# Incidental Visceral Peritoneal and Hepatic Sarcoidosis During Routine Laparoscopic Appendectomy: A Case Report and Implications for Laparoscopic Entry

**Authors:** Sheng Dong, Matthew Seebald, Malcolm Meredith, Ruth N Reed, Fatima Khambaty

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.103171 · Cureus · 2026-02-07

## TL;DR

A patient with pulmonary sarcoidosis had unexpected abdominal sarcoidosis found during an appendectomy, suggesting careful laparoscopic entry may reduce complications.

## Contribution

Highlights the importance of laparoscopic entry technique in patients with peritoneal sarcoidosis to avoid complications.

## Key findings

- Intra-abdominal sarcoidosis was incidentally discovered during laparoscopic appendectomy.
- Avoiding sarcoid-affected areas during laparoscopic entry may reduce postoperative complications.
- Further research is needed to guide surgical management in peritoneal sarcoidosis cases.

## Abstract

A 50-year-old male with a history of pulmonary sarcoidosis presented to the DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center with acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic view of the liver and peritoneum revealed studding lesions with biopsy confirmation of non-necrotizing granulomas consistent with intra-abdominal sarcoidosis. Operative and postoperative hospital courses were uncomplicated. In our case, avoidance of peritoneal sarcoid disease segments during laparoscopic entry into the abdomen may have helped reduce the chances of postoperative complications such as surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, or development of ventral hernias. However, further research into laparoscopic entry in peritoneal sarcoid patients is required to further elucidate the subject and to help guide management. Literature reviews on intra-abdominal and peritoneal sarcoids, as well as surgical implications for laparoscopic entry, were discussed.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** pulmonary sarcoidosis (MONDO:0001708), acute appendicitis (MONDO:0005649)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** nausea (MESH:D009325), fatigue (MESH:D005221), chest pain (MESH:D002637), fevers (MESH:D005334), vomiting (MESH:D014839), systemic disease (MESH:D034721), GERD (MESH:D005764), granulomatous inflammation (MESH:D007249), fibrosis (MESH:D005355), wound dehiscence (MESH:D013529), incisional hernias (MESH:D000069290), peritoneal disease (MESH:D010532), peritoneal carcinomatosis (MESH:D010534), dyspnea (MESH:D004417), pulmonary (MESH:D008171), abdominal pain (MESH:D015746), tuberculous peritonitis (MESH:D014395), ventral hernias (MESH:D006555), carcinomatosis (MESH:D002277), hepatic (MESH:D056486), tenderness (MESH:D063806), tuberculosis (MESH:D014376), granuloma (MESH:D006099), constipation (MESH:D003248), migraines (MESH:D008881), sleep apnea (MESH:D012891), intra-abdominal masses (MESH:D000082122), ascites (MESH:D001201), acute appendicitis (MESH:D001064), infection (MESH:D007239), Sarcoidosis (MESH:D012507), chills (MESH:D023341), Peritoneal and Hepatic Sarcoidosis (MESH:D010538), dry cough (MESH:D003371)
- **Chemicals:** methotrexate (MESH:D008727), azathioprine (MESH:D001379), prednisone (MESH:D011241), steroids (MESH:D013256), alcohol (MESH:D000438)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

9 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12970984/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12970984