GENITOURINARY LESIONS IN LEPROSY

Abstract

Genitourinary lesions specifically related to leprosy (Hansen's disease) are relatively few. Of considerable clinical interest and importance are the frequent leprous orchitis, testicular atrophy, and gynecomastia. A review of urologic literature reveals no reference to involvement of organs of the genitourinary tract by the Mycobacterium leprae. Of the standard urologic textbooks only Young's¹refers to leprous orchitis. In the general literature of leprosy only passing reference is made to the genitourinary manifestations. Fox and Knott²described cutaneous leprous nodules on the scrotum and penis in 4 of 34 male patients. Serra³examined 200 patients with leprosy, describing vulvar lesions in 13%, preputial lesions in 10%, and lesions of the balanic sulcus in 5%. These lesions were especially common in patients with the nodular and mixed types of leprosy, although it is known that macular leprosy of the penis and vulva often mimics primary chancre. One patient presented