EXPERIENCE AND REASON |
Neurosarcoid Presents Differently in Children Than in Adults
From the Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| ABSTRACT |
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Background. Neurosarcoid is seldom recognized in children. In the absence of any large pediatric series, it has been assumed that the presenting signs and symptoms are identical in adults and children.
Objective. To test the hypothesis that childhood neurosarcoid differs in presenting signs and symptoms from neurosarcoid in adults.
Methods. We tabulated the initial neurologic signs and symptoms in all reported cases of childhood sarcoid with evidence of central nervous system involvement. These data then were compared with published studies of adult neurosarcoid.
Results. Twenty-nine cases (from the English, French, and German literature) had descriptions of presenting signs and symptoms. Ages were 3 months to 18 years; 48% (14 of 29) presented before 13 years. Seizures were the most common presenting symptom (38%, 11 of 29), and 73% of these children (8 of 11) were <13 years old at presentation. Twenty-one percent (6 of 29) had cranial nerve involvement at presentation, and all were
12 years old. Twenty-one percent (6 of 29) had hypothalamic dysfunction. Five children presented with headache, 4 with motor signs, and 3 with papilledema. Twenty-four percent (7 of 29) had mass lesions on imaging.
Conclusions. Children with neurosarcoid present differently than do adults. Children are more likely to have seizures, less likely to have cranial nerve palsies, and perhaps more likely to have a space-occupying lesion. Our analysis of the cases available for review in the published literature suggests that children evolve to an adult pattern as they progress through adolescence.
Key Words: adolescence child cranial nerve injuries manifestations neurologic sarcoidosis, seizures
Abbreviations: CNS, central nervous system CSF, cerebrospinal fluid MRI, magnetic resonance imaging ACE, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme CT, computed tomography
Physicians seldom include sarcoid in the differential diagnosis of progressive encephalopathies of childhood.1,2 This apparently occurs because sarcoid is seldom diagnosed in the young and is therefore considered rare.3,4 The omission is surprising, because sarcoid is both treatable and known to have protean manifestations. Moreover, if untreated, CNS sarcoid can result in death or permanent disability.
In the absence of any large pediatric series, it has been assumed that the presenting signs and symptoms of CNS sarcoid are identical in children and adults.3,5 We recently cared for a child who did not fit the usual adult pattern and decided to reexamine this premise. We searched for all reported cases in the world literature and analyzed them for presenting signs and symptoms. Our review suggests that prepubertal children with neurosarcoid present differently than adults, and this pediatric pattern evolves to an adult pattern during puberty.
| CASE REPORT |
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After 3 days of headache and malaise, a previously healthy 9-year-old white girl from rural Kentucky had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed a white blood cell count of 350 per mL (52% lymphocytes and 48% polymorphonuclear cells), normal glucose, and protein of 68 mg per dL. Routine cultures were sterile. After intravenous phenytoin there were no additional seizures. Her hospital course was characterized by fever to 101°F, confusion, and headache. Electroencephalograms showed symmetrical slowing compatible with a nonspecific, diffuse encephalopathy. Precontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head was unremarkable, but gadolinium-enhanced images revealed 2 irregular areas of enhancement involving the anterior aspect of the left frontal lobe. After 10 days she was afebrile, symptom-free, and discharged on phenytoin with a presumptive diagnosis of viral encephalitis.
After 3 medically uneventful months (though marred by poor school performance), the child became acutely confused and had another generalized tonic-clonic seizure. On readmission, routine laboratory studies were unremarkable. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI showed diffuse, fine punctuate lesions with increased signal from cortical gyri on the late T2 sequence. Magnetic resonance angiogram was unremarkable. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 11, and the phenytoin level was therapeutic. Numerous laboratory studies including serum aldolase, antineutrophil cytoplasmic and perinuclear antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, anti-Smith antibodies, factor V Leiden, anti-smooth muscle antibodies, and anticardiolipin antibodies were negative. Homocysteine, protein C, and protein S were unremarkable. Spinal fluid analysis revealed 4 mononuclear cells, 1 red blood cell, glucose of 64 mg per dL, and protein of 53 mg per dL. CSF cultures including those for fungi, tuberculosis, and viruses were sterile. Other CSF studies including venereal disease research laboratory test, pyruvate, oligoclonal bands, and myelin basic protein were unremarkable. Valproic acid was added to the patients medication program. She improved and was discharged after 6 days of hospitalization.
After discharge the patient had headaches daily. Over the next 3 weeks she became unsteady and had difficulty remembering numbers. After 2 generalized seizures the child was readmitted. Examination revealed confusion, a right 6th-nerve palsy, extensor plantar responses, and truncal ataxia. Multiple laboratory studies again were normal. Brain MRI now showed large areas of increased T2 signal outlining multiple, swollen cerebral cortical gyri and the caudate nuclei (Fig 1). The dot-like enhancement previously seen with gadolinium enhancement was more prominent and again corresponded to areas of increased T2 signal (Fig 2).
