neurological sarcoidosis

Last reviewed 12/2022

Neurological involvement occurs in 5% of patients (1). It is considered to be a devastating complication of the disease especially if the central nervous system is involved (1).

  • neurologic features precede the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in up to 74% of patients
  • cerebrospinal fluid analysis indicates nonspecific lymphocytic inflammation (2)

The most common features include:

  • cranial neuropathies, e.g. facial, optic
  • meningeal inflammation or infiltartion
  • aseptic meningitis - may be acute or chronic
  • hypothalamic and pituitary lesions e.g. - resulting in diabetes insipidus
  • encephalopathy
  • vasculopathy
  • seizures
  • spinal cord involvement
  • peripheral neuropathy (1)

Reference: