Gastric syphilis mimicking linitis plastica

Abstract

The decreased incidence of gastric syphilis has made its clinical presentation less widely appreciated. A 61-year-old man suffering from epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting had an initial diagnosis of gastric carcinoma; the pathologic diagnosis was equivocal. Eventually, gastric syphilis was diagnosed. In the context of the case described below, positive serologic findings in a relatively young adult should raise the suspicion of gastric syphilis. Carcinoma must be ruled out, lest the patient lose valuable time while being treated for syphilis.