Clinical and Imaging Features of Syphilis from Head to Toe

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, is experiencing a global resurgence, affecting both adults and newborns.
• Acquired syphilis presents in stages (primary, secondary, tertiary) with characteristic pathology including vasculopathy and lymphadenopathy.
• Congenital syphilis incidence is rising alongside acquired cases, necessitating comprehensive diagnostic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of acquired and congenital syphilis.
• To detail the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic characteristics of syphilis.
• To highlight the diagnostic approaches, clinical courses, and diverse imaging manifestations of syphilis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on syphilis epidemiology, pathology, and diagnostics.
• Analysis of imaging findings across various stages and forms of syphilis (acquired and congenital).
• Emphasis on the role of imaging in diagnosis and management, especially in atypical presentations.

Main Results:

• Syphilis manifestations, particularly primary and secondary stages, can mimic malignancies.
• Tertiary syphilis involves cardiovascular, neurological, and gummatous changes with distinct imaging signatures.
• Imaging findings are crucial for diagnosis in atypical cases but require clinical and laboratory correlation.

Conclusions:

• Radiologists need a comprehensive understanding of syphilis' diverse imaging features for accurate diagnosis.
• Imaging plays a vital role in guiding treatment and management in the context of resurgent syphilis.
• Early and accurate diagnosis through integrated clinical, serologic, and imaging data is essential.