Neurosarcoidosis with computerized tomographic visualization and transsphenoidal excision of a supra- and intrasellar granuloma. Case report

Neurosarcoïdose : état des connaissances

The origins of neurosarcoidosis, a multisystemic granulomatous disease, remain unknown. Nervous system localizations remain rare, but severe. Lymphocytic meningitis, psychiatric disorders, diabetes insipidus and cranial nerve palsy are the most frequent signs. Cerebral fluid test and cervical medullar and cerebral MRI with gadolinium have to be performed first. In some cases, histological evidence of granuloma have to be obtained with neuromuscular, meningeal or cerebral biopsies. Functional impairment and life-threatening conditions require early corticosteroid therapy. In worsening cases or in the event of no therapeutic response or poor tolerance to corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive agents should be associated. Maintenance therapy and most often life long maintenance therapy allow a continuous success while avoiding relapse.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging manifestations of neurosarcoidosis

OBJECTIVES

To describe clinical and neuroimaging manifestations of neurosarcoidosis in a cohort of 21 patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed records of 21 patients with sarcoidosis and central nervous system (CNS) manifestations referred to Cooper University Hospital, with emphasis on neuroimaging findings and associated clinical and laboratory evidence of sarcoidosis. Nineteen patients were categorized as having "definite," "probable," or "possible" neurosarcoidosis, while 1 had associated CNS vasculitis and another had Hodgkins lymphoma with cauda equina syndrome.

RESULTS

The most common manifestations included myelopathy, cranial neuropathies, and encephalopathy. In 6 patients, CNS biopsy showed sterile, noncaseating granuloma (NCG), while in the remainder, the diagnosis was established through a combination of clinical, radiographic, and laboratory findings. Notably, 10 patients developed acute neurological emergencies, including seizures, spinal cord compression, and increased intracranial pressure. Findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) included a variety of manifestations, including isolated mass lesion, diffuse intraparenchymal inflammatory lesions in the brain and spinal cord, leptomeningeal enhancement, hydrocephalus, and intracranial hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcoidosis is associated with diverse neurological manifestations and neuroimaging findings. The diagnosis of isolated CNS sarcoidosis requires a biopsy to document the presence of sterile NCG and to exclude neoplasms and other granulomatous diseases. When a biopsy of the CNS is not possible, a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis can reasonably be supported in many patients by MRI findings and exclusion of other disorders.

RELEVANCE

Optimum management of patients with neurosarcoidosis relies on the ability of clinicians to recognize the broad spectrum of clinical and neuroimaging manifestations of the disorder.

Hypophysitis in surgical and autoptical specimens

We present the clinical and histological findings of 11 cases of inflammatory anterior pituitary lesions, 8 of which were obtained during surgery and 3 of which were obtained from autopsies. Additionally, we extended the conventional classification of pituitary inflammatory disease by the new entity " secondary hypophysitis". Of the surgically obtained specimens 5 consisted of inflammatory extension into the pituitary gland out of the surrounding tissue. In all of these patients the inflammation originated from an additional tumor in the sellar region (4 craniopharyngiomas, 1 prolactinoma). These will be referred to as "secondary hypophysitis", an entity which has not yet been mentioned in the literature. Of the remaining 6 cases, 2 were granulomatous hypophysitis, 2 pituitary abscesses, 1 lymphocytic hypophysitis, and 1 showed extensive scarring of the anterior pituitary lobe due to preceeding lymphocytic hypophysitis. At histological examination the basic structure of the anterior pituitary was maintained in all cases. Relative counts of hormone-producing cells were normal. In secondary hypophysitis, the affected area was composed of fibrous tissue and granulation tissue. B and T lymphocytes were present in equal amounts. Granulomas were not found. Inflammatory infiltrates, granulation tissue and fibroses were seen in different proportions. Based on our results and three other cases reported in the literature so far, we think that the presently used classification of pituitary inflammatory diseases lacks an entity which describes a non-abscess-forming inflammation of the pituitary gland originating from an associated pathological process. Therefore, we introduced the term secondary hypophysitis to describe this fourth entity of pituitary inflammatory disease.

