Investigation Of Granulomatous Lung Diseases In Cases With Granulomatosis Ocular Pathologies

Introduction: We investigated the frequency of granulomatous lung diseases (GLD) in patients with granulomatosis ocular pathologies who referred to our clinic for differential diagnosis. Methods: Diagnosis of sarcoidosis or definitive tuberculosis was made with microbiological and/or histopathological findings. Patients who did not respond to immunosuppressive treatments, and had latent tuberculosis infection proven with PPD and/or Quantiferon-TB test were considered as possible ocular tuberculosis and antituberculosis treatments were given to these patients. Treatment response was evaluated with vision tests and clinical response. Results: Totally 200 patients (58% female, 42% male, age:46±3.9years) included. Ocular pathologies were uveitis in 65.6%, choroiditis in 20%, vascular pathologies in 6.5% and others 8%. Immunosuppressive treatment were given to 132 (66%) cases; 56 (41%) of them received steroid treatment. PPD performed in 173 patients (PPD:16.6±7mm) and PPD was ≥15mm in 125 of them. Quantiferon-TB test was positive in 85.5% of 166 cases. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed histopathologically in 7.5% (n=15/200), tuberculosis was diagnosed microbiologically or pathologically in 2% (n=4/200). Eighty-nine cases were considered as possible tuberculosis with clinical-radiological findings and the presence of latent tuberculosis. Antituberculosis treatment was given to these patients and 50 of them (56%) responded well. Conclusion: Only 9.5% of cases with ocular granulomatosis disease diagnosed definitively tuberculosis or sarcoidosis. In cases who do not respond to immunosuppressive treatments and have latent tuberculosis infection; initiating anti-tuberculosis treatment can provide good results.