Another modification which the papule frequently undergoes is into the squamous papule, forming the Papulo-squamous Syphiloderm (syn. squamous syphiloderm, syphilis cutanea squamosa, psoriasis syphilitica). The papules become somewhat flattened, and are covered with dry, grayish, adherent scales. The scaling may be slight or relatively abundant, but is rarely as luxuriant as in psoriasis. On removing the scales the papular character of the lesion may readily be detected. As a rule, the eruption is not extensive; it may show itself on any part, and is exceedingly persistent. It is most frequently encountered on the palms and soles, where, on account of the peculiarities in the structure of the skin, the lesions are somewhat modified. Occurring on these parts, it is known as the palmar or plantar syphiloderm. The lesions partake more of the nature of macules than papules; they are slightly raised and are irregular in outline, and, as a rule, ill defined, varying in size from a pea to a finger-nail. They may coalesce and form roundish serpiginous or crescentic patches covered with dry, scanty, semi-detached, grayish flakes of epidermis, which are most abundant about the edges; at times the exfoliation is marked, and then the patches are distinctly squamous, as in psoriasis. It is, as a rule, symmetrical, and is frequently observed in the centre of the palms or soles and upon the ball of the thumb and about the volar surfaces of the fingers. It is rebellious to treatment. It may be an early or late manifestation, but is usually the latter.
The papulo-squamous form of the syphiloderm may resemble eczema and psoriasis. In eczema heat, itching, and sometimes discharge, together with the history and course, will be sufficient points of distinction. Psoriasis upon the palms rarely occurs except as a part of a general eruption; the character and abundance of the scales, their lamellar arrangement, the red rete beneath, and the absence of infiltration are diagnostic. The differential diagnosis of the papulo-squamous syphiloderm and psoriasis when occurring on the other parts of the body are fully given in treating of the latter disease.
SYPHILODERMA VESICULOSUM (syn., vesicular syphilide, syphilis cutanea vesiculosa) is an exceedingly rare form of cutaneous syphilis, and in the majority of cases may be more properly classed under the head of the pustular variety. The lesions vary in size from a pinhead to a split pea. If small, they are more or less acuminated, disseminated, or grouped, usually involving the hair-follicles; if large, semiglobular or flat, with or without a tendency to umbilication. The vesicles, as a rule, pass into pustules. It is an early eruption, occurring usually within the first six or eight months; is rarely extensive, pursues a rapid course, and is generally associated with other symptoms of the disease.
SYPHILODERMA PUSTULOSUM (syn., pustular syphilide, syphilis cutanea pustulosa) is an important manifestation, although not so common as the macular and papular varieties. The lesions assume one of several forms, although not infrequently they are found intermingled.
The Small Acuminated Pustular Syphiloderm (syn., miliary pustular syphiloderm) is characterized by the formation of milletseed-sized acuminated pustules, usually seated upon minute reddish papular elevations. The puriform contents dry to crusts, which fall off and are followed by a slight fringe-like exfoliation around the base, constituting a grayish ring or collar. The lesions commonly involve the hair-follicles, are present in great numbers and scattered over the whole surface, and may be either disseminated or in groups; in relapses the eruption is usually localized. Variously-sized larger papules are sometimes seen scattered sparsely over the surface. It may be an early or a late secondary eruption. Minute pinpoint atrophic depressions and stains are left, which gradually become less distinct. Other symptoms of syphilis are usually present. The diagnosis is rarely difficult.
