Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas, which accumulate in affected organs. The incidence, organ involvement, and disease severity depend on environmental exposures and host factors. The cause of sarcoidosis remains unknown. Any organ can be affected; however, involvement of the lung, heart, and nervous system contributes most to morbidity and mortality. This review discusses the epidemiology, etiology, genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis (including clinical manifestations), differential diagnosis, management, complications, and prognosis of sarcoidosis. Figures depict the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, radiographic stages of sarcoidosis, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a patient with neurosarcoidosis, noncaseating granuloma from a tissue biopsy of a patient with sarcoidosis, various manifestations of sarcoidosis, approach to the use of anti-inflammatory therapy for sarcoidosis, and an algorithm for symptomatic disease.  This review contains 7 highly rendered figures, 3 tables, and 126 references Keywords: cardiac sarcoidosis, hilar lymphadenopathy, Löfgren syndrome, neurosarcoidosis, noncaseating granuloma, sarcoidosis, uveitis