Cerebral syphilitic gumma presenting with intracranial gumma and pathologic vertebrae fractures

MRI of neurosyphilis with mesiotemporal lobe lesions of "knife-cut sign” on MRI: A case report and literature review

Neurosyphilis with mesiotemporal lobe lesions remains a difficult entity to diagnose, especially when it mimics herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). Here, we report what appeared to be the first case of mesiotemporal imaging of neurosyphilis presenting as a "knife-cut" sign and mimicking HSE pathological hallmarks on imaging. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in neurosyphilis and HSE were indistinguishable in the initial diagnosis because of the common involvement of the mesiotemporal lobe. Neurosyphilis was diagnostically confirmed by positive readings in the treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA), rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and cerebrospinal fluid-polymerase chain reaction (CSF-PCR) tests for Treponema pallidum infection. Neurosyphilis and HSE had similar clinical features and signs on MRI, except the knife-cut sign which is a common diagnosis in HSE. Therefore, neurosyphilis with mesiotemporal changes and knife-cut signs on MRI should be evaluated in the differential diagnosis in all patients, as similar changes may also occur in HSE patients. The literature review of published articles between 1997 and 2020 was conducted to further validate our clinical observations and discuss diagnostic and treatment options for neurosyphilis with mesiotemporal lobe lesions.

Cerebral syphilitic Gumma in the modern era: a report of an unusual case and brief review of recent published reports

BACKGROUND

Cerebral syphilitic gummas are rare. However, numerous case reports on them have been published recently, consistent with the resurgence of syphilis and its accompanying atypical manifestations. We here present a patient with a cerebral syphilitic gumma and an unusual clinical course and review recent case reports.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 49-year-old woman had a generalised seizure and was found by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to have a brain mass that mimicked a brain abscess or malignant tumour. Further imaging with magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography did not contribute further to the differential diagnosis. Because treatment with ceftriaxone was ineffective, the lesion was resected. Serological tests on serum and cerebrospinal fluid were positive for syphilis and histopathological examination of the operative specimen revealed a syphilitic gumma. Antibiotic treatment is preferred over invasive interventions for cerebral syphilitic gumma. However, as in our case, radical resection is required when antibiotic treatment is ineffective.

CONCLUSIONS

It has recently been reported that the prevalence of syphilis is increasing in older individuals, including in patients without HIV infection or prior treatment for early syphilis. Though advanced imaging and molecular biological techniques are often used to help make a diagnosis, they are of limited value. Because the clinical and imaging features are nonspecific, some neurosurgeons do not include cerebral syphilitic gummas in their differential diagnoses. It is vital that this possibility be considered when a patient has a tumour-like cerebral mass and serum positivity for syphilis.

Challenges in the Diagnosis of Tertiary Syphilis: Case Report with Literature Review

Tertiary syphilis is a large diagnostic challenge. It is rarely the case that it affects the skin, bone tissue and the eyes at the same time. The presented case shows that extensive symptomatology of syphilis poses a challenge in making a proper diagnosis in patients whose history does not suspect STDs. The study aims to present the case of a young woman hospitalized with a suspected autoimmune disease, diagnosed with symptomatic late syphilis with involvement of the skin, bones and eyes.

Neurosyphilis in disguise

PURPOSE

Neurosyphilis can mimic different diseases, not only in its clinical presentation but also on imaging. Treponema pallidum is also known as the "great imitator." Having an ultimate diagnosis of neurosyphilis is quite critical as this can affect management drastically. Herein, we discuss the case of a 69-year-old female who was treated for neurosyphilis, while having an atypical imaging finding of anterior temporal lobe enhancement that simulated an infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV); we also review the available literature on different imaging findings in both the early and late stages of the disease.

METHODS

We performed a literature search using the new PubMed in June 2021. The terms "neurosyphilis", "MRI", and "neuroimaging" were used either alone or in combination with "early neurosyphilis" or "late neurosyphilis". Data on neurosyphilis and imaging findings was mainly derived from review articles, cohort studies, case series, and individual reports.

CONCLUSION

Neurosyphilis can present with an extensive variation and different patterns on the MRI, and clinicians must be aware of the wide variety in radiological presentations. Anterior temporal lobe involvement is a rare presentation and requires evaluating for neurosyphilis to prevent a missed diagnosis and treatment.

Meningovascular Syphilis Presenting as a Brain Mass in an Immunocompetent Male

We present a case of a human immunodeficiency virus-negative man with syphilitic meningovascular disease with subjacent involvement of brain parenchyma leading to a mass-forming inflammatory lesion that was pathologically distinct from a typical gumma. Syphilis was diagnosed after tissue obtained from a brain biopsy demonstrated spirochetes consistent with Treponema pallidum and confirmed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing.

Syphilitic Gummata in the Central Nervous System: A Narrative Review and Case Report about a Noteworthy Clinical Manifestation

Infection with Treponema pallidum is on the rise. In this narrative literature review, we show that the incidence of rare manifestations of syphilis, such as intracerebral gummata, is increasing and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracerebral lesions. With the exemplary case that we present here, we aim to raise awareness of the resurgence of this disease, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracerebral lesions, especially for patients who have a risk profile for syphilis, and serological testing for T. pallidum prior to surgery should be discussed in order to avoid an unnecessary operation.