Case for diagnosis.

Hansen's disease is a chronic infecto-contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The bacillus prefers low-temperature areas and the nose is usually the initial site of lesions. Transmission of the bacilli occurs by nasal and oropharyngeal secretions, and through solutions of continuity of the skin and/or mucosae. Nasal manifestations are found in the later stages of the disease.