Colon Sarcoidosis Responds to Methotrexate: A Case Report with Review of Literature

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease with a 90% predilection for the lungs, but any organ can be involved. Sarcoidosis of the colon is rare. When this organ system is involved, it can be a feature of systemic disease or in isolated cases. Gastrointestinal sarcoid can resemble a broad spectrum of other disease processes, thus it is important for health care providers to be familiar with the various GI manifestations. Patients can have symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting, unintentional weight loss, diarrhea, hematachezia, and severe abdominal pain. We report a case of sarcoidosis of the colon that responded to methotrexate and a MEDLINE search of 22 reported cases of colon sarcoid based on a compatible history and the demonstration of non-caseating granulomas. We describe the clinical manifestations of symptomatic colon sarcoid in relation to the endoscopic findings. Elevated serum ACE level, presence of CARD 15 mutations, and certain intestinal and extra-intestinal clinical features are helpful in differentiating between colon sarcoidosis and Crohn’s regional ileitis. Steroids remain the mainstay of treatment, however methotrexate should be considered as alternative treatment.