Recovery of pulmonary and skin lesions of sarcoidosis after thymectomy

Abstract

Objective and importance: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas and an inflammatory process in which T lymphocytes, especially type-1 helper T (Th1) cells, macrophages and different cytokines are involved. Different studies have shown the importance of genetic background in addition to environmental exposure in explaining different clinical phenotypes and disease outcome. In addition, potential auto antigens that might lead to the disease have been identified.

Clinical presentation: Here, we present a 53-year-old female patient presenting with subcutaneous nodules and mediastinal hilar lymphadenopathies refractory for corticosteroid treatment. Computed tomography of the thorax revealed a soft-tissue lesion in the thymus location.

Intervention: The lesions due to sarcoidosis resolved after thymectomy.

Conclusion: The remission of skin and pulmonary sarcoidosis only after thymectomy does potentially indicate the critical role that the thymus might play in the pathogenesis of this disease in a certain group of patients.

Keywords:

• Sarcoidosis
• Thymic hyperplasia
• Thymectomy

Acknowledgement

All the authors have read and agreed with the content and interpretation of the submitted article.

Funding

There was no funding or support received for this study.