“My husband has sarcoidosis which was diagnosed several years ago with
granulomas in his lymph nodes.  He now appears to have calcification
in his carotid arteries. I was wondering if these two things can be related or
is there no evidence that sarcoid causes carotid artery issues.
Thanks for any information you have regarding this.”

H.S

Response  #1:

As far as I know, the two issues are unrelated.  While sarcoidosis can
involve some of the small capillaries, I have not heard or seen any
evidence that it causes large arterial calcifications.

Jonathan Li, M.D. (Infectious Diseases Physician)
Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Center for Chest Disease
75 Francis St # 270
Brookline, MA 02446-6622
(617) 732-6770
(617) 732-5500
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/respiratorydisorders/ProgramCCD.aspx

Respons  #2:

Calcifications in the carotid arteries are very common as a person ages.
Cholesterol can deposit in the wall of the artery and over time become
calcified.

I could not find anything to relate the two issues and feel that it is
just coincidental.If I find more I will send it along.

David Chesney, M.D. (chesneyd@southcoast.org)
Internal Medicine Physician
109 Fairhaven Road
Mattapoisett, MA 02739
(508) 758-3781