Syphilitic aseptic meningitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Central nervous system

Syphilitic aseptic meningitis

Alternative Names:

Meningitis - syphilitic
Symptoms:

Headache
Nausea, vomiting
Stiff neck
Neck pain
Stiffness of shoulders, other muscle aches
Fever
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Sensitivity to loud noises
Mental status changes
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Decreased attention span
- Irritability
- Sleepy, lethargic, hard to arouse
Changes in vision, blurred vision, decreased vision
Seizures

Signs and tests:

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An examination may indicate meningitis. Focal neurologic deficits (localized loss of nerve functions) may be present. A neurologic examination may show reduced cranial nerve function, including the nerves that control eye movement.

Tests may include:

EEG (electroencephalogram) if seizures are present.
Head CT scan.
Cerebral angiography if vascular symptoms are present.
Serum VDRL or serum RPR (used as screening tests to detect syphilis infection) -- if positive, requires one the following to confirm diagnosis:
- FTA-ABS
- MHA-TP
CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination