Neurosarcoidosis as an MS Mimic: The trials and tribulations of making a diagnosis.
The clinical presentation of neurosarcoidosis is varied as multiple levels of the neuraxis may be affected. When central nervous system involvement occurs, making an accurate diagnosis of the condition can be challenging, especially given the current definition for definite neurosarcoidosis requires histologic confirmation of the affected tissue (brain biopsy). This article will review our current knowledge and manifestations of neurosarcoidosis, discuss the current diagnostic approach as well as the challenges associated with a condition requiring histologic confirmation, discuss the current treatment approach, and highlight the challenges of this diagnosis with a few real-life clinical cases. We also highlight the selected differential diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis as well as multiple sclerosis which could mimic each other.
Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, Canada; University of Ottawa, Undergraduate Medical Education, Canada. Electronic address: hmaclean@toh.on.ca.
Heather J
HJ
MacLean
University of Ottawa, Ottawa MS Clinic, 501 Smyth Rd., Canada K1H 8L6. Electronic address: mabdoli@toh.on.ca.
Mohammad
M
Abdoli
D000328:Adult; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
Gallium scan; Multiple sclerosis mimics; Neurosarcoidosis