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Cutaneous leishmaniasis: a diagnostic challenge for plastic surgeons

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Abstract

Owing to the relatively low number of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis seen in plastic surgery clinics, these lesions may easily be confused with other skin diseases and cutaneous malignancies. Seven patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, who had been misdiagnosed as cutaneous malignancies, were referred to our plastic surgery department. The final diagnoses were made using a Tzanck smear examination and histopathologic examination. Systemic or intralesional meglumine antimonite was successfully used to treat the lesions. Plastic surgeons should be aware that some atypical skin lesions might be a cutaneous leishmaniasis, even if they have a malignant appearance. Surgery may worsen the course of disease, but early medical treatment prevents severe scarring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey

    Tamer Seyhan & Huseyin Borman

  2. Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey

    Murat Durdu

Authors
  1. Tamer Seyhan
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  2. Murat Durdu
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  3. Huseyin Borman
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Correspondence to Tamer Seyhan.

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Seyhan, T., Durdu, M. & Borman, H. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: a diagnostic challenge for plastic surgeons. Eur J Plast Surg 32, 87–93 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-008-0316-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-008-0316-1

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