Clinical and histopathological analysis of specific lesions of cutaneous sarcoidosis in Korean patients

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic, non-caseating, granulomatous disorder of unknown origin. Objective: The purpose of our investigation was to describe the clinicopathological characteristics of specific lesions of cutaneous sarcoidosis and treatment outcomes in Korean patients. Methods: A retrospective review was made of 31 patients who were diagnosed with sarcoidosis at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System in Korea between 2000 and 2008; these patients were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis was made in 17 of the patients. They were confirmed by histopathologic examinations. The clinical features were analyzed through review of medical records, and histopathologic and radiologic examinations. Results: The patients' primary complaints were cutaneous symptoms (51.6%) and respiratory symptoms (32.3%). The most common presentation of cutaneous sarcoidal lesions was the nodule-plaque form (41.2%) and systemic organ involvement was observed in six cases (35.3%). Treatment modalities included steroid, hydroxychloroquine, cyclosporine, topical tacrolimus, and pulsed dye laser. In our series, five patients (30%) achieved complete resolution of the cutaneous lesions and 10 patients (60%) showed partial resolution after corticosteroid treatment. Also, patients without extracutaneous symptoms responded better to corticosteroid treatment compared to patients with systemic involvement. Conclusions: These data reveal the diversity of clinical and histopathologic findings of cutaneous sarcoidosis in Korea.