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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model

Published on: June 18, 2021

Syphilis presenting with headache and papilloedema.

Sarah Cooper¹, Saif Razvi, Ali Alani

¹Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK.

BMJ Case Reports

|June 21, 2011

Summary

Neurosyphilis can present with neurological and visual symptoms like headache and papilledema. Early diagnosis and treatment with penicillin are crucial for recovery from this infection.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model

Published on: June 18, 2021

Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
Neurology
Ophthalmology

Background:

Neurosyphilis, a tertiary stage of syphilis infection affecting the central nervous system, can manifest with diverse neurological and ophthalmological symptoms.
Atypical presentations of neurosyphilis can delay diagnosis, underscoring the importance of considering this diagnosis in patients with relevant risk factors and suggestive symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

To report a case of neurosyphilis presenting with headache and papilledema in a homosexual man.
To highlight the diagnostic challenges and successful treatment outcomes for neurosyphilis.

Main Methods:

Clinical case presentation of a 41-year-old homosexual man with a 10-week history of headache and visual disturbances.
Diagnostic workup included neurological examination, cerebral imaging, lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and serological tests (VDRL, TPHA, Inno-LIA).
Treatment involved CSF pressure reduction and intramuscular procaine penicillin.

Main Results:

Lumbar puncture revealed elevated CSF opening pressure (35 mm H2O) and lymphocytic pleocytosis (58 cells/mcl).
Serological tests confirmed neurosyphilis; HIV testing was negative.
The patient experienced a full recovery and remained symptom-free at one-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

Neurosyphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unexplained headaches and papilledema, even with normal initial neuroimaging.
Prompt diagnosis through CSF analysis and serological testing, followed by appropriate antibiotic treatment, leads to favorable outcomes in neurosyphilis.
This case emphasizes the importance of a high index of suspicion for neurosyphilis in at-risk populations.