Nasal lepromatous leprosy mimicking as rhinoscleroma: An insight to early diagnosis

Abstract

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by an acid fast bacilli Mycobacterium leprae. It affects all age groups with no sex predilections. Skin and peripheral nerves are commonly involved. Nasal manifestations of leprosy in the form of nodules and crusting are less known, but in some cases it may precede the skin lesions much earlier. Nasal biopsies are nearly 100 % positive in lepromatous pole of the disease. Presence of large distended histiocytes complimented by Fite ferraco stain will aid in diagnosis. With these findings, clinicians and pathologists should have an insight to keep leprosy as a differential diagnosis, so that treatment is instituted early to prevent disabilities and morbidities. We present an adult female who presented with nodular lesions on the nasal septum and inferior turbinates, biopsy of which showed features of lepromatous leprosy. [J Med Allied Sci 2016; 6(1): 35-38]

Keywords

• Biopsy
• Early diagnosis
• Lepromatous leprosy
• Nasal mucosa