Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Neurosarcoidosis

Definition

Neurosarcoidosis refers to an autoimmune disorder of unknown cause, which causes deposition of inflammatory lesions called granulomas in the central nervous system.

Description

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown cause. It is thought that the disorder is caused by an inflammatory reaction in the body which forms a lesion called a granuloma. Neurosarcoidosis is characterized by formation of granulomas in the central nervous system. The granulomas consist of inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytes) which function during inflammatory reactions. The disorder is often unrecognized since most patients do not exhibit symptoms. Typically the disease is diagnosed by routine chest x ray. If symptoms are present they usually include respiratory problems (shortness of breath, cough) since the...