Mielitis sifilitica aguda / Acute syphilitic myelitis

The case of a 45-year old man who presented with a few-hour history of interscapular pain and progressive dificulty walking, in whom a final diagnosis of syphilitic myelitis was made, is reported. This is a rare complication of syphilitic involvement of the Central Nervous System. Its pathological and clinical characteristics are due to vascular impairment, which explains the acute onset and poor prognosis of the disease. The condition should be suspected in cases of acute myelopathy of uncertain etiology.