Neurosarcoidosis and Ocular Inflammation: A Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

Objective: To describe the ocular findings of neurosarcoidosis (NS) through a case series and review the current literature on the ocular complications of NS. Methods: Case series of 4 patients with a literature review. Results: Ophthalmic involvement in NS includes scleritis, cranial nerve palsies, uveitis, optic nerve granulomas, and occlusive retinal vasculitis. Conclusion: NS is an uncommon, but potentially lifethreatening, manifestation of sarcoidosis with ocular involvement up to 25% of patients. Patients presenting with neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of sarcoidosis are more likely to have other sites of involvement requiring ophthalmologists to maintain a high index of suspicion for systemic disease.

Neurosarcoidosis in an adult man with a family history of MS: A case report

“…However, based on the brain MRI, our patient did not show any lesions in the vestibulocochlear nerve. Up to 25% of patients with neurosarcoidosis have ocular involvement 10 …”

“…Up to 25% of patients with neurosarcoidosis have ocular involvement. 10 In the case of neurosarcoidosis, treatment is constantly required, and the treatment routine relies upon professional opinion and scientific manifestations. 11 Neurosarcoidosis is typically treated with corticosteroids despite many immunosuppressive agents being used as adjunctive agents.…”

A Comprehensive Update on Retinal Vasculitis: Etiologies, Manifestations and Treatments

“…Eye involvement usually presents with granulomatous changes, but vascular involvement is also often recognized as venous vascular sheading. A multifocal periphlebitis is seen in up to 37% of patients with ocular sarcoidosis presenting with segmental vascular shedding "candle wax dripping phenomenon" with exudation, which are seen in the peripheral retina (Figure 13) [122,123]. Retinal vasculitis is also one of the findings that was accepted as a disease at the ocular sarcoidosis workshop [119].…”