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KEY FACTS
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
- Chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum
- T. pallidum is microaerophilic gram-negative bacteria of spirochete family
- Acquired syphilis: transmitted by direct contact with moist infectious lesions of skin and mucous membranes (usually sexual contact)
- Organism multiplies locally and spreads via perivascular lymphatics before primary lesion is evident
- 4 stages divided into "early" and "late" acquired syphilis
- Primary (early): chancre at site of inoculation + localized lymphadenopathy; appears 3-6 weeks after transmission
- Secondary (early): dissemination to skin (generalized skin eruption), mucous membranes, CNS; ~ 6 weeks after 1° lesion
- Latent (early/late): silent disease; variable, 4 months to 10 years
- Tertiary (late): slowly developing immune response, can affect any organ; large destructive lesions (gummas) form in any organ, especially in skin and bone; 10-30 years
- Congenital syphilis: placental transmission to fetus or by contact of infectious lesion in birth canal
- Early congenital syphilis: presents < 2 years old
- Late congenital syphilis: presents > 2 years old
- Chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum
IMAGING
General Features
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ISSUES
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
Selected References
- Colquhoun M et al: Osteolytic lesions as the sole presenting feature of secondary syphilis. BMJ Case Rep. 14(6), 2021
- Liang X et al: The disappearance of femoral head and neck resulting from extensive bone defect caused by secondary syphilis: a case report and literature review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 19(1):251, 2018
- Zou Y et al: Congenital syphilis of bone: a potential mimicker of childhood histiocytoses. Am J Surg Pathol. 41(9):1283-9, 2017
- Bezalely S et al: Syphilis: an unusual manifestation? BMJ Case Rep. 2014, 2014
- Naraghi AM et al: Magnetic resonance imaging features of osseous manifestations of early acquired syphilis. Skeletal Radiol. 39(3):305-9, 2010
- Viens NA et al: Case report: Neuropathic arthropathy of the hip as a sequela of undiagnosed tertiary syphilis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 468(11):3126-31, 2010
- Armangil D et al: Early congenital syphilis with isolated bone involvement: a case report. Turk J Pediatr. 51(2):169-71, 2009
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Congenital syphilis--United States, 2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 53(31):716-9, 2004
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
- Chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum
- T. pallidum is microaerophilic gram-negative bacteria of spirochete family
- Acquired syphilis: transmitted by direct contact with moist infectious lesions of skin and mucous membranes (usually sexual contact)
- Organism multiplies locally and spreads via perivascular lymphatics before primary lesion is evident
- 4 stages divided into "early" and "late" acquired syphilis
- Primary (early): chancre at site of inoculation + localized lymphadenopathy; appears 3-6 weeks after transmission
- Secondary (early): dissemination to skin (generalized skin eruption), mucous membranes, CNS; ~ 6 weeks after 1° lesion
- Latent (early/late): silent disease; variable, 4 months to 10 years
- Tertiary (late): slowly developing immune response, can affect any organ; large destructive lesions (gummas) form in any organ, especially in skin and bone; 10-30 years
- Congenital syphilis: placental transmission to fetus or by contact of infectious lesion in birth canal
- Early congenital syphilis: presents < 2 years old
- Late congenital syphilis: presents > 2 years old
- Chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum
IMAGING
General Features
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ISSUES
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
Selected References
- Colquhoun M et al: Osteolytic lesions as the sole presenting feature of secondary syphilis. BMJ Case Rep. 14(6), 2021
- Liang X et al: The disappearance of femoral head and neck resulting from extensive bone defect caused by secondary syphilis: a case report and literature review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 19(1):251, 2018
- Zou Y et al: Congenital syphilis of bone: a potential mimicker of childhood histiocytoses. Am J Surg Pathol. 41(9):1283-9, 2017
- Bezalely S et al: Syphilis: an unusual manifestation? BMJ Case Rep. 2014, 2014
- Naraghi AM et al: Magnetic resonance imaging features of osseous manifestations of early acquired syphilis. Skeletal Radiol. 39(3):305-9, 2010
- Viens NA et al: Case report: Neuropathic arthropathy of the hip as a sequela of undiagnosed tertiary syphilis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 468(11):3126-31, 2010
- Armangil D et al: Early congenital syphilis with isolated bone involvement: a case report. Turk J Pediatr. 51(2):169-71, 2009
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Congenital syphilis--United States, 2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 53(31):716-9, 2004
