Sarcoidosis: Treatment with Cortisone, ACTH and Urethane

¹ The Medical Service, Veterans Administration Hospital.

A case of sarcoidosis complicated by chronic cor pulmonale and thrombosis of a pulmonary artery with post mortem findings is presented. Empirical trial with ACTH, cortisone and urethane clinically failed to alter the fatal course but autopsy failed to reveal any active sarcoid lesions. The presence of a large amount of scarring and collagen is taken to indicate a healing or healed process that occurred spontaneously and was not affected by the treatment or was induced by the hormonal or urethane therapy without benefit. Further confirmatory studies with these drugs in the earlier phase of this disease are necessary.