Vertebral sarcoidosis: Clinical and imaging findings

A Japanese Case of Vertebral Sarcoidosis

“…Remarkably, in our case, CT was able to capture images of sclerotic lesions, which are generally rare. Lesions in the spine and long bones are frequently lytic with or without a rim of sclerosis, and detecting sclerotic lesions is rare (1,17,18). On MRI, vertebral sarcoidosis usually presents as hypointense lesions on T1WI and hyperintense lesions on T2WI, as observed in our case.…”

“…Therefore, performing a biopsy of the active lesions is important in order to confirm the diagnosis of vertebral sarcoidosis, as previously reported (8). In patients with vertebral sarcoidosis, MRI abnormalities resolve following successful therapy, which reflects the resolution of granulomas and replacement with fibrous elements (8,17,21). Therefore, MRI findings may be used to chart the progression of vertebral sarcoidosis.…”

A rare form of sarcoidosis: a case of bone sarcoidosis

“…It is not possible to distinguish granulomatous bone involvement from other causes by MRI or other imaging studies, making biopsy necessary for diagnosis. (16) With torax CT we had found out the granuloma generating protrusion to the lung in the 6th costa of our patient who had pain in her right hemithorax and after the resection we realized that the mass was lost in the control Torax CT. (Fig. 1-2 Conventional radiography usually reveals the location of sarcoid bone lesions in the small bones of the hands and feet.…”

“…The course of the disease is quite variable, and spontaneous improvement has sometimes been reported. (16,18) Furthermore, there are no data indicating that sustained asymptomatic lesions can induce osteolysis in the long term. Therefore, to date, therapy is indicated only in cases of painful and destructive skeletal sarcoidosis.…”

“…There are several reports that elevated ESR and ACE levels normalize after successful therapy. (16,19) Additionally, a follow-up technetium-99 m methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99 m MDP), Gallium-67 (Ga-67) scan and Fluorine-18 (F-18) fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) may reveal reduced uptake post-treatment. (19,20) …”