Page 38 - MDA SCATE 2023 Programme Book

ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

Abstract 3 ORAL SYPHILIS: THE RESURGENCE OF AN OLD RIVAL - A CASE SERIES

Dr. Janice Diong Li Nga , Dr. Khamisah Binti Awang Kechik , Dr. Ming Hang Thong 2
2
1
1. Klinik Pergigian Gopeng, Kampar, Perak
2. Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Unit, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, Perak
Objective: To describe the oral manifestations of syphilis, allowing oral health professionals to be more
familiarized with this emerging infectious disease of variable clinical presentation.
Methodology: A series of 5 cases of oral syphilis were described. Four of the cases were seen in the Oral
Medicine Clinic, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh and another one case was seen during a visiting
clinic in Oral Surgery Department, Hospital Taiping, Perak.
Results: Case 1: A 30-year-old male presented with multiple erythematous nodules on the dorsum of the
tongue, mixed red and white patches involving the hard palate and bilateral retromolar region. Case 2: A
36-year-old male presented with solitary, verrucous lesion in the right labial commissure, as well as multiple,
coalescing patches involving bilateral buccal mucosa, upper labial mucosa and hard palate. Case 3: A 49-year-
old male presented with a solitary, whitish nodule in the right retrocommissural region of the lip, with a
history of genital ulceration. Case 4: 30-year-old male presented with whitish plaque like lesion involving
bilateral borders of tongue, as well as multiple, mixed red and white nodular lesions on lower labial mucosa,
bilateral retrocommissural area and soft palate. Case 5: A 30-year-old female presented with erythematous
swelling on the mid lower lip, covered by scabs and multiple whitish patches involving bilateral borders
of tongue and an ulcerative lesion on the soft palate and uvula. Serological investigations were done in all
patients. The final diagnosis was oral syphilis. They were subsequently referred to the Infectious Diseases
Clinic for further management.
Conclusion: Being a great imitator, syphilis may present in different ways and can mimic oral manifestations
of various diseases and conditions. Hence, the clinician should consider syphilis in one of the differential
diagnosis of patients presenting with ambiguous oral manifestation, ensuring early identification and
prompt initiation of therapy.

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