Syphilitic Disorders of the Spine

Abstract

1. Two cases of syphilitic involvement of the spinal column are described, illustrating the presentation and pathology of the disease. 2. The possibility of increased incidence of syphilitic disorders of bone and joint is considered in the light of recent statistics, and the need for awareness of the disease in its various forms is emphasised. 3. The problems of diagnosis are discussed.

Possible Syphilitic Spondylitis

“…Because of the rapid healing and the neoplastic nature of the lesion a fusion operation is seldom indicated (Dotter 1970, Kiraldy-Willis et al 1965. Grafting is probably not necessary unless the lesion is very extensive, occupying two or three vertebrae (Johns 1970). In our case decompressing laminectomy was necessary because of compression of the neural roots by pseudospondylolisthesis.…”

“…The superficial bones (tibia, sternum and skull) are affected more often than the deep ones. Of the latter, gumma of the spine is so rare that only case reports have been published (Johns 1970). Distinct destruction of vertebrae is found in gummatous spondylitis.…”

Syphilitic Osteomyelitis of the Clavicular Shaft Mimicking a Malignant Bone Tumor - A Case Report -

“…Bony pathologies resemble those of periosteitis, osteitis, osteochondritis or osteomyelitis, and commonly involve tibia, cranial bones, shoulder girdle, femur, fibula, humerus and forearm 6,8) . However, spinal lesions are rare 4) . Syphilitic osteomyelitis usually develops in the metaphyseal area and may be visualized as periosteitis radiologically during the early stage 1,9) .…”

Syphilis of the lumbar spine

“…When gummais formed in the spine cord, the imaging characteristics and some of clinical symptoms were in a high similarity with spine tuberculosis or spine tumors. [ 3 , 4 ] Therefore, the differential diagnosis is crucial. In this paper, we described a case of syphilis in a 61-year old man with syphilitic lumbar spine lesions and also carried out a literature review.…”