An unusual case of oral condyloma lata

Abstract

Cutaneous secondary syphilis presents with various manifestations, including condyloma lata (confluented moist papules). This article reports an unusual case of oral condyloma lata. A 56-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of foreign body sensation and sore throat. Physical examination revealed a hypertrophic, reddish-brown, flat-topped, moist plaque in the right amygdaloid fossa. This raised clinical suspicion of lymphoma. However, further enquiry revealed that the patient had extramarital sexual history with a female sex worker. Rapid plasma regain and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination tests were both positive. The patient’s wife was diagnosed with early latent syphilis. Both the patient and his wife were treated with penicillin G benzathine, and the lesion in the male patient disappeared in 2 weeks. To the authors’ knowledge, a single condyloma lata in the amygdaloid fossa mimicking lymphoma has not been reported previously. Awareness of the usual manifestations of syphilis can avoid unnecessary biopsy, and early diagnosis and treatment may prevent irreversible complications. Partner notification is very important to reduce the risk of transmission, and persistent or recurrent infection.