Final answer:
The clinical features described are characteristic of sarcoidosis, a systemic inflammatory disease. Tuberculosis, lung cancer, and pneumonia present differently and do not match the full spectrum of symptoms and signs associated with sarcoidosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The clinical features associated with dyspnea, lateral hilar lymphadenopathy on CXR, noncaseating granulomas, increased ACE, and hypercalcemia are characteristic of sarcoidosis. This systemic inflammatory disease often affects the lungs and lymph nodes but can involve other organs as well. The formation of noncaseating granulomas is a hallmark of sarcoidosis, differing from the caseating granulomas seen in tuberculosis. Elevated levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and hypercalcemia are also commonly observed in sarcoidosis patients due to the increased production of ACE by the granulomatous tissue and increased vitamin D synthesis by activated macrophages, respectively.
Tuberculosis, another granulomatous disease, presents with caseating granulomas and is typically associated with a positive tuberculin skin test and often a history of exposure. Lung cancer can present with a cough, hemoptysis, and sometimes enlarged lymph nodes but lacks the systemic features like hypercalcemia commonly seen in sarcoidosis. Pneumonia is characterized by alveoli becoming inflamed and filling with fluid, which may show up as opaque patches on CXR, but does not involve granuloma formation or the other systemic signs of sarcoidosis.