Intracranial syphilitic gumma resembling malignant brain tumour.
We report a patient with a temporal lobe syphilitic gumma mimicking a malignant brain tumour in a 43-year-old immunocompetent man. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically and using polymerase chain reaction. Syphilitic gummatous involvement of the central nervous system is rare, with only a few cases having been reported. The unique feature of this case was the extensive oedema surrounding the lesion, suggestive of an active process.
Darwish
B S
BS
Department of Neurosurgery, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. balsam.darwish@swsahs.nsw.gov.au
Fowler
A
A
Ong
M
M
Swaminothan
Ashwin
A
Abraszko
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology