Neurosarcoidosis Affecting the Vagus Nerve

Abstract

Our objective was to review patients who presented to our medical center with a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis affecting the vagus nerve and to present symptoms, progression, treatments, and outcome. We performed a chart review of patients who presented to our medical center in the past 10 years with a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis specifically affecting cranial nerve X. A chart review of 53 patients revealed only 4 with findings suggestive of vagal neurosarcoidosis. All were male and had a mean age of 50 years (range, 42 to 57 years) at presentation of symptoms. Two of the 4 patients presented initially with cough, 1 had recurrent syncope, and another presented with left facial pain. Vagus nerve involvement included vocal fold paresis or paralysis in all 4 patients, 2 of whom reported coughing with exposure to various odors and 2 of whom were found to have a unilateral palatal weakness. All but 1 had positive findings on magnetic resonance imaging of the head. Neurosarcoidosis involving the vagus nerve is a rare finding, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vocal fold paresis or paralysis.