Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Surgical Treatment of an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor
Published on: May 26, 2023
Dry type leishmanial lymphadenitis presented as two large parotid and cervical masses
I Esfandiarpour1, S H Dabiri, K Yousefi
1Department of Dermatology, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran. irajesfandyar@yahoo.com
Insights
Localized leishmanial lymphadenitis (LLA) is a rare manifestation of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Iran. This case highlights the importance of considering LLA in differential diagnoses, as it requires specific treatment beyond local interventions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Iran, particularly in Kerman province.
- Localized leishmanial lymphadenitis (LLA), an isolated lymph node involvement by Leishmania tropica, is a rare presentation of CL.
- LLA presents as inflammatory changes within a lymph node without systemic symptoms.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old woman presented with slow-growing, painless nodules on her preauricular and cervical areas.
- The nodules were associated with a small skin papule on the cheek.
- Clinical examination revealed large, mobile, multilobulated masses.
Findings:
- Histopathology confirmed leishmanial etiology in both skin and lymph node samples.
- Leishmania bodies (amastigotes) were identified in lymph node and skin biopsies.
- The patient's clinical presentation, pathological findings, and response to meglumine antimoniate confirmed LLA.
Implications:
- Lymph node involvement is a rare but significant manifestation of dermotropic Leishmania dissemination.
- LLA requires specific treatment and should not be managed with standard local therapies like curettage or cryotherapy.
- Accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment are crucial for effective management of this rare CL presentation.
Background:
Cutaneous leishmanisis (CL) is a common disease in Iran, particularly in Kerman and Bam and Kerman province. Lymphadenitis resulting from leishmania tropica (dry type) with, or without, cutaneous lesion is rare. Localized leishmanial lymphadenitis (LLA) is a specific clinico-pathologic presentation of inflammatory changes caused by leishmanial parasites or antigen within an isolated lymph node without any systemic manifestation.
Case Report:
A 55-year-old Iranian woman presented with two slow growing large nodules (masses) on the left preauricular and the left cervical areas. The nodules were large, painless, mobile, multilobulated, and associated with a small skin papule on the left-side of the cheek distal to the masses.
Results:
Histopathologic examination of both the skin lesion and the lymph nodes suggested the leishmanial etiology of skin papule and lymphadenitis. The Leishman-bodies (amastigotes) were demonstrated in two lymph nodes and a skin lesion. The clinical picture plus pathological finding and the response to meglumine-antimoniate confirmed LLA.
Conclusion:
Lymph node involvement is another rare manifestation of dissemination of infection with dermotropic leishmania. This presentation of CL should not be treated with the ordinary local treatments such as curettage, cryotherapy or surgical excision.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Leishmaniasis
01:15Secondary Lymphoid Organs
The spleen is a vital organ in the lymphatic system, nestled in the upper left side of the abdomen. It is composed of two primary regions: the red pulp and the white pulp, each having distinct functions. The red pulp performs a significant role in blood filtration. It efficiently purges the blood of old or damaged red blood cells and...
01:18Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...