Intradural, extramedullary spinal sarcoidosis: report of a rare case and review of the literature

An extramedullary sarcoid lesion is rare. Unlike intramedullary sarcoid lesions, it can be totally removed. Even if systemic sarcoidosis is present, the patient can have an excellent recovery. From a review of the literature, we can hypothesize that intradural extramedullary spinal sarcoidosis may represent a very early stage of spinal sarcoidosis progressing to intramedullary intradural spinal sarcoidosis. The intradural extramedullary spinal sarcoidosis can be subdivided into a peripheral and a central subtype. Positive histological examination is required to establish the diagnosis since other diagnostic tests are unspecific.