title: Spinal cord sarcoidosis: MRI findings in response to treatment.
abstract: The unusual case of a 64-year-old female with sarcoidosis involving the spinal cord is reported. Diffuse swelling of the cord with nodular lesions was observed on MRI. The lesions showed a low intensity area on the T1-weighted image. Following the administration of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, the spinal cord, especially the nodular lesions, was diffusely enhanced. Serum levels of anti-endothelial cell antibodies and antinuclear antibodies were elevated. The diagnosis was confirmed by transbronchial lung biopsy which revealed noncaseating granulomas with giant epithelioid cells. The administration of prednisolone, 40 mg/day for 4 weeks, induced a remission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Neurology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tako
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsukada
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yanagisawa
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D003287:Contrast Media; D004727:Endothelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D011239:Prednisolone; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA