Multiple cerebral gummata. Case report

The case of a patient with multiple small cerebral gummata presenting with severely raised intracranial pressure is reported. The diagnosis, which was quite unexpected, was based on positive serological tests for syphilis. Computerized tomography (CT) showed small enhancing lesions with intense cerebral edema. The patient was treated successfully with penicillin, and resolution of the lesions was observed on CT scanning over a 1-year period. The importance of "routine" serological testing is noted.