Abstract

Dr. Bijayalaxmi Sahoo*,  Dr. Hemalatha Ganapthy and Dr. P. Karkuzhali

ABSTRACT

Histoid leprosy, originally described by Wade in 1960 is a rare kind of lepromatous leprosy but regarded as a well-defined entity with specific clinical, histopathologic, and bacteriologic features. It presents as a cutaneous or subcutaneous nodular and/or plaque like lesions and in pathologic examination there are spindle shaped histiocytes. We present a case of histoid leprosy in a 55 year old male in view of rarity of this condition. The patient presented with swelling of hands, soles and face of 18 months duration. On examination there were multiple skin colored nodules overlying normal looking skin, over the chest and abdomen. There was edema of face, both upper and lower limbs (leonine face). Right sided facial nerve palsy was noted. All routine investigations were found to be within normal limits. Histopathologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin-stained and fite-faraco stained sections revealed it to be histoid leprosy.