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
1. How shall we account for O’Donnell’s transient paralysis? We
might invoke brain tumor, alcoholic pseudoparesis, or some form of
neurosyphilis. The diagnosis of brain tumor seems quite untenable
in view of the absence of premonitory symptoms and in the absence
of intracranial pressure. As for alcoholic pseudoparesis it is
true that the patient was excessively alcoholic.
However, against these two diagnoses and in favor of the diagnosis
of NEUROSYPHILIS, are the positive serum W. R. and the pupillary
reactions (although these are short of the true Argyll-Robertson
phenomenon). Dizziness with retention of consciousness and
associated with the paralyses mentioned suggests rather a
subcortical than a cortical lesion. We are inclined to regard this
lesion as probably THROMBOTIC, and to place it possibly in the
region of the internal capsule. We are inclined to regard the
phenomenon as purely vascular and as not in this case associated
with an encephalitis. We are, however, not entirely satisfied with
the diagnosis.
2. What shall be said as to treatment? A full-blown left-sided
hemiplegia may be produced even when the thrombotic lesion is
itself exceedingly small. It is common to explain this on the
basis that there is an area of collateral edema about the small
necrotic, thrombotic, or hemorrhagic area responsible for the
lesion. In short, numerous neurones are functionally rather than
structurally affected, or at all events capable of early
restitution of function.
3. What is the prognosis in such cases? It appears that now and
again patients run for several years without further trouble, both
with and without treatment. We are inclined, however, to advocate
treatment rather than absence of treatment for a variety of
reasons. In the first place, vascular lesions may at any time
become associated with meningitic lesions, and treatment by
salvarsan may perhaps be counted on to head off this process;
secondly, the treatment with iodids may possibly aid in the
resolution of a local thrombotic process.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account