title: Dramatic response to infliximab in refractory neurosarcoidosis.
abstract: Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease characterized by noncaseating granulomas in the involved organs. Neurologic manifestations involving the central and/or peripheral nervous system occur in about 5% of patients. Neurosarcoidosis is often refractory to conventional treatment and therefore more effective treatment options are needed. While the etiology of the disease is still unknown, there is now a better understanding of its pathogenesis on a molecular level. It is clear that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) plays a pivotal role in the development of the granulomas and it is believed to be a key cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Taking advantage of this better understanding of disease pathogenesis, anti-TNFα agents are being increasingly used to treat refractory sarcoidosis. We report a patient with refractory neurosarcoidosis who showed dramatic improvement in the clinical and radiological manifestations following treatment with infliximab; he suffered a relapse upon discontinuation of the medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sreekanth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chintamaneni
authors.forename: Aarat M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Samuel B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Pegram
authors.forename: Hirenkumar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roppelt