CLINICO-HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION OF GRANULOMATOUS LESIONS OF SKIN – WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON LEPROSY

Background: Granulomatous inflammation is a distinct form of chronic inflammation and diagnosing them is challenging due to their diverse clinical presentations and similar histological features. Leprosy, a significant cause of granulomatous skin lesions, leads to various forms based on the host's immune response. This study aims to evaluate skin biopsies for granulomatous skin lesions, with a special emphasis on leprosy, and to correlate these findings with clinical presentations. Methods: This prospective, descriptive study was conducted at J.L.N (Jawahar Lal Nehru) Hospital & Research Centre, Bhilai, for 18 months, involving 197 skin biopsies. Histopathological examinations were performed using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and special stains like Modified Fite Faraco, Acid Fast Stain (AFB), and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. Clinical data were collected, correlated with histopathological findings and statistically analysed was using SPSS version 22, with significance tested at p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence limit. Results: Of 197 biopsies, 47 (23.85%) were diagnosed as granulomatous lesions. Among these, 24 (12.18%) were non-lepromatous and 23 (11.67%) were lepromatous. Out of 47 cases, infectious granulomatous lesions were predominant with 63.82%. Among these, leprosy is the most common with 76.66%, followed by cutaneous tuberculosis 23.33% cases. Non-infectious granulomatous lesions were 36.17% of the total 47 cases which included foreign body granulomatous reactions 64.70%, erythema nodosum 17.64%, sarcoidosis 11.76% and granuloma annulare 5.88% cases. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of clinicohistopathological correlation in diagnosing and managing these lesions. Leprosy emerged as the most common cause of granulomatous skin lesions, highlighting the need for continued public health efforts to control this disease. Accurate histopathological examination is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.