Solitary intramedullary neurosarcoidosis: role of MRI in early detection.
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hayat
G R
GR
Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Walton
T P
TP
Smith
K R
KR
Martin
D S
DS
Manepalli
A N
AN
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*