Syphilitic meningitis presenting with multiple cranial neuropathies

Abstract

Syphilis is increasingly prevalent in the community. The protean manifestations of neurosyphilis make the recognition, diagnosis and early initiation of treatment challenging. We report a case of early syphilitic meningitis presenting with multiple cranial neuropathies. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination was inflammatory with predominant lymphocytosis. The patient was diagnosed with neurosyphilis based on serum as well as CSF testing. Intravenous benzylpenicillin treatment resulted in rapid improvement of neurological symptoms. Neurosyphilis should be considered in immunocompetent patients presenting with multiple cranial neuropathies, or isolated cranial neuropathies without vascular risk factors.