Nichtinfektiöse Granulomatosen: Sarkoidose und Berylliose - Zwei unterschiedliche Erkrankungen trotz vieler Ähnlichkeiten

The term granulomatosis” covers a variety of diseases. Known or unknown agents determine epitheloid cell granulomas of various forms and activities. Sarcoidosis is one of the most common granulomatous disorders in humans. Diagnostic procedures are difficult, especially in extrapulmonary manifestations. Treatment is only necessary in case of severe symptoms or decreased pulmonary function. The therapy of choice are corticosteroids. Berylliosis as an occupational disease is not frequently diagnosed. With common diagnostic procedures the differentiation between sarcoidosis and berylliosis is not possible, because of similarities in clinical and morphological signs. The estimated number of unreported cases is therefore high. The number of beryllium-exposed persons is rising so that increased numbers of the disease are expected. Therapy is comparable to the treatment in sarcoidosis.