Tertiary Treponematosis of the Nasal Cavity – Oral Medicine Case Book

Authors

  • Anneze Odendaal Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology,  Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South  Africa
  • Wasim Mahomed Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Faculty of  Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Academic Hospital
  • Johan Opperman ,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology,  National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Western Cape,  Cape Town, South Africa and Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty  of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South  Africa
  • Pawel T Schubert Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Health  Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Peter M Sadow Pathology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital  and Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,  US6. Amir H Afrogheh, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology,  National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Western Cape,  Cape Town, South Africa and Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty  of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South  Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/

Keywords:

Tertiary Syphilis, nasal cavity, treponema pallidum, Immunohistochemistry, Granulomatous inflammation

Abstract

Both genital and non-genital treponematoses are overtly similar in pathogenesis, natural history and histologic features. In the head and neck, a relatively small percentage of untreated, infected patients may progress from latency to tertiary disease, with perforation or collapse of the palate and nasal septum. Due to the rarity of tertiary disease and the non-specific histomorphologic features, the disease may go undiagnosed, often with dire consequences. Clinicopathological correlation, a high index of suspicion and a judicious mix of histological and immunohistochemical stains may help the pathologist in arriving at the correct diagnosis. In this article, we report a unique case of nasal treponematosis in a young South African male, discussing the clinical findings, histological features and diagnostic methods of detection. 

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Author Biography

  • Peter M Sadow, Pathology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital  and Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,  US6. Amir H Afrogheh, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology,  National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Western Cape,  Cape Town, South Africa and Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty  of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South  Africa




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Published

2024-10-31

Issue

Vol. 79 No. 08 (2024): The South African Dental Journal

Section

Case Reports

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Tertiary Treponematosis of the Nasal Cavity – Oral Medicine Case Book. (2024). South African Dental Journal, 79(08), 438-444. https://doi.org/10.17159/

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