Obstacles in the diagnosis and treatment of syphilitic amyotrophy

Neurology. 2003 Feb 11;60(3):509-11. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000046584.72672.d3.

Abstract

The authors describe a case of syphilitic amyotrophy in a 37-year-old man presenting with subacute progressive painless weakness in the right arm. Syphilitic amyotrophy is still an existing differential diagnosis of painless and progressive weakness. The authors explore potential obstacles in the diagnostic workup and finding of adequate therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arm
  • Brachial Plexus Neuritis / diagnosis*
  • Brachial Plexus Neuritis / drug therapy*
  • Brachial Plexus Neuritis / etiology
  • Cardiolipins / analysis
  • Cholesterol / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Neurosyphilis / complications
  • Neurosyphilis / diagnosis*
  • Neurosyphilis / drug therapy*
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Phosphatidylcholines / analysis
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction
  • Serologic Tests

Substances

  • Cardiolipins
  • Penicillins
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • VDRL antigen
  • Cholesterol