Uncommon Presentation of Sarcoidosis with Severe Thrombocytopenia and Hemorrhagic Diathesis

Abstract

Sarcoidosis, a multi-organ system disease, often presents insidiously. Thrombocytopenia in sarcoidosis is frequent because of hypersplenism, granulomas infiltrating the bone marrow, or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The diagnosis of ITP relies on exclusionary criteria, given the absence of a definitive laboratory diagnostic feature. In the era prior to modern ITP management, sarcoidosis-associated ITP was known to manifest severely, often showing resistance to treatment and an increased risk of mortality. In this case, we present a young male who was admitted to a district hospital’s emergency room, displaying symptoms of hematuria, gingival bleeding, and a petechial rash. Blood tests revealed severe thrombocytopenia with a platelet count of 0, while all other metabolic and serological exams returned normal results. Infectious and autoimmune causes were ruled out, and a bone marrow examination excluded any hematological disorder. Initial management, including platelet transfusion and presumptive treatment for ITP with dexamethasone and Human Immunoglobulin IV (IVIG), failed to improve the patient’s platelet count or alleviate the hemorrhagic diathesis. Second-line therapy with Rituximab and Methylprednisolone was initiated with no benefit. Considering the hemorrhagic signs and the delayed response of Rituximab, we shifted to third-line therapy with Romiplostim at the maximal dose and continued Methylprednisolone. The platelet count recovered completely after the second Romiplostim administration (over 350 × 109 platelets/L) and Methylprednisolone was rapidly tapered. To further study the causes of thrombocytopenia a total body CT scan was performed and it identified non-homogeneously hypodense tissue in the bilateral hilar area extending medially to the subcarinal area, suggesting possible lymphatic origin and raising suspicion of sarcoidosis. Further investigations, including Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) titration, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and EndoBronchial UltraSound-guided TransBronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Despite a mild restrictive insufficiency noted in spirometry, the patient remained asymptomatic with only a mild respiratory insufficiency, and hence, was enlisted for follow-up. As for the ITP, the platelet count remained normal over a year. Notably, while sarcoidosis onset often predates ITP onset by an average of 48 months, in our case the onset of the two diseases was simultaneously. Our case adds valuable information to the limited body of knowledge regarding the treatment of sarcoidosis-associated ITP.