[Radiological examinations in the diagnosis and monitoring of pulmonary sarcoidosis].

Diagnosis of sarcoidosis is mainly based on radiological examinations. The most important one is chest X-ray, which in typical cases reveals bilateral enlarged hilar lymph nodes, in a proportion of patients also concomitant parenchymal changes, rarely isolated parenchymal infiltrations or signs of lung fibrosis. The next step is chest computed tomography (CT), most often of high resolution, although strict indications for CT have been defined. Monitoring of sarcoidosis is based on the assessment of serial chest X-ray examinations. Indications for CT in a patient with completed diagnosis are limited. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a valuable tool for the evaluation of especially difficult diagnostic cases, for the assessment of disease activity, identification of yet unidentified extrapulmonary locations or selection of an optimal place for biopsy. In the present paper you will find how to use these radiological techniques for the diagnosis and monitoring of sarcoidosis.