A case of a cerebral syphilitic gumma developed in a few months mimicking a brain tumor in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient

Br J Neurosurg. 2017 Aug;31(4):481-483. doi: 10.3109/02688697.2016.1173190. Epub 2016 Apr 18.

Abstract

Cerebral syphilitic gumma is extremely rare and easily misdiagnosed. We illustrate a case of a cerebral syphilitic gumma developed in just a few months mimicking a brain tumor in a HIV-negative patient and Treponema pallidum was detected in the cerebral syphilitic gumma.

Keywords: Biopsy; Treponema pallidum; cerebral syphilitic gumma; differential diagnosis; infection; inflammation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosyphilis / diagnosis*
  • Syphilis / diagnosis

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, tertiary