Nephrolithiasis as a presenting feature of chronic sarcoidosis.

Abstract

Calculi were the presenting feature of sarcoidosis in six (1%) patients, and were the first manifestation of the disease in a total of 14 (2.2%). This frequency is over 20 times the likely incidence of calculi in the general population. Renal calculi may therefore be a rare primary manifestation of sarcoidosis. In such cases the disease is likely to be chronic and to require long term corticosteroid therapy. Sarcoidosis should always be suspected in cases of nephrolithiasis of unknown origin.