A confusing manifestation: a case report of neurosarcoidosis presenting with confusion. Issue 6 (2nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mubarik, Ateeq; Hassan, Syed Moin; Felix, Monicka; Muddassir, Salman; Haq, Furqan
• Is Part Of: Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives. Volume 8:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 367
• Publication Date: 2018-11-02
• Subjects: Neurosarcoidosis -- sarcoidosis -- cryptogenic neuroinflammatory disease -- confusion -- altered mental status -- encephalopathy; Internal medicine -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Hospitals, Community; Internal Medicine; Hospitals; Internal medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1080/20009666.2018.1536239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-9666

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous multisystem disease with an unknown etiology. Neurosarcoidosis is a cryptogenic neuroinflammatory manifestation of sarcoidosis. Case report: We describe a case of neurosarcoidosis with initial presentation as confusion. Our patient fits the picture of probable neurosarcoidosis as per the Zajicek et al criteria, with the clinical presentation of neurosarcoidosis, evidence of inflammation in the CNS, evidence of systemic sarcoidosis and exclusion of other diseases. He was started on steroids with subsequent improvement in mental status. Discussion and conclusion: The diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis becomes challenging when neurosarcoidosis presents as isolated clinical neurological symptoms. We want to highlight the highly variable nature of neurosarcoidosis and underscore the fact that for cryptogenic neuroinflammatory diseases, neurosarcoidosis should be considered after excluding common infections and autoimmune causes. Abbreviations : CXR: Chest X-ray; CTA: Computed tomography angiography; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; ACE: Angiotensin converting enzyme; HRCT: High Resolution computed tomography