Objective: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the spectrum of abdominal CT findings in patients with tissue proved sarcoidosis, estimate their prevalence, and correlate abdominal findings with stage of thoracic disease.
Materials and methods: Between 1987 and 1993, 140 patients with tissue proved sarcoidosis underwent abdominal or chest CT at our institution. After exclusions, 49 patients remained. Abdominal CT was retrospectively reviewed and the findings arrived at by consensus. Chest radiography within 1 month of CT was available for 46 patients. Chest radiography was retrospectively reviewed and stage of thoracic disease arrived at by consensus.
Results: Splenic abnormalities consisted of splenomegaly, low density lesions, and punctate calcifications. Hepatic sarcoidosis manifested as hypovascular lesions, hepatomegaly, and punctate calcifications. Lymphatic abnormalities consisted of lymphadenopathy, most commonly between 1 and 2 cm, and an increased number of normal sized lymph nodes.
Conclusion: Sarcoidosis produces splenic abnormalities in 53% of patients, liver abnormalities in 16%, and lymphatic findings in 43%. No correlation was demonstrated between the abdominal findings and stage of thoracic sarcoidosis.