Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2013 Jun;6(2):78-81.

Analysis of Facial Deformities in Korean Leprosy

• Kim JH
• Lee OJ
• Lee JJ
• Park CH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The clinical features of various facial deformities in Korean leprosy patients were evaluated according to the type of leprosy.
METHODS
One hundred ninety six patients with leprosy were examined for various facial deformities using a nasal speculum, endoscope, and digital camera. The frequency and severity of external nasal deformities and septal perforations were evaluated according to the type of leprosy. Eye deformities, ear deformities, and facial palsy were also assessed.
RESULTS
Seventy-one patients (36.2%) displayed external nasal deformities: 28 minimal contractures, three cartilage contractures, two bony-cartilage contractures, and 38 skin defects. The external nasal deformity and severe form deformity in lepromatous types were more frequent compared to other types (P<0.05 for each variable). Twenty-three patients (9%) displayed septal perforations, among whom 11 had cartilaginous perforations and 12 had bony-cartilaginous perforations. The frequency of septal and bony-cartilaginous perforations did not differ significantly between the types of leprosy (P>0.05 for each variable). Sixty-one patients (31.1%) had eye deformities and 19 patients (9.7%) had facial nerve palsy, common in the borderline type. No cases of ear deformities were observed.
CONCLUSION
Korean patients had characteristic deformities according to the type of leprosy. They were different from those seen in the prior analyses of Caucasian populations.

Keyword

Leprosy; Deformity; Septal perforation; Facial nerve palsy

MeSH Terms

Cartilage
Congenital Abnormalities
Contracture
Ear
Endoscopes
Eye
Facial Nerve
Facial Paralysis
Humans
Leprosy
Paralysis
Skin
Surgical Instruments

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Classification of septal perforation. (A) Cartilaginous type, (B) bony-cartilaginous type.

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