The involvement of the central nervous system by Treponema pallidum has increased in the past 20 years, particularly as a result of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. However, tertiary forms, and especially syphilitic gumma, are increasingly rare as a result of the widespread use of penicillin. Spinal cord compromise due to syphilitic gumma is an exceptional event; only two cases were found in the literature review. We present the case of a female 47 year-old patient, without HIV infection, with sudden paraplegia and sensation at the T8 level. Surgical resection was performed by means of dorsal laminectomy. The diagnosis of syphilitic gumma was confirmed with microscopic exam and polymerase chain reaction.
Female Humans