Démence curable révélant une syphilis congénitale tardive

Abstract

Summary. – Late congenital syphilis is a rare disease and its neurological expression is exceptional. We report a case revealed by a curable dementia. Case report. – This 17-year-old patient presented for one year progressive dementia, frontal syndrome and extra pyramidal syndrome. The cerebral CT scan showed a diffuse cortical and subcortical atrophy. Blood and CSF positive antibodies confirmed the diagnosis of late congenital meningoencephalitis due to syphilis. The outcome after 13 months follow-up was favourable with penicillin therapy. Comments. – Late congenital syphilis is a rare disease, that may be exceptionally revealed by a curable dementia. Evolution may be favourable with early penicillin therapy.