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How Can We Distinguish Sarcoidosis From Hansen Disease While Experiencing Increase And Sometimes Decrease In The Inflammation Of The Leptomeningitis?
Question: Hello Doctor,
My mom was diagnosed with lymph node and brain TB 2 and half years back. There has been an increase and sometimes decrease in the inflammation of the leptomeningitis.
The doctors now suspect that it can be sarcoidosis/neurosarcoidosis.
Her symptoms include - swelling of lymph node, had a couple of seizures, headaches,rashes on her hand(lighter than her rest of the skin) lumps on the fore head, Disfiguring sores on the nose, frequent urination, thirst, cough etc. From what I read, these symptoms can be for sarcoidosis or Hansen disease. Can you please let me know
(1) How can we distinguish sarcoidosis from Hansen disease
(2) What tests would give us a clear and complete picture of whether it is sarcoidosis or Hansen disease
(3) I attached a report with her ACE levels
Thank You.
My mom was diagnosed with lymph node and brain TB 2 and half years back. There has been an increase and sometimes decrease in the inflammation of the leptomeningitis.
The doctors now suspect that it can be sarcoidosis/neurosarcoidosis.
Her symptoms include - swelling of lymph node, had a couple of seizures, headaches,rashes on her hand(lighter than her rest of the skin) lumps on the fore head, Disfiguring sores on the nose, frequent urination, thirst, cough etc. From what I read, these symptoms can be for sarcoidosis or Hansen disease. Can you please let me know
(1) How can we distinguish sarcoidosis from Hansen disease
(2) What tests would give us a clear and complete picture of whether it is sarcoidosis or Hansen disease
(3) I attached a report with her ACE levels
Thank You.
Brief Answer:
Go for skin biopsy of forehead lumps and rash on hand, PCR for M.leprae
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your complaints and these symptoms could be of sarcoidosis.
Basically Hansen's disease never involves the brain and spinal cord.
For clear cut differentiation of Hansen's disease and sarcoidosis you can go for skin biopsy of the hand lesions and forehead lumps.
Also go for Polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) for M.leprae.
Also her ACE levels are raised which point towards sarcoidosis.
Besides this get her mantoux test, serun calcium levels, chest x ray, ECG, HRCT of chest and ESR.
All these will help in differentiating Hansen's disease from sarcoidosis.
I hope to have answered your queries and. would be happy to answer further questions.
Regards
Dr Asmeet
Go for skin biopsy of forehead lumps and rash on hand, PCR for M.leprae
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your complaints and these symptoms could be of sarcoidosis.
Basically Hansen's disease never involves the brain and spinal cord.
For clear cut differentiation of Hansen's disease and sarcoidosis you can go for skin biopsy of the hand lesions and forehead lumps.
Also go for Polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) for M.leprae.
Also her ACE levels are raised which point towards sarcoidosis.
Besides this get her mantoux test, serun calcium levels, chest x ray, ECG, HRCT of chest and ESR.
All these will help in differentiating Hansen's disease from sarcoidosis.
I hope to have answered your queries and. would be happy to answer further questions.
Regards
Dr Asmeet
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank You for your response, Dr Asmeet. Can you please let me know
(1) If ACE levels will also be raised for Hansen or just sarcoidosis?
(1) If ACE levels will also be raised for Hansen or just sarcoidosis?
Brief Answer:
ACE levels raised in Sarcoidosis only, not in Hansen’s disease
Detailed Answer:
ACE levels are raised only in sarcoidosis and not in Hansen’s disease.
ACE levels raised in Sarcoidosis only, not in Hansen’s disease
Detailed Answer:
ACE levels are raised only in sarcoidosis and not in Hansen’s disease.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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