Study design: Report of 2 cases of sarcoidosis involving vertebrae successfully treated with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNF-α antagonist).
Objective: To disseminate knowledge concerning successful treatment of sarcoidosis involving the axial skeleton with the use of TNF-α blockers.
Summary of background data: Osseous sarcoidosis most commonly involves small bones of hands and feet; vertebral involvement is rare, and currently there is no consensus on optimal treatment.
Methods: Two cases are described detailing patients with extrapulmonary sarcoidosis involving vertebral bodies, retractable to conventional treatment, who were treated with TNF-α antagonists.
Results: We observed a remarkable response following the administration of TNF-α blockers in vertebral sarcoidosis with marked resolution of lytic lesions. The patients remained asymptomatic with no recurrence of their disease.
Conclusion: Vertebral sarcoidosis is a rare manifestation of osseous sarcoidosis. Symptomatic patients are treated with various immunosuppressive therapies. We propose utilizing TNF-α blocking agents in patients who fail to respond to first-line therapy.