Cerebral Vasculitis Revealing Systemic Sarcoidosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Vasculitis in neurosarcoidosis is rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We report the clinical observation of a 51-year-old patient with no previous medical history, who was admitted to the emergency department due to sudden onset confusion, fever, sweating, weakness, and headaches. The first brain scan was normal, but a further biological exam with a lumbar puncture revealed lymphocytic meningitis. A complementary cerebral MRI revealed abnormalities in the white matter signal, suggestive of multiple sclerosis, with petechial hemorrhagic foci associated with leptomeningeal involvement and cerebral vasculitis. Thoraco-abdomino-pelvic computed tomography revealed hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, as well as lymph nodes in the lower cervical region. A biopsy of the lymph nodes confirmed the presence of non-caseating granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis. Highdose corticosteroid therapy was initiated with good clinical outcomes. Cerebral vasculitis in neurosarcoidosis is rare but can lead to neurological complications requiring long-term multidisciplinary management.