What histological feature is commonly found in a granuloma of a patient with sarcoidosis?

In patients with sarcoidosis, a hallmark histological feature is the presence of epithelioid cells, which are modified macrophages that resemble epithelial cells. These cells aggregate to form the characteristic non-caseating granulomas associated with sarcoidosis. The presence of epithelioid cells indicates a robust immune response typically seen in this condition.

While asteroid bodies are associated with specific types of giant cells, their presence is not characteristic of sarcoidosis itself. Rather, they are more commonly found in association with certain conditions like histoplasmosis or with specific types of granulomatous inflammation.

Multinucleated giant cells can be found in granulomas in various diseases, including sarcoidosis. However, they are not unique to this condition and are not the defining histological feature. Granulation tissue, which is composed of a mixture of new blood vessels, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells, reflects the healing phase of tissue repair and is not specific to granulomatous diseases.

Therefore, the presence of epithelioid cells is what makes them significant in identifying the granulomas typical of sarcoidosis.