Available via license: CC BY 3.0
Content may be subject to copyright.
Review began 03/13/2021
Review ended 03/17/2021
Published 03/20/2021
© Copyright 2021
Creech et al. This is an open access
article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License
CC-BY 4.0., which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original author and
source are credited.
Tabes Dorsalis in a Patient Presenting With Right
Lower Extremity Paresthesia and Cervical Spine
Pain
Kellen T. Creech , Komal M. Patel , Umar Chaudhry
1. Internal Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort
Lauderdale, USA 2. Family Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University,
Fort Lauderdale, USA 3. Internal Medicine, HCA Westside-Northwest, Plantation, USA
Corresponding author: Kellen T. Creech, kc2010@mynsu.nova.edu
Abstract
Syphilitic myelitis, also known as tabes dorsalis, is a disease affecting the posterior columns of the spinal
cord and dorsal roots and presents as sensory ataxia and neuropathic pain and less commonly as paresthesia
and gastrointestinal disturbance. Tabes dorsalis is the clinical manifestation of a previous infection with
syphilis, and the average latency period from initial infection to presentation of symptoms is approximately
25 years. This is a rarely encountered manifestation of syphilis since the widespread usage of antibiotics.
Penicillin G is the mainstay therapy of neurosyphilis and has been shown to improve and resolve spinal cord
lesions associated with tertiary syphilis. We present a case of tabes dorsalis in a 56-year-old female with a
history of extensive autoimmune disease who initially presented with neck pain and numbness of the right
lower extremity. The unique nature of this case lies in the patient’s clinical course, as her symptoms were
initially attributed to her history of autoimmune disease. A reactive CSF-VDRL (cerebrospinal fluid Venereal
Disease Research Laboratory) test and MRI findings led clinicians to suspect neurosyphilis and begin
penicillin G. The patient began to show significant clinical improvement after penicillin G therapy was
begun and was discharged to a rehabilitation facility to continue antibiotics and begin aggressive physical
therapy.
Categories: Internal Medicine, Neurology, Infectious Disease
Keywords: tabes dorsalis, neurosyphilis, syphilis
Introduction
Treponema pallidum, a gram-negative spirochete, is the causative organism of the sexually transmitted
infection known as syphilis [1]. Worldwide, there were an estimated number of 19.9 million cases of syphilis,
with 6.8 million new cases reported in individuals between 15 and 49 years of age, as reported by the World
Health Organization [1]. The United States experienced a mini-epidemic of syphilis in the 1980s and early
1990s, as the number of cases peaked at 20.3 cases per 100,000 people [1]. Although cases of syphilis
decreased over the next decade, cases of primary and secondary syphilis in the United States have steadily
increased since 2001, especially in women [1]. Colloquially known as the “great imitator,” clinical
manifestations of syphilis widely vary and depend upon the stage of disease (primary, secondary, and
tertiary). In the pre-antibiotic era, tertiary syphilis displayed neurological symptoms in 25-35% of patients
[2]. Tabes dorsalis, a disease of the posterior columns of the spinal cord and dorsal roots, developed in
around 10% of patients after a latency period of approximately 25 years [2]. Since the widespread usage of
antibiotics, syphilitic myelitis, also known as tabes dorsalis, is uncommonly seen, although a history of HIV
infection put patients co-infected with syphilis at an increased risk [2]. This case was selected due to an
unusual presentation of tabes dorsalis in a patient with multiple autoimmune conditions. This case
highlights the importance of taking a thorough history, where it was revealed that this patient had an
untreated sexually transmitted infection many years ago, which led the clinician to suspect and diagnose
neurosyphilis.
Case Presentation
A 56-year-old African American female with a medical history significant for systemic lupus erythematous,
Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus,
dyslipidemia, and obesity presented to the emergency department with the complaints of right foot
ascending paresthesia and posterior-inferior cervical spine pain that began on the same day of admission.
