Solitary intramedullary neurosarcoidosis: role of MRI in early detection

J Neuroimaging. 2001 Jan;11(1):66-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2001.tb00014.x.

Abstract

Background: Intramedullary neurosarcoidosis may be the first manifestation of the disease and may mimic a tumor clinically and radiographically. Two patients who presented with cervical intramedullary lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were found to have neurosarcoidosis.

Clinical presentation: Two patients with negative past medical history presented with progressive myelopathic features, and intramedullary cervical lesions were detected on MRI scan; the diagnosis was made on biopsy of the lesions. Early therapeutic intervention led to a favorable outcome.

Conclusion: Intra-medullary neurosarcoidosis, especially in the cervical cord, can be the initial presentation of the disease, mimicking a tumor. MRI scan, biopsy, and, in fewer cases, angiotensin-converting enzyme levels can help with the diagnosis and may lead to a favorable outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis*