title: Sarcoidosis of the cauda equina mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome.
abstract: Neurosarcoidosis is a great mimicker. It is often difficult to diagnose particularly when there is no prior history of systemic sarcoidosis. Although certain sites of the neuraxis are more commonly involved than others, any site of the central or peripheral nervous system can be affected. We report a case of sarcoidosis involving the cauda equina in a 38-year-old African American male without prior history of systemic disease. Initial clinical presentation was suggestive of Guillian-Barré syndrome, but the evaluation proved this case to be neurosarcoidosis involving the cauda equina. We have followed this patient for 8 years, and he remains clinically stable on prednisone 5 mg/day.
authors.affiliation: 8D, University Health Center, Department of Neurology/Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St. Antoine, MI 48201, USA. jshah@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Jagdish R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006099:Granuloma / Q000473:pathology; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011241:Prednisone