The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 42 No. 1 - Self-Care Techniques

A Patient with Coarse Facies and Skin Changes – A Case Report of Undiagnosed Hansen’s Disease Presenting to Primary Care. When Should We Suspect It, and What Should We Do?

Laura Lim Xiu Mei
Victor Loh Weng Keong
Seow Chew Swee
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 42 No 1 - Self-Care Techniques
49 - 53
1 January 2016
0377-5305
A 44-year-old Malay gentleman was seen at the polyclinic on the advice of a medical social worker. He was noted to have coarse facies, extensive skin peeling, and nail deformities in all 4 limbs. He was suspected to have leprosy and referred to the National Skin Centre (NSC) which confirmed the diagnosis of Lepromatous Leprosy by histology. He has shown good progress since starting on a course of treatment. A brief review is presented here as a reminder of the challenges faced in the care of a condition largely forgotten in our highly urbanised setting: Hansen’s disease.