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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffSarcoidosis can be difficult to diagnose, partly because the disease produces few signs and symptoms in its early stages. And when symptoms do occur, they vary by organ system affected and can mimic those of other disorders. A variety of diagnostic tests can narrow the possibilities and rule out other conditions.
Imaging tests
- X-ray. A simple chest X-ray can reveal evidence of lung damage or enlarged lymph nodes in your chest. In fact, some people have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis before they have any symptoms — from the evidence provided by chest X-rays taken for other reasons.
- CT scan. Computerized tomography (CT) uses a computer to combine a large number of X-rays views taken from many different directions into detailed, cross-sectional images of your internal structures.
Lab tests
Samples of your blood may be tested to check your general health and to see how well your kidneys and liver are functioning.
Lung function tests
These tests typically measure:
- The volume of your lungs
- How much air you can breathe in and out
- How fast you can breathe air out
- How well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood
Biopsies
A biopsy is a small sample of tissue taken from a part of your body believed to be affected by sarcoidosis. The sample can be tested for the types of granulomas that are commonly seen in sarcoidosis. Biopsies can most easily be taken from your skin, from lymph nodes right under the skin, or from the outer membrane of your eye.
Lung biopsies can be obtained during a bronchoscopy (brong-KOS-kuh-pee). This procedure uses a thin, flexible tube that contains a fiber-optic camera and a grasping tool. After the tube is inserted down your throat, a doctor uses the grasping tool to remove a small sample of lung tissue — about the size of a grain of rice. The sample is sent to a microbiology laboratory to look for specific organisms.
- Sarcoidosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/sarc/sar_whatis.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Sarcoidosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/196535409-4/986729825/2088/583.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00028-9--sc0020_11937. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Weinberger SE. Sarcoidosis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/196535409-4/986729825/1492/382.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50100-2_4032. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Dempsey OJ, et al. Sarcoidosis. British Medical Journal. 2009;339:620.
- King TE. Patient information: Sarcoidosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 5, 2010.
- King CS, et al. Treatment of sarcoidosis. Disease a Month. 2009;55:704.
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