- Etiology: transplacental infection by Treponema pallidum spirochete which is disseminated throughout fetus causing symmetrical involvement of enchondral ossification sites
- Imaging:
— periostitis of long bones is bilateral, symmetrical, diffuse, mild to severe
— osteitis – localized to diffuse
— metaphysis – dense / lucent / alternating, serrations, exuberant callus, Wimberger corner sign of focal proximal tibia is metaphyseal lucency / notch on proximal medial tibial metaphysis due to destruction - Clinical:
— 33% stillborn, 33% contract syphilis, 33% unaffected, may or may not be symptomatic at birth, 66% present at 1-2 months and 100% present by 3 months
— early congenital syphilis – prematurity, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, nasal chondritis (“runny nose”), generalized lymphadenopathy, maculopapular rash
— late congenital syphilis – saddle nose, sabre shin, frontal bossing, Hutchison’s triad of Hutchison’s teeth / interstitial keratitis / CN VIII deafness
Radiology Cases of Syphilis
