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Marrow noncaseating granulomas: sarcoidosis

Marrow noncaseating granulomas: sarcoidosis
#00012696
Author: Maria del Mar Osma and Francisco Jose Ortuño
Category: Reactive Marrow > Reactive changes > Histiocytes > Granulomas
Published Date: 07/22/2012

A 44-year-old woman was evaluated for a 2-month history of asthenia, weight loss, and nightly fever. She had no hepatosplenomegaly or adenopathy. The complete blood count and the basic chemistries were normal as were the radiologic examinations of the chest and abdomen. Cultures of blood and urine and serologic studies for rickettsia, chlamydia, brucella, Legionella, and Mycoplasma were negative. Sputum for Mycobacteria was negative. Bone marrow aspirate showed no abnormalities of marrow elements but noncaseating granulomata were observed in the H&E stain of the biopsy (panel A). In addition, the silver nitrate stain (panel B) and Masson trichrome (panel C) showed fibrosis. The acid-fast stain and marrow cultures were negative. Angiotensin-1 converting enzyme was shown to be elevated (119 UI/L). A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was suggested based on the marrow, clinical findings, and the elevation of angiotensin-1 converting enzyme. Adalimumab was initiated and the patient improved with the