Tabes Dorsalis
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Spinal Lesions
- UMN vs. LMN Lesions
- Werdnig-Hoffman Disease (SMA Type 1)
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Tabes Dorsalis
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Syringomyelia
- Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Tabes Dorsalis
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Summary
Tabes dorsalis is a spinal lesion caused by a bacterial infection of Treponema Pallidum, commonly known as syphilis. Invasion of the bacteria causes degeneration of the dorsal columns and the dorsal roots, impairing senses including proprioception, fine touch, and vibration sense. Patients with tabes dorsalis commonly present with ataxia, Charcot joints, lancinating nerve pains, hyporeflexia, and Argyll-Robertson pupils.
Key Points
- Tabes Dorsalis
- Pathology
- Manifestation of neurosyphilis (T. pallidum)
- Degeneration/demyelination of:
- Dorsal columns
- Loss of vibration and proprioception sense
- Dorsal roots
- Dorsal columns
- Presentation
- Ataxia
- Sensory ataxia due to impaired proprioception
- + Romberg sign
- Lancinating nerve pain
- Hyporeflexia
- Associated with Charcot Joints
- Lack of joint proprioception and sensory ataxia causes damage by running into stuff
- May be associated with Argyll-Robertson Pupils
- Due to neurosyphilis, with bacterial invasion of tectum of midbrain
- Usually no motor deficits
- Ataxia
- Pathology