ABSTRACT
To define the causes, clinical significance and characteristics of headaches in HIV-1-related disorders, we studied 49 consecutive HIV-1 infected patients who presented with headache. Work-up included CT scans, cerebrospinal fluid examinations (in the absence of a contraindication) and serologic studies. Overall, 40 of 49 patients (82 percent) had an identifiable serious cause of headache. Cryptococcal meningitis (39 percent) and CNS toxoplasmosis (16 percent) were the leading headache etiologies. Serious causes were more likely in patients diagnosed with AIDS prior to presentation but also occurred in most patients in early stages of infection. Based on this study, we suggest that patients with HIV-1 infection must be managed with a high index of suspicion when they present with new onset headaches.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/complications , HIV-1 , Headache/etiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Meningitis, Cryptococcal/complications , Middle Aged , Nervous System Diseases/complications , Toxoplasmosis/complicationsABSTRACT
We report 2 HIV-seropositive patients with neurosyphilis whose initial CSF VDRL tests were negative. The CSF VDRL became positive after 12 days of IV penicillin treatment for syphilitic meningitis in the 1st patient. The 2nd patient developed syphilitic polyradiculopathy and a positive CSF VDRL 3 months after treatment with IV penicillin. Serial CSF VDRL determinations may be required in AIDS patients when a diagnosis of neurosyphilis is suspected.
