Gummatous

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gumma of nose due to a long standing tertiary syphilitic infection.
Gumma of nose due to a long standing tertiary syphilitic infection.

The classic lesion is the gumma, a granulomatous lesion thought to be caused by reaction to spirochaete in the tissue. Usually found on the face, trunk or extremities, although any organ can be affected. A firm, necrotic center surrounded by inflamed tissue, which forms an amorphous proteinaceous mass with no preserved original architecture. It is restricted to necrosis involving spirochaetal infections (i.e. spirochetes) that cause syphilis.) Gummatous lesions are usually associated with long-term syphilic infection (Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Gumma); however, such lesions can also be a symptom of benign late syphilis.

The formation of gummata is rare in developed countries, but are common in peripheral areas where medical treatment is sub-par.