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The childs headache was unrelenting. She developed bilateral 6th-nerve palsies, left lower facial weakness, and slow speech. Brain and meningeal biopsy revealed discrete noncaseating epithelioid granulomas consistent with sarcoid (Fig 3). The serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level was 15 international units (normal: 41126), and chest radiograph was normal.
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The child had marked clinical improvement within 48 hours of high-dose steroid therapy. After 5 months of tapering doses of prednisone, MRI findings had completely resolved, and steroids were discontinued. There were no cranial nerve findings or focal neurologic deficits; however, the child did have frontal lobe indifference and mild cognitive difficulties. Four years later these cognitive deficits have persisted, but there has been no recurrence of seizures or focal neurologic signs and repeat MRI studies have been normal.
| METHODS |
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We attempted to identify all reported childhood cases of neurosarcoid. We searched PubMed for the common manifestations of sarcoid in childhood (pulmonary and arthritic) as well as for neurosarcoid. Each reported case was examined for evidence of CNS manifestations, and reference lists were scanned for reports of additional cases. We also reviewed child neurology and neuroradiology textbooks for cases described in the texts but not reported otherwise.
| RESULTS |
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Including our patient, there were 29 cases of childhood neurosarcoid with descriptions of presenting signs and symptoms (Table 1). An additional 15 cases lacked sufficient data about presenting signs and symptoms and were omitted. Because on rereview of the original articles we could not find evidence of neurologic involvement, we omitted 2 of the 23 children listed by Weinberg et al6 in their 1983 review of pediatric neurosarcoid. In the paper by Beier and Lahey7 we could not find the child with a 7th-nerve palsy referenced by Weinberg et al. In addition, in the 1956 series collected by McGovern and Merritt8 we were unable to identify the child tabulated by Weinberg et al as having "facial dysphagia."
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Cases were found in the English, French, and German language literature. Only 13 cases were specifically published in peer-reviewed journals as neurosarcoid. Eleven other children were reported as having systemic sarcoid, but our review of the published details indicated nervous system involvement. Two other cases were reported as examples of hypothalamic complications of sarcoid. Another was found in an article on the radiologic manifestations of sarcoid, 1 was reported as an ophthalmologic complication of sarcoid, and the final case was discovered in a child neurology textbook. Ages ranged from 3 months to 18 years with 48% (14/29) presenting before 13 years. Seizures were the most common presenting symptom (38% of subjects, 11 of 29). Of the children presenting with seizures, 73% (8 of 11) were <13 years old at presentation. Twenty-one percent (6 of 29) had cranial nerve findings at presentation that appeared to be caused by direct nerve involvement and not as a secondary effect such as 6th-nerve palsies associated with increased intracranial pressure. All children with cranial nerve palsies were
12 years old. Only 1 child had involvement of multiple cranial nerves (age 13). Among the others, 2 had optic nerve and facial nerve palsies, and 1 had a superior oblique palsy. Twenty-one percent (6 of 29) evidenced hypothalamic dysfunction with diabetes insipidus (4 of 6), short stature (3 of 6), and sexual immaturity (2 of 6). Hypothalamic dysfunction showed no age predilection. Five children presented with headache, 4 with motor signs, and 3 with papilledema. Twenty-four percent (7 of 29) had mass lesions or focal edema on imaging: One 8-year-old child with seizures had a "ring cortical lesion" on computed tomography (CT)9; our case (age 9) had papilledema and swollen frontal gyri on MRI; one 12-year-old child had nodular lesions in the optic chiasm and right sylvian fissure on MRI10; a 13-year-old child had a pontine mass on MRI11; a 16-year-old child had hemiparesis and a left frontal mass12; a 17-year-old child with seizures had a temporal mass on MRI13; and an 18-year-old child had hemiparesis and papilledema with a mass on angiogram.14
| DISCUSSION |
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Our patient presented with an encephalopathy that lacked unique or distinguishing features, similar to many of the cases of childhood neurosarcoid reported in the literature. She lacked evidence of pulmonary sarcoid, had no adenopathy, and had a normal ACE level. Neurosarcoid was not considered in the differential diagnosis, although there were hints as to the correct diagnosis on MRI (punctate, enhancing lesions with gadolinium). She developed signs of increased intracranial pressure (papilledema and bilateral 6th-nerve palsies), leading to a biopsy of the mass-like, intracranial lesion and the correct diagnosis. Her response to corticosteroid therapy was prompt and probably life-saving. She has been off medication and in remission for >4 years.
