title: Nodular syphilitic scleritis masquerading as an ocular tumor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scleritis may be the initial or only presenting feature of systemic, autoimmune, or infectious disorders. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for immune-mediated scleritis. However, steroids could prove detrimental when used to treat infectious scleritis. Hence, infectious causes of scleritis should be ruled out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 47-year-old male from central India presented with swelling, pain, and redness in the left eye since 2 months. The patient was diagnosed elsewhere as having an extraocular extension of intraocular tumor and advised radiation brachytherapy for the same. Clinical examination revealed nodular scleritis in the left eye. The patient did not have any systemic illness or complaints suggestive of connective tissue disease. Laboratory investigations ruled out the same. However, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was positive. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) were also positive, confirming the diagnosis of syphilis. Ultrabiomicroscopy (UBM) and ultrasound scan of the eye ruled out intraocular tumor. Treatment was initiated with benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units per week for 3 weeks to which the patient responded remarkably well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although rare, syphilis can present as nodular scleritis masquerading as ocular tumor. Syphilis must be considered in the list of etiological diagnoses in patients presenting with nodular scleritis, and testing for this disease should be a part of routine investigation in patients with scleritis.
authors: Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, 18, College Road, Sankara Nethralaya, Nungambakkam, Chennai, 600006, Tamil Nadu India.
authors: Sufiyan I
authors: SI
authors: Shaikh
authors: Uveitis & Ocular Pathology Department, Vision Research Foundation, 18, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai, 600006, Tamil Nadu India.
authors: Jyotirmay
authors: J
authors: Biswas
authors: Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, 18, College Road, Sankara Nethralaya, Nungambakkam, Chennai, 600006, Tamil Nadu India.
authors: Pukhraj
authors: P
authors: Rishi
keywords: Inflammation; Ocular masquerade; Scleritis; Syphilis; Tumor