Thoracic Lymphadenopathy in Sarcoidosis: Distribution Pattern Among Chinese Patients in Hong Kong

WH Kwan, WH Kwok, WH Yeung, CS Cheng

Hong Kong J Radiol 2001;4:196-201

Objective: To investigate the distribution of thoracic lymphadenopathy in Chinese patients presenting with sarcoidosis.

Materials and Methods: Four patients with sarcoidosis (2 male and 2 female with a mean age of 35.2 years) were diagnosed at Ruttonjee Hospital from 1994 to 1999. Using the American Thoracic Society lymph node map, the distribution of lymphadenopathy as seen on computed tomography scans of the thorax was retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy was present in all four patients. The most frequently involved nodal stations were 2R, 4R, 5, and 7. Stations 1, 10L, and 14 were not involved. These patients showed a similar pattern of involvement to that reported in Caucasians, with the exception of greater subcarinal and anterior mediastinal lymph node involvement.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the pattern of distribution of lymphadenopathy in pulmonary sarcoidosis is useful in differentiating sarcoidosis from tuberculosis, which is more commonly seen in the Hong Kong population.