De novo status epilepticus as the presenting sign of neurosyphilis.
Although the incidence of seizures in neurosyphilis ranges from 14 to 60%, status epilepticus (SE) as a presenting complaint of neurosyphilis is definitely rare. A 44-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative man with no history of epilepsy suddenly presented with acute mental confusion and was diagnosed as having a de novo complex partial nonconvulsive SE. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings, neuroimaging, and clinical course indicated that SE was the presenting symptom of an undiagnosed syphilitic meningovasculitis. The case is presented with a review of previous reports to emphasize the differential features and to underscore the importance of considering neurosyphilis among the possible causes of de novo SE.
Primavera
A
A
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Genova, Italy.
Solaro
C
C
Cocito
L
L
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis