Exacerbation of pulmonary sarcoidosis after liver transplantation

Abstract Patients with hepatic sarcoidosis rarely require orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Progression of granulomatous activity involving other organs after OLT has rarely been described. We describe a 32-year-old woman who underwent liver transplantation for sarcoidosis-associated end-stage liver disease. She presented 4 years later with shortness of breath, hilar lymphadenopathy, and interstitial lung abnormalities. Liver functions were normal. Open lung biopsy results revealed granulomata compatible with sarcoidosis. The patient made a complete recovery after corticosteroid treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first description of severe exacerbation of pulmonary sarcoidosis in an immunosuppressed patient who underwent liver transplantation for sarcoidosis-associated liver disease.