What is neurosarcoidosis?
Neurosarcoidosis is a complication of sarcoidosis, in which inflammation occurs in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the nervous system.
What causes neurosarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is a long-term disorder that affects many parts of the body, mostly the lungs. In a small number of patients, the disease involves some part of the nervous system. This is called neurosarcoidosis. However less than 15% of sarcoidosis patients will develop neurosarcoidosis.
What are the symptoms of neurosarcoidosis?
In order to diagnose neurosarcoidosis, doctors perform one or more of the following tests:
chest X-ray, specifically of the lungs
CT scan
blood tests
biopsy
Symptoms can occur abruptly or appear slowly over time. Symptoms usually start when a person is between the ages of 20 and 40 years. It also seems to occur more often in people of African-American or Swedish descent.
There is currently no cure for neurosarcoidosis, however there are treatments that will help reduce the inflammation, which will soothe the symptoms and make you more comfortable. Such as:
Corticosteroids
Occupational Therapy
Immunomodulatory medications
Immunosuppressive medications
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Pain management medications or therapy
