Experience of Meningovascular Syphilis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patient

Abstract

J Korean Neurosurg Soc 46 : [413][414][415][416] 2009 Since the start of the antibiotic era, syphilis has become rare. However, in recent times, it has tended to be prevalent concomitantly with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and coinfection in North America and Europe. Now, such cases are expected to increase in elsewhere including Korea. A 40-year-old male patient visited hospital complaining of a headache for about one month. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, showed leptomeninged enhancing mass with edema an right porisylvian region, which was suspected to be glioma. Patient underwent a blood test and was diagnosed with syphilis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Partial cortical and subcortical resection were performed after small craniotomy. The dura was thick, adhered to the brain cortex, and was accompanied by hyperemic change of the cortex. The pathologic diagnosis was meningovascular syphilis (MS) in HIV infection. After the operation, the patient was treated with aqueous penicillin G.

Cerebral Syphilitic Gumma Mimicking a Brain Tumor in the Relapse of Secondary Syphilis in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Patient

“…Cerebral syphilitic gumma, first described by Botalli in 1563, is a rare manifestation, typically of tertiary syphilis17). As the present case illustrates, cerebral gummas typically arise from the dura and pia mater over the cerebral convexity or at the base of the brain and produce symptoms similar to those of other intracranial tumors1,7,12,13,18,22). Differential diagnosis for cerebral syphilitic gumma should be performed for other cerebral nervous system diseases including toxoplasmosis, lymphoma, bacterial and fungal infections.…”

Neurosyphilis presenting as acute ischemic stroke

“…There is a worldwide re-emergence of this infection especially in urban areas and more so among HIV-infected individuals. [3][4][5][6] Early involvement of the central nervous system is seen in patients with untreated primary or secondary syphilis.…”

Re-emerging Neurosyphilis in Korea as a Possible Etiology of Psychotic Disorders with Pleomorphic Symptoms and Cognitive Dysfunction: a Case Report and Literature Review

“… 2 5 Rates of neurosyphilis in various series have been estimated at 0.47–2.1 cases per 100,000 in the population. In Korea, the cases of meningovascular syphilis in 2009, 16 neurosyphilis with mesiotemporal abnormalities in 2009 17 and neurosyphilis with cerebral gumma in 2009 18 and 2013 19 were reported. Recently, the cases of general paresis and neurosyphilis was also reported in 2017 and 2018.…”