title: Syphilis presenting as isolated cervical lymphadenopathy: two related cases.
abstract: Two young adult brothers, with no apparent risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), presented with unilateral cervical lymphadenitis. Syphilis was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology in one case, and subsequent serology and revision of a resected lymph node in the second case. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion and a low diagnostic threshold in patients with unexplained lymphadenopathy, even in the absence of a history of primary syphilis, or obvious risk for STI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.vancrevel@aig.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Reinout
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Crevel
authors.forename: Johanna M M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Grefte
authors.forename: Damiaen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Doorninck
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sturm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000166:cytology; D055815:Young Adult