Neurological Symptoms of Sarcoidosis-induced Small Fiber Neuropathy Effectively Relieved with High-dose Steroid Pulse Therapy

• Published in: Internal Medicine Vol. 54; no. 10; pp. 1281 - 1286
• Main Authors: Saito, Hiroaki, Yamaguchi, Tetsuo, Adachi, Yuta, Yamashita, Takaaki, Wakai, Yoko, Saito, Kazuhito, Shinohara, Yoko, Suzuki, Keiko, Yagihashi, Soroku, Terada, Jiro, Tatsumi, Koichiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Biopsy; Erythromelalgia - diagnosis; Erythromelalgia - drug therapy; Erythromelalgia - etiology; Female; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Middle Aged; Nerve Fibers - pathology; Neurologic Examination; sarcoidosis; Sarcoidosis - complications; Skin - pathology; small fiber neuropathy; steroid pulse
• ISSN: 0918-2918; 1349-7235
• DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3702

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for an evaluation of a 10-day history of progressive pain and hypoesthesia of the right lower back associated with fever and constipation. Sarcoidosis was confirmed on mediastinal lymph node and skin biopsies. Although the neurological symptoms were suspected due to sarcoidosis-induced nerve dysfunction, nerve conduction studies and other routine examinations did not show any abnormalities. The intraepidermal nerve fiber density assessed on a skin biopsy was significantly reduced, suggesting small-fiber neuropathy (SFN). The patient was finally diagnosed with sarcoidosis-induced SFN, and her neurological symptoms were effectively relieved with high-dose steroid therapy.