Which investigations should be prioritized in the assessment of suspec

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Investigations to prioritize in suspected sarcoidosis include:

Chest X-ray to assess pulmonary involvement and staging.
High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax to confirm diagnosis and evaluate extent of lung disease.
Bronchoscopy with tissue biopsy to obtain histological confirmation.
Other tissue biopsies as indicated by organ involvement to confirm diagnosis.
Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to determine disease severity and identify extrapulmonary involvement.
Echocardiogram if cardiac involvement is suspected, followed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) or PET scans for further evaluation.
Baseline ophthalmologic assessment if ocular involvement is suspected.
Lung function tests to assess respiratory impairment.

These investigations help confirm the diagnosis, assess severity, and identify extrapulmonary disease, guiding specialist referral and management .

Which investigations should be prioritized in the assessment of suspected sarcoidosis?