CARDIAC AND NEUROLOGIC DYSFUNCTION IN SARCOIDOSIS

Clinically apparent involvement of the heart and nervous system occurs in a relatively small number of patients with sarcoidosis. The diagno sis of myocardial and neurological sarcoidosis is difficult because an atomic presence of granulomas without clinical dysfunction is an impor tant feature of sarcoidosis. The chest radiography is abnormal in 8 of every 10 patients with myocardial or neurosarcoidosis. Serum angioten sin-converting enzyme and gallium uptake studies may provide some indi cation of the extent and severity of the granulomatous process. Cortic osteriods are the mainstay of therapy but chloroquine or hydroxychlori quine, methotrexate, and azathioprine are also effective. Prognosis of myocardial and neurological sarcoidosis is poor.