tabes dorsalis

Introduction

Syphilis of the spinal cord.

Clinical manifestations

• neurologic manifestations
  • sudden pains in trunk & lower limbs
  • paresthesias
  • positive Rhomberg sign
  • lost vibratory sensation
  • absent deep tendon reflexes (DTR)
  • ataxia accentuated in the dark
• abdominal pain & vomiting with relaxed abdomen (tabes crisis)
• urinary incontinence
• impotence
• eye manifestations
  • visual impairment
  • Argyl Robertson pupil
  • ocular palsies
• Charcot joints

Laboratory

• positive serologic tests for syphilis
• elevated serum globulin
• lumbar puncture
  • elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure
  • positive CSF VDRL

More general terms

• neurosyphilis (dementia paralytica, syphilitic paresis)