title: Pins and needles and unilateral foot drop: a presentation of sarcoidosis.
abstract: We describe a case of sarcoidosis in a 57-year-old man who presented with neurological symptoms of pins and needles in both of his hands, left leg weakness and left foot drop. Neurophysiological examination revealed asymmetric motor and sensory polyneuropathy. Common peroneal nerve involvement accounted for the left foot drop. Thoracic CT scan revealed bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. He had hypercalcaemia and raised serum ACE level. Histological examination of a mediastinal lymph node showed non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas consistent with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. There was no evidence of acid-fast bacilli or fungi on special stains. This case highlights the importance of considering sarcoidosis as a potential diagnosis in patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy. Although response to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy may be seen, in our case the patient's neurological deficit remained persistent despite treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK. ahmedfahim@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fahim
authors.forename: Jack A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kastelik
authors.forename: Jaymin B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Morjaria
authors.forename: Simon Paul
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology