title: Gastric syphilis mimicking linitis plastica.
abstract: The decreased incidence of gastric syphilis has made its clinical presentation less widely appreciated. A 61-year-old man suffering from epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting had an initial diagnosis of gastric carcinoma; the pathologic diagnosis was equivocal. Eventually, gastric syphilis was diagnosed. In the context of the case described below, positive serologic findings in a relatively young adult should raise the suspicion of gastric syphilis. Carcinoma must be ruled out, lest the patient lose valuable time while being treated for syphilis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, Youngstown, Ohio 44501-1790.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Abdu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Pomidor
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016508:Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption Test; D005743:Gastrectomy; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery