Which cranial nerve palsy may be observed in sarcoidosis-associated posterior uveitis?

Which cranial nerve palsy may be observed in sarcoidosis-associated posterior uveitis?

• A. CN II
• B. CN VII
• C. CN III
• D. CN VI

Answer: (B)

Sarcoidosis can involve the nervous system, a condition known as neurosarcoidosis, and cranial nerves are a common site of involvement. Among cranial nerves, the facial nerve (nervous VII) is the most frequently affected, leading to a facial palsy. When sarcoidosis presents with posterior uveitis, it reflects granulomatous inflammation that can extend beyond the eye and involve adjacent neural structures; the facial nerve palsy is a classic neurologic manifestation in this systemic inflammatory process. The swelling or granulomatous infiltration along the facial nerve’s course can cause weakness of facial muscles on the affected side, which may occur in the context of ocular sarcoidosis without other cranial nerve findings being as typical. In contrast, involvement of other cranial nerves can occur but is not as commonly associated with sarcoid-related eye disease, making facial nerve palsy the best-supported option in this scenario.

Sarcoidosis can involve the nervous system, a condition known as neurosarcoidosis, and cranial nerves are a common site of involvement. Among cranial nerves, the facial nerve (nervous VII) is the most frequently affected, leading to a facial palsy. When sarcoidosis presents with posterior uveitis, it reflects granulomatous inflammation that can extend beyond the eye and involve adjacent neural structures; the facial nerve palsy is a classic neurologic manifestation in this systemic inflammatory process. The swelling or granulomatous infiltration along the facial nerve’s course can cause weakness of facial muscles on the affected side, which may occur in the context of ocular sarcoidosis without other cranial nerve findings being as typical. In contrast, involvement of other cranial nerves can occur but is not as commonly associated with sarcoid-related eye disease, making facial nerve palsy the best-supported option in this scenario.