[Syphilitic labial leucokeratosis].
BACKGROUND
Several diagnoses, including syphilis, can be entertained in patients with leukokeratosis of the buccal mucosa. We report a case of labial leucokeratosis which revealed latent syphilis.


METHODS
A 36-year-old man with a past history of genital syphilis chancre which have been treated 12 years earlier, developed buccal leucokeratosis with no other clinical manifestation. Histology showed dermal infiltration containing plasma cells, polynuclears and lymphocytes. Blood tests were positive for syphilis. Complementary examinations were unable to detect another localization. Leucokeratosis regressed completely after one injection of Extencilline. There has been no recurrence at one year.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical and histological presentations of syphilis can mimic different skin diseases. Serodiagnosis alone is significant. Isolated buccal lesions are rarely described in syphilis suggesting serodiagnosis should always be ordered. Whatever the clinical stage of the diseases, serological surveillance after treatment for syphilis is essential.
el Sayed
F
F
Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse.
Lefevre
J C
JC
Garat
H
H
Gorguet
B
B
Marguery
M C
MC
Bazex
J
J
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010406:Penicillins; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine