Abstract
Syphilitic proctitis is a rare presentation of sexually transmitted infection that poses a diagnostic challenge as it mimics rectal cancer clinically, radiologically and endoscopically. We report a case of a 66-year-old male patient with a background of HIV infection presenting with obstructive bowel symptoms and initial diagnosis of rectal cancer on CT. Sigmoidoscopy and histopathology were non-diagnostic. A diagnosis of secondary syphilis was suspected after obtaining sexual history and diagnostic serology, avoiding planned surgical intervention.
Keywords:
HIV / AIDS; infection (gastroenterology); radiology; syphilis.
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MeSH terms
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Aged
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
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Diagnosis, Differential
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HIV Infections* / complications
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HIV Infections* / therapy
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Humans
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Intestinal Obstruction* / diagnosis
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Intestinal Obstruction* / etiology
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Male
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Penicillins / administration & dosage*
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Proctitis / diagnosis*
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Proctitis / etiology
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Proctitis / physiopathology
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Proctitis / therapy
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Rectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
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Rectum* / diagnostic imaging
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Rectum* / microbiology
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Rectum* / pathology
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases / diagnosis
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases / therapy
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Sigmoidoscopy / methods
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Syphilis / complications
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Syphilis / diagnosis
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Syphilis / therapy
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
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Treponema pallidum* / immunology
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Treponema pallidum* / isolation & purification
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Penicillins