[An atypical form of neurosarcoidosis]

Rev Med Interne. 2013 Dec;34(12):776-9. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2013.02.035. Epub 2013 Nov 4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Nervous system involvement occurs in 5 to 15% of the patients with sarcoidosis. Neurosarcoidosis remains very difficult to diagnose because clinical presentation and imaging characteristics lack specificity.

Observation: We report a 26-year-old man who gradually developed headaches, memory disturbance and epilepsy. CT-scan and MRI showed a temporal-parietal cystic mass, secondary to a rare and focal form of hydrocephalus, called "trapped temporal horn" revealing neurosarcoidosis.

Conclusion: The "entrapped temporal horn" is due to an obstacle on the cerebrospinal fluid pathway at the trigone of the lateral ventricle that seals off the temporal horn and the choroid plexus from the rest of the ventricular system. The obstacle is related to the granulomatous tissue of sarcoidosis. Therefore, the "trapped temporal horn" acts as a space occupying process, causing headaches, memory pain, hemiparesis, homonymous hemianopsia, and requires medico-surgical management.

Keywords: Cystic mass; Entrapped temporal horn; Exclusion de la corne temporale du ventricule latéral; Hydrocephalus; Hydrocéphalie; Lésion kystique; Neurosarcoidosis; Neurosarcoïdose.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epilepsy / complications
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Headache / complications
  • Headache / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / complications
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis
  • Neuroimaging
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*

Supplementary concepts

  • Neurosarcoidosis