title: Syphilis as a Cause of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.
abstract: In 2009, we described morphologic findings in 22 patients having resection of an ascending aortic aneurysm in the previous 11 years at the Baylor University Medical Center, and histologic examination of the aneurysmal wall disclosed classic findings of syphilitic aortitis. The major purpose of that extensively illustrated report was to describe the characteristic gross features of the aneurysm such that syphilitic aortitis might be better recognized at operation and appropriate antibiotics administered postoperatively. The aim of the present study was to emphasize that syphilis remains a major cause of ascending aortic aneurysm. From January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2014, we studied additional 23 patients who had resection of an ascending aortic aneurysm that again histologically had classic features of syphilitic aortitis. All 23 patients were found to have syphilitic aortitis grossly and histologically. The aneurysm involved the ascending portion of aorta in all 23, the arch portion in 12, and the descending thoracic portion in 10. In conclusion, syphilis has far from disappeared. It remains a major cause of ascending aortic aneurysm.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Pathology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; The Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address: wc.roberts@baylorhealth.edu.
authors: William C
authors: WC
authors: Roberts
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors: Clay M
authors: CM
authors: Barbin
authors: Department of Radiology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors: Matthew R
authors: MR
authors: Weissenborn
authors: The Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors: Jong M
authors: JM
authors: Ko
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors: A Carl
authors: AC
authors: Henry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001213:Asian; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013589:Syphilis, Cardiovascular / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People