A confusing manifestation: a case report of neurosarcoidosis presenting with confusion

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

KEYWORDS:

• Neurosarcoidosis
• sarcoidosis
• cryptogenic neuroinflammatory disease
• confusion
• altered mental status
• encephalopathy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.