Syphilitic lymphadenitis diagnosed via fine needle aspiration biopsy. 2011

David W Jang, and Alifia Khan, and Eric M Genden, and Maoxin Wu
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.

Syphilis is coming back in the recent a few decades especially in the gay and HIV populations. Since syphilis can be "the great mimic" clinically and pathologically, a case report with updated review can be helpful to the medical community. We report, a case of syphilitic lymphadenitis diagnosed via fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The pitfalls associated with the diagnosis of syphilitic lymphadenitis will be discussed. The patient's medical records were reviewed. The pertinent history, clinical course, and ancillary studies including FNAB cytology with special stains are presented. In addition to the case report, we discuss the diagnosis of syphilitic lymphadenitis and the role of FNAB cytology. This was a 37-year-old man presenting with a two-month history of a growing neck mass, night sweats, and a ten pound weight loss. The patient had been treated one month earlier for primary syphilis. Examination of the head and neck revealed a 3 cm right level II mass. FNAB cytology showed heterogeneous population of lymphocytes and plasma cells suggesting reactive changes. Modified silver staining of the cell block slide was performed and revealed spirochetes, consistent with syphilis. The patient's lymphadenitis resolved with a course of antibiotic treatment. Although lymphadenopathy is a rare presentation of syphilis, it should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients who offer a suspect history. FNAB with silver staining is an effective, minimally invasive way to confirm the diagnosis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008199 Lymphadenitis Inflammation of the lymph nodes. Adenitis,Adenitides,Lymphadenitides
D008214 Lymphocytes White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS. Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D008297 Male Males
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013587 Syphilis A contagious venereal disease caused by the spirochete TREPONEMA PALLIDUM. Great Pox
D014210 Treponema pallidum The causative agent of venereal and non-venereal syphilis as well as yaws.
D044963 Biopsy, Fine-Needle Using fine needles (finer than 22-gauge) to remove tissue or fluid specimens from the living body for examination in the pathology laboratory and for disease diagnosis. Aspiration Biopsy, Fine-Needle,Fine Needle Biopsy,Fine-Needle Aspiration,Aspiration Biopsies, Fine-Needle,Aspiration Biopsy, Fine Needle,Aspiration, Fine-Needle,Aspirations, Fine-Needle,Biopsies, Fine Needle,Biopsies, Fine-Needle,Biopsies, Fine-Needle Aspiration,Biopsy, Fine Needle,Biopsy, Fine-Needle Aspiration,Fine Needle Aspiration,Fine Needle Biopsies,Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies,Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy,Fine-Needle Aspirations,Fine-Needle Biopsies,Fine-Needle Biopsy,Needle Biopsies, Fine,Needle Biopsy, Fine

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