Sarcoidosis - External and Internal Eye
See also in: Overview,Hair and Scalp,Oral Mucosal LesionAlerts and Notices
Synopsis
Sarcoidosis commonly presents with abnormalities identified incidentally on chest radiography. Although the disease can affect different organs, systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss are common. Sarcoidosis can affect the lungs, with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, and most commonly, pronounced fatigue. It can also affect the peripheral lymph nodes, heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system (CNS), liver, spleen, bone, muscle, and endocrine glands. Venous thromboembolism and pulmonary hypertension are potential complications of sarcoidosis. Approximately 90% of patients will have lung involvement. Pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiolectasis result in "honeycombing" of the lung and represent end-stage lung disease due to chronic granulomatous inflammation. Hilar lymphadenopathy is asymptomatic and affects 90% of patients. Approximately 10% of patients have hypercalcemia.
Neurosarcoidosis commonly manifests as cranial-nerve deficits. Any part of the neurologic system can be impacted by sarcoidosis; a vast range of neurologic signs and symptoms may be present. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to permanent disability. The diagnostic workup for neurosarcoidosis should include an MRI of the head, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and detection of sarcoidosis outside the nervous system.
About a quarter to one-half of patients with systemic disease develop eye involvement. Patients with ocular sarcoid may complain of double, decreased, or blurry vision. There are 2 ocular syndromes: Heerfordt syndrome, with uveitis, parotid enlargement, and papilledema; and Löfgren syndrome, with erythema nodosum, bilateral hilar adenopathy, and arthralgias.
Uveitis of the eye can present with photophobia, redness of the eye, and cloudy vision. Complications from uveitis include cataracts, glaucoma, posterior synechiae, corneal band keratopathy, and iris nodules. Retinal neovascularization and optic nerve damage are also possible with sarcoidosis. Granulomas of the eyelids, lacrimal glands, conjunctiva, iris, retina, and choroid can occur. Rarely, there can be granulomatous inflammation of the extraocular muscles leading to diplopia, which may be the presenting sign of sarcoidosis.
Mortality is most commonly due to significant granulomatous disease in the lungs and heart, leading to respiratory failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. CNS, liver, and renal diseases are also well-known causes of morbidity and mortality.
The pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is poorly understood. However, it is characterized by noncaseating epithelioid granulomas made up mostly of CD4+ helper T-cells, a predominantly Th1 type immune response, and elevated levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2.
Some drugs and exposures have been associated with the development of sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like granulomatosis. Patients undergoing antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C – both monotherapy with IFN-alpha and combination therapy with IFN-alpha and ribavirin – have developed new-onset sarcoidosis or experienced reactivation of preexisting sarcoidosis during or shortly after treatment. The disease typically manifests as pulmonary and/or cutaneous sarcoidosis and follows a benign course, resolving spontaneously or within months after antiviral treatment is completed. More complicated multisystem cases, eg, involving the CNS, have been reported. The use of systemic corticosteroids to treat sarcoidosis in such patients should be considered with caution due to their adverse effects on viral loads. In addition, there have been an increasing number of reports of new-onset sarcoidosis manifesting in patients who are receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab), eg, for a rheumatologic diagnosis. This is paradoxical because TNF-alpha inhibitors have been used to treat sarcoidosis. Disease typically resolves with discontinuation of the drug and steroid therapy. It has been reported that exposure to moderate-to-high levels of silica increases the risk for sarcoidosis, which is of special concern for first responders (eg, firefighters). This association is more common in men due to occupational exposure.
Pediatric Patient Considerations:
Sarcoidosis is an uncommon disease in pediatric patients and is extremely rare in children younger than 6 years. When sarcoidosis presents in children younger than 6 years, it is characterized by a triad of skin rash, uveitis, and arthritis without intrathoracic involvement. In adolescents, the cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis are similar to those seen in adults, with the exception of lupus pernio and erythema nodosum, which are rare in that age group.
Codes
ICD10CM:D86.3 – Sarcoidosis of skin
SNOMEDCT:
31541009 – Sarcoidosis
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Skin lesion differential diagnoses include the following:Papules:
- Leprosy
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Lichen planus
- Trichoepitheliomas
- Tuberous sclerosis (adenoma sebaceum)
- Lupus erythematosus
- Secondary syphilis
- Acne rosacea
- Granuloma annulare
- Leukemia cutis / lymphoma cutis
- Pseudolymphoma
- Tertiary syphilis
- TB
- Necrobiosis lipoidica
- Morphea
- Leprosy
- Leishmaniasis (Old World and New World)
- Combined variable immunodeficiency can have cutaneous and systemic sarcoid-like lesions.
Orbital granulomatous differential diagnoses are lipogranulomas, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, TB, syphilis, fungal infections, parasites (eg, microfilariae, nematode larvae), and panophthalmitis.
The differential diagnosis of granulomatous uveitis includes the following:
- Infectious bacterial agents, such as TB, cat-scratch disease, syphilis, brucellosis, leprosy, and leptospirosis.
- Protozoan infections, such as amebiasis, toxoplasmosis, and trypanosomiasis.
- Fungal infections, such as actinomycosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, mucormycosis, nocardiosis, and sporotrichosis.
- Helminth infestations, such as Ascaris, cysticercosis, taeniasis, Diptera larvae, and nematode infestations (onchocerciasis and Toxocara, Ancylostoma, and Necator species).
- Viral uveitis, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), herpes zoster, vaccinia, and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Updated:11/10/2022
Patient Information for Sarcoidosis - External and Internal Eye
Overview
Sarcoidosis is an immune disorder where cells collect in various parts of your body. The most common sites are the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, and skin.Who’s At Risk
There is no known cause; however, doctors believe genetics may have an influence. Bacteria, viruses, dust, or chemicals can trigger the disorder. Sarcoidosis usually occurs at ages 20-65, with women having a slightly higher risk of developing the disorder.Signs & Symptoms
Common symptoms of sarcoidosis may include:- Fatigue
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weight loss
- Rash with firm bumps
- Labored breathing
- Joint pain
Symptoms of neurosarcoidosis (nervous system) are:
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss
- Double vision
Symptoms of pulmonary (lung) sarcoidosis are:
- Cough
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty breathing
Symptoms of esophageal (throat) sarcoidosis are:
- Weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
Self-Care Guidelines
Sarcoidosis typically resolves on its own. If problems persist, seek medical care.When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if you suspect you have sarcoidosis or if your symptoms get progressively worse.Treatments
If symptoms are severe or organ function is declining, treatment with medication may be administered.- Corticosteroids can be applied to affected areas to reduce inflammation.
- Medications to suppress the immune system may be given to reduce inflammation.
Sarcoidosis - External and Internal Eye
See also in: Overview,Hair and Scalp,Oral Mucosal Lesion