Une cause rare de mort subite de l'adulte jeune : thrombose aiguë de l'arc aortique révélant une sarcoïdose

We report a case of sarcoidosis as the underlying etiology of a sudden death that occurred of a 40-year-old female. Autopsy showed acute thrombosis of the brachiocephalic trunk as well as upstream luminal stenosis. Several samples of different organs were obtained. Histological examination revealed bilateral subclavian granulomatous panvasculitis. Epithelioid granulomas were also found in the liver and lungs. Since there are only few described cases of vascular damage in sarcoidosis, we discuss here in its differential diagnosis, complications and possible associations. This case reinforces and illustrates the importance of dissecting the entire aortic arch including the subclavian arteries in autopsy.