Sarcoid is a systemic disorder of unknown cause characterized by noncaseating granulomas.15 It is well known in adults for its protean features including abnormal chest radiographs and progressive multiorgan failure.15 In adults, "the lungs and thoracic lymph nodes are almost always involved; most patients report acute or insidious respiratory problems."15 Neuropathy, especially facial nerve palsy, is the most common neurologic complication among adults.1619 Among older children sarcoid is primarily viewed as a pulmonary or ocular disorder,10 with the triad of skin, joint, and eye disease occurring in younger children.2022 In younger children, systemic sarcoid differs clinically from the adult form of the disease and can mimic various disorders unique to childhood.23 Adult and childhood sarcoid also differ epidemiologically. Children do not appear to show the female predominance noted in adults23; additionally, in the United States, they do not seem to demonstrate the higher prevalence in African Americans seen in adult populations.15,22 Although our patient lives in a rural area, it is unknown if American children as a group show the rural predominance noted in American adults with this disorder.15,24
In adults, neurosarcoid is estimated to occur in 5% to 10% of patients with systemic sarcoid, although this may be an underestimate.25,26 Adult neurosarcoid characteristically presents with cranial nerve palsies, most commonly involving the 7th nerve.19,27 A recent review reported that 50% of adults presented with cranial nerve palsies, 30% with headaches, and 10% each with seizures, pituitary dysfunction, sensory deficits, neuropsychological deficits, and cerebellar signs (patients could have >1 sign on presentation).19,27 In adults, both seizures28,29 and CNS involvement26 have been considered markers of poor outcomes.
Our review of the literature finds a very different pattern for childhood neurosarcoid. As with other encephalopathies, prepubertal children are likely to present with seizures. The adult pattern of cranial nerve involvement appears only after puberty. Evidence of hypothalamic dysfunction is also common in children, with patients showing growth failure, diabetes insipidus, and lack of sexual maturation. Most surprising of all is the large number of children with mass-like lesions on imaging. We found 7 cases not including 2 children with papilledema who were reported in 193730 and in 196931 before the advent of modern imaging. It is also striking that 1 of the 7 children had no neurologic symptoms, and the mass-like lesion was discovered by MRI done "for completeness."10 Although adults with seizures and other intracranial lesions respond poorly to therapy15 and have a higher rate of chronic handicap,32 this does not seem to be true of our 9-year-old patient or of other children. Previous authors have regarded mass-like lesions as rare.10 It is unclear if they are wrong and this is an important and previously unrecognized feature of childhood neurosarcoid or if this is an artifact of a survey of reported cases, with unusual findings being more likely to be published.
Sarcoid is characterized by noncaseating granulomas, and all cases that we accepted were biopsy- or autopsy-proven, although biopsy material was often not from the CNS. Other tests can be useful in establishing the diagnosis, but biopsy still provides the strongest evidence for this disease.33 Elevated ACE levels are not specific for sarcoid but are elevated in the serum of 70% to 80% of patients with systemic disease and in the CSF of
50% of patients with neurosarcoid.19 Analysis of CSF may show a mild lymphocytosis (10100 cells per µL), mildly elevated protein (to 70 mg%), mildly decreased glucose, and increased immunoglobulins with oligoclonal banding.19 When available, the Kveim test can be positive in 85% of patients.33 MRI has become increasingly useful. Findings in neurosarcoid include periventricular high-signal lesions on T2-weighted images,13,33,34 leptomeningeal enhancement,33,34 and solitary masses.34 Many of the reported pediatric cases antedate the availability of MRI, and whether there are different patterns in children than in adults is unclear.
The most appropriate treatment for pediatric neurosarcoid is uncertain. Corticosteroids are widely used and are often effective.10 For adult patients for whom corticosteroid therapy fails, azathioprine or cyclosporin A have been prescribed.19
An important caveat to our analysis is that published case reports may not be representative of the population of patients with a disorder. Furthermore, many of these cases were published by nonneurologists whose interests were in pulmonary, rheumatic, or other manifestations of the disease. The neurologic findings were presented for completeness. Although we omitted those cases where we could not confidently extract a detailed picture of the patients findings on presentation, it is always possible that if experienced neurologists rather than nonneurologists had reported these patients, they would have conveyed different findings.
| CONCLUSIONS |
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An analysis of 29 pediatric neurosarcoid cases indicates that compared with adults, children are more likely to have seizures, less likely to have cranial nerve palsies, and perhaps more likely to have a space-occupying lesion. Analyzing these children by age group, preadolescents and adolescents, suggests that pediatric cases evolve to adult patterns of disease, with more frequent cranial neuropathies and less frequent seizures as the patients progress to adulthood.
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| FOOTNOTES |
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Received for publication May 15, 2003; Accepted Jul 30, 2003.
Address correspondence to Robert J. Baumann, MD, Kentucky Clinic, L409, Speed Sort 0284, Lexington, KY 40536-0284. E-mail: baumann{at}uky.edu
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