User:Alimohammed15545/sandbox

definition :
Its a medical condition which is the third stage syphilis that makes a spinal cord lesion of the dorsal column and dorsal root of the lumber cord level for common.

causative organism:
Treponema pallidum

symptoms and causes :
1/sensory ataxia: because of the lesion of dorsal column and dorsal root which carry the proprioceptive sensation from the legs to the brain hence the patient feel like his legs are in space!

2/positive Romberg sign: that means the patient cant keep his balance with eye closed but can when he opens his eye

3/shooting pain: may last for minutes or hours due to dorsal root lesion.

4/Absence deep tendon reflex: due to lesion of dorsal root which are the afferent fibers of muscle stretch reflex.

5/Argyl- Robertson phenomenon.

6/charcot joint: means degenerative disease of the joints due to nerve damage resulting in loss of the ability to feel pain.

== statistics : == Tabes dorsalis was more prevalent in the pre-antibiotic era. Although the rates of primary and secondary syphilis are increasing, the true incidence of neurosyphilis in general and tabes dorsalis specifically is difficult to determine. Syphilis is more common among homosexual males than in females and is more prevalent in the mid-age population.[4] One study suggested the highest rate is found among lower-income areas like Africa and Southeast Asia.[5] In the U.S., it is more commonly encountered in men who have sex with men and Blacks, according to some case series. The incidence is increasing, perhaps in part due to associated HIV-coinfection.[6] Globally, 25% to 35% of total syphilis is complicated by neurosyphilis in the late period. Of these, one-third suffer from tabes dorsalis. It was estimated that about 1.5% to 9% of syphilis is complicated by tabes dorsalis

== treatment : == penicillin, as is the case with primary and secondary syphilis; only the dose and duration of treatment vary. Benzathine penicillin G is the drug of your choice

prognosis :
Prognosis is good after proper treatment. A dramatic response has been observed in most of the cases after penicillin treatment along with steroids.