She stated that the symptoms began abruptly and involved her right lower extremity and then extended to
include her left lower extremity. Physical examination was significant for sensory deficit level T5 and below
left greater than right side, mild bilateral leg weakness 4/5, reflexes equal and bilateral, and cranial
nerves II-XII intact, and the rest of the examination was unremarkable. Her symptoms gradually continued
during her hospitalization until the numbness encompassed her entire body from her mid-chest region to her
bilateral lower extremities. She denied experiencing any accompanying headaches, dizziness, fever, chills,
nausea, vomiting, rhinorrhea, sore throat, cough, chest pain, dyspnea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flank pain,
1 2 3
Open Access Case
Report DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14011
How to cite this article
Creech K T, Patel K M, Chaudhry U (March 20, 2021) Tabes Dorsalis in a Patient Presenting With Right Lower Extremity Paresthesia and Cervical
Spine Pain. Cureus 13(3): e14011. DOI 10.7759/cureus.14011
dysuria, polyuria, hematuria, or myalgias. Our patient mentioned that she was a native of a country in the
Caribbean, but she moved to the United States in the late 1970s. She denies any recent travel, sick contacts,
recent antibiotics use, animal exposure, or history of multi-drug resistant infections. Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) of the cervical and thoracic spine revealed lesions consistent with myelitis with extensive
involvement from C7 to T7 (Figures 1, 2). She was initially treated with a round of corticosteroids followed
by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. She reported experiencing persistent paresthesia from the
level of the xiphoid process down that was unchanged since admission. Infectious disease and neurology
services were consulted, and the patient reported experiencing a cold-like illness three weeks prior to
admission and was on an unknown antibiotic at that time. Chest X-ray was significant for increased lung
markings and mild pulmonary congestion without acute airspace disease. Computed tomography angiogram
demonstrated no evidence of pulmonary embolism, aortic aneurysm, or aortic dissection. T2-weighted MRI
images of the cervical/thoracic spine demonstrated hyper-intensities within the lower cervical and upper
thoracic cord, extending from the levels of C7 to T7. There was also notable enhancement through this
region on post-contrast T1-weighted MRI images (Figures 3, 4).
FIGURE 1: T2-weighted cervical spine MRI showing hyper-intense
intramedullary lesion beginning at the level of C7 (yellow arrow).
2021 Creech et al. Cureus 13(3): e14011. D OI 10.7759/cureus.14011 2 of 7
FIGURE 4: T1-weighted thoracic spine MRI post-contrast (arrows
denoting “candle-guttering” appearance, characteristic of syphilitic
myelitis).
MRI of the brain showed no acute intracranial process. Blood cultures repeated twice were negative for
growth of organisms. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing was nonreactive. Further discussion with
our patient revealed a history of an untreated sexually transmitted infection years ago as a young woman in
the Caribbean. This led clinicians to consider other causes, and a lumbar puncture was ordered.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology showed no organisms on gram stain and no growth. CSF Cryptococcus
antigen (Ag) was negative. CSF-VDRL (cerebrospinal fluid Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test was
positive. Subsequent to the reactive CSF-VDRL test, infectious disease service initiated penicillin G (4
million units intravenous [IV] every four hours) therapy for a total of 14 days. After receiving IV penicillin G,
she reported significant clinical improvement. Our patient was stabilized and transferred to acute rehab to
continue IV antibiotics and begin aggressive physical therapy.
2021 Creech et al. Cureus 13(3): e14011. D OI 10.7759/cureus.14011 5 of 7
Discussion
Tabes dorsalis is a rarely encountered neurological manifestation of syphilis in the antibiotic era. Norwegian
physicians in the late 19th century began to further understand syphilis by describing the unique evolution
of this infection in 1400 patients with primary and secondary syphilis [1]. Additional information was
compiled on the late manifestations of syphilis through pathological findings on the autopsies of 382 adults
between 1917 and 1941 [1]. Considering that the latency period between the initial infection and
manifestations of tabes dorsalis is approximately 25 years, how do patients allow for these infections to go
untreated for so long? This is explained by the manifestations of primary syphilis and the widely varying
symptoms of secondary and tertiary syphilis. Primary syphilis is initially manifested by a painless papule
referred to as a “chancre” [3]. This lesion tends to ulcerate and commonly appears as a 1 to 2 centimeter
ulcer with an elevated border with mild-to-moderate regional lymphadenopathy [3]. These lesions heal
spontaneously within three to six weeks even without treatment administered [3]. If syphilis continues to go
untreated, 1 to 30 years later, 25% to 40% of patients may present with a variety of symptoms constituting
late or tertiary syphilis [2]. The most common manifestations of late manifestations include aortitis,
granulomatous nodular lesions, general paresis, and tabes dorsalis [2]. In specifically discussing tabes
dorsalis, the most common symptoms are sensory ataxia and lancinating pains, but one of the less common
symptoms is paresthesia (numbness or a “pins and needles” sensation), which our patient exhibited [2]. This
case adds to current scientific literature because although the number of cases of primary and secondary
syphilis has been increasing, the reported prevalence of neurosyphilis among reported cases of syphilis in
the United States from 2009 to 2015 was reported at 0.84% due to the widespread usage of antibiotics [4].
