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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Aug 15, 2010; 1(3): 112-114
Published online Aug 15, 2010. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v1.i3.112
Published online Aug 15, 2010. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v1.i3.112
Syphilitic proctitis mimicking rectal cancer: A case report
Wen-Tao Zhao, Yu-Ying Li, Department of colorectal surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China
Jing Liu, Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Zhao WT wrote and revised the article; Liu J collected and analyzed data; and Li YY supervised the patient management.
Correspondence to: Wen-Tao Zhao, Attending Doctor, Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China. zhao_wen_tao@tom.com
Telephone: +86-20-36588719
Received: April 23, 2010
Revised: July 25, 2010
Accepted: August 1, 2010
Published online: August 15, 2010
Revised: July 25, 2010
Accepted: August 1, 2010
Published online: August 15, 2010
Abstract
Syphilitic proctitis is a rare disease. It usually presents as proctitis, ulcer and neoplasm but lacks pathognomonic clinical symptoms. It is, therefore, difficult to diagnose and is occasionally treated inappropriately. We report the case of a 51-year-old man who had a hard, ulcerated mass, which occupied the circumference of the rectal wall and which mimicked a rectal tumor. Fortunately, positive finding from routine toluidine red unheated serum test and treponema pallidum particle agglutination tests made us reevaluate the patient and led us to suspect syphilitic proctitis. This diagnosis was finally confirmed after successful penicillin G benzathine therapy which made surgery unnecessary.
Keywords: Syphilis, Rectum, Proctitis, Rectal cancer, Treponema pallidum