Sarcoidosis

Chapter 50 discusses sarcoidosis, which is a systemic disease that often involves the musculoskeletal system. The radiographic changes seen in sarcoid of the phalanges are characteristic, however, involvement of bone and other tissues may be occult or nonspecific. Tissue sampling is often required for diagnosis, especially when sarcoid resembles metastatic disease. The organ systems most commonly involved in sarcoid are the lungs, lymph nodes, skin and eyes. Radiographs are the standard first study used to evaluate symptomatic hand or foot involvement. Uncommon, palpable soft tissue lesions are best evaluated by MRI. Systemic corticosteroids are the primary treatment of active sarcoidosis.