Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2010; 31: 409-418DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1262209ABSTRACTBecause 75% of deaths attributable to sarcoidosis occur due to progressive respiratory failure, the staging of pulmonary disease and the accurate identification of changes in disease severity with time are both an essential part of clinical management. Historically, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and chest radiographic appearances have been applied to both goals. Several additional investigations have been proposed as markers of active disease, including gallium scanning, positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning, high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scanning, bronchoalveolar lavage, and candidate biomarkers such as serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels and serum interleukin (IL)-2 receptor… Source: MedWorm: Sarcoidosis