Hostname: page-component-77f85d65b8-grvzd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-03-28T00:22:22.192Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Auricular leishmaniasis mimicking squamous cell carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2017

M-T Khorsandi-Ashtiani ,
M Hasibi ,
N Yazdani ,
J A Paydarfar ,
F Sadri ,
F Mirashrafi  and
A Kouhi
M-T Khorsandi-Ashtiani
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Amir-A'lam Hospital, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran
M Hasibi
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious Disease, Amir-A'lam Hospital, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran
N Yazdani
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Amir-A'lam Hospital, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran
J A Paydarfar
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
F Sadri
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Razi Hospital, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran
F Mirashrafi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Amir-A'lam Hospital, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran
A Kouhi*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Amir-A'lam Hospital, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Ali Kouhi, Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Amir-A'lam Hospital, South Sa'adi Ave, PO Box 11457-65111, Tehran, Iran. Fax: +98 21 66760269 E-mail: akouhi@razi.tums.ac.ir
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives:

We report a rare case of auricular involvement by leishmaniasis, in order to demonstrate the importance of thorough investigation of cutaneous head and neck lesions, and also the importance of inclusion of infections such as leishmaniasis in the differential diagnosis of auricular lesions, especially in endemic areas.

Case history:

A 42-year-old man with multiple lesions on his head, neck and hands was referred to our centre. He had the following lesions: a painful, crusted, 8 × 8 cm plaque with indurated margins on the left parotid region and auricle; a red papule on the right temporal region; an ulcerative lesion on the skin overlying the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fifth finger of the right hand; and a bluish papule on the neck. Although histopathological examination of the Geimsa-stained specimen was misleading, a direct smear prepared from biopsies showed amastigotes, and therapy resulted in complete recovery.

Conclusion:

Leishmaniasis can be both under- or over-diagnosed. Especially in endemic areas, parasitic causes of chronic infections should always be kept in mind.

Keywords

LeishmaniasisSkinExternal Ear

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 8 , August 2009 , pp. 915 - 918
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1 Desjeux, P. Leishmaniasis: current situation and new perspectives. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2004;27:305–18CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2 Bettini, S, Gramiccia, M, Gradoni, L, Biggio, P, Loi, R, Cottoni, F et al. Leishmaniasis in Sardinia. IV. Epidemiological appraisal of cutaneous leishmaniasis and biochemical characterization of isolates. J Trop Med Hyg 1990;93:262–9Google ScholarPubMed
3 Lainson, R, Shaw, J. Evolution, classification and geographic distribution. In: Peters, W, Killick-Kendrick, R, eds. The Leishmaniases in Biology and Medicine. Orlando: Academic Press, 1987;1:1–120Google Scholar
4 Tomson, N, Symonds, R, Moir, A, Kendall, C, Wiselka, M. New World leishmaniasis from Spain. Postgrad Med J 2002;78:757–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Clayton, R, Grabczynska, S. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis presenting as facial cellulitis. J Laryngol Otol 2005;119:567–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6 Pittalis, S, Nicastri, E, Spinazzola, F, Ghirga, P, De Marco, M, Paglia, M et al. Leishmania infantum leishmaniasis in corticosteroid-treated patients. BMC Infect Dis 2006;6:177CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7 Khan, S, Muneeb, S. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Pakistan. Dermatol Online J 2005;11:4Google ScholarPubMed
8 Kubba, R, Al-Gindan, Y, El-Hassan, A, Omer, A. Clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (oriental sore). J Am Acad Derm 1987;16:1183–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9 Bahamdan, K, Khan, A, Tallab, T. Value of touch preparations (imprints) for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Int J Dermatol 1996;35:558–60CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10 Safaei, A, Motazedian, MH, Vasei, M. Polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in histologically positive, suspicious and negative skin biopsies. Dermatology 2002;205:18–24CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11 Tordini, G, Giaccherini, R, Pacenti, L, Miracco, C, Zazzi, M, Zanelli, G. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: usefulness of PCR on paraffin-embedded skin biopsies as part of routine investigation. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 2007;101:745–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12 White, J, Salisbury, J, Jones, J, Higgins, E, Vega-Lopez, F. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: three children with leishmania major successfully treated with itraconazole. Pediatr Dermatol 2006;23:78–80CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed