Neurosyphilis : $b Modern systematic diagnosis and treatment presented in one hundred and thirty-seven case historiesSouthard, Elmer Ernest
Science
Neurosyphilis : $b Modern systematic diagnosis and treatment presented in one hundred and thirty-seven case histories
Southard, Elmer Ernest
Neurosyphilis
On admission to the hospital, the examination disclosed no important
symptoms outside of the nervous and locomotor systems. She was unable to
walk unless assisted. The pupils were large but reacted well to both
light and accommodation, were equal in size, and regular. Slight
nystagmus was present; there was no ptosis or strabismus; vision in the
left eye was poor. The other cranial nerves showed no involvement. The
tendon reflexes were all present and very lively; Babinski, Gordon, and
Oppenheim signs were present on either side. The ataxia was marked,
especially of the lower arms, and she had some difficulty in the
alignment of the fingers. The sense of position of the limbs was very
poor. There was some tremor, which was not of the intention type. The
writing showed some incoördination. The speech showed nothing abnormal.
=Mental examination= disclosed nothing of note objectively, but patient
stated she could not think so clearly as she could formerly.
The =diagnosis= would seem to lie between brain tumor,—which had been
suggested to the patient by her physician,—multiple sclerosis, and
neurosyphilis. The numerous neurological symptoms without any definite
evidence of intracranial pressure were sufficient to rule out for the
moment the consideration of brain tumor. The syndrome of multiple
sclerosis is not complete, but the race, age, and onset, with the
increasing and decreasing intensity of symptoms are very suggestive of
this diagnosis. The symptoms, of course, are all consistent with
neurosyphilis also, and while the patient denied any knowledge of
syphilitic involvement, the examination of the blood and spinal fluid
was made. The W. R. was negative in both the blood serum and spinal
fluid. Further examination of the spinal fluid showed presence of
globulin and an increase in the albumin content, 43 cells per cmm. and a
“paretic” type of gold sol reaction. With the negative W. R. of both
blood serum and spinal fluid, and with so much in favor of MULTIPLE
SCLEROSIS, this diagnosis was made.
1. What is the relation of multiple sclerosis to syphilis? There is
no definite relationship between multiple sclerosis and
syphilis,—that is, multiple sclerosis is not a syphilitic disease;
but the complete syndrome of multiple sclerosis is often given by
a syphilitic involvement of the central nervous system (see case
Lauder, 71).
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