Editorial

Sarcoidosis Presenting as Acute Respiratory Failure

Authors: Muthiah Pugazhenthi, MD

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown cause with a myriad of potential clinical manifestations. A vast majority of patients with sarcoidosis present with lymph node and lung involvement. In the acute stage, sarcoidosis can present clinically as one of the well-defined classic syndromes (Lofgren or Heerfordt syndrome); however, sarcoidosis presenting as acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation is rare. There have been very few reported cases of sarcoidosis initially presenting as acute respiratory failure, although patients with known sarcoidosis may sometimes progress to respiratory failure over time.

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