Supraorbital neuralgia in leprosy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology

Background:

• Supraorbital neuralgia presents as frontal head pain.
• Hypopigmented macules can be associated with neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the link between leprosy and supraorbital neuralgia.
• To highlight leprosy as a potential cause of facial nerve pain.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case presentation of two patients.
• Nerve biopsy in one patient.

Main Results:

• Both patients experienced supraorbital nerve territory pain.
• One patient's nerve biopsy confirmed leprosy.
• Leprosy was identified as the cause of neuralgia, despite minimal cutaneous signs.

Conclusions:

• Leprosy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of supraorbital neuralgia, particularly in endemic areas.
• The absence of widespread neurocutaneous markers does not exclude leprosy as a cause of nerve pain.