Tabes Dorsalis overview: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
{{Reflist|2}} | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
[[Category:Neurology]] | [[Category:Neurology]] | ||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | [[Category:Infectious disease]] |
Revision as of 18:16, 12 December 2012
Tabes Dorsalis Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
---|
Treatment |
Case Studies |
Tabes Dorsalis overview On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Tabes Dorsalis overview |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Tabes Dorsalis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Tabes dorsalis is a slow degeneration of the nerve cells and nerve fibers that carry sensory information to the brain. The degenerating nerves are in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord (the portion closest to the back of the body) and carry information that help maintain a person's sense of position.
Causes
Tabes dorsalis is a form of neurosyphilis, which is a complication of late or tertiary syphilis infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted, infectious disease. The infection damages the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissue.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Tabes dorsalis is now very rare because syphilis is usually treated early in the disease. Blood tests can identify the disease in its silent (latent) form. People who donate blood and pregnant women are given these tests.