Cardiopulmonary Sarcoid and Its Mimics

Sarcoid is a multisystem granulomatous disease, which can result in multiorgan dysfunction and significant morbidity and mortality.1 Although sarcoid can present in nearly any system, pulmonary involvement is present in approximately 90% of cases.2,3 Cardiac sarcoid is less common, and is believed to occur in 25% of patients with sarcoidosis.4 Both pulmonary and cardiac sarcoid can closely mimic other diseases presenting a challenge for the interpreting radiologist. Given that treatment may attenuate disease progression, it is essential for radiologists to recognize sarcoid early so that appropriate treatment can be initiated and to facilitate a search for other sites of disease.5,6