On the left, enlarged nerves are shown in the neck. This is a common finding in clinical leprosy. Visibly enlarged nerves, as shown here, are valuable in making the diagnosis of leprosy, because such enlargement does not occur in other conditions.
The picture below is a reminder that, in some countries, partirularly India, patients may present with nerve enlargement, but no skin lesions: 'Pure Neural Leprosy' (PNL).
The nerve illustrated and arrowed is the superficial peroneal on the upper surface of the foot and lower leg, but in PNL the typical nerves affected are ulnar, lateral popliteal, median, posterior tibial and facial. This form of leprosy should not be diagnosed and treated without referral to an experienced clinician or practitioner.
