Epithelioid and polygonal cells in histoid leprosy.

Salient histological features of 36 histoid leprosy were presented. Usual features like whorls and interlacing bundles of spindle cells, histoid habitus of the bacilli were noticed in all the cases. Pseudocapsule was present in 6 cases. Circumscribed islets of epithelioid cells were seen in the deeper part of the granuloma in 5 cases. Acid-fast bacilli were absent or rare in these cells. Polygonal, foamy macrophages were found in 12 cases. Presence of epithelioid and polygonal cells in histoid leprosy is rare and its significance needs to be explored.