Early syphilis with seventh nerve palsy: a case report
Williams, J.; Kala, M.; Shanmugasundararaj, A.
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases 10(2): 77-78
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-7184 PMID: 12284236 Document Number: 375689
This report examines the case of a 45 year-old married man suffering from primary syphilis with seventh nerve palsy and generalized lymphadenopathy -- a rare clinical expression in the present antibiotic era. On March 3, 1988, the individual sought assistance a month after first noticing an ulcer genitalia. He also complained of headaches, watering, and the inability to close his right eye. Though previously free of any STD, the man was promiscuous, having exposures to prostitutes off and on. Upon a genital examination, physicians discovered over the coronal sulcus a large, solitary, nontender, nonbleeding, indurated, pinkish ulcer oozing serum. Besides excessive lacrimation and the inability to close the right eye, the examiners noticed a deviation of the angle of the mouth towards the left side and Bell's sign. A series of tests indicated that the man was suffering from syphilis. Following the diagnosis, he received injections of procaine penicillin for a period of 21 days. Although she did not show any clinical or serological evidence of syphilis, the individual's wife also received treatment for syphilis. 45 days after the beginning of specific therapy, the man's ulcer had healed completely. The facial palsy had recovered completely after 2 weeks.