Cervical Syphilitic Lymphadenitis in a 29-Year-Old Female: A Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cervical lymphadenopathy, or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, is a frequent clinical finding with diverse etiologies.
• Potential causes range from infections and inflammatory conditions to neoplastic processes.
• Syphilis, a complex sexually transmitted infection, can present with cervical lymphadenopathy, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

• A case report details a patient with throat pain, systemic symptoms, and cervical lymphadenopathy.
• The initial clinical presentation mimicked lymphoma.
• Diagnosis revealed syphilis of unknown duration as the underlying cause.

Findings:

• Syphilis is an uncommon but significant cause of cervical lymphadenopathy.
• HIV-positive individuals and those with a history of intravenous drug use are at increased risk.
• Thorough patient history is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Implications:

• Clinicians should include syphilis in the differential diagnosis for cervical lymphadenitis.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of syphilis is essential for effective treatment.
• Raising awareness of syphilis as a cause of lymphadenopathy can improve patient outcomes.