Case Report: Osteomyelitis in a healthy patient: initial presentation of congenital syphilis with negative VDRL

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15949224141010

• Palavras-chave: Congenital syphilis; osteomyelitis.

• Keywords: Congenital syphilis; osteomyelitis.

• Abstract:

  The authors report the case of an 8-month-old pediatric patient with progressive and significant bone involvement. Radiography and computed tomography revealed osteolytic lesions which raised the hypothesis of congenital syphilis, where the mother had been previously treated during pregnancy. This is a relevant case due to the absence of symptoms at birth and a negative VDRL test, which was positive after 8 months. There are few case reports of patients with congenital syphilis presenting with osteomyelitis, and especially with a negative VDRL result at birth. Epidemiological data, as well as X-ray and CT scan findings, are relevant and will be discussed throughout the report until the diagnosis is made.