Editorial

Gastric Sarcoidosis

Authors: Maen Alqdah, MD, Robert Lenox, MD

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disorder of uncertain etiology, characterized by accumulation of mononuclear inflammatory cells followed by the formation of noncaseating epithelioid granulomas at the site of involvement. The disease has a female preponderance, and is more common in the African-American population.1 Virtually all organs of the body have been reported to be affected, but the most common site of involvement is the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes. Involvement of the skin, eyes, and lymphatic tissues is also common. Other organ involvement includes the heart (with infiltrative cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities), nervous system (with unilateral facial nerve palsy), and reticuloendothelial system (liver and spleen). Gastrointestinal manifestations excluding liver involvement (which occur in 40–70% of cases) are not commonly reported.1 It is estimated that up to 10% of patients with pulmonary or cutaneous sarcoidosis have alimentary tract involvement, most of which is asymptomatic. An autopsy study of patients with sarcoidosis, however, reported gastroduodenal involvement in 4–10% of the cases.2,3 Only 1% of cases of systemic disease have symptomatic gastric involvement.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Newman LS, Rose CS, Marier LA. Sarcoidosis. N Engl J Med 1997;336:1224–1234.
 
2. Noel JM, Katona IM Pineiro-Carrero VM et al. Sarcoidosis resulting in duodenal obstruction in an adolescent. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1997;24:594–598.
 
3. Palmer ED. Note on silent sarcoidosis of the gastric mucosa. J Lab Clin Med 1958;52:231–234.
 
4. Friedman M, Ali MA, Borum ML. Gastric sarcoidosis. South Med J. 2007; 100: 301–303.
 
5. Sato Y, Enjoji M, Ito K, et al. Gastric sarcoid without other sarcoid lesions [letters to the editor]. J Clin Gastroenterol 2002;35:359.
 
6. Fireman Z, Sternberg A, Yarchovsky Y, et al. Multiple antral ulcers in gastric sarcoid. J Clin Gastroenterol 1997;24:97–99.
 
7. Chlumsky J, Krtek V, Chlumsky A, et al. Sarcoidosis of the stomach: endoscopic diagnosis and possibilities of conservative treatment. Hepatogastroenterology 1985;32:255–257.
 
8. Panella VS, Katz S, Kahn E, et al. Isolated gastric sarcoidosis, unique remnant of disseminated disease. J Clin Gastroenterol 1998;10:327–331.
 
9. Teichman RF, Brandt-Rauf PW. Gastric sarcoidosis. J R Soc Med 1991;84:50–51.
 
10. Storch Ian Rostoff L Katz S, et al. Sarcoidosis and inflammatory bowel disease [letters to the editor]. J Clin Gastroenterol 2001;33:345.
 
11. Leeds S McAlindon ME Lorenz E, et al. Gastric sarcoidosis mimicking irritable bowel syndrome: cause not association? World J Gastroenterol 2006;12:4754–4756.
 
12. Kawaura K Takahashi T Kasaka K, et al. Spontaneously identified gastric sarcoidosis: a report of three cases. J Int Med Res 2003;31:239–243.
 
13. Korsager S. Sarcoidosis of the stomach: a case report. Scand J Resp Dis 1979;60:24–27.