Is there an anatomic explanation for chest pain in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis?

BACKGROUND

Chest pain (CP), its cause unknown, is a common and often prominent symptom of sarcoidosis.

METHODS

We determined the frequency and character of CP in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and examined its relationship with (1) length of time since diagnosis, (2) roentgenograhic stage, and (3) radiographic abnormalities on spiral chest computed tomography (CT).

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were studied: 14 of 22 patients (64%) had CP, with 4 of 14 (29%) identifying pain as their primary symptom. Eleven of 14 (79%) had pleuritic CP; 12 of 22 (54.5%) described CP as substernal; and 5 of 22 (22.7%) described CP between the scapula. There was not a significant correlation between CP and the presence or degree of lymphadenopathy. There was no significant correlation between CP and the presence or location of pleural disease. Abnormalities of other thoracic structures also had no significant correlation with the presence of CP.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that there is no "anatomic reason" for CP in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis that is evident on chest CT.