[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis syndrome of syphilitic origin. 5 cases].
We studied 5 cases of syphilitic lateral amyotrophic sclerosis. The diagnosis was based on the presence of a lymphocytic reaction in the CSF and positive VDRL and TPHA reactions in both blood and CSF. Clinically, the disease affected the arms in 3 cases and produced paraplegia in 2 cases. The gradual extension of amyotrophy over several months, the diffusion of electromyographic abnormalities and the finding of spinal cord atrophy at myelography and CT suggested a subacute ischemic mechanism with meningo-myelic arteritis involving the anterior horns. After treatment with penicillin G in high doses, the outcome was constantly favourable, with improvement of motor deficit in 4 cases and stabilisation in 1 case in a 5 to 13 years' follow-up.
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital des spécialités Rabat, Maroc.
M
M
el Alaoui-Faris
A
A
Medejel
K
K
al Zemmouri
M
M
Yahyaoui
T
T
Chkili
D000328:Adult; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000150:complications*; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013577:Syndrome; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis
D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D010400:Penicillin G
Le syndrome de sclérose latérale amyotrophique d'origine syphilitique. Etude de 5 cas.