Monolateral adenopathy of the axilla due to sarcoid-type granulomata: idiopathic granulomatous disease or sarcoidosis? A case report
Izzo, L.; Di Cello, P.; Meloni, P.; Caputo, M.; Izzo, P.; Costi, U.; De Toma, G.; Basso, L.; Bolognese, A.; Pietrasanta, D.
Il Giornale di Chirurgia 29(8-9): 362-364
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-9005 PMID: 18834570 Document Number: 621780
The presence of sarcoid-type granulomata in peripheral lymph nodes, with no evidence of other typical lesions, doesn't allow to diagnose sarcoidosis. In fact, sarcoidosis is a systemic disease and two or more organs must be affected to reach a definitive diagnosis. However this involvement could happen even several years later, thus making a correct diagnosis really difficult. In the absence of other organ involvement, an "idiopathic granulomatous disease" of peripheral lymph nodes is identified. Patients must anyway undergo a careful, long-term follow-up in order to detect clinical or radiologic variations that may confirm a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. After presenting a case-report of monolateral adenopathy of the axilla as an idiopathic granulomatous disease, the Authors review the international literature about sarcoidosis and its extra-pulmonar presentation, underlining the importance of considering sarcoidosis among possible diagnosis when peripheral adenopathies occur.