Clinical use
Used to diagnose neurosarcoidosis.
Background
Neuro sarcoidosis (sometimes shortened to neuro sarcoid) refers to sarcoidosis, a condition of unknown cause featuring granulomas in various tissues, involving the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It can have many manifestations, but abnormalities of the cranial nerves (a group of twelve nerves supplying the head and neck area) are the most common. It may develop acutely, sub acutely, and chronically.
Approximately 5-10% of people with sarcoidosis of other organs (e.g lung) develop central nervous system involvement. Only 1% of people with sarcoidosis will have neuro sarcoidosis alone without involvement of any other organs.
Diagnosis can be difficult, with no test apart from biopsy being completely reliable.
Reference ranges
0.1 – 2.0 U/L
Patient preparation
None required
Specimen requirements
CSF sample collected into a plain universal
Turnaround time
3 weeks
Referred test
Referred test
Location
Charing Cross Hospital