Radiographic features of sarcoid in the older patient

The clinical and radiographic features of 28 patients presenting with sarcoid after the age of 50 years were reviewed. Atypical presentations characterized 71% (N = 20) of the patients. The atypical radiographic patterns included isolated mediastinal and/or unilateral hilar adenopathy (N = 10), solitary or multiple pulmonary masses (N = 3), and atelectasis (N = 3). Five patients (18%) had extrathoracic tumors at the time the histologic diagnosis of sarcoid was made, confusing the radiographic diagnosis. An enhanced awareness of the atypical patterns of sarcoid in the older population may facilitate the diagnostic process