[Neurosyphilis revealed by a multiple cranial neuropathy: magnetic resonance imaging findings].
BACKGROUND
We report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a case of neurosyphilis revealed by the involvement of two cranial nerves.


METHODS
A 41-year-old man developed a right cochleovestibular and left trigeminal neuropathy, associated with high serum titers of VDRL and TPHA, high titers of TPHA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and several CSF oligoclonal IgG bands. On MRI, hypertrophy and gadolinium contrast enhancement of these cranial nerves were associated with several supratentorial cortical nodules surrounded by marked cerebral edema, corresponding to syphilitic gummas. One of these cortical nodules was biopsied. Microscopic examination showed lesions of meningoencephalitis with necrosis and granulomatous vasculitis. After penicillin therapy, the serum VDRL titers and the MRI abnormalities disappeared, a partial clinical recovery was observed and a significant reduction of the serum TPHA titers was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Such MRI abnormalities are not specific and can be observed in various tumoral, auto-immune and infectious diseases. They can also mimic neurofibromatosis type II. Cranial nerve involvements in neurosyphilis can result from nerve inflammation in basal meningitis, nerve ischemia in meningovasculitis or from compression by an adjacent gumma. In our case, the cranial neuropathy was related to a mixed meningovascular and parenchymatous form of neurosyphilis.
Hadrane
L
L
Service de neurologie, clinique Sainte-Elisabeth, 206, avenue de Fré, 1180 Bruxelles, Belgium.
Waterkeyn
F
F
Ghijselings
L
L
Dhaene
N
N
Gille
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002308:Cardiolipins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010406:Penicillins; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C054448:VDRL antigen; D002784:Cholesterol