sarcoidosis pathophysiology

Sarcoidosis is immune mediated, inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Development is characterized by T-cell overaction to unknown antigen leading to cytokine release by CD4 T helper cells. This causes formation of non-caseating granulomas in multiple organs.

Noncaseating granulomas consist of macrophages, epithelioid cells, and multinucleated giant cells, surrounded by lymphocytes, monocytes, mast cells and fibroblasts. It's important to make sure there's no fungi or AFB within the granuloma.