Sarcoid-like forms of Whipple's disease. Report of 2 cases.

Abstract

Whipple's disease is a worrying disease because of its protean manifestations. It may sometimes take on the appearance of sarcoidosis with polyvisceral granulomatous dissemination. We describe 2 cases of sarcoid-like Whipple's disease including one with synovial granulomatous involvement. It therefore appears to be essential, in view of the therapeutic possibilities, to perform periodic acid Schiff stain on all granulomas and duodenal fibroscopy with biopsies, even in the absence of any gastrointestinal symptoms, before concluding that the diagnosis is sarcoidosis.