title: Pseudohepatic tumour associated with secondary syphilis in an HIV-positive male.
abstract: Inflammatory pseudohepatic tumours are unusual tumour-like conditions which can easily be mistaken for malignant lesions or liver abscesses. Patients usually present with fever, abdominal pain and loss of weight. The aetiology is unclear but the predominant inflammatory pattern of pathology and the associated systemic reactions suggest an underlying infectious agent. In the majority, microorganisms are not detected. As even routine imaging procedures usually fail to distinguish hepatic pseudotumours from liver neoplasms, biopsy is the definitive means of diagnosis. Until now, no case of pseudohepatic tumour has been reported as being associated with secondary syphilis. We believe secondary syphilis is the cause of this pseudohepatic tumour in our HIV-positive male.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Unit and Radiology Unit, North Manchester General Hospital, Crumpsall, Manchester M8 5RB, UK. drmahto@onetel.com
authors.forename: Mrinalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahto
authors.forename: Faiyaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Najib Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Haboubi
authors.forename: Ali N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications*