Argyll Robertson Symptom
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Argyll Robertson symptom consists of the absence of pupillary reflex to light while preserving the reflex to accommodation and convergence. It is considered pathognomonic for neurosyphilis, specifically tabes dorsalis or progressive paralysis.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
ARGYLL ROBERTSON SYMPTOM (Argyll - Robertson), (more correctly - Argyll-Robertson) consists in the fact that the pupillary reflex to light is absent, while the reflex to accommodation and convergence is preserved. Erb (Erb) called this symptom the reflex immobility of the pupil or incomplete immobility, as opposed to complete immobility of the pupil (to light, convergence and accommodation). This symptom has exceptionally important clinical significance in neuropathology. Practically, if it is reliably noted, one can assume that the patient had syphilis, which affected the nervous system in the form of tabes dorsalis, less frequently - progressive paralysis, even less frequently - in the form of lues cerebri. According to Moeli, of 556 patients with the A.-R. symptom, only 1.4% did not have tabes or progressive paralysis found. According to Bing, this symptom is equal to a positive RW. Thus, the A.-R. symptom should be considered pathognomonic for parasyphilis of the nervous system. Exceptions to this rule are rare.
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“Argyll Robertson Symptom.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/argyll-robertson-symptom/