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Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Published on: November 10, 2014
Thyroid gland involvement in secondary syphilis: a case report
Thomas Strypens1, Gudrun Alliet1, Greet Roef2
1Department of Laboratory Medicine (Microbiology), Hospital AZ Damiaan, Ostend, Belgium.
Background:
Syphilis is a systemic, infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum and is notorious for the variety of its clinical presentations.
Objective:
We report a case of secondary syphilis with thyroid gland and ocular involvement in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative patient.
Methods:
We present the patient's history, clinical findings, laboratory test results, imaging and management.
Results:
A 39-year-old Caucasian, HIV unaffected woman presented with acute midline neck swelling, dyspnea and difficulty to talk or swallow. Serologic tests for syphilis were positive. PCR performed on a thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) aspirate was positive for Treponema pallidum. Skin lesions and unilateral loss of vision were present. Treatment with intravenous benzyl-penicillin showed a good regression of symptoms.
Conclusion:
We report an unusual case of thyroid swelling in a secondary syphilis infection. Awareness of syphilis as a differential diagnosis is important in a risk population.
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