Trigeminal neuralgia - A presenting feature of facial leprosy

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia is a well recognized clinical entity. However, it has not been reported to mimic leprosy or vice versa. Of the 3 cases reported here, 2 initially presented with neuralgic symptoms similar to that seen in trigeminal neuralgia and later developed borderline lesions on the face. The 3rd case demonstrated a tingling sensation along with firm and palpable supraorbital nerve (a branch of trigeminal nerve), and a very early skin lesion on the face pointed to the need to consider neuritic type leprosy before concluding the final diagnosis of a disease like trigeminal neuralgia which calls for a different therapeutic approach.