Neurosyphilis

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

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Central nervous system

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Neurosyphilis

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Irritability
• Poor concentration
• Mental confusion
• Depression
• Visual disturbances
• Abnormal reflexes
• Abnormal gait (walk)
• Incontinence
• Dementia
• Weakness, numbness of lower extremities
• Muscle function/feeling loss
• Muscle contractions
• Muscle atrophy

Tests to detect syphilis include detection of antibodies in blood. These are non-treponemal tests (VDRL, RPR). These are not specific and are used as screening tests. If positive the diagnosis of syphilis is confirmed using treponemal tests (e.g., FTA-Abs or MHATP). In neurosyphilis, it is important to test for VDRL in the spinal fluid.

• Examination of cranial nerves
• Lumbar puncture and a CSF fluid analysis.
• Cranial CT scan
• MRI scan of the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord
• Cerebral angiogram

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