Lumbar puncture should be considered in a patient presenting with neurologic, otolgic, or ocular symptoms
that could be attributed to syphilis but have an unknown history of prior infection. In an evaluation of CSF in
a patient with suspected tertiary syphilis, a reactive CSF-VDRL test is specific for syphilis and can establish
the diagnosis of neurosyphilis [5]. However, the sensitivity of this test is poor and can be negative in as many
as 70% of patients with neurosyphilis [5]. In a study of 40 patients with presumed neurosyphilis, only 30% of
patients exhibited a reactive CSF-VDRL test [5]. Therefore, the absence of a highly sensitive and specific test
for neurosyphilis complicates the diagnostic process for patients suspected of having this disease [5]. MRI
imaging of the spine is also important in the diagnosis of syphilitic myelitis. Hyperintense lesions
appreciated on T2-weighted images are often characteristic in cases of syphilitic myelitis [6]. Also, T1-
weighted MRI images that show enhancement after gadolinium administration are what is known as the
“flip-flop sign” or “candle-guttering” appearance, characteristic of syphilitic myelitis [6]. These lesions are
due to spinal cord ischemia and meningeal inflammation and have been shown to improve and resolve upon
penicillin G therapy [6]. The lesions found on the MRI alone do not provide enough substantial evidence to
consider penicillin G therapy because these lesions can resemble other pathological causes of myelitis. In
this case, the CSF-VDRL test in conjunction with the MRI findings confirmed the diagnosis of syphilitic
myelitis and led to initiating penicillin G therapy. IV penicillin G (3-4 million units IV every four hours or
18-24 million units per day by continuous infusion) for 10 to 14 days is the mainstay therapy for syphilis
infection, and our patient began to show significant clinical improvement after penicillin G treatment was
initiated [7]. This case also highlights the significance of a proper social history to screen for a past history of
sexually transmitted infections in the setting of a patient presenting with a constellation of vague
neurological symptoms. Early in the case, the patient’s symptoms were assumed to be due to her history of
autoimmune disease. However, our patient did not improve while on steroids, and a more thorough review
of her social history raised the suspicion for neurosyphilis due to an untreated sexual infection many years
ago.
Conclusions
Tabes dorsalis is the neurological manifestation of a previous infection with syphilis after an average latency
period of 25 years. Affecting the posterior columns of the spinal cord and dorsal roots, this disease
commonly presents as ataxia and neuropathic pain and less commonly as paresthesia. Although physical
examination findings can vary, the presence of characteristic findings such as the “flip-flop” sign or
“candle-guttering” appearance on enhanced T1-weighted MRI images, hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted
MRI images, and a positive CSF-VDRL test can establish the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. Upon diagnosis,
penicillin G therapy is the mainstay therapy, and lesions have been shown to improve and resolve with
adequate antibiotic coverage. Although the occurrence of tabes dorsalis is rarely seen today since the
widespread usage of antibiotics, this case reminds of the importance of a wide differential and thorough
social history in patients immigrating from other countries and complaining of vague neurological
symptoms.
Additional Information
Disclosures
Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In
compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services
info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the
submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial
relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an
interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other
2021 Creech et al. Cureus 13(3): e14011. D OI 10.7759/cureus.14011 6 of 7
relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
References
1. Syphilis: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations in patients without HIV . (2020).
Accessed: November 5, 2020: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/syphilis-epidemiology-pathophysiology-
and-clinical-manifestations-in-patients-witho....
2. Marra CM: Neurosyphilis . Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2015, 6:1714-1728. 10.1212/CON.0000000000000250
3. O’Byrne P, MacPherson P: Syphilis. BMJ. 2019, 2019:365. 10.1136/bmj.l4159
4. de Voux A, Kidd S, Torrone EA: Reported cases of neurosyphilis among early syphilis cases—United States,
2009 to 2015. Sex Transm Dis. 2018, 45:39-41. 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000687
5. Syphilis: screening and diagnostic testing. (2019). Accessed: March 2, 2021:
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search?search=syphilis-screening-and-diagnostic-
testingsearch&sp=0&searchType=PLAIN....
6. Sun L, Zheng N, Yang Y, Zhang HN: Syphilitic meningomyelitis presenting with visceral crisis: a case
report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018, 97:11661. 10.1097/MD.0000000000011661
7. Syphilis: treatment and monitoring. (2020). Accessed: March 5, 2021:
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/syphilis-treatment-and-monitoring?
search=syphilis&source=search_result&selectedTitl....
2021 Creech et al. Cureus 13(3): e14011. D OI 10.7759/cureus.14011 7 of 7
