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No simple test can definitively prove that an individual has sarcoidosis. The diagnosis is usually reached by putting together the results from a number of different tests. 

Confirming the diagnosis

Often the diagnosis of sarcoidosis can be made confidently on the basis of the appearances seen on the chest X-ray or the chest CT (computed tomography). Sometimes, the diagnosis is less certain and it is necessary to perform a bronchoscopy or another procedure, called a mediastinoscopy, so as to get a small piece of tissue (a biopsy) to look at under the microscope. This is especially important when there is the need to distinguish sarcoid from diseases such as tuberculosis and lymphoma. 

Assessing dangerous disease

Although rarely, sarcoidosis can involve vital organs such as the heart or the brain. If we think this is a possibility, specific tests will be arranged. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a very useful, non-invasive, test to look for heart or brain sarcoid. An additional test to look for cardiac sarcoidosis includes a 24-hour ECG (electrocardiogram) tape to look for abnormalities in the rhythm of the heart. Sarcoidosis to the eye can also be dangerous, as it can cause permanent damage, and in very rare cases blindness, if unrecognised and not treated. Symptoms that should prompt a referral to a specialist eye doctor include pain to the eye or blurry vision. 

Measuring activity

As the lungs are the most commonly involved organ, repeated lung function tests over time are often the most useful way of assessing activity of sarcoidosis. A significant persistent worsening of lung function tests over time usually means that treatment needs to be introduced or intensified. Depending on the pattern of organ involvement, other tests will be used to assess ongoing activity, such as measuring calcium in the urine or blood tests for liver function, among others.

Sarcoidosis, also known as sarcoid, is generally described as an inflammatory condition of unknown cause which can affect various parts of the body and can occur at all ages. 

We have more information available about our cardiac sarcoidosis clinic, including what to expect, how the referral system works and how to contact the team. 

Experts in cardiac sarcoidosis

Professor Athol Wells
Head of the ILD unit

Dr Rakesh Sharma
Clinical lead for heart failure

Dr Paul Oldershaw 
Consultant in cardiology

Dr Sanjay Prasad
Clinical lead in the CMR unit

Dr Kshama Wechalekar
Consultant in nuclear medicine

Dr Vasileios Kouranos
Senior clinical fellow to Professor Wells

Contact details

If you are a health professional and have any questions about the condition or the referral process, please contact Vasileios Kouranos on 020 7351 8742 or via email: cardiacsarcoidosis@nhs.net.

You can also contact the cardiac sarcoidosis clinic administrators:

Terri Cartwright 
Email: T.Chudleigh@rbht.nhs.uk  
Tel: 020 7352 8121, ext 8018  
Fax: 020 7351 8951  

Ciara Philpott
Email: cardiacsarcoidosis@nhs.net
Tel:  020 7351 8164  
Fax: 020 7351 8776  


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