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
Moreover in this case there had also been difficulties with speech
and other transient symptoms which should have called attention
far earlier to the possibility of neurosyphilis.
2. What is the significance of the high cell count: 176 per cubic
millimeter? Such high cell counts are frequent enough in diffuse
neurosyphilis, but low cell counts are frequent also. But although
the high cell count taken alone is of lesser significance, the
fact that the high cell count in this case is associated with a
“syphilitic” gold sol reaction is of far greater significance for
diagnosis. These associated findings are characteristic of
meningovascular neurosyphilis.
3. What kind of recovery may be expected in successful examples of
treatment in meningovascular cases? Recovery with defect. It will
be noted that ten months elapsed before any marked improvement
occurred on the paralyzed side. We could not expect a complete
recovery from this paralysis.
4. Was inadequacy of treatment following the chancre responsible for
the early cerebrospinal involvement? In this connection one must
remember that such neural involvements occur occasionally even
during active treatment (neurorecidives). The discontinuance of
treatment after a short period, in this case less than a year, is
always a risk to say the least. And this is true even though the
W. R. becomes negative, for trouble of a neurosyphilitic nature
may occur later; this when both blood and spinal fluid have
previously been found negative. The old rule of following and
treating a syphilitic for several years despite the disappearance
of symptoms is still a good rule.
=The results of systematic, intensive, intravenous salvarsan therapy
in atypical neurosyphilis (cases not certainly paretic, tabetic or
the common types of meningovascular neurosyphilis) may be in our
experience as good as the results of treatment in common
meningovascular cases: example.=
=Case 105.= Henri Lepère, a machinist, 48 years of age, came voluntarily
to the Psychopathic Hospital for a gradually failing memory and
inability to work. He had had indigestion for four years (epigastric
distress, nausea, no vomiting). He was still suffering from epigastric
distress and from headaches. At times he had had difficulty in walking.
=Physically=, Lepère looked older than he was; he was very poorly
developed and nourished, and seemed very weak. There was a slight
visceroptosis.
=Neurologically=, there was considerable speech defect, particularly
well marked in test phrases. The pupils were contracted and gave the
Argyll-Robertson reaction. Neurologically there were no other signs.
=Mentally=, there was a depression with worry; but it was a question
whether these phenomena were not entirely natural. The special complaint
was of failing memory.
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