Syphilitic Gumma
A 45-year-old woman presented to an outreach clinic in rural Uganda with a 1-year history of a progressively enlarging ulcerated mass on the hard palate (Panel A). The mass had initially been painless but more recently had become painful and was causing difficulty in speaking and swallowing. She had received a diagnosis of cancer and was attempting to sell her home to pay for surgical resection. She had no history of syphilitic symptoms or treatment. The results on Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay were positive for syphilis; nontreponemal testing was not locally available. Serologic analysis for human immunodeficiency virus was negative. Tertiary syphilis with an oral gumma was diagnosed. The patient was treated with three intramuscular injections of 2.4 million units of penicillin G benzathine at 1-week intervals. At follow-up 2 months after the end of treatment, there was resolution of the mass and symptoms (Panel B). In the oral cavity, gummas may occur as masses on the hard palate or tongue that frequently ulcerate.
It was interesting seeing this in my notifications as gumma means older lady in Swedish and fits in well with the case. Great info and pictures too!
