Bilateral Hilar Lymphadenopathy

CT scan of the chest showing bilateral lymphadenopathy in the mediastinum due to sarcoidosis.

Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy is a bilateral enlargement of the lymph nodes of pulmonary hila. It is a radiographic term for the enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes and is most commonly identified by a chest x-ray.

Causes

The following are causes of BHL:

• Sarcoidosis
• Infection
  • Tuberculosis
  • Fungal infection
  • Mycoplasma
  • Intestinal Lipodystrophy (Whipple's disease)
• Malignancy
  • Lymphoma
  • Carcinoma
  • Mediastinal tumors
• Inorganic dust disease
  • Silicosis
  • Berylliosis
• Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
  • Such as bird fancier's lung
• Less common causes also exist:
  • Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
  • Human immunodeficiency virus
  • Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
  • Adult-onset Still's disease