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Extragenital primary syphilitic lesions are not uncommon. Otolaryngologists occasionally encounter a chancre on the nose, but seldom does one see a primary lesion inside the nose. In the literature one finds a number of references to external nasal lesions but very few to internal chancre of the nose. Because of the rarity of this lesion and because it is important to bear the possibility in mind, I feel that it is worth while to report this case.
External primary lesions are usually due to faciogenital connection but may also be due to finger contamination with the organism. Internal lesions are probably due entirely to finger contamination and are more likely to be found in obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses and midwives. The case to be presented is therefore important also in that it reminds physicians and nurses to be more careful in protecting themselves from infection.
Chancre within the nose is difficult