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Odontoestomatología
Print version ISSN 0797-0374On-line version ISSN 1688-9339
Abstract
OREAMUNO, Yadira V. Boza and OREAMUNO, Sandra M. Boza. Syphilis: the great imitator. A case report and literature review. Odontoestomatología [online]. 2021, vol.23, n.37, e401. Epub Apr 30, 2021. ISSN 0797-0374. https://doi.org/10.22592/ode2021n37a7.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Without treatment, it is chronic and highly contagious. Its varied clinical manifestations make it challenging to diagnose. We present the case of a syphilis oral lesion with a strong clinical suggestion of squamous cell carcinoma.
Clinical case:
a 31-year-old man with a large ulcer in the right lower lip mucosa with indurated edges, two months of evolution, associated with two enlarged neck lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). A thorough history is taken, and laboratory tests are run, confirming the treponemal infection diagnosis. He was treated, and the injury resolved. Follow-up tests were nonreactive.
Conclusions
. It is important to suspect a syphilitic infection when a patient has lymphadenopathy and an oral lesion. Making the correct diagnosis allows for the proper care and recovery, avoiding complications that affect the patient’s quality of life and sexual partners.
Keywords : syphilis; oral cavity; sexually transmitted diseases; Treponema pallidum.
