title: Polyradiculopathy in sarcoidosis.
abstract: We present three new and 14 retrospective cases of polyradiculopathy in sarcoidosis. Of these, 71% had weakness and 59% areflexia of the lower extremities, and 35% had sphincter dysfunction. Cases often were associated with central nervous system sarcoidosis. All cases involved thoracolumbar or lumbosacral roots, except a single case of cervical polyradiculopathy. Of 14 treated patients, nine improved with corticosteroids, laminectomy, or both. Polyradiculopathy complicating sarcoidosis: (1) is uncommon; (2) primarily involves thoracic and lumbar roots; (3) may arise from contiguous, hematogenous, or gravitational nerve root sleeve seeding; (4) may be asymptomatic; and (5) may improve with corticosteroids. Differential diagnosis of weakness in patients with sarcoidosis should include nerve root involvement from the primary process by direct sarcoid involvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Detroit, Michigan 48202-2689, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koffman
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Junck
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Feit
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications*