BrainWaves #153 Neurosarcoidosis: the 21st century great mimicker

MedLink Neurology Podcast is delighted to feature selected episodes from BrainWaves, courtesy of James E Siegler MD, its originator and host. BrainWaves is an academic audio podcast whose mission is to educate medical providers through clinical cases and topical reviews in neurology, medicine, and the humanities, and episodes originally aired from 2016 to 2021.

Originally released: December 12, 2019

In the TV show, HOUSE, it's either lupus or its sarcoidosis. Only, it's never sarcoidosis. That's because sarcoidosis is such a heterogeneous condition and can affect practically any age group. In some patients, this idiopathic inflammatory disorder can also involve the nervous system. Also causing a variety of signs and symptoms ranging from mild headache to a proximal myopathy or even a CNS vasculitis. This week on the BrainWaves podcast, Dr. Jesse Thon reflects on the literature and shares his experience managing patients with this troubling condition.

Produced by Jesse Thon and James E Siegler. Music courtesy of Steve Combs, Lovira, and Yakov Goldman. Sound effects by Mike Koenig and Daniel Simion. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision-making. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @BrainWavesaudio for the latest updates to the podcast.

REFERENCES

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Baughman RP, Drent M, Kavuru M, et al. Infliximab therapy in patients with chronic sarcoidosis and pulmonary involvement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006;174(7):795-802. PMID 16840744

Baughman RP, Lower EE. Infliximab for refractory sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2001;18(1):70-4. Erratum in: Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2001;18(3):310. PMID 11354550

Bitoun S, Bouvry D, Borie R, et al. Treatment of neurosarcoidosis: a comparative study of methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil. Neurology 2016;87(24):2517-21. PMID 27856779

Gelfand JM, Bradshaw MJ, Stern BJ, et al. Infliximab for the treatment of CNS sarcoidosis: a multi-institutional series. Neurology 2017;89(20):2092-00. PMID 29030454

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Rossman MD, Newman LS, Baughman RP, et al. A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of infliximab in subjects with active pulmonary sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2006;23(3):201-8. PMID 18038919

Wallaert B, Ramon P, Fournier EC, et al. High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy in sarcoidosis. Eur J Respir Dis 1986;68(4):256-62. PMID 3732422

We believe that the principles expressed or implied in the podcast remain valid, but certain details may be superseded by evolving knowledge since the episode’s original release date.