Sarcoidosis of the Central Nervous System

A 32 year-old man who a known history of sarcoidosis developed progressive headaches and blurred vision.


Show the Enhancement of the Optic Nerves               Show the Enhancement of the Meninges

(Left) Coronal MRI T1-weighted image; (Right) Coronal MRI T1-weighted with gadolinium. Note on the contrast scan on the right, both optic nerves enhance. Sarcoidosis may affect the central nervous system in isolation or more commonly as part of systemic sarcoidosis. Sarcoid in the brain has a predilection for the optic nerves, optic chiasm, infidibulum, hypothalamus, meninges, and cranial nerves 7 and 8.

Revised 04/11/06.
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