Phrenic nerve conduction in leprosy.
Phrenic nerve conduction was performed bilaterally in 22 multibacillary (BL-LL) and 18 paucibacillary (BT-TT) leprosy patients and 25 control subjects. Prolonged phrenic nerve conduction time and/or reduced amplitude of diaphragm muscle action potential beyond 2.5 standard deviations of control mean values was observed in 9 BL-LL patients (4 bilateral) and 6 BT-TT patients (all unilateral). Out of the nine BL-LL patients with phrenic nerve involvement, median motor and/or sensory nerve conduction was also abnormal in seven patients. On fluoroscopy, diaphragm movements were normal in all patients. The study documents subclinical phrenic nerve involvement in leprosy--a fact not previously recognized.
Dhand
U K
UK
Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Kumar
B
B
Dhand
R
R
Chopra
J S
JS
Kaur
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*