Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,203 studies31 sourcesUpdated 7 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BYCase reports in dentistry

A Lip Mass Revealing Syphilis: A Case Report With a Review of the Literature.

  • May Ahmed Alsenani1
  • Rana Saud Alshagroud1
  • Emad Hadlaq1
  • Bader Mutrik Aldawsari2
  • Hassan Ibrahim Khormi1
  • Abdulrahman A Altariqi1
  • Norah Ameen Aloushan1
  • Abdulaziz Khalid Aloshaywi1
  • Mohammed Abdulaziz Alangari1
  1. 1Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences College of Dentistry King Saud University Riyadh Saudi Arabia ksu.edu.sa.
  2. 2Maxillofacial Surgery and Rehabilitation Department King Fahad Medical City Riyadh Saudi Arabia kfmc.med.sa.
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Background

Syphilis is a chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum and is well known for its wide spectrum of clinical presentations. Oral manifestations are uncommon and often mimic benign or reactive lesions, making diagnosis challenging, particularly in the absence of overt systemic symptoms.Case presentation

We report a case of a 26-year-old male who presented with a nonpainful swelling of the lower lip that had persisted for 2 months, with a differential diagnosis including both reactive and neoplastic processes, and underwent a biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Histopathological examination demonstrated ulcerated oral mucosa with psoriasiform epithelial hyperplasia, neutrophilic transmigration, and a dense chronic inflammatory infiltrate rich in plasma cells. Immunohistochemical staining highlighted Treponema pallidum organisms within the lesional tissue, and serologic testing was positive, confirming the diagnosis of syphilis. At follow-up, the patient developed additional oral ulcers and a maculopapular rash involving the palms, soles, and genitalia, consistent with systemic disease, and was referred for medical management.Conclusion

This case underscores the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis of atypical oral lesions. Early recognition by dental practitioners, supported by histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemistry, and serologic testing, is essential for timely diagnosis, appropriate referral, and prevention of disease progression and transmission.

Related

  1. Lymphangioleiomyoma presenting as an isolated hepatic mass: a case report and literature review.
    Kun Liu, Jin-Kai Feng, Kun-Ye Luan +3
    BMC gastroenterologyPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textSurgery & anaesthesiaEurope PMCPMC
  2. Clinical and pathological features of gastric syphilis in a young woman: A case and literature review
    Wen Han, Qian Zhang, Hongwei Ye +6
    IDCasesPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Full textPhysiologyPMC
  3. Secondary Syphilis Mimicking Annular Lichen Planus: A Case Report and Brief Narrative Review of Dermoscopy in Differential Diagnosis
    Mariana Vessoni Iwaki, Iago Ferraz Vasconcelos Reis, Ricardo Barbosa Lima +2
    Dermatology Practical & ConceptualPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textGeneral medicineDOAJ
  4. Margarita Dermatitis Revisited: A Case Report and Literature Review of Lime-Associated Phytophotodermatitis
    Philip R Cohen, Benjamin L Ramsay
    CureusPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  5. Fibrinolytics in the Management of Complex Abdominal Collections: a case report and review of the literature
    Oxford medical case reportsPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{alsenani2026mass,
  title = {{A Lip Mass Revealing Syphilis: A Case Report With a Review of the Literature.}},
  author = {May Ahmed Alsenani and Rana Saud Alshagroud and Emad Hadlaq and Bader Mutrik Aldawsari and Hassan Ibrahim Khormi and Abdulrahman A Altariqi and Norah Ameen Aloushan and Abdulaziz Khalid Aloshaywi and Mohammed Abdulaziz Alangari},
  journal = {Case reports in dentistry},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1155/crid/2125721},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898790},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - A Lip Mass Revealing Syphilis: A Case Report With a Review of the Literature.
AU  - May Ahmed Alsenani
AU  - Rana Saud Alshagroud
AU  - Emad Hadlaq
AU  - Bader Mutrik Aldawsari
AU  - Hassan Ibrahim Khormi
AU  - Abdulrahman A Altariqi
AU  - Norah Ameen Aloushan
AU  - Abdulaziz Khalid Aloshaywi
AU  - Mohammed Abdulaziz Alangari
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/19
JO  - Case reports in dentistry
DO  - 10.1155/crid/2125721
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898790
AB  - Background  Syphilis is a chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum and is well known for its wide spectrum of clinical presentations. Oral manifestations are uncommon and often mimic benign or reactive lesions, making diagnosis challenging, particularly in the absence of overt systemic symptoms.Case presentation  We report a case of a 26-year-old male who presented with a nonpainful swelling of the lower lip that had persisted for 2 months, with a differential diagnosis including both reactive and neoplastic processes, and underwent a biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Histopathological examination demonstrated ulcerated oral mucosa with psoriasiform epithelial hyperplasia, neutrophilic transmigration, and a dense chronic inflammatory infiltrate rich in plasma cells. Immunohistochemical staining highlighted Treponema pallidum organisms within the lesional tissue, and serologic testing was positive, confirming the diagnosis of syphilis. At follow-up, the patient developed additional oral ulcers and a maculopapular rash involving the palms, soles, and genitalia, consistent with systemic disease, and was referred for medical management.Conclusion  This case underscores the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis of atypical oral lesions. Early recognition by dental practitioners, supported by histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemistry, and serologic testing, is essential for timely diagnosis, appropriate referral, and prevention of disease progression and transmission.
SN  - 2090-6447
SN  - 2090-6455
ER  -