Lepra of the pharynx

Leprosy of the pharynx is one of the manifestations of a common chronic contagious infection, known since ancient times, related to the so-called exotic diseases.

Leprosy is caused by Hansen's bacillus, which, in its ability to affect various organs and systems, is perhaps the most common exotic disease.

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Symptoms of leprosy of the pharynx

Leprosy affects the skin, peripheral nervous system, lymphatic nervous system, internal organs, bones and joints of the extremities, etc. In the Northern Hemisphere, the entry point for infection is the mucous membrane of the nose, where the primary affect occurs with the subsequent development of a specific inflammatory process. Subsequently, the infection spreads to the nasopharynx and pharynx, manifesting itself in the form of nodules (leprosy), similar in appearance to those that occur with syphilis and tuberculosis. Leprosy infiltrates the pharynx, especially many of them appear on the soft and hard palate, palatine arches. Uneven in size, they often merge into larger infiltrates, acquiring a gray color.

After resorption, they leave disfiguring scars, sometimes similar to those in the scarring of syphilitic gummas or lupus granulomas. Further development of the process occurs in the direction of the laryngopharynx and epiglottis. The latter, due to the occurrence of lepromatous infiltrates in it, increases sharply and already at this stage significantly complicates the respiratory function of the larynx. Lesions of the pharynx upset the act of swallowing to such an extent that natural food intake becomes practically impossible. Further spread of infection to the larynx leads to its destruction and stenosis, which often necessitates tracheotomy. In leprosy of the pharynx, regional lymph nodes are involved in a specific process very early, but are not subject to decay.

Immunity to leprosy is relative. With frequent massive superinfection - additional (repeated) infection of the patient in conditions of an incomplete infectious process - the disease can occur against the background of existing natural or acquired immunity.

Treatment of leprosy of the pharynx

Treatment of pharyngeal leprosy is no different from that of any other form of leprosy, taking into account the local features that arise when this organ is affected. These features include, first of all, functional disorders, such as dysphagia and respiratory dysfunction when the laryngopharynx is affected. In this case, temporary parenteral and tube feeding is established, and if this is impossible, a gastrostomy is performed. To prevent asphyxia caused by massive lepromatous infiltration of the entrance to the larynx and secondary edema of this area, as well as destruction of the larynx itself, a tracheostomy is performed, taking into account the possible need to transfer the patient to permanent cannula carriage.

Prevention of pharyngeal leprosy

Personal and public hygiene measures are observed (see also "Nasal leprosy"). The peculiarity of personal prevention when communicating with a patient with leprosy of the upper respiratory tract is the prevention of prolonged and close contact with him, the allocation of a separate room and household items for the patient, and the timely placement of the patient in special medical institutions.

Prognosis for leprosy of the pharynx

The disease itself develops slowly over decades. Without treatment, death occurs either from cachexia, or from complications of internal organs, or from intercurrent infection. With early diagnosis and regular effective treatment, patients may not have any disabling consequences of the disease. If treatment is started late, sensitivity disorders, finger contractures, paresis, etc. may be observed; the disease can lead to blindness and severe disability.