Abstract

BACKGROUND: A 70-year-old African American man presented with fatigue, dizziness, generalized weakness, and considerable weight loss of over 20 pounds in 3 weeks. History-taking revealed he was positive for HIV, hepatitis C, and severe chronic condyloma acuminatum, which had been progressing for 16 years. Treatment and surgical intervention had been continuously postponed due to the patient’s long-standing history of heroin abuse.

CASE REPORT: Physical exam and diagnostics showed evidence of sepsis. He was hypotensive, with lactic acidosis and significant leucocytosis, and had acute-on-chronic kidney disease. Urinalysis was positive for nitrites and leukocyte esterase; therefore, broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated. Additional sources of sepsis were considered due to persistent leucocytosis despite appropriate antibiotic coverage. An MRI of the pelvis was done to evaluate for necrosis of fistulization from potential internal warts as a source of sepsis. The lesions extended from the inguinal areas bilaterally, covering the medial thighs, lower scrotal wall, and wall junction. It had infiltrated the perineum and the entire rectal area, including the gluteal cleft and anus. The patient was consulted by colorectal surgery, urology, and infectious disease services.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgical biopsies found that he had both low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. There was no evidence of invasive carcinoma, which was a concern given his weight loss. Surgery devised a plan that included a diverting colostomy (allowing the infected anal area to heal), followed by resection of his giant condyloma, and re-anastomosing of the bowels to return him to a normal baseline anatomy. A favorable prognosis was expected.

Keywords: Buschke-Lowenstein tumor, Condylomata Acuminata, Human papillomavirus 11, Human papillomavirus 16, Human papillomavirus 18, Human papillomavirus 6, Aged, Colostomy, HIV, Hepatitis C, Heroin Dependence, Immunocompromised Host, Rectal Neoplasms, Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions