Recovery of pulmonary and skin lesions of sarcoidosis after thymectomy.

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.