Nodular pulmonary sarcoidosis. Clinical, roentgenographic, and physiologic course in five patients

Abstract

Five cases of nodular pulmonary sarcoidosis are presented. That nodular infiltration represents a reversible stage of sarcoidosis is suggested by the fact that all patients demonstrated roentgenographic resolution of these infiltrates. In four of the five subjects, tests of pulmonary function showed restrictive disease which remained unchanged or worsened despite radiologic clearing, suggesting persistence of active disease or development of residual pulmonary fibrosis. Evidence of obstruction of airways that was unexplained by a history of smoking was present in all of the five subjects.