Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
06:36
Establishment of Central Cord Syndrome Model in C57BL/6J Mouse
Published on: September 8, 2023
Intramedullary cervical spinal cord sarcoidosis
1Department of Neurology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. sbhagavati@downstate.edu
Spinal Cord
|June 11, 2008
Summary
This case report highlights an uncommon presentation of cervical spinal cord sarcoidosis. Early steroid treatment led to complete recovery, avoiding surgery for a suspected tumor.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology.
- Intramedullary spinal cord sarcoidosis is rare, often presenting with non-specific neurological deficits.
- Differential diagnosis includes primary and secondary spinal cord tumors.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old male presented with progressive leg heaviness, gait difficulty, and sensory disturbances.
- MRI revealed a contrast-enhancing intramedullary lesion mimicking a spinal tumor.
- Systemic investigations uncovered mediastinal lymphadenopathy and elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels.
Findings:
- Transbronchial lung biopsy confirmed sarcoidosis.
- The patient received prompt corticosteroid therapy.
- Complete clinical and radiological resolution of the spinal cord lesion was achieved within 4 weeks and maintained over 18 months.
Implications:
- Intramedullary spinal cord lesions with tumor-like enhancement warrant investigation for sarcoidosis.
- Considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis can prevent unnecessary neurosurgical intervention.
- Steroid therapy is an effective treatment for spinal cord sarcoidosis, leading to favorable outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy
The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
01:15Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy
The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
01:54The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...