Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme and Gallium Scan in Noninvasive Evaluation of Sarcoidosis

Abstract

Angiotensin-converting enzyme assays and Ga-scan results were obtained from 27 patients with biopsy-proven, clinically active sarcoidosis. Of these patients, 23 had elevated converting enzyme levels and 22 had positive Ga-scan results. Of 4 patients with normal or borderline-elevated levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme, 3 also had positive Ga-scan results. Of 156 nonsarcoid patients (pulmonary and other diseases), 27 had elevated serum converting enzyme levels; 25 of these had negative Ga-scan results. The combination of an assay of angiotensin-converting enzyme and Ga-scan increases diagnostic specificity from 83%-99% without sacrificing sensitivity. The concurrent use of angiotensin-converting enzyme assay and Ga-scan is apparently of value in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.