Urological Manifestations of Sarcoidosis

Jeffrey C. La Rochelle, Christopher L. Coogan

The Journal of Urology,
187:1, November 16, 2011

Purpose
We describe the urological manifestations of sarcoidosis and how the disease may affect the management of multiple urological conditions.

Materials and Methods
We performed a PubMed® search using the query sarcoidosis and multiple urological terms.

Results
Sarcoidosis is a disease that has variable manifestations. There is often genitourinary involvement that is clinically silent. However, sarcoidosis may cause symptoms, such as nephrolithiasis, which are sometimes the first manifestation of the disease. Renal function may be affected, and appropriate recognition and treatment may avert progressive functional decline. The presence of sarcoidosis may also confound the diagnosis and staging of various urological malignancies, particularly renal and testicular carcinoma.

Conclusions
Urologists should be aware of the urological manifestations of sarcoidosis to avoid misdiagnoses and the over staging of urological cancers, and to identify when it is an underlying cause of nephrolithiasis or obstructive uropathy.