Nerve Damage Due to Spinal Compression from Neurosarcoidosis

Neurosarcoidosis is a complication of a chronic inflammatory disease known as sarcoidosis that causes inflammation and abnormal cell deposits throughout the body. When neurosarcoidosis involves the vertebrae or discs of the spine, it may compress your spinal cord and/or the nerves coming from the cord.

• Neurosarcoidosis can cause spinal nerve compression.

Symptoms

• Depending upon the specific nerves that are affected by the neurosarcoidosis, you may have pain, weakness, and/or numbness of your arms or legs.

Onset

• Neurosarcoidosis may be a chronic illness with symptoms that build up slowly over time as nerve damage builds up, or it may cause sudden, acute symptoms.

Treatment

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), there is no generally accepted treatment for neurosarcoidosis. Your doctor may inject cortisone into your spinal canal. She may also prescribe drugs that suppress your immune system to reduce the inflammatory effects of the disease. If you have significant spinal cord compression, you may need surgery to remove deposits pressing on the cord.

Prevention

• According to Medline Plus, early treatment of sarcoidosis can help prevent complications like neurosarcoidosis. Early spinal cord decompression can avoid permanent nerve damage.

Prognosis

• According to NINDS, about 66 percent of people with neurosarcoidosis will have a full recovery. In other cases, neurosarcoidosis is a chronic disease that comes and goes over time.