title: Cytological needle aspiration of the nerve for the diagnosis of pure neural leprosy.
abstract: Pure neural (also called primary neuritic) leprosy manifests itself by involvement of only the nerve in the absence of skin lesions. Therefore, it sometimes can pose a diagnostic problem. Cytological needle aspiration of an affected nerve can be a valuable tool under such circumstances. The method as developed at Anandaban Leprosy Hospital, Nepal, is described and two cases are presented.
authors.affiliation: Mycobacterium Research Laboratory, Anandaban Hospital, Leprosy Mission International, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Theuvenet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shrestha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015441:Leprosy, Tuberculoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000473:pathology