Is chronic beryllium disease sarcoidosis of known etiology?
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatosis that predominantly affects the lungs and is of unknown etiology. Chronic beryllium disease is a granulomatosis that predominantly affects the lungs and is due to a hypersensitivity response to beryllium. Similarities and differences between these two disorders are reviewed and lessons for both sarcoidosis and chronic beryllium disease are discussed.
