title: A case of sarcoidosis presenting as a non-specific intramedullary lesion.
abstract: Neurosarcoidosis occurs in 5-15% of sarcoidosis cases. Approximately 50% of patients with neurosarcoidosis present with a neurological disease at the time sarcoidosis is first diagnosed. Spinal sarcoidosis is rare. We report the case of a 61-year-old man with a highly aspecific intramedullary lesion as the first manifestation of sarcoidosis. One year after the onset of neurological symptoms, the high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme and the results of a total body gallium scan and bronchoalveolar lavage supported the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Isolated single reports indicate that spinal neurosarcoidosis may be the initial manifestation of sarcoidosis. In our case, magnetic resonance imaging of the dorsal spine showed a largely aspecific lesion. Neurosarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intramedullary cord lesion with leptomeningeal enhancement; a systematic search for evidence of sarcoidosis should be mandatory in all cases for a correct diagnosis and early treatment.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caneparo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lucetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nuti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tessa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fazzi
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bonuccelli
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005708:Gallium; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012643:Selenium; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C517764:gallium selenide; D005708:Gallium; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D012643:Selenium