Borderline lepromatous leprosy: A case report

Rationale: Lepromatous leprosy can have many atypical presentations, obscuring early diagnosis. We present a case of lepromatous leprosy, presenting with atypical features, which made a diagnostic dilemma.

Patient concerns: A 48-year-old man presented with bilateral lower limb oedema and scaly “ichthyosis like” skin rash in both hands and feet, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia, over a course of three months, without any classical features of leprosy. A skin biopsy revealed an unexpected diagnosis of borderline lepromatous leprosy.

Diagnosis: Lepromatous leprosy.

Interventions: Multi-drug regimen treatment with rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine for lepromatous leprosy.

Outcomes: The patient made a good clinical recovery.

Lessons: In endemic settings, clinicians should be aware of similar atypical manifestations of leprosy to face the global challenge of eradicating this chronic deforming disease.