Open AccessLucio’s phenomenon: A report of two cases and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Gustavo Alexis Lemus-Barrios,
Julián Andrés Hoyos-Pulgarín,
Carlos Eduardo Jiménez-Cañizales,
Diana Melisa Hidalgo-Zambrano,
Fredy Escobar-Montealegre,
Álvaro Mondragón-Cardona,
Diego Alejandro Medina-Morales
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
case reports in internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2332-7251
pISSN - 2332-7243
DOI - 10.5430/crim.v6n2p15
Subject(s) - leprosy , medicine , ecchymosis , presentation (obstetrics) , phenomenon , physical examination , dermatology , medical literature , surgery , pathology , physics , quantum mechanics
Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic, multisystemic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Lucio’s phenomenon is an uncommon reaction consisting of a severe chronic necrotizing vasculitis. The purpose of this article is to present two cases of Lucio’s phenomenon and a review of the literature on its clinical presentation and management.Case Presentation: Two middle-aged men presented with ulcers and ecchymosis in lower extremities, with simultaneous peripheral nerve damage and leonine facies. Both were treated according to World Health Organization recommendations, with a favorable clinical response.Discussion: The clinical characteristics presented in this article make part of the classical description. A proper history and physical examination allowed for a correct diagnostic approach and prompt confirmation of diagnosis, despite the unspecific nature of these signs and symptoms.Conclusions: Leprosy and Lucio’s phenomenon are infrequent conditions that are difficult to diagnose. We suspect this condition to be under-registered. Awareness and a high clinical suspicion are necessary in endemic regions.