Tomoda F, Oda Y, Takata M, Futamura A, Fujii N, Inoue H, Kitagawa M
The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Am J Med Sci. 1999 Dec;318(6):413-4. doi: 10.1097/00000441-199912000-00008.
A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of bilateral leg lymphedema. He also showed subcutaneous nodules and CT scan disclosed multiple enlarged lymph nodes at thoracic, abdominal, and inguinal areas. Biopsy of the inguinal lymph node and the subcutaneous nodule revealed noncaseating epithelioid cell granuloma, a finding consistent with sarcoidosis. Lymphedema was attributed to the blockade of lymph flow by the systemic lymph node involvement of the disease. Within 1 week after the initiation of steroid therapy, his leg edema disappeared. Lymphedema could be the initial symptom of systemic sarcoidosis.