The clinical analysis of 8 neurosyphilis cases presented as parkinsonism / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the clinical features, laboratory findings, electroencephalography (EEG) and neuroimaging of the neurosyphilis presented with parkinsonism as the principal manifestation to improve the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. Methods Eight eurosyphilis patients were from department of neurology of Hainan provincial people’s hospital from early July 2010 to December 2014. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestation, laboratory exami?nations, neuroimaging examinations, diagnosis and treatment outcomes of 8 cases neurosyphilis who presented with par?kinsonism as principal manifestation. Results Myotonia and bradykinesia were principal symptoms in these 8 cases. Limb tremor, posture disorder, abnormal mental behavior and cognitive impairment occurred in some patients. Serum treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) and toluidine red untreated serum test (TRUST)were positive in 8 cas?es. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein and cell counts were elevated in all the patients. CSF-TPPA and TRUST were posi?tive in all the patients. The MRI showed that cerebral infarction in basal ganglia, cerebral atrophy in temporal lobe and hippocampus and ventricular enlargement in all the patients. EEG showed abnormal activity in all the patients. After treatment with a large dose of penicillin, clinical symptoms were obviously improved;the titer of serum and CSF TRUST decreased;and scores of UPDRS decreased in all the patients. Conclusions There is a wide variation in the clinical man?ifestation of the neurosyphilis. When patients present with Parkinsonism, we should comprehensively analyze the laborato?ry examinations, EEG and neuroimaging to rule out the possibility of neurosyphilis.