Unusual Presentation of Primary Syphilis as Pharyngeal Chancre: A Case Report

摘要

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Despite increased public campaigns for safer sexual practices, infection rates in the United States have shown a steady incline since 2000.1 The clinical presentation of syphilis varies with stage of infection, transitioning from local lesions to more systemic symptoms. Due to the transient and inconsistent nature of its manifestations, diagnosis may be challenging, requiring synthesis of clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings. The following case report describes a unique presentation of a syphilic ulcer masquerading as a head and neck malignancy with confounding clinical and pathological findings contributing to the difficult diagnosis.