Ask an Expert: Symptoms of muscle and neurosarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis

Symptoms of muscle and neurosarcoidosis
09/05/2007

Question:

What are the symptoms if sarcoidosis affects the muscles and central nervous system?

Answer:

This is a very good question. Unfortunately, there is no standard answer to this question. Sarcoidosis can present very differently from one individual to another. It can affect the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system, including individual nerves that allow us to sense the environment. Thus, the symptoms can range from seizures and stroke-like symptoms to small areas of numbness. However, the most common symptom is "fatigue" which is not directly related to involvement of the central nervous system, but probably reflects the overall activity of the disease elsewhere.

As for muscle involvement...muscle aches would be a common feature. Certain enzymes are released from the muscles (creatinine kinase), and a muscle biopsy can be a good way to diagnose this condition.
As you can see, you would need your physician's help to determine if you have nervous system or muscular involvement.

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Response by:

Elliott D Crouser, MD
Associate Professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University