Unilateral Tonsillar Swelling in a 52-Year-Old Heterosexual Greek Male With Secondary Syphilis: A Case Report Emphasizing the Main Histopathological Differential Diagnosis

This case report describes the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 52-year-old Greek male with unilateral tonsillar swelling and concomitant syphilis, emphasizing the key histopathological differentials. The patient presented with a longstanding unilateral right tonsillar enlargement, and further evaluation revealed syphilis as the underlying disease. The management included intramuscular penicillin therapy and close follow-up with dermatology and otolaryngology specialists. This report aims to raise awareness among healthcare providers, particularly pathologists, about considering tonsillar syphilis in the differential diagnosis of tonsillar abnormalities, especially in patients at increased risk for syphilis infection.