A report of 9 cases of neurosarcoidosis

Introduction. Neurological involvement in sarcoidosis is rare and highly variable. To date, no consensus was reached about the diagnosis approach. We report a case series of 9 patients with neuosarcoidosis, with favorable outcome under therapy. Materials and methods. We examined a case series of 9 patients with neurosarcoidosis. Clinical, radiological, therapeutic features and outcome were studied. Results. Six of the nine patients were females. Patients' age ranged from 31 to 70 years. Initial neurological symptoms lead to the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis in all patients. Central nervous system involvement was found in 77 percent with cranial nerve involvement in 55 percent Twenty-three percent of patients presented with peripheral neuropathy and 33 percent with meningitis. The diagnosis was definite in 2 patients, probable in one and possible in six others. All patients were given steroid therapy. Total remission was obtained in three and partial remission in three. Three patients remained stable and one died, Conclusion. Histological signs are not constant in neurosarcoidosis. The lack of these signs should lead the physician to search for latent extraneurological symptoms which are suggestive of the diagnosis. Nervous biopsy can thus be avoided.