Lepromatous leprosy is the multibacillary and most severe form of Hansen’s disease, marked by diffuse skin infiltration, nasal involvement, and systemic neuropathy. While nasal and cutaneous signs are well recognized, laryngeal involvement is an uncommon and under-reported manifestation that may lead to diagnostic confusion. We report the case of a 70-year-old male who presented with hoarseness of voice, nasal crusting, palatal lesions, and neurological symptoms. Endoscopic laryngeal examination revealed irregular thickening of the vocal folds and epiglottis. Histopathology and culture from nasal crusts and palatal biopsy confirmed lepromatous leprosy with secondary methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. This case emphasizes the need to consider laryngeal leprosy in patients with chronic hoarseness and mucosal lesions, particularly in endemic areas, and demonstrates the importance of thorough airway examination.
BT - Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery DO - 10.1007/s12070-025-06093-0 LA - ENG M3 - Case Report N2 -Lepromatous leprosy is the multibacillary and most severe form of Hansen’s disease, marked by diffuse skin infiltration, nasal involvement, and systemic neuropathy. While nasal and cutaneous signs are well recognized, laryngeal involvement is an uncommon and under-reported manifestation that may lead to diagnostic confusion. We report the case of a 70-year-old male who presented with hoarseness of voice, nasal crusting, palatal lesions, and neurological symptoms. Endoscopic laryngeal examination revealed irregular thickening of the vocal folds and epiglottis. Histopathology and culture from nasal crusts and palatal biopsy confirmed lepromatous leprosy with secondary methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. This case emphasizes the need to consider laryngeal leprosy in patients with chronic hoarseness and mucosal lesions, particularly in endemic areas, and demonstrates the importance of thorough airway examination.
PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC PY - 2025 T2 - Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery TI - An Atypical Presentation of Lepromatous Leprosy with Laryngeal Involvement and Secondary MRSA Infection: A Case Report SN - 2231-3796, 0973-7707 ER -