Incidence and importance of splenic sarcoid-like granulomas.

In an attempt to further define the nature, occurrence, and relative incidence of splenic sarcoid-like granulomas, 412 splenectomy specimens were studied. In addition to their occurrence in sarcoidosis, granulomas were found in patients with Hodgkin's disease, chronic uremia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and selective IgA deficiency. The inability to demonstrate a specific responsible organism suggests that the lesion is not of infectious cause. The location of the lesions in the areas of antigen-trapping in the spleen, and their occurrence in both neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases associated with abnormal or defective immunity suggests that they represent morphologic evidence of a nonspecific defect in antigen processing.