A case of sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension masquerading as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Pulm Circ. 2018 Jul-Sep;8(3):2045894018768289. doi: 10.1177/2045894018768289. Epub 2018 Mar 14.

Abstract

Occlusive vasculopathy due to the development and accumulation of granulomas at the level of intima of large vessels, as well as mediastinal lymph nodes and fibrosing mediastinitis secondary to sarcoidosis, causing extrinsic compression of mediastinal vascular structure are uncommon mechanisms of sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension. We present a case of a 62-year-old woman with a rare manifestation of sarcoidosis, which was misclassified and treated as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension for a long period. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography played a major role in accessing final diagnosis. Mechanisms that lead to development of pulmonary hypertension, the contribution of novel imaging modalities, and treatment options are discussed.

Keywords: fibrosing mediastinitis; pulmonary hypertension; sarcoidosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports