CHAPTER 1 Definition and history of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis, a commonplace inflammatory disease, is characterised by the formation of noncaseating granulomas. The granuloma is a battle fought on a genetically vulnerable terrain between an unrecognised antigen(s) and a highly organised team of lymphocytes and macrophages. The disease occurs worldwide; no race, sex or age is immune from it. Its chameleon-like multisystemic presentation can involve any organ in the body. Owing to its diverse presentation, the disease easily crosses the artificial boundaries of medical specialities, and appears in the offices and clinics of practitioners of different disciplines. The fresh, innovative and individual approach of international investigators, scientists and specialists of different disciplines have constructed an engrossing historical saga of sarcoidosis (table 1). Definition It is hard to provide a concise definition of a disease whose cause is yet to be discovered. Scadding and Mitchell [3] recommended the following: "Sarcoidosis is a Table 1. – Sarcoidosis milestones Event 1869 J. Hutchinson: first account of skin lesions 1888 E. Besnier: coined term lupus pernio 1892 M. Tenneson: defined histology 1897 C. Boeck: described a policeman with skin lesions 1902 R. Kienbock/K. Kreibich/O. Jungling: described bone changes 1906 Darier–Roussy syndrome: subcutaneous nodules describe