Successful corticosteroid treatment of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis associated with tracheal lesion recurred after a surgical lung biopsy

Abstract Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is a rare disease that presents with nodular lung lesions and necrosis. The pathology is consistent with sarcoidosis, but the necrosis can lead to a diagnosis of tuberculosis. Herein, we report a rare case of NSG that recurred four years after the initial diagnosis was made by surgical lung biopsy. A 51-year-old woman was initially referred to our hospital for the evaluation of multiple lung nodules. The pathological evaluation of a lung biopsy showed granulomas with necrosis and the infiltration of lymphocytes; thus, she was diagnosed with NSG. The lung nodules gradually improved after the diagnosis and we continued to follow her even though she did not require treatment. Four years after her initial diagnosis, she complained of back pain. Upon evaluation, we found that multiple lung nodules had recurred. Bronchoscopy also revealed a tracheal polypoid lesion, which showed granulomas with necrosis pathologically. Therefore, we diagnosed her with the recurrence of NSG. After the corticosteroid therapy, multiple lung nodules drastically improved. NSG patients should be carefully followed-up over several years, even if they do not require treatment.