Sarcoidosis With Muscular and Peripheral Nervous System Involvement: An Atypical Presentation of a Rare Disease

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Authors: Gonçalo Carneiro, Luís Fontão, Ricardo Jorge Ferreira Taipa, Michael S. Santos, Ana Raquel Freitas
Cited by: 0
References: 11

Abstract

Neuromuscular sarcoidosis is uncommon and may represent a diagnostic challenge, particularly in the absence of more typical sarcoidosis manifestations such as pulmonary involvement. We report a case of a 71-year-old male presenting with constitutional symptoms, weight loss, progressive gait impairment, hypercalcemia, and acute kidney injury. Initial evaluation excluded malignancy, active infection, and monoclonal gammopathy. Advanced imaging showed diffuse muscular involvement, and muscle biopsy confirmed non-caseating granulomatous myositis, establishing the diagnosis of muscular sarcoidosis. The patient improved with corticosteroid therapy but developed sensory axonal polyneuropathy during tapering, requiring steroid-sparing immunosuppression with azathioprine. This case highlights the need to consider sarcoidosis in unexplained systemic and neuromuscular syndromes, even in the absence of pulmonary or other common extrapulmonary manifestations.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research Histiocytic Disorders and Treatments Inflammatory Myopathies and Dermatomyositis

Publication details

Journal / source
Cureus
Volume
18
Issue
2
Pages
e103109–e103109
Publication date
6 February 2026
Language
EN