Syphilitic myelopathy

Alternative names:

tabes dorsalis - myelopathy

Symptoms:

• muscle weakness
  • leg and ankle, initially
  • later, any muscles

• loss of coordination
• difficulty walking
  • wide-based gait (the person walks with the legs far apart)

• abnormal sensations in the legs, trunk, or other areas
• shock-like or painful sensations in the legs, trunk, or other areas

Signs and tests:

Physical examination may suggest myelopathy. Abnormal reflexes may be present. There may be an increase in the deep tendon reflexes.

Tests may include:

• head CT or spine CT scan to rule out other diseases
• serum VDRL or serum RPR to detect syphilis infection
• CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination
  • abnormal results indicating neurosyphilis (CSF VDRL test)