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Neuro-ophthalmological findings in sarcoidosis
1Department of Neurology, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. kjell.heuser@rikshospitalet.no
Purpose:
This review emphasizes the importance of neuro-ophthalmological signs and symptoms in sarcoidosis. The presence of ophthalmological and neuro-ophthalmological findings may lead to diagnosis of the disease and the initiation of adequate treatment.
Material And Methods:
Patients who had been diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis during the period 1990 - 2001 were identified from the departmental diagnostic index. The history, clinical, laboratory and imaging data of patients were analysed.
Results:
Fifteen patients were identified, four men and 11 women, with a mean age of 44.1 years (range 26-65 years). In six of the 15 (40%), neurological deficits were the initial symptoms. Nine (60%) had known sarcoidosis at the time of presentation. Ten patients (66%) had ophthalmological/neuro-ophthalmological symptoms and signs.
Conclusion:
Neuro-ophthalmological symptoms may develop early in neurosarcoidosis. If neuro-ophthalmological symptoms arise in patients with established biopsy-proven sarcoidosis, the diagnosis is usually easy to make. However, a number of patients with neurosarcoidosis may present with neuro-ophthalmic symptoms before systemic involvement becomes obvious. In this situation the diagnosis is challenging, and the major goal is to establish the presence of systemic sarcoidosis.
