Necrotising granulomatous mass of the foreskin with inguinal lymphadenopathy: a rare presentation of syphilis

We report the case of a 24-year-old man who presented with a 5-week history of painful right inguinal lymphadenopathy, weight loss and non-ulcerative foreskin mass. The patient’s symptoms progressed despite initial antibiotic therapy. The foreskin mass was clinically suspicious for squamous cell carcinoma; however, histopathology of both the foreskin mass and inguinal lymph node showed necrotising granulomatous inflammation. Extensive immunohistochemistry testing was inconclusive and could not identify a causative microorganism. Ultimately, serology was positive for Treponema pallidum and he was treated with intramuscular benzathine penicillin. This is an unusual case, which highlights the importance of extensive investigation for differential diagnoses of penile mass and exemplifies the resurgence of syphilis in developed countries.