Case Report

Gastric Sarcoidosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Authors: Mark Friedman, MD, M Aamir Ali, MD, Marie L. Borum, MD, EdD, MPH

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement in sarcoidosis is rare. Gastric sarcoidosis, particularly involving the antrum, affects approximately 10% of patients with systemic disease.1 GI sarcoidosis commonly occurs subclinically, with clinical manifestations present in only 0.1 to 0.9% of patients with the disease.


This is a rare case report of an individual with symptomatic gastric sarcoidosis. The patient presented with weight loss, nausea, and early satiety. An EGD and colonoscopy were performed and were grossly normal. However, biopsies of the gastric antrum revealed noncaseating granulomatous inflammation involving the gastric mucosa. Corticosteroid therapy was started and the symptoms abated almost immediately. We also offer a review of the literature.


Key Points


* Symptomatic gastric sarcoidosis is a rare disease.


* The clinical manifestations of gastric sarcoidosis include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and upper GI bleeding.


* Histological evidence of noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis is necessary for diagnosis.


* Treatment with corticosteroid therapy usually causes resolution of symptoms.

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