Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2009 Oct;52(10):849-851. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.10.849.

An Unusual Case of Luetic Lymphadenitis as a Solitary Submandibular Mass

• Park SY
• Jung BJ
• Ko YS
• Seong CH

• KMID: 2074160
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.10.849

Abstract

Syphilis, a chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum, is usually sexually transmitted and characterized by episodes of active disease interrupted by a latent period. After an incubation period of averaging 2-6 weeks, a primary syphilis with a firm, non-tender chancre appears, often associated with regional lymphadenopathy. Secondary syphilis shows localized or diffuse mucocutaneous lesions and generalized non-tender lymphadenopathy. In about onethird of untreated cases, the tertiary stage appears, characterized by progressive destructive mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal or parenchymal lesions, aortitis or symptomatic central nervous system diseases. Without serological testing, the precise diagnosis is very difficult. In fact, it has often been called the great imitator because it was often confused with other disease. We report a very unusual case of luetic lymphadenitis presented as a solitary submandibular mass.

Keyword

Syphilis; Luetic lymphadenitis; Neck

MeSH Terms

Aortitis
Central Nervous System Diseases
Chancre
Lymphadenitis
Lymphatic Diseases
Neck
Serologic Tests
Syphilis
Treponema pallidum
Syphilis