Syphilitic aseptic meningitis

Alternative names:

meningitis - syphilitic

Symptoms:

• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• stiff neck
• stiffness of shoulders, other muscle aches
• fever
• light hurting the eyes (photophobia)
• mental status changes
  • confusion
  • disorientation
  • decreased attention span
  • irritability
  • sleepy, lethargic, hard to arouse

• changes in vision, blurred vision, decreased vision
• seizures

Signs and tests:

An examination may indicate meningitis. Focal neurologic deficits (localized loss of nerve functions) may be present. A neurologic examination may show reduced cranial nerve function, including the nerves that control eye movement.

Tests may include:

• EEG (electroencephalogram) if seizures are present
• head CT scan
• cerebral angiography if vascular symptoms are present
• serum VDRL or serum RPR to detect syphilis infection
• CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination
  • abnormal results indicating neurosyphilis