Progressive destructive vertebral sarcoid leading to surgical fusion

Skeletal sarcoidosis is rare. This report describes a 31-year-old African American man who presented with a destructive osteolytic lesion of C2 and another lesion in a rib. The lesion at C2 was treated with corpectomy and bone graft. Four months later the lesion recurred and a new lesion was discovered in the cervical vertebral column. The patient declined surgery for instability for another 3 months, choosing to remain in a halo. Seven months following the initial operation, a technetium bone scan showed spread of the disease to the calvarium and thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The patient had no symptoms referable to these sites. The patient agreed to have his neck fused at this point. For the next 10 months, the patient was on steroids and a further new lesion appeared at L5 without localizing signs or symptoms. The patient declined further evaluation over the next 12 months and is now considered lost to follow-up. Received: 29 July 1999 Revision requested: 26 August 1999 Revision received: 1 September 1999 Accepted: 2 September 1999