Syphilitic aseptic meningitis

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Central nervous system

Meningitis - syphilitic

• Changes in vision, blurred vision, decreased vision
• Fever
• Headache
• Mental status changes
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation
  • Decreased attention span
  • Irritability
  • Sleepiness, lethargy, hard to wake
• Nausea, vomiting
• Neck pain
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Sensitivity to loud noises
• Stiff neck
• Stiffness of shoulders, other muscle aches

An examination may show signs of meningitis. There may be a loss of nerve functions. A brain and nervous system (neurologic) examination may show reduced function of the cranial nerve, including the nerves that control eye movement.

Tests may include:

• Cerebral angiography
• CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Head CT scan
• Serum VDRL or serum RPR (used as screening tests to detect syphilis infection) -- if positive, requires one the following to confirm diagnosis:
  • FTA-ABS
  • MHA-TP

Review Date: 08/30/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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