ABSTRACT
Sarcoidosis predominantly affects the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes,
and the majority of patients with sarcoidosis come to medical attention
because of pulmonary involvement. Irrespective of the mode of presenta-
tion, more than 90% of subjects are found to have pulmonary signs of this disease (1). As a result, many clinicians appreciate the varied ways in which
sarcoidosis affects the lungs. Less, however, is known about the impact of
sarcoidosis outside the thorax. In some patients, extrapulmonary manifes-
tations predominate. Because of the potential for extrapulmonary involve-
ment coupled with the protean manifestations of sarcoidosis, those
treating patients with sarcoidosis must recognize the effects of sarcoidosis
on nonpulmonary organs and systems. Osseous sarcoidosis is typical of
other extrapulmonary forms of sarcoidosis in that the true incidence rate is unknown, the clinical manifestations are varied, and little evidence exists
to guide therapy. In an effort to better appreciate bone disease in sarcoidosis,
one requires an understanding of its epidemiology, radiographic appearance,
clinical presentation, and the therapeutic options for osseous sarcoidosis.
