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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Case report

Spinal cord hemorrhage in a patient with neurosarcoidosis on long-term corticosteroid therapy: case report

Authors: Benoit Pegat, Sophie Drapier, Xavier Morandi, Gilles Edan

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Central nervous system bleeding is a rare complication of neurosarcoidosis: only 18 cases of spontaneous cerebral hematoma have been reported. We present the first recorded case of spinal cord hemorrhage in neurosarcoidosis.

Case presentation

A 48-year-old Caucasian woman had relapsing neurosarcoidosis for 5 years, with inflammatory spinal and cerebral lesions. While on 20 mg corticosteroids, she experienced subacute paraparesia with right leg pain. A spine MRI revealed a low thoracic hematomyelia at the T10-T11 level. Despite high doses of corticosteroids, her condition continued to worsen. Surgical evacuation of the hematoma was performed 10 days after the onset of bleeding, and she partially recovered.

Conclusion

This report highlights the possibility of spinal cord hemorrhage secondary to sarcoid vasculitis. The patient improved after surgical evacuation of the intramedullary hematoma. Immuno-modulating agents must be envisaged in severe neurosarcoidosis, to prevent complications.
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Metadata
Title
Spinal cord hemorrhage in a patient with neurosarcoidosis on long-term corticosteroid therapy: case report
Authors
Benoit Pegat
Sophie Drapier
Xavier Morandi
Gilles Edan
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-015-0373-6

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