SARCOIDOSIS PRESENTING WITH MASSIVE SPLENOMEGALY IN A CHILD WITH A HISTORY OF IRIDOCYCLITIS AND SENSORINEURAL DEAFNESS

Abstract

Childhood sarcoidosis is a rare multisystemic disorder that can have variable clinical presentations. A triad of skin, eye, and joint involvement is common in children younger than 5 years; however, pulmonary disease is more common in older children, similar to adults. The authors report the case of a 10-year-old girl who presented solely with massive splenomegaly. Her history was significant for iridocyclitis and unilateral sensorineural deafness at 6 and 7 years of age, respectively. A gallium scan showed diffuse splenic uptake, and the pathology of the spleen was consistent with a noncaseating granuloma, with no evidence of malignancy. A work-up for infectious etiology was unremarkable. This case demonstrates that the challenge in diagnosing sarcoidosis in young children stems from its ability to present in several unique clinical scenarios. It also reinforces the importance of tissue evaluation and the exclusion of other differential diagnoses, such as lymphoma, to confirm the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.