MSCT Pulmonary Manifestations and Complications of Long Standing Sarcoidosis

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem chronic inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. It is known to have mediastinal lymphadenopathy and parenchymal perilymphatic distribution of its granulomas. In long standing cases, however, fibrosis and honey combing described as fibrocystic changes with classic bronchocentric and upper zonal predilection are recognized. Mycetoma is a reported complication of fibrocystic sarcoidosis. Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) especially high-resolution technique (high resolution computed tomography, HRCT) play a very important role in diagnosing pulmonary manifestations and detect the possible complications of long standing sarcoidosis. Aim of the Work: The purpose of this study is to depict the pulmonary parenchymal changes and the possible complications in long standing sarcoidosis and to explore the role of MSCT/HRCT in its diagnosis. Patients and Methods: This study included 23 cases 20 females and 3 males, age range 45 to 62 years old (average 51.66 years). Cases were referred to the Radiology Department Kasr Al-Aini for MSCT/HRCT assessment of the chest. All patients were known cases of sarcoidosis with duration of illness ranging from five to seventeen years (5-17 years), all were subjected to thorough clinical evaluation, laboratory assessment. CT chest (with high resolution technique) done to all patients using MDCT (Toshiba- Aquillion, 64 detectors). Results: In this study multi-slice and high resolution computed tomography (MSCT with high resolution technique; HRCT) detected various CT chest signs in long standing sarcoidosis patients.