Neurology: Case of the Month

Test Yourself — Patient 1

Tabes Dorsalis

1. Syphilis is caused by
   • [ A ] Treponema pallidum
   • [ B ] Borrelia burgdorferi
   • [ C ] Trypanosoma cruzi
   • [ D ] Plasmodium falciparum
2. In tabes dorsalis, the Argyll-Robertson pupil is seen in
   • [ A ] 10% of patients
   • [ B ] 20% of patients
   • [ C ] 50% of patients
   • [ D ] All proven cases of neurosyphilis
3. All of the following signs/symptoms are associated with tabes dorsalis EXCEPT:
   • [ A ] Abdominal and rectal pain
   • [ B ] Increased reflexes
   • [ C ] Charcot joints
   • [ D ] Loss of vibratory and position sense
4. In tabes dorsalis, all of the following are true EXCEPT:
   • [ A ] The serum MHA-TP is positive.
   • [ B ] The CSF VDRL is always positive.
   • [ C ] CSF protein is usually elevated in active disease, but may return to normal as the disease "burns out".
   • [ D ] CSF pleocytosis may be present in early stages, but return to normal in later stages.
5. The following statement is true:
   • [ A ] Tabes dorsalis is also known as Duchenne's disease.
   • [ B ] CSF cell count returns to normal immediately after treatment.
   • [ C ] Amphotericin B is helpful for refractory neurosyphilis.
   • [ D ] All of the above are false.

 

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