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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Sarcoidosis | Case report

Neurosarcoidosis resulting in thoracic radiculopathy: a case report

Authors: Hayam Hamodat, Allen Tran

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Thoracic radiculopathy is a rare etiology of vague abdominal pain. There are few reports of neurosarcoidosis manifesting as a thoracic radiculopathy, which highlights the diagnostic challenge.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old Caucasian man was being investigated for right upper quadrant abdominal pain and was found to have diffuse lymphadenopathy on imaging. He was eventually diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Over time, his abdominal pain progressed to neuropathic pain along his T7–T11 dermatome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed findings consistent with a thoracic radiculopathy due to neurosarcoidosis. The patient received corticosteroids for treatment of neurosarcoidosis and immunosuppressant therapy to manage neuropathic pain.

Conclusions

This case report highlights the importance of considering thoracic radiculopathies in the differential diagnosis of vague abdominal pain and explores guidelines in diagnosing neurosarcoidosis in the absence of neural tissue biopsy.
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Metadata
Title
Neurosarcoidosis resulting in thoracic radiculopathy: a case report
Authors
Hayam Hamodat
Allen Tran
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-019-2065-0

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