Gummatous Neurosyphilis With Transient Worsening of Neurological Symptoms After Treatment Initiation

Abstract

Cerebral syphilitic gumma is an atypical presentation of neurosyphilis, the clinical manifestations of which depend on the size and location of the lesions. It radiologically presents as enhancing nodular lesion(s) in brain parenchyma. We present a case of a patient with cerebral syphilitic gummas who had worsening neurological symptoms a few hours after initiation of anti-syphilitic antibiotic treatment. We aim to illustrate the clinical and radiological characteristics that might be helpful to clinicians when approaching the challenges they might encounter while treating neurosyphilis.