Magnetic resonance image-reversible findings in a patient with general paresis.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We describe clinical, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a patient with general paresis. MRI demonstrated cortical-subcortical atrophy and broad-coalescent high-intensity T2 lesions in right frontotemporal lobes.

RESULTS

After intravenous penicillin therapy, the size of these lesions diminished dramatically. That regression correlated with improvement in neuropsychologic test and CSF analysis.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature of MRI-reversible lesions in a patient with general paresis. We suggest that MRI is of prognostic value in patients with general paresis. Severe atrophy, especially in the temporal lobe, could be a marker of bad clinical outcome.