Open AccessGummatous Syphilis of the Adrenal Gland
Author(s) -
Merel M. Scheurkogel,
J. G. Brooks Tim,
Franciscus J.F. Jeurissen,
Henriëtte M.E. Quarles van Ufford
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical nuclear medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.637
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1536-0229
pISSN - 0363-9762
DOI - 10.1097/rlu.0b013e318262adf1
Subject(s) - medicine , syphilis , adrenal gland , virology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)
A 55-year-old man with no relevant history was analyzed for weight loss, night sweats, and left upper quadrant pain. An abdominal ultrasound and CT scan were performed, revealing a lobulated rim-enhancing mass in the left adrenal gland. Further analysis by an F-FDG PET/CT scan demonstrated high uptake in the periphery of the adrenal lesion with central photopenia. Because a primary malignancy was suspected, an adrenalectomy was performed. Histopathology, however, revealed a necrotizing granulomatous infection. Serum was tested positive for syphilis and Treponema pallidum infection. Results of additional HIV tests were negative. The adrenal tumor proved to be an expression of gummatous syphilis.