Neurosarcoidosis: Evaluation with MRI

Clinical studies report a rate of 5 % and autopsy results a rate of 25 % of brain involvement in sarcoidosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate th e role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of patients wit h neurosarcoidosis. The MRI brain scans of 22 patients with sarcoidosis wer e retrospectively reviewed, along with the clinical information that was pr ovided in the request form. All patients had signs and symptoms referable t o the head and were examined with gadolinium enhancement. Cranial (facial) nerve paralysis was the most common clinical manifestation identified in 10 patients. A wide spectrum of MR findings was noted : Periventricular and w hite matter lesions on T2W spin echo images, mimicking multiple sclerosis ( 46 %); multiple supratentorial and infratentorial brain lesions, mimicking metastases (36 %); solitary intraaxial mass, mimicking high grade astrocyto ma (9 %); solitary extraaxial mass, mimicking meningioma (5 %); leptomening eal enhancement (36 %). These findings are not specific for sarcoidosis and one must consider appropriate clinical circumstances in arriving at the co rrect diagnosis. In selected cases with isolated brain involvement, meninge al or cerebral biopsy may be required.