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Sarcoidosis causes chronic inflammation and the growth of abnormal cells called granulomas, most commonly affecting the lungs. When it spreads to the nervous system, it is called neurosarcoidosis. Symptoms are varied and can include muscle weakness, paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired brain functions. Treatment includes steroids and drugs that regulate or suppress inflammation. The disease can resolve on its own or be potentially disabling and fatal.
Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes chronic inflammation. When it spreads to the nervous system, the condition is called neurosarcoidosis. Muscle twitching or weakness are possible symptoms of neurosarcoidosis, and if the brain is affected, the disease can also affect regulatory actions such as sleepiness or temperature control. Neurosarcoidosis is incurable, but in many cases the condition resolves on its own.
Most commonly affecting the lungs, sarcoidosis causes the growth of abnormal cells known as granulomas in the body. The growths are made up of cells that are usually involved in the immune system. Inflammation results in the areas where the growths occur. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, but environmental conditions, genetics, and abnormal responses to infection may play a role. Sarcoidosis generally affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40.
Neurosarcoidosis can affect the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves that supply the rest of the body. Since the disease can affect any nerve, the symptoms are varied. Affected nerves that send impulses to the body to move muscles can cause twitching or weakness. Nerves that transmit stimuli such as touch or smell may not work properly. Brain functions such as temperature regulation, stress and sleep signaling can also be impaired.
The most common symptom of neurosarcoidosis is Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy is weakness of the facial muscles on one side of the face. This causes the muscle to sag or become weak. If other peripheral nerves are affected by granulomas, symptoms may include muscle weakness, muscle paralysis, and loss of sensation.
When the pituitary gland in the brain is involved, symptoms such as abnormal thirst, fatigue, and abnormal menstruation can occur. An affected brain can cause mental or physical symptoms. Mental symptoms can include delirium, confusion and dementia. A patient may also show a decrease in senses such as taste, smell or sound. Seizures, dizziness, and vision problems are also possible symptoms.
The many possible and varied symptoms of neurosarcoidosis, due to the many parts of the nervous system that the disease can attack, make the condition difficult to diagnose. The primary treatment for the condition is the use of steroids. Drugs that regulate or suppress inflammation in the immune system, such as hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate, may also be helpful.
Commonly, the disease resolves on its own and this can take up to four months, although it can last for years. In other cases, neurosarcoidosis remains active constantly or flares up throughout life. Neurosarcoidosis is potentially disabling and can even be fatal.
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