[Sarcoidosis-like granulomatosis revealing a tertiary syphilis]

Rev Med Interne. 2009 Sep;30(9):806-8. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2009.01.003. Epub 2009 Feb 26.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Numerous disorders can cause a systemic granulomatosis. We report a patient who presented a biopsy proven granulomatous skin eruption, fever, and atypical thoracic pain. Electrocardiogram showed a first-degree atrioventricular heart bloc. During follow-up he developed a panuveitis and oral corticosteroids were started. A diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis was considered. Because of unfavourable ophthalmologic outcome, investigations were enlarged and revealed a highly positive serology for syphilis and VDRL both in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical outcome with penicillin G therapy was favorable. This observation reminds us the clinical polymorphism of syphilis, which can be presented as a systemic granulomatosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Atrioventricular Block / diagnosis
  • Atrioventricular Block / etiology
  • Biopsy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Granuloma* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Panuveitis / diagnosis
  • Panuveitis / drug therapy
  • Panuveitis / etiology
  • Penicillin G / therapeutic use
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Diseases* / pathology
  • Syphilis / complications
  • Syphilis / diagnosis*
  • Syphilis / drug therapy
  • Syphilis Serodiagnosis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillin G