OBJECTIVE: To focus more attention on the syndrome characterized by periarticular ankle inflammation associated with bilateral hilar adenopathy--some authors regard it as a variant of the Löfgren syndrome, while other suggest it is a distinct clinical entity-- we present a series of 33 cases of periarticular ankle sarcoidosis. METHODS: Sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 330 patients at Bellvitge Hospital over a 20 year period. The medical charts of patients who presented with periarticular ankle inflammation (swelling of both ankles with acute inflammatory signs and preserved articular motion) were reviewed. RESULTS: 33 patients (10%) were identified. Periarticular ankle inflammation began during the spring in more than one-half (54.5%). The mean age was 33 years and patients were predominantly women (66.6%). Most cases (78.8%) were stage I on chest radiograph. All patients had thoracic gallium scans showing increased hilar/mediastinal uptake. Increased characteristic parotid, lacrimal, and/or submandibular uptake was found in 11 of 13 patients who had head scans. Four of 6 whose scans included the legs had bilateral ankle uptake. Erythema nodosum was present concomitantly in 36.3% of patients. No granulomas were found in 4 biopsies of periarticular ankle tissue. All 24 patients who were followed had inactive disease one year after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The association of periarticular ankle inflammation with bilateral hilar adenopathy is an acute form of sarcoidosis that follows a benign course to total remission. It should be regarded as a variant of the Löfgren syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: To focus more attention on the syndrome characterized by periarticular ankle inflammation associated with bilateral hilar adenopathy--some authors regard it as a variant of the Löfgren syndrome, while other suggest it is a distinct clinical entity-- we present a series of 33 cases of periarticular ankle sarcoidosis. METHODS:Sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 330 patients at Bellvitge Hospital over a 20 year period. The medical charts of patients who presented with periarticular ankle inflammation (swelling of both ankles with acute inflammatory signs and preserved articular motion) were reviewed. RESULTS: 33 patients (10%) were identified. Periarticular ankle inflammation began during the spring in more than one-half (54.5%). The mean age was 33 years and patients were predominantly women (66.6%). Most cases (78.8%) were stage I on chest radiograph. All patients had thoracic gallium scans showing increased hilar/mediastinal uptake. Increased characteristic parotid, lacrimal, and/or submandibular uptake was found in 11 of 13 patients who had head scans. Four of 6 whose scans included the legs had bilateral ankle uptake. Erythema nodosum was present concomitantly in 36.3% of patients. No granulomas were found in 4 biopsies of periarticular ankle tissue. All 24 patients who were followed had inactive disease one year after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The association of periarticular ankle inflammation with bilateral hilar adenopathy is an acute form of sarcoidosis that follows a benign course to total remission. It should be regarded as a variant of the Löfgren syndrome.