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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2010; 31(4): 419-427
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1262210
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Neurosarcoidosis: Diagnosis and Management

Diana L. Vargas1 , Barney J. Stern1
  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Publication History

Publication Date:
27 July 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic inflammatory granulomatous disease that affects both the central and peripheral nervous system. The neurological manifestations depend on the areas of the neuroaxis affected. In the brain, patients with neurosarcoidosis have leptomeningeal and intraparenchymal infiltration of granulomas that leads to, for example, cranial nerve palsies, basal meningitis, and endocrine dysfunction. It can cause peripheral neuropathies such as mononeuritis multiplex and sensorimotor polyneuropathy as well as radiculopathy and myopathy. Diagnosis and management of patients with neurosarcoidosis are challenging given that the gold standard is tissue-proven biopsy, which, in most cases of neurological illness, is difficult to obtain. Treatment strategies have not been rigorously evaluated but corticosteroids are considered the drug of choice. Other immunosuppressant agents such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, and infliximab are efficacious in the treatment of neurosarcoidosis.

KEYWORDS

Neurosarcoidosis - inflammation - immunosuppression

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Barney J SternM.D. 

Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine

110 S. Paca St., 3-N-139, Baltimore, MD 21201

Email: BStern@som.umaryland.edu

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