[Leprosy revealed by oedema of the hands].

BACKGROUND

We reported a case of lepromatous leprosy in a Tunisian woman revealed by a potentially misleading clinical picture involving isolated infiltration of the hands.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A 37 year-old woman consulted in October 2000 for bilateral edema of the hands associated with paraesthesia that had been present for one month. Screening for Hansen's bacilli confirmed the diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy. Daily therapy with triple anti-leprosy treatment was initiated.

DISCUSSION: The occurrence of edema, which is classically described as a symptom of a reactional state, can occur during the course of leprosy. Where it is a presenting symptom, this unusual heralding sign can be a source of diagnostic error and delay.