Neurosarcoidosis

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Sarcoid, stage I - chest X-ray

Sarcoid, stage II - chest X-ray

Sarcoid, stage IV - chest X-ray

Sarcoidosis - nervous system

Involvement of the pituitary gland can cause:

• High urine output
• Excessive thirst
• Changes in menstrual periods
• Excessive tiredness (fatigue)

• Facial palsy (weakness, drooping)
• Dementia or delirium
  • Confusion , disorientation
  • Loss of memory, judgment, or calculation skills
• Psychiatric disturbances (any)
• Seizures
• Headache
• Loss of sense of smell
• Loss of sense of taste , abnormal tastes
• Decreased hearing
• Vision abnormalities
• Dizziness or vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement)
• Speech impairment

• Loss of sensation in any body part
• Abnormal sensations in any body part
• Loss of movement of any body part ( joint stiffness )
• Weakness of any body part

An examination may indicate single nerve dysfunction (mononeuropathy) or dysfunction of multiple peripheral nerves (sensorimotor polyneuropathy). Signs may mimic diabetes insipidus, hypopituitarism, optic neuritis, meningitis, space-occupying lesions such as tumors, or other neurologic disorders.

A history of sarcoidosis followed by neurologic symptoms is highly suggestive of neurosarcoidosis. Blood tests are nonspecific. A lumbar puncture may show signs of inflammation. Elevated levels of angiotensin converting enzyme may be found in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

If sarcoidosis is suspected but not already known, a chest x-ray often reveals lesions typical of the disorder. Nerve biopsy of affected nerve tissue confirms the disorder.

Review Date: 08/07/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, NeuroscienceInstitute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.