If the disease progresses, syphilitic aortitis leads to an aortic aneurysm. Overall, tertiary syphilis is a rare cause of aortic aneurysms. Syphilitic aortitis has become rare in the developed world with the advent of penicillin treatments after World War II.
When the disease progresses, syphilitic aortitis commonly leads to an aortic aneurysm. Tertiary syphilis is rarely associated with aortic aneurysms. Syphilitic aortitis has become less prevalent in developed countries since penicillin treatments were widely available after World War II.