A Case of Neurosyphilis Radiologically Mimicking Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 22(6); 2004 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2004;22(6): 666-669.

단순포진바이러스뇌염과 닮은 방사선학적 소견을 보인 신경매독 1예

김민아, 안준성 김상진 김성은 김응규

인제대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

A Case of Neurosyphilis Radiologically Mimicking Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

Min-Ah Kim

Department of Neurology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea

Abstract

The neuroradiologic findings of neurosyphilis are variable. A 36-year-old man was admitted due to gradually progressing abnormal behavior and personality change. The brain MRI revealed bilateral mesiotemporal hyperintensity on FLAIR and T2 weighted MR images. Analysis of serum and CSF demonstrated the presence of antibodies to Treponema pallidum. The patient was treated with penicillin, and he had clinical improvements. Neurosyphilis can manifest with MR imaging abnormalities similar to those of herpes encephalitis. Key Words: Neurosyphilis, Magnetic resonance imaging, Herpes simplex encephalitis