[A case of CNS sarcoidosis -case report of hydrocephalus due to mechanical obstruction secondary to sarcoid granulomata at the outlet of the fourth ventricle (author's transl)].

A 28-year old male was admitted to Musashino Red Cross Hospital on June 21, 1975, because of symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and cerebellar dysfunction. Thirteen months prior to admission he had a mild fever, tremor of right arm, headache, nausea and unsteady gait, but made a gradual recovery in about 40 days. A month prior to admission he had unsteady gate again wit dizziness, photophobia and lacrimation. Gait disturbance aggravated and he was admitted to another hospital, where he developed recent memory disturbance and cloudiness of consciousness. Spinal tap revealed initial pressure of 280 mm CSF. So a mass lesion possibly in the posterior fossa was suspected and the patient was referred to the neurosurgical department of musashino Red Cross Hospital. On admission he was moderately disorientated and disturbed in recent memory. Wide based gait, horizontal and vertical nystagmus were also noted. Angiography revealed rounding of the curve of the pericallosal artery but no space occupying lesions. External ventricular drainage was performed on July 25, 1975. After the operation, his orientation improved without change in dizziness, nystagmus and recent memory disturbance. Ventriculography showed hydrocephalus with cisternography revealed a block at the basal cisterns. PPDs was negative and typical sarcoid tubercles were found in the biopsy specimen of the cervical lymphnode. Kveim test was positive. But repeated chest roentgenogram failed to show bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, or other changes consistent with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Steroid therapy resulted in marked symptomatic improvement.