PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Hans Henrik Schultz AU - Claus Andersen AU - Daniel Steinbrüchel AU - Michael Perch AU - Jørn Carlsen AU - Martin Iversen TI - Recurrence of sarcoid granulomas in lung transplant recipients is common and does not affect overall survival DP - 2013 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P2687 VI - 42 IP - Suppl 57 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2687.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2687.full SO - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42 AB - BackgroundSarcoidosis represent 2.5% of all indications for lung transplantation. Recurrence of granuloma has earlier been proved to derive from recipient immune cells, but its role in relation to lung function and overall survival after lung transplantation remains uncertain.ObjectiveTo identify patients with re-occurence of granuloma in transplanted lungs, and compare these patients with other patients transplanted for sarcoidosis without re-occuring granulomas. We compared these patients on survival and lung functionDesignA total of 620 patients were transplanted in Copenhagen from 1992 until august 2012. This study comprised all patients (n=25) transplanted due to end-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis. We reviewed all lung functions and trans-bronchial biopsies and lung functions until today. Granuloma was defined as formation of epitheloid giant cells without presence of infection.ResultsA total of 7 (28%) patients had re-occurence of granuloma and 18 (72%) did not. Recurrent granuloma were persistent in 9/17 biopsies (53%) after first definite finding. There was no difference in best obtained FEV1 (P=0,458), and last FEV1 recorded (P=0,389). There was no difference in survival (Log Rank test P=0,399).ConclusionsApproximately 30% of lung transplant recipients due to endstage sarcoidosis have recurrence of sarcoid granulomas. Recurrence of granulomas does not affect overall survival or lung function.