title: A rare presentation of sarcoidosis, back pain and spondylolisthesis.
abstract: A 48-year old man presented with back pain that was resistant to treatment. An MR scan showed spondylolisthesis at L4-5 and narrowing of the exit foraminae. He had a posterior fusion which did not relieve his symptoms. He continued to have back pain and developed subcutaneous nodules in both forearms. Biopsy from the skin revealed cutaneous sarcoidosis, and one from the lumbar spine showed sarcoidosis granuloma between the bone trabeculae. A CT scan of the abdomen and chest revealed axillary lymphadenopathy, mediastinal enlarged nodes, apical nodular nodes and splenomegaly. The patient was started on large doses of methotrexate and steroids. His angiotensin-converting enzyme and calcium levels returned to normal and the back pain resolved.
authors.affiliation: Southport Hospital, Town Lane Kew, Southport PR8 6PN, UK. samermorgan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Mukkanna
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ampat
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D006099:Granuloma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers