[Ophthalmological symptoms as key findings in neurosyphilis--diagnosis and therapy].
BACKGROUND
The incidence of neurosyphilis, one of the late manifestations of syphilis, is reemerging. Affection of the eye is often associated with the disease. It may present with various clinical symptoms, leading to diagnostic difficulties. In cases of early diagnosis and adequate treatment the prognosis of the disease is good.


OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study are 1. to analyse clinical manifestations of patients with neurosyphilis on ophthalmological symptoms and 2. to demonstrate the course of the disease and the visual outcome in patients with optic nerve affection in neurosyphilis treated with standard therapy (penicillin G) or adjunct steroids.


METHODS
We performed 1. a retrospective analysis of all 23 patients who were treated for neurosyphilis between 2000-2008 at this centre and 2. evaluated a case series of 4 patients with optic nerve affection in neurosyphilis who were treated with penicillin and adjunct methylprednisolone.


RESULTS
91% of the patients with neurosyphilis showed ocular affection in various presentations. The optic nerve was affected in 78%. In 43% ocular symptoms were the exclusive sign of the neurosyphilis. In all patients who were treated with penicillin, visual acuity improved. Adjunct treatment with methylprednisolone resulted in complete visual recovery in two cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular symptoms serve as the key diagnostic findings in neurosyphilis. Treatment of choice is penicillin G. Adjunct treatment with methylprednisolone may improve the visual outcome in patients with optic nerve involvement.
Prokosch
V
V
Universitätsaugenklinik, Universität Münster, Münster. Verena.Prokosch@ukmuenster.de
Thanos
S
S
Busse
H
H
Stupp
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000993:Antitreponemal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000993:Antitreponemal Agents; D013256:Steroids; D010400:Penicillin G