Neurosarcoidosis presenting as schizophreniform disorder

Int J Psychiatry Med. 1992;22(3):269-74. doi: 10.2190/4AHB-AH4N-URK2-T22J.

Abstract

A patient whose clinical presentation met criteria for schizophreniform disorder was ultimately found to have neurosarcoidosis, and the psychiatric symptoms responded to steroid treatment. The ongoing search for organic etiology was prompted by the presence of cognitive decline, perseveration and rare bizarre automatisms. This is virtually the first reported association between schizophreniform disorder and sarcoidosis. We reviewed the literature on neurologic involvement and psychiatric manifestations in sarcoidosis as well as the concurrence between organicity and schizophrenic psychosis. The importance of attending to all elements of the mental status examination in a patient with complex atypical findings is underscored.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Diseases
  • Calcium / analysis
  • Calcium / urine
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Neurocognitive Disorders
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotic Disorders / classification
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoidosis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Calcium