Diagnostic suspicion of Tabes Dorsalis based on urinary retention: a case report

Abstract

Objective: To report the case of a patient, without known relevant history of sexually transmitted infection, was diagnosed with one of the must uncommon forms of neuroshyphilis, the Tabes Dorsalis, in the municipality of Taubaté, whose main clinical complaint was an urologic sympton, the urinary retention. Case details: This report aims to disclose the case of a patient whose main symptom and reason to looking for a professional care, excluding signs observed by specialized medical care, was the urinary retention. Subsequently, based on the medical history and a detailed physical examination, neurosyphilis, specifically Tabes dorsalis, was suspected which was confirmed by confirmatory laboratory tests, in conjunction with the clinical history and observed signs and symptoms. Final considerations: Therefore, it can be considered that, through starting with a symptom that was initially nonspecific, particularly from neurological and infectious standpoints, and seemingly of primarily urological origin, it was possible to arrive at a diagnosis considered rare and unlikely nowadays.