Chancroid physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Nate Michalak, B.A.; Serge Korjian M.D.

Overview

Patients may present with erythematous papules, pustules, or ulcers depending the stage of the chancroid. Ulcers are soft with irregular but sharp margins, and looks similar to a syphilitic chancre. Males typically have 1 ulcer while females typically have multiple. The most common location in males is the foreskin (prepuce). The most common location in females in the labia majora. Approximately 50% of patients may present with swollen inguinal lymph nodes.

Physical Examination

Vital Signs

Typically normal

Skin

A patient may present with either of the following types of lesions on the genitals (or extremities in cases of cutaneous limb ulcers), depending on the stage of infection:

• Erythematous papules
• Pustules
• Ulcers

Ulcer characteristics:

• Ranges in size from 3 to 50 mm (1/8 to 2 inches) in diameter
• Painful
• Soft, nonindurated
• Irregular border
• Sharp margins
• Grey/yellow exudate
• Males typically have a single ulcer
• Females typically have multiplee ulcers
• May look similar to syphilitic chancre

Common locations in males

• Foreskin (prepuce) (most common)
• Groove behind the head of the penis (coronal sulcus)
• Shaft of the penis
• Head of the penis (glans penis)
• Opening of the penis (urethral meatus)
• Scrotum (least common)

Common locations in females

• Labia majora (most common). "Kissing ulcers" may develop, defined as ulcers that occur on opposing surfaces of the labia.
• Labia minora
• Perineal area
• Inner thighs (least common)

Other Signs

• Inguinal lymphadenitis in approximately 50% of patients, known as buboes (typically unilateral and predominantly in males)
• Approximately 25% of patients with lymphadenopathy may present with abscesses in lymph nodes or ruptured buboes

Gallery

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

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  Chancroid infection has spread to the inguinal lymph nodes, which have enlarged forming buboes.

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  Penile chancroid lesion.