Neurosarcoidosis presenting as longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis

J Clin Neurosci. 2009 Apr;16(4):595-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2008.06.004. Epub 2009 Feb 5.

Abstract

Neurosarcoidosis is an uncommon clinical entity, even in patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Its presentation is widely varied but longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis secondary to neurosarcoidosis has only rarely been described. We report the case of a patient with pulmonary sarcoidosis and congenital immunosuppression who developed longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis secondary to neurosarcoidosis following splenectomy. Diagnosis was based on history, inflammatory changes on MRI, and cerebrospinal fluid findings. Standard therapy with intravenous steroids was unsuccessful. Only more novel treatment with Infliximab allowed improvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Myelitis, Transverse / complications*
  • Myelitis, Transverse / drug therapy
  • Myelitis, Transverse / pathology*
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / complications*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Infliximab
  • Methylprednisolone