Systemic sarcoidosis presenting with hypercalcemia, sinusitis and hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system granulomatous disease of unknown origin. It is mainly thought of as a lung disease but it can affect any organ system. Sinus and endocrine dysfunctions are described but are rare and seldomly linked with sarcoidosis.

Methods

Here we describe a case of a young Caucasian man who already visited multiple care givers for sinusitis, erectile dysfunction and anorexia. He presented at the emergency department with fever and emaciation, polyuria and polydipsia. The results of the blood sampling revealed a hypercalcaemia as well as abnormal thyroid function.

Results

After biochemical, radiological and histopathological workup, he was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in resolution of the sinusitis and normalisation of the calcemia, as well as the thyroid function while the impotence, polydipsia and polyuria remained. Elaboration revealed extra-pulmonary involvement of the sarcoidosis with dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and diabetes insipidus due to a sellar mass.

Conclusion

This is a rare case of systemic sarcoidosis with both thoracic and extra thoracic manifestations, with pituitary and sinus involvement. It shows that sarcoidosis can affect any organ system and diagnosis can be difficult in case of extrapulmonary manifestations.

KEYWORDS:

• Sarcoidosis
• hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction
• sinusitis
• hypercalcemia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Recovery was defined by the disappearance of all sarcoidosis symptoms and the absence of recurrence without no treatment for at least 6 months.