Neurological manifestations of Hansen's disease and their management.
Hansen's disease is almost eliminated from developed countries but in developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America leprosy is still considered to be a public health problem. Mycobacterium leprae have the affinity for peripheral nerves and neuropathy is a cardinal manifestation of the disease. The nerve damage affects sensory, motor, and autonomic fibers resulting in the physical impairments and limitation of physical activities and social participation. Leprosy is a curable disease and treatment provided in the early stages will avert the disabilities. Approach to the neuritic leprosy depends on its clinical characteristics, nerve biopsy, and histological appearance of dermatological and neurological lesions. In this article we review the literature and discuss the pathology, clinical features, diagnosis and management of neurological manifestations of leprosy.
Agrawal
Amit
A
Department of Neurosurgery, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte-575018, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. dramit_in@yahoo.com
Pandit
Lekha
L
Dalal
Monica
M
Shetty
J P
JP
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D007917:Leprostatic Agents; C060596:anti-leprosy vaccine