Description

A patient with syphilis should be evaluated for neurosyphilis if certain findings are present.


 

Patient selection: evidence of syphilis

 

Neurologic findings:

(1) cognitive dysfunction or altered mental status

(2) motor deficits

(3) sensory deficits (loss of vibration sense, etc)

(4) ophthalmic symptoms (iritis, uveitis)

(5) auditory symptoms (otic syphilis, syphilitic otitis)

(6) cranial nerve palsy

(7) acute or chronic meningitis

(8) stroke

 

Other findings:

(1) treatment failure (serologic or clinical)

(2) aortitis and/or gumma (signs of active tertiary syphilis)

(3) HIV-positive and latent disease (see 23.11.17)

 


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