The Large Acuminated Pustular Syphiloderm (syn., acne-form syphiloderm, acne syphilitica, variola-form syphiloderm) consists of small or large split-pea-sized pustules, more or less acuminated, resembling the lesions of simple acne or variola. The resulting crusts are yellowish or brownish, usually thick and bulky, and are seated upon ulcerated bases. The lesions may develop slowly or rapidly, with or without malaise or febrile symptoms, are disseminated or grouped, at first looking more or less papular. In the subacute or relapsing cases the eruption is apt to be localized. It pursues a rapid and usually a benign course, and is to be distinguished from acne, from the potassium-iodide eruption, and from variola. The usual limitation of acne lesions to the face and shoulders, their rapid formation, and the chronic character of the disease, together with the absence of the concomitant symptoms of syphilis, are points which may be utilized in the diagnosis. Variola differs in the intensity of the general symptoms, the umbilicated pustules, and the definite duration of the disease. The acute character, bright color, course, and history of the potassium-iodide eruption are generally sufficiently characteristic.
The Small Flat Pustular Syphiloderm (syn., impetigo-form syphiloderm, impetigo syphilitica) shows itself in the form of pea-sized, flat or raised, discrete, irregularly-grouped, or confluent pustules. The crusts, which form rapidly, are a yellow, greenish-yellow, or brownish-yellow color, more or less adherent, thick, bulky, uneven, with a tendency to become granular and to crumble. Where the lesions are confluent there results a continuous sheet of crust. Beneath the crusts there may be superficial or deep ulceration. The eruption is most frequently observed about the nose, mouth, and hairy parts of the face, on the scalp, and also about the genitalia. When upon the scalp it is apt to resemble pustular eczema; the erosion or ulceration beneath, however, will serve to differentiate it.
The Large Flat Pustular Syphiloderm (syn., ecthyma-form syphiloderm, ecthyma syphiliticum) appears in the form of large pea- or dime-sized, flat pustules, with a deep red base. Crusting usually follows immediately. There are two forms of the lesion—a superficial and a deep. In the superficial variety the crust is flat, rounded, or ovalish, yellowish-brown or dark brown, and seated upon a superficial erosion or ulcer, having a grayish or yellowish secretion. It may occur upon any region, but is most common on the back, shoulders, and extremities; the lesions are sometimes numerous. It appears, as a rule, within the first year and runs a benign course. In the deep variety the crust is raised and more bulky, dark-greenish or blackish, inclining to become conical and stratified, like an oyster-shell, constituting what is designated rupia. A crust of the same character occurs in the bullous syphiloderm. If the crust is removed, an excavated ulcer is seen, having a defined or irregular outline and a greenish-yellow, puriform secretion. It is a late and a malignant manifestation, and is not infrequently met with in hospital and dispensary practice.
SYPHILODERMA TUBERCULOSUM (syn., tubercular syphilide, syphilis cutanea tuberculosa) is characterized by one or more firm, circumscribed, rounded, acuminated, or semiglobular, deeply-seated, smooth, glistening or slightly scaly elevations, yellowish-red, brownish-red, or coppery in color, varying in size from a split pea to a hazelnut. They rarely occur in great numbers, and are, as a rule, confined to certain regions, and show a decided tendency to occur in groups, often forming segments of circles. When several such groups coalesce, the result is a serpiginous tract, the so-called serpiginous tubercular syphiloderm. The face, back, and extremities are favorite localities. The lesions develop slowly, are unaccompanied by subjective symptoms, and usually occur as a late manifestation, at times appearing many years after the initial lesion. A history of earlier symptoms of the disease is usually obtainable.
The eruption terminates or disappears either by absorption or by ulceration. If the former, a pigment-stain, which is usually persistent, and in some cases slight atrophy, mark the site of the lesions, and there may be also a slight amount of exfoliation. If ulceration results, it may be superficial or deep, more frequently the latter. It begins on the summit or in the interior, and the result is a deep, punched-out, more or less crescentic ulcer with a gummy, grayish-yellow deposit or covered with a crust. If the ulcerative process takes place in a patch of grouped tubercles, an extensive excavated ulcer may result. Sometimes the ulceration occurs in a crescentic or serpiginous course. In some instances from the ulcerating surface spring up papillary, wart-like, or cauliflower excrescences, with a yellowish, offensive, puriform secretion, the so-called syphilis cutanea papillomatosa. This condition is most frequently encountered upon the scalp.