Head and Neck ImagingSyphilis
infectious disease caused by
Treponema pallidum and transmitted by direct contact, usually through sexual intercourse. The chancre, the first symptom of primary syphilis, can develop in the
oral region after orogenital contacts. During secondary syphilis, condylomata lata may develop in the face, ears or larynx. Tertiary syphilis is characterized by the formation of gummas, painless but destructive granulomatous processes, which may occur in the bones of the scalp, face, nose and
paranasal sinuses. Involvement of the
inner ear in late syphilis is a treatable cause of
sensorineural hearing loss and
vertigo.
In congenital syphilis, several head and neck abnormalities may be present, including saddle nose deformity, frontal bossing, sensorineural hearing loss, maxillary malformations, Hutchinson's teeth (incisor with screwdriver-shaped crown) and mulberry molars (first molar with smaller crowns than normal and rounded enamel nodules).
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