Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis continues to be a disease defined descriptively rather than by etiology. Bronchoalveolar lavage has brought new understandings of the pulmonary inflammatory process and its pathogenesis and defects in immunoregulation. Much is known of the clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis, its diagnosis and management. Spontaneous remissions are common, but when treatment is required, the response to corticosteroids is often dramatic, although long-term treatment may be required. The appropriate use of corticosteroids is discussed fully, as are special clinical problems.