title: Relapse of leprosy presenting as nodular lymph node swelling.
abstract: Lymphadenopathy is known to be associated with lepromatous leprosy and has also been observed as a feature of type-2 lepra reaction. However, nodular lymph node enlargement is not commonly reported in leprosy patients or as a feature of relapse. We herewith are presenting a case of bacteriological relapse in a patient of lepromatous leprosy treated 22 years before till smear negativity with WHO multidrug therapy (MDT) multibacillary type (MB). She presented with prominent nodular swelling of the cervical group of lymph nodes along with generalized lymphadenopathy, which was mistakenly treated as tubercular lymphadenopathy. A diagnosis of late bacteriological relapse of lepromatous leprosy presenting with prominent lymphadenopathy and ENL was made after relevant investigations. The patient was started on treatment with WHO MDT MB (daily dapsone and clofazimine and monthly rifampicin) and thalidomide (200 mg/day). Nerve pain regressed within 2 weeks of therapy. The lymph nodal swelling regressed within 3 months of starting treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medilab, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Krishna Moorthy
authors.forename: Vani
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Meher
authors.forename: P Narasimha
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents