Neuromyositis in Hansen's disease

Muscle involvement in leprosy is rare, but not unknown. We report an interesting case of a 59 year old gentleman who presented with icthyosis, arthralgias, fever and peripheral neuropathy, mimicking a collagen vascular disease. Histological evaluation of superficial peroneal nerve and peroneus brevis revealed unusual dual involvement by Hansen's disease, with numerous lepra bacilli in both. Involvement of skeletal muscle by Mycobacterium is very rare. The clinical presentation and treatment details of the case with a brief review of literature, is presented