Which symptom is not typically seen in tabes dorsalis neurosyphilis?

Which symptom is not typically seen in tabes dorsalis neurosyphilis?

• A. Abnormal gait
• B. Blindness
• C. Hyperreflexia
• D. Hearing loss

Answer: (C)

Tabes dorsalis stems from degeneration of the dorsal columns and dorsal roots, so the big picture is loss of proprioception and sensory ataxia with reduced reflexes. Because the problem is in the sensory input pathways, deep tendon reflexes are usually diminished or absent rather than heightened. Hyperreflexia would imply involvement of motor pathways or upper motor neurons, which isn’t the typical pattern here. So the symptom that doesn’t fit this picture is an increased reflex response. The abnormal gait reflects sensory ataxia from loss of position sense, while hearing loss or blindness aren’t the defining features of this specific neurosyphilis form.