Endobronchial sarcoid mass: Uncommon presentation of the disease

• Published in: Respiratory medicine extra 2006, Vol.2 (1), p.39-41
• Main Authors: Ortega-González, Angel, Heili-Frades, Sarah, Fernández-Ormaechea, Itziar, de Frutos, Noelia Cubero, Machado-Gallas, Juana María, Melchor-Íñiguez, Rosario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bronchial biopsy; Endobronchial mass; Sarcoidosis
• ISSN: 1744-9049; 1744-9049
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmedx.2005.12.001

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disorder, which mainly affects the respiratory system. Diagnosis is based on the exclusion of other infectious, interstitial and neoplastic diseases and a typical pathology. Presentation as an endobronchial mass is very rare. We describe a patient who presented with dry cough, mild fever, night sweats, asthenia and thoracic pain. Chest radiograph showed an increase of the right hilum. A Computed Tomography showed right parahiliar adenopathies with mediastinal involvement. Physical examination and routine serological and biochemistry tests were normal. Bronchoscopy showed a mass that occluded the entrance to the right segment IX. Its biopsy showed epitelial granulomatosis without necrosis. No malignancy was observed. The biological samples cultures were negative for mycobacterium. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made. The symptoms disappeared. No treatment was prescribed, remaining the patient asymptomatic. A tumoral behaviour of sarcoidosis is not usual, however, a mass presentation is very rare. Bronchial biopsy is mandatory for a confirmation diagnosis.