Sudden death due to granulomatous myocarditis: a case of sarcoidosis?

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We report a case of sudden death due to granulomatous myocarditis and propose that cardiac sarcoid could have been the underlying aetiology. This is the first case reported in Singapore. The differential diagnoses for granulomatous myocarditis including sarcoidosis and its cardiac manifestations as well as idiopathic giant cell myocarditis are discussed. CLINICAL PICTURE A 53-year-old Indian woman died suddenly and autopsy revealed bilateral hilar adenopathy and myocardial infiltrates which proved to be granulomatous in nature. CONCLUSION: Sarcoidosis may not be a rarity here and it is important to recognise the different clinical manifestations.