INCIDENCE AND IMPORTANCE OF SPLENIC SARCOID-LIKE GRANULOMAS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 101  (10) , 518-521
Abstract
In an attempt to further define the nature, occurrence and relative incidence of splenic sarcoid-like granulomas, 412 splenectomy specimens were studied. In addition to their occurrence in sarcoidosis, granulomas were found in patients with Hodgkin''s disease, chronic uremia, non-Hodgkin''s disease, and selective Ig[immunoglobulin]A deficiency. The inability to demonstrate a specific responsible organism suggests that the lesion is not of infectious cause. The location of the lesions in antigen-trapping areas in the spleen and their occurrence in both neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases associated with abnormal or defective immunity suggests that they represent morphologic evidence of a nonspecific defect in antigen processing.