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Case report
Rare presentation of sarcoidosis with optic neuropathy and third nerve palsy
  1. Mohamed Seifelnasr1,2,
  2. Magnus Theodorsson1,
  3. Jonathan Hart3 and
  4. Eoin O'Sullivan1
  1. 1Ophthalmology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
  2. 2Ophthalmology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
  3. 3Radiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Mohamed Seifelnasr; mohamadseifelnasr@gmail.com

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic, idiopathic and granulomatous disease, which most commonly affects the skin, lungs and lymph nodes but can affect virtually any organ. Neurosarcoidosis can be the presenting or the only clinical manifestation accounting for 5%–15% of sarcoid diagnoses. In contrast to uveitis which is the most common ophthalmic manifestation, neuro-ophthalmic signs are uncommon in sarcoidosis. Optic neuropathy is the most common neuro-ophthalmic sign (70% in one series). Sarcoid-related optic neuropathy commonly presents with a picture similar to optic neuritis. Less commonly, optic nerve involvement occurs secondary to compressive lesions, or from direct granulomatous infiltration. Neuroimaging is crucial to identify the location of the lesion. We describe a case of sarcoid-related compressive optic neuropathy and third nerve palsy and highlight the challenging nature of neurosarcoidosis in a patient without a prior diagnosis of the disease.

  • neuroopthalmology
  • ophthalmology

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-246024

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @MagnusTheodors1

    • Contributors MT undertook a literature review, wrote the introduction, provided the MR scan figures and participated in writing the discussion. MS reviewed the patient records, inserted the figures and undertook a literature review and write-up of the case report and the discussion under the supervision of EOS. JH reviewed the MR scans of the orbit, chose the best three illustrative images and provided a valuable neuroradiology specialist input. EOS provided a neuro-ophthalmic specialist input and final review of the article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.