Korean J Stroke.  2011 Apr;13(1):31-33.

Multiple Cerebral Infarctions Associated with Syphilitic Aortitis

• Park MG
• Oh SJ
• Park KP

Abstract

Syphilis is a rare cause of aortic inflammatory lesion and stroke. A 65-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of right hemiplegia and hemianopsia. Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of the brain revealed bihemispheric cerebral infarctions. Echocardiography demonstrated aortic regurgitation, pericardial effusion, and dilatation of the aortic root. MR aortography showed intramural hematoma in dilated ascending and descending aorta. The serum Venereal Disease Research Laboratory and Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination test were positive. The level of protein in cerebrospinal fluid was increased. After treatment with penicillin for three weeks, her neurological status progressively improved. As syphilis can lead to aortitis and aortic dissection, it should be considered as a treatable cause of stroke.

Keyword

Cerebral infarction; Syphilis; Aortitis; Dissection

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aorta, Thoracic
Aortic Valve Insufficiency
Aortitis
Aortography
Brain
Cerebral Infarction
Dilatation
Echocardiography
Female
Hematoma
Hemianopsia
Hemiplegia
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Penicillins
Pericardial Effusion
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Stroke
Syphilis
Syphilis, Cardiovascular
Treponema pallidum
Penicillins