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Sarcoidosis

Is Sarcoidosis related to MS?

11/03/2008

Question:

Sarcoidosis - when i read the symtoms, it sounds allot like MS. How are the two related as MS is also an immune system disease?

Answer:

MS and sarcoidosis are similar in that they are diseases of unknown cause that are associated with activation of the immune system. MS and sarcoidosis of the brain (neurosarcoidosis) can be difficult to distinguish, but they are different.

Sarcoidosis is characterized by the presence of granulomas (little balls of inflammatory cells) and frequent involvement of other organs, including the lungs, lymph nodes, and eyes. Occasionally, sarcoidosis only involves the brain, and this presentation can be very difficult to distinguish from MS.

If there is a question about whether you have MS or sarcoidosis, I would advise you to ask your doctors about this.

For more information:

Go to the Sarcoidosis health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Elliott D Crouser, MD Elliott D Crouser, MD
Associate Professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University