All Eyes and Ears: A Case of Neurosyphilis Presenting With Simultaneous Ocular and Otic Involvement

Abstract

This report details a case of neurosyphilis manifesting as concurrent ocular and otosyphilis, an uncommon presentation of the disease. Here, we describe the diagnosis and treatment of a 27-year-old immunocompetent Caucasian male who presented with uveitis and tinnitus. Physical exam was consistent with uveitis and audiometric testing revealed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) was reactive at 1:512 with a follow-up cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test likewise reactive at 1:2, confirming neurosyphilis. The patient was treated with intravenous penicillin G with improvement of symptoms and with subsequent improvement of serum and CSF RPR. However, he ultimately represented with recurrent symptoms and fluctuating serum RPR levels, necessitating repeat treatment and ongoing clinical monitoring. Neurosyphilis can occur at any point during the course of a syphilis infection and may present with a variety of nonspecific findings. This case documents a particularly uncommon instance of simultaneous ocular and otosyphilis, a presentation of neurosyphilis that has only been described a handful of times.