Publication: Isolated Leprosy of Bilateral Ear Lobes, A Rare Presentation of Leprosy
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Hansen disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
It can present with a variety of clinical manifestations depending on the immune
status. Ear lobes are commonly involved in leprosy. However, isolated earlobe
involvement of both ear lobes is rare. We present a case of a 25-year-old man who
presented with isolated swelling of both pinna, which on slit skin smear turned
to be multi-bacillary leprosy. The bilateral pinna swelling started as asymptomatic,
multiple skin colored shiny papules which progressively became lobular over a
period of a year. Isolated involvement of the pinna in a patient without lesions
in other body parts is an unusual initial presentation of leprosy. However, leprosy
should be kept as a rare differential diagnosis of isolated lesions on the ear in
patients not responding to conventional treatment.
KEY WORDS
Hansen’s disease, Leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae
Description
Paudel V,1 Chudal D2
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology
National Medical College,
Birgunj, Nepal
2Nepal Police Hospital,
Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Hansen’s disease, Leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae