In order to make a proper diagnosis of sarcoidosis, medical professionals will begin by taking note of any medical history, in particular any previous family history of sarcoidosis, and what professions were followed that may have increased the chances of developing sarcoidosis. A physical examination and several diagnostic tests will also be used in the assessment.
There is not one specific test for making a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, and a variety of tests will be used depending in which part of the body is being examined. Included in these tests is the chest x-ray
In a chest x-ray, an image of the heart and lungs is taken, which may indicate granulomas or enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. It is estimated that 95% of sarcoidosis sufferers have an abnormal chest x-ray, so it is a good indicator when trying to detect sarcoidosis.
A staging system for chest x-rays is the typical method used for sarcoidosis diagnosis.
Sarcoidosis Stages
- Stage 0- normal chest x-ray
- Stage 1- indicated by enlarged lymph nodes, but clear lungs
- Stage 2 - enlarged lymph nodes and shadows on the lungs
- Stage 3 - shadows on the lungs, but no enlargement of the lymph nodes
- Stage 4 – scars present in the lung tissue
Sarcoidosis Stages |
Generally speaking, the higher the indicated stage, the worse the symptoms and lung functionality, but this is not the case for everyone. Some people may not show any symptoms or need any form of treatment, and some may actually improve to the extent that further chest x-rays will be normal.
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