Vertebral sarcoidosis with paravertebral ossification

A young black male with sarcoidosis developed quadriplegia after a fall. Roentgenograms of the spine revealed extensive lytic and scierotic changes with paravertebral bony bridges simulating ankylosing spondylitis. He recovered on corticosteroid therapy after laminectomy and cervical fusion. Review of the literature suggests that this case of vertebral sarcoidosis is the most severe yet reported and the first with paravertebral ossification.