NR AVVM
AU Anghinah,R.; Camargo,E.C.S.; Braga,N.I.; Waksman,S.; Nitrini,R.
TI Generalized periodic EEG activity in two cases of neurosyphilis
QU Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria 2006 Mar; 64(1): 122-4
IA http://www.scielo.br/pdf/anp/v64n1/a25v64n1.pdf
PT case reports; journal article
AB Neurosyphilis is a recognized cause of epileptic seizures and cognitive impairment, but is not usually associated with the finding of generalized periodic activity in the EEG. We report two similar cases characterized by progressive cognitive impairment followed by partial complex seizures, in whom the EEG showed generalized periodic activity. Both cerebrospinal fluid and the response to penicillin therapy confirmed the diagnoses of neurosyphilis in the two cases. The finding of EEG generalized periodic activity in patients with cognitive or behavioral disorders is usually associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, although there are other conditions, some of them potentially reversible, which may also present this EEG abnormality. Neurosyphilis has tended not to be included among them, and our present findings support the importance of first ruling out neurosyphilis in those patients with cognitive or behavioral disorders associated with generalized periodic epileptiform discharges.
MH Adult; Cognition Disorders/*diagnosis/physiopathology; Diagnosis, Differential; *Electroencephalography; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurosyphilis/cerebrospinal fluid/*diagnosis/physiopathology; Periodicity
AD Renato Anghinah, Érica C. S. Camargo, Simone Waksman, Ricardo Nitrini (rnitrini@uol.com.br), Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua Bartolomeu Feio 560 - 045580-001 São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Nádia I. Braga, Serviço de Neurofisiologia Clínica da Escola Paulista de Medicina da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
SP englisch
PO Brasilien