Sarcoidosis

Clinical information

Sarcoidosis (also called sarcoid or Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease) is an acute or chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various organs of the body. It is characterised by nodules (granuloma), especially in the lungs and lymph nodes. The granuloma can develop at any site in the body and disrupt the functioning of the respective organs. Chronic forms of sarcoidosis can persist for several years, which is why monitoring disease activity and predicting the disease course play an important role in therapy.

Diagnostics

Sarcoidosis is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are manifold and vary from person to person. As there is no specific diagnostic criterion to identify the disease, diagnostics are based on several steps. Diagnosis is secured by different imaging procedures as well as pulmonary function tests. Patients with sarcoidosis exhibit increased concentrations of enzyme (angiotensin converting enzyme, ACE) in serum or heparin plasma. Serological determination of the ACE concentration is therefore an essential part of diagnostics, follow-up and therapy monitoring of sarcoidosis.