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Persistent bony lesions in congenital syphilis

A report of three cases

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Summary

We report three cases of congenital syphilis with bony lesions which were unusual because they were unilateral and asymmetrical. They did not heal with conventional penicillin treatment and they resulted in angular deformities, shortening of the limb and pseudarthrosis following pathological fractures.

Résumé

Les auteurs présentent 3 cas de syphilis congénitale avec lésions osseuses unilatérales et asymétriques, qui n'ont pas régressé sous l'influence du traitement, contrairement à ce qui est habituel. Une atteinte du cartilage de croissance a entraîné une inégalité de longueur des membres, des lésions métaphysaires ont provoqué une déviation axiale, imposant un réalignement chirurgical. Enfin une pseudarthrose est survenue après fracture pathologique, ce qui n'avait pas, jusqu'alors, été rapporté. Il apparaît en outre que le traitement recommandé aux mères pendant la grossesse peut ne pas suffire à protéger l'enfant contre la survenue de lésions syphilitiques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Montevideo, Uruguay

    A. Gadea & M. Figueredo

  2. c/o Editorial Services, Alfred I. Dupont Institute, PO Box 269, 199899, Wilmington, DE, USA

    J. R. Bowen

Authors
  1. A. Gadea
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  2. M. Figueredo
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  3. J. R. Bowen
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Gadea, A., Figueredo, M. & Bowen, J.R. Persistent bony lesions in congenital syphilis. International Orthopaedics 17, 43–47 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195223

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