Atypical hypopigmentation of the face revealing a paucibacillary leprosy

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Stéphanie Olivier, Marie Baeck, Anne Herman, Liliane Marot, Laurence de Montjoye Published in the journal : January 2018 Category : Dermatology

Summary :

Paucibacillary leprosy generally occurs as one or several hypopigmented macules with sensory loss. Given the small number of Hansen’s bacilli in these lesions, neither the skin smear nor the pathology is able to bring out bacilli. Diagnosis is therefore mainly based on clinical manifestation in association with a compatible granulomatous histopathology.

We here reported the case of a 29-year-old patient displaying an atypical clinical presentation of paucibacillary leprosy of the face.

What is already known about the topic?

Paucibacillary leprosy often manifests itself in the form of one or more chronic hypopigmented macules with sensory disturbances.

What does this article bring up for us?

Based on a particular clinical case, this article reminds us to consider a diagnosis of leprosy in the event of any atypical hypopigmentation, especially when associated with hypoesthesia.

Key Words

Hansen’s disease-paucibacillary leprosy, tuberculoid leprosy, hypoesthetic hypopigmentation