Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Central nervous system
Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Stroke secondary to syphilis
Alternative Names: Syphilitic stroke Symptoms: Prodromal (early) symptoms may precede the symptoms of stroke for about 1 to 4 weeks. These are: Headache Vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement) Behavioral changes Irritability Symptoms of stroke include: Weakness or the total inability to move a body part Numbness, tingling or other abnormal sensations Decreased or lost vision, partial or temporary Language difficulties (aphasia) Inability to recognize or identify sensory stimuli (agnosia) Loss of memory Vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement) Loss of coordination Swallowing difficulties Personality changes Mood and emotion changes Urinary incontinence (lack of control over bladder) Lack of control over the bowels Consciousness changes Drowsiness Fatigue Loss of consciousness Text Continues Below Signs and tests: A known history of syphilis may help to indicate syphilis as the cause of the stroke. Tests may be used to confirm syphilis as the cause of the stroke, including: Venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL) and rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) blood tests for antibodies. If tests are positive, other antibody tests are done to confirm the diagnosis. CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination, showing positive CSF VDRL test, increased number of white blood cells, increased protein level, increased pressure of the fluid, or other abnormality. The location and extent of the area of the brain involved in the stroke may be determined by: Head CT scan Head MRI scan Angiography of the head or neck showing constriction or occlusion of the arteries Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>