Stroke and syphilis: A retrospective study of 53 patients.
Rev Neurol (Paris)
; 174(5): 313-318, 2018 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29631855
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, biological and radiological characteristics of patients with syphilitic vasculitis, and to assess the outcome after treatment.METHODOLOGY:
A retrospective review was carried out based on the records of patients with ischemic stroke, and reactive CSF TPHA and VDRL results. None of these patients showed symptoms of any other diseases or had received high doses of penicillin.RESULTS:
A total of 53 patients with stroke met the diagnostic criteria for syphilitic arteritis. Their average age was 41±12 years. Nine patients had a history of genital ulcer (17%), and the median duration of illness after presenting a chancre was 8 [range 1-14] years. A prodromal syndrome was seen in 27 patients (50.9%) and included changes in mental status in 14 patients (26.4%), seizures in 10 cases (18.9%), headache in eight (15.1%) and memory loss in seven (13.2%). Neurological events included focal motor deficits in 29 cases (54.7%), ataxia in 11 (20.8%) and movement disorders in 15 (28.3%). HIV serology was performed in 31 patients and proved negative in every case. Disease evolution was generally favorable 12 patients (22.6%) were autonomous at the time of hospital discharge; 29 (54.7%) had partially recovered; and only seven (13.2%) still had signs of severe sequelae.CONCLUSION:
A diagnosis of syphilitic stroke should be suspected in young patients as a manifestation of syphilis, and tests for neurosyphilis should be routine in neurology departments to make a prompt diagnosis, thereby preventing psychological sequelae.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sífilis
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Acidente Vascular Cerebral
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Rev Neurol (Paris)
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article