Non pitting edema, arthritis and ichthyosis; presenting manifestation of leprosy.

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Predominantly involving skin and nerves and having classic clinical description, the diagnosis may be clear-cut in majority of patients but may be challenging in others. Non-pitting edema, ichthyosis and arthritis are uncommon in leprosy and very rare in tuberculoid type where the diagnosis may be challenging unlike relatively clear-cut clinical picture in lepromatous type. Musculoskeletal manifestation is seen in 1-5% of cases and usually associated with reactional states where again the diagnosis sometimes becomes evident. High index of suspicion is therefore recommended in patients with unexplained systemic illness especially in endemic areas. Herein we report a young male with non pitting edema and symmetric peripheral arthritis involving all four limbs, and ichthyosis as presenting manifestation of borderline leprosy where the neuro-cutaneous manifestation developed two months after the said presenting features and in absence of a reactional state.