveitis in the Asian Indian population often presents an intermediate uveitis with granulomatous anterior uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of undetermined etiology. Indian studies on cutaneous sarcoidosis are not many and mainly comprise case reports.Aims: This retrospective study was carried out to assess the clinical profile of sarcoidosis patients presenting with cutaneous lesions.Methods: All histopathologically proven cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis seen consecutively between 1999 and 2004 were studied. Their age, sex, presenting features, evolution of disease and laboratory parameters were analyzed.Results: A total of 23 patients (F:M 15:8) between 31 to 78 years (mean 44.3 years) of age had the mean duration of skin lesions of 1.4 years. Six patients had one to four lesions; two patients each had scar sarcoidosis and angiolupoid and one patient each had recurrent erythema nodosum, leg lymphedema and subcutaneous sarcoidosis. Others showed combination of papules, nodules, plaques and psoriasiform lesions. Peripheral lymph nodes were involved in two patients. Among 10 patients of pulmonary involvement, three had become symptomatic four months to four years after the cutaneous lesions. Routine laboratory investigations including serum calcium estimation were normal in all cases. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were raised in 3 out of 6 patients. Asymptomatic lytic lesions of digital bones were detected in hand X-ray of one patient.Conclusion: Skin lesions of sarcoidosis are like the tip of an iceberg indicating more changes in other organs. The symptomatology and abnormal laboratory results do not necessarily correlate with the severity of cutaneous involvement in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease with multisystem involvement. Diagnosis is generally easy to establish from the characteristic clinical and radiographic features. In India and other developing countries, tuberculosis is the closest clinical mimic and needs to be excluded before therapy for sarcoidosis is instituted. Tuberculin anergy and histopathological demonstration of characteristic compact granulomas help in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Corticosteroids constitute the mainstay of therapy for symptomatic pulmonary and most other forms of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. Asymptomatic disease does not require any treatment, but milder forms may be treated with topical corticosteroids and symptomatic therapy. Alternative drugs such as cytotoxic agents, hydroxychloroquine and other agents are used either alone or in combination for the treatment of relapses and recurrences and refractoriness or in the presence of complications of corticosteroids. Treatment is usually continued for about a year, but it may need to be prolonged in patients with disease that persists and the response to therapy is delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented wherein the authors’ report results of their study which revealed that prevalence of depression in patients with sarcoidosis appears to be higher than that of the general population.