Exuberant condylomata lata in the differential diagnosis of perianal disease

Abstract

Introduction: Perianal pathology includes a variety of lesions with a vast array of etiologies and therefore the treatment and prognosis are diverse. The negative impact in the quality of life is generally meaningful. Depending on the context where the patient is observed, some causes are not always remembered when the differential diagnosis is discussed. Case Report: We present the case of a 70-year-old male presenting to the emergency department with painful exuberant perianal lesions, referred to General Surgery observation, whose diagnostic pathway was time consuming. The patient was subjected to excisional biopsies and an abdominal computed tomography before the correct clinical diagnosis was suspected and serologic studies ordered. A clinical diagnosis of condylomata lata was eventually reached when a specialist in infectious diseases was consulted which allowed for correct investigation and treatment. Conclusion: This case illustrates the importance of considering infectious diseases as causing perianal manifestations and of different specialties working together. This can diminish the delay of treatment, giving back the patients’ quality of life and avoiding time and money consuming exams and treatments.