Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
06:23
Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Syringomyelia complicating syphilitic spinal meningitis: a case report
K K Bulundwe1, C J Myburgh, R F Gledhill
1Department of Neurology, MEDUNSA/Ga-Rankuwa and Pedimed Hospital, Reitfontein, South Africa.
European Journal of Neurology
|May 16, 2000
Summary
Syringomyelia associated with spinal syphilis is rare but treatable. A contemporary case showed significant recovery with penicillin, improving both clinical symptoms and MRI findings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Syringomyelia and spinal syphilis were historically linked but rarely reported in modern literature.
- This association highlights the importance of considering neurosyphilis in syringomyelia cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a contemporary case of syringomyelia secondary to spinal syphilis.
- To document the clinical and radiological outcomes following antibiotic treatment.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to diagnose and monitor the condition.
- Treatment with penicillin was administered to the patient.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with clinical symptoms consistent with syringomyelia.
- MRI confirmed the presence of syringomyelia.
- Significant clinical improvement was observed post-penicillin therapy.
- Radiological findings on MRI showed a reduction in the severity of syringomyelia.
Conclusions:
- Spinal syphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of syringomyelia.
- Early diagnosis and treatment with penicillin can lead to substantial recovery.
- This case underscores the resurgence of syphilis and its diverse neurological manifestations.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...