Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis presenting with elevated serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels.

A 52-year-old woman presented with a one-week history of low-grade fever and dyspnea. A CT scan showed multiple pulmonary nodules with cavitation, as well as bilateral pleural thickenings with effusions. A specimen resected by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery showed multiple confluent granulomas with central necrosis and granulomatous vasculitis. These findings were consistent with necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis. An elevated serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor level became normal following clinical and radiological improvement. This indicates that the serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor can be a useful marker for the clinical management of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel