A thoracic aortic aneurysm may develop in a patient with tertiary syphilis. This may first present as sudden death.
Risk factors:
(1) homosexual male (MSM)
(2) sex worker
(3) multiple sexual partners without protection
The location of the aneurysm is typically in the ascending aorta.
A characteristic finding is "tree-bark" atherosclerosis of the aorta
Associated may include:
(1) occlusion of the coronary ostia
(2) aortic regurgitation
(3) aortic dissection
(4) dilation of the aortic root
Diagnosis:
(1) positive serologic test for T. pallidum
(2) plasma cell aortitis
(3) spirochetes in histologic sections
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
