Emergency Radiotherapy for Spinal Cord Compression due to Bone Sarcoidosis

Intern Med. 2018 Mar 1;57(5):717-720. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9299-17. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous disease that is systemic, but bone involvement is uncommon. A 68-year-old man was referred to our hospital complaining of right shoulder pain with numbness. Computed tomography revealed systemic lymphadenopathy and multiple bone lesions. Because malignant lymphoma with a mass lesion protruding into the vertebral canal was considered, he underwent urgent radiotherapy. Thereafter, a needle biopsy of the left parasternal node was performed and showed epithelioid granulomas, confirming a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Since his neurologic symptoms improved, the patient was not given systemic corticosteroids. Radiotherapy may be useful for local control of bone sarcoidosis.

Keywords: CT-guided biopsy; bone disease; radiotherapy; sarcoidosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Mediastinum / pathology
  • Sarcoidosis / complications*
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoidosis / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / radiotherapy*
  • Spinal Diseases / complications*
  • Spinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Diseases / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed