Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society

The Korean Neurosurgical Society (대한신경외과학회)
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Solitary Cavernous Sinus Neurosarcoidosis Mimicking Neurosyphilis

  • Kim, Dong Ha (Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Cho, Won Ho (Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Cho, Kyu Sup (Department of Otolaryngology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Cha, Seong Heon (Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2013.01.24
  • Accepted : 2013.12.16
  • Published : 2014.01.28
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Abstract

A differential diagnosis between neurosarcoidosis and neurosyphilis is particularly problematic in patients with a positive serologic result for syphilis. We report here a patient with a solitary cavernous sinus sarcoidosis who had a history of syphilis and showed rapidly progressing cavernous sinus syndrome. A transsphenoidal biopsy was performed and a histopathologic examination revealed a non-caseating granuloma with an asteroid body. His facial pain disappeared after steroid therapy. He received oral prednisolone for one year. A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed resolution of the mass over the cavernous sinus. Particularly in patients with a history of syphilis, neurosyphilis should be included in a differential diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis.

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References

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