Objectives: To report our experience with 1 case of vertebral sarcoidosis and to systematically review the literature for similar case reports.

Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1 patient with vertebral sarcoidosis, with special emphasis on radiologic imaging. The literature was reviewed using the MEDLINE database.

Results: In our case, vertebral sarcoidosis was the first manifestation of sarcoidosis. Severe pain was present in the patient. Chest radiographs showed normal results. Therapy with corticosteroids and calcitonin relieved the pain. The pathologic vertebral magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities normalized with treatment. Twenty-four published case reports described vertebral sarcoidosis.

Conclusions: A structured assessment of published case reports suggests vertebral sarcoidosis is a challenge in neurosurgery. Although bone lesions in sarcoidosis may occur throughout the entire skeleton, axial involvement is rare. We conclude that spinal sarcoidosis is unusual, affecting the dorsal and cervical spine.