J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1975 Mar;10(1):66-70. 10.4055/jkoa.1975.10.1.66.

Clinical Studies on the Skeletal Changes in 20 Patients with Congenital Syphilis

• Kim SK
• Yoo CI
• Lee JY

• KMID: 2471447
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1975.10.1.66

Abstract

The authors performed clinical study particularly on the skeletal changes in 20 patients with congenital syphilis who visited the department of orthopedic surgery or were transferred from the department of pediatrics for the past two and a half years from January 1972 to July 1974. The results were as follows: 1. Age distribution disclosed from 3 days to 14 months with mean 55 days, and the male to female ratio was 8:12. 2. Chief complaints showed buccal and nasal hemorrhage in 7 cases (35%), the commonest one, upper respiratory infection in 6 cases (30%), abdominal distention 4(20%), rash and jaundice 2(10%) respectively, excoriation and high fever in 1(5%) each. 3. Physical examination showed hepatomegaly in 11 cases (55%). excoriation, edema, cyanosis in 2 case each (10%). 4. Blood study revealed anemia in 13 cases (65%). leukocytosis in 14(70%). 5. X-ray findings showed positive changes in 16 cases(80%), most of which were involved bilaterally. 1) Osteochondritis 11 cases (55%):, The involved bones were radius, ulna, and tibia in 10 cases (50%) cach, humerus, in 8(40 %), femur in 7(35%), fibula in 2(10%), tarsal phalanges in 1(5%). 2) Periosteal reaction 9 cases (45%):, The involved bones were ulna and femur in 9 cases (45%) respectively, humerus and tibia 8 cases (40%) each. fibula 6 cases (30%), radius 5 cases (25%), and clavicle in 1 case (5%). 3) Wimberger's sign 6 cases (30%):, 4) Sigmoid notch sign 3 cases (30%):, 5) Double ring shadow in tarsal bone 3 cases (15%):, 6) Metaphyseal fracture 1 case (5%):

MeSH Terms

Age Distribution
Anemia
Clavicle
Clinical Study
Colon, Sigmoid
Cyanosis
Edema
Exanthema
Female
Femur
Fever
Fibula
Hemorrhage
Hepatomegaly
Humans
Humerus
Jaundice
Leukocytosis
Male
Orthopedics
Osteochondritis
Pediatrics
Physical Examination
Radius
Syphilis, Congenital*
Tarsal Bones
Tibia
Ulna

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Osteochondritis of Humerus and Femur, Wimberger's sign.

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  Fig. 2. Double ring shadow of Tarsal bone.

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  Fig. 3. Osteochondritis of Ulna, Periosteal reaction of

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  Fig. 4. Osteochondritis and Metaphyseal fracture of Radius, and Sigmoid Notch sign.

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  Fig. 5. Periosteal Reaction of Humerus, Radius, Femur, Tibia, and Fibula.

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