Sarcoidosis Diagnosis: Clinical Evaluation, Imaging, Labs, and Biopsy

Diagnosis combines clinical findings, imaging, lab tests, and sometimes biopsy:

1. Medical History & Symptoms

Shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, joint pain, skin rash, eye problems.

2. Physical Exam

Lung auscultation, lymph node palpation, skin lesion check.

3. Imaging

• Chest X-ray – lung involvement
• CT scan – detailed organ images
• PET scan – metabolic activity in lesions

4. Laboratory Tests

• ACE level – often elevated
• CBC, ESR – inflammation, anemia
• Liver and renal function tests

5. Biopsy

Tissue sample from lung, lymph node, or skin for microscopic confirmation.

Sarcoidosis mimics other conditions; thorough evaluation is essential.