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Neurosarcoidosis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Sarcoidosis - nervous system

Symptoms:

Involvement of the pituitary gland can cause:

The symptoms vary. Any part of the nervous system can be affected. Involvement of the brain or cranial nerves can cause:

Involvement of one or more peripheral nerves can lead to:

Signs and tests:

An exam may show problems with one or more nerves.

A history of sarcoidosis followed nerve-related symptoms highly suggests neurosarcoidosis. However, symptoms of the condition can mimic other medical disorders, including diabetes insipidus, hypopituitarism, optic neuritis, meningitis, and certain tumors.

Blood tests are not very helpful in diagnosing the condition. A lumbar puncture may show signs of inflammation. Increased levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme may be found in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, this is not a reliable diagnostic test.

MRI of the brain may be helpful. A chest x-ray often reveals signs of the sarcoidosis of the lungs. Nerve biopsy of affected nerve tissue confirms the disorder.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/27/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Lower EE, Weiss KL. Neurosarcoidosis. Clin Chest Med. 2008 Sep;29(3):475-92, ix. Review.

Weinberger SE. Sarcoidosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 95.

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