CT Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of thoracic sarcoidosis

【Objective】To analyze the CT appearances of thoracic sarcoidosis retrospectively and to obtain a higher accunrate rate and reduce misdiagnosis.【Methods】CT appearances of 47 cases with proven thoracic sarcoidosis were analyzed retorospectively.【Results】In 47 cases enlarged thoracic lymph nodes could be detected.46 of them had mediastinal lymph node enlargement,45 of them had bilateral hilar lymph node enlargement,1 of them had unilateral hilar lymph node enlargement and no mediastinal lymph node enlargement.In 30 cases there were abnonrmal findings in the lungs.Twenty one of them had multiple nodes,1 of them had single nodes,9 of them had groundglass opacities,15 of them had thickened bronchi and vessels,5 of them had consolidation.【Conclusions】Diagnosis of the thoracic sarcoidosis with typical imaging appearances is easy.Diagnosis of the atypical cases is difficult and combination with clinical findings and follow-up is necessary.