Functional recovery from paraplegia caused by syphilitic meningomyelitis.

BACKGROUND

Syphilitic involvement of the nervous system can present in many different ways. We report a patient who presented with rapidly evolving paraparesis secondary to syphilitic meningomyelitis.

METHODS

Case report.

FINDINGS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies confirmed the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were indicative of leptomeningeal and thoracic spinal cord disease. Treatment with IV penicillin resulted in marked clinical, radiologic, and CSF improvement. MRI imaging provided documentation of spinal cord involvement and was useful in monitoring recovery. This patient's progressive neurologic improvement was monitored for 2 years and documented by periodic Functional Independence Measure scores.

CONCLUSION

Recognition of this unusual complication of secondary neurosyphilis is important, because it is a treatable cause of paraparesis with potential for good recovery.