Hypothalamic-pituitary sarcoidosis

Patients with sarcoidosis may develop hypopituitarism secondary to granulomatous infiltration of the pituitary and hypothalamus. All degrees of anterior pituitary insufficiency can occur, ranging from selective deficiency to panhypopituitarism; diabetes insipidus occurs frequently. Commonly associated neurologic manifestations are cranial neuropathies, aseptic meningitis, and visual field defects. Although neurologic deficits respond well to corticosteroids, hormonal abnormalities generally persist despite therapy.

Giant-cell granulomatous hypophysitis: a distinct clinicopathological entity

Idiopathic giant-cell granulomatous hypophysitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pituitary gland. It presents clinically as a sellar mass lesion with pituitary insufficiency and/or hyperprolactinemia, and is radiologically indistinguishable from a pituitary tumor. In most of the previously reported cases the documentation of the disorder has been limited to autopsy tissue. Only a few cases documented by biopsy have been recorded. Four cases are presented here with radiological, endocrinological, and surgical findings. The appropriately documented cases collected from the literature and the present series are reviewed and the incidence, patterns of clinical and radiological presentation, and operative management of this disorder are discussed. This entity should be considered when evaluating patients with a pituitary mass and evidence of hypopituitarism and hyperprolactinemia.

A case of hypothalamic sarcoidosis with hypopituitarism and prolonged remission of hypogonadism

A 21-year-old man developed hypopituitarism, with symptomatic hypogonadism and diabetes insipidus (DI), as well as uveitis, retinal vasculitis, and papilledema in association with systemic sarcoidosis. A suprasellar tumor was demonstrated by computed tomography (CT). Although ophthalmic symptoms disappeared with prednisone and the DI was controlled with Desmopressin (DDAVP), the hypogonadism did not improve with human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). In long-term follow-up, the hypogonadism unexpectedly resolved.

Endocrine aspects of pituitary stalk enlargement

Four patients with various endocrine deficiencies of a predominantly hypothalamic nature are described, in whom computed topographic scans demonstrated pituitary stalk enlargement. In one, a disseminated papular skin eruption with regional pleomorphism and spontaneous regression appeared 4 years after the development of the initial symptoms of diabetes insipidus, and led to a diagnosis of xanthoma disseminatum, a rare type of histiocytosis. It is suggested that this patient's endocrine dysfunction is also due to histiocytic involvement of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary stalk. In view of the prolonged lapse of time between the initial endocrine manifestations and the eventual diagnosis, even though no cause is apparent in the other three patients, it is suggested that close follow-up be carried out to rule out such a possibility in patients with this endocrine-radiological entity.

Presentation of central nervous system sarcoidosis as intracranial tumors

Five cases of sarcoid presenting as an intracranial tumor are reported. In one instance, the lesion presented as a tumor in the cerebellopontine angle, a site not previously reported for the initial presentation of sarcoid isolated to the central nervous system. The role of computerized tomography, surgery, and steroid therapy is discussed. In the absence of pulmonary involvement, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels do not appear to be helpful in predicting steroid response.

A case of granulomatous hypophysitis with hypopituitarism and minimal pituitary enlargement

A case of hypopituitarism and minimal sellar enlargement was found at hypophysectomy to have a giant cell granuloma of the pituitary. The clinical and histopathological features of this rare entity are reviewed. It is proposed that hypopituitarism which is out of proportion to minimal sellar enlargement may be a suggestive clue to the preoperative diagnosis of giant cell granulous which normally simulates a pituitary tumour.

The complications of sphenoid sinusitis

Five patients are described who presented with various complications of infective sphenoid sinusitis. Their clinical course and management is narrated and the importance of making this diagnosis and its simple effective treatment is stressed.

Neurosarcoidosis: a review of the rarer manifestations

Neurosarcoidosis characteristically presents with the onset of cranial nerve palsies or endocrine and electrolyte disturbances in a patient with known systemic sarcoid. However, the disease may occasionally manifest itself in patients with no evidence of somatic involvement and with a variety of neurological signs and symptoms. We present two cases that demonstrate several of the rare manifestations of the illness and review the literature on the diagnosis and treatment.

Intrasellar granuloma. Case report

A case of giant-cell granuloma of the pituitary in a 28-year-old woman is reported. Clinical complaints included headache and amenorrhea. Endocrinological studies showed hypopituitarism. X-ray films showed enlargement of the sella turcica.