Year: 2025 | Month: April-June | Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 103-110
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20250212
A Rare Case of Latent Syphilis Mimicking Dermal Angiitis of Ulcerative Necrotic Type: A Case Report
Bihara Rasanjalee Mathotaarachchi1, Obuhovich Anneta Romualdovna2, K.A. Nethuki Akithma Kulasinghe1, Kuvindu Janeth Weerasekara1, Sandeepa Abhishek Hewage1
1Medical student, Department of Surgical Diseases, Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Belarus.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Diseases, Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Belarus.
Corresponding Author: Bihara Rasanjalee Mathotaarachchi
ABSTRACT
Diagnosing syphilis, a bacterial sexually transmitted infection, is often challenging due to its multitude of clinical symptoms. Even though the variety of clinical symptoms of syphilis is well understood, unusual presentations can develop. Due to diagnostic challenges and treatment delays brought on by the disease's ability to mimic other skin conditions, deviate from typical clinical presentations, and take on unusual forms, atypical presentations represent a serious risk of spreading. This case report presents an unusual manifestation of latent syphilis mimicking dermal angiitis of ulcerative necrotic type with trophic ulcers on left tibia in a 45-year-old woman with a significant past medical history. The patient first presented with rashes on the skin of the neck and extremities, along with swelling in the ankle joints and feet, and the presence of ulcers on the left tibia. Following instrumental and laboratory examinations, the multidisciplinary team decided that this could be an unusual manifestation of latent syphilis infection. As for the treatment, reconstructive or restorative surgery on the main arteries was not offered, instead necrectomy, debridement and regular dressings in the purulent surgery department was carried out. This case report highlights the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of uncommon manifestations of syphilis in order to prevent further transmission and complications.
Keywords: Latent syphilis, dermal angiitis, necrectomy