A case of syphilitic keratoderma concurrent with syphilitic uveitis.
Syphilitic keratoderma is a rare cutaneous manifestation of secondary syphilis, characterized by symmetrical and diffuse hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. In addition, no cases of syphilitic keratoderma and uveitis have been reported in the dermatologic literature. A 69-year-old woman presented with steroid-resistant hyperkeratotic patches on the palms and soles and uveitis for 4 months. As steroid-resistant uveitis must be evaluated for syphilis, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases, we ran several laboratory tests and the serologic test for VDRL was reactive (titer; 1:128). After treatment with penicillin G (4 MU, IV every 4 hours for 2 weeks), her skin lesions and visual disturbance were completely resolved. Therefore she was diagnosed as having syphilitic keratoderma and uveitis. Here, we report a rare case of syphilitic keratoderma concurrent with syphilitic uveitis and suggest that evaluation for syphilis may be required when skin lesions and ocular disturbance are resistant to long-term steroid therapy.
Hwang
Seon-Wook
SW
Department of Dermatology, Busan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea.
Kang
Ju-Hyun
JH
Chun
Ji-Sung
JS
Seo
Jong-Keun
JK
Kim
Hyun-Woong
HW
Lee
Deborah
D
Sung
Ho-Suk
HS