[Sensory-motor neuropathy: a slow and misleading case of leprosy].
The diagnostic process of sensory-motor neuropathies is difficult. Atypical variants and rare etiologies also contribute to delay the diagnosis. We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with slowly progressive asymmetric axonal sensory-motor neuropathy. Leprosy was identified after an eight-year delay. Nerve biopsy was required to establish the diagnosis: electron microscopy revealed debris of Hansen's bacillus in the nerve. Treatment was fully curative after several months. Leprosy is a rare cause of neuropathy in Europeans. Systematic inquiry about travel to endemic areas would be helpful in establishing the diagnosis. In such cases, nerve biopsy is crucial.
Gabelle
A
A
Service de neurologie-explorations, CHU Gui-de-Chauliac, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34285 Montpellier cedex 05, France.
Vallat
J M
JM
Flageul
B
B
Andre
P
P
Camu
W
W
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009167:Mycobacterium lepraemurium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D003622:Dapsone; D002991:Clofazimine; D001241:Aspirin; D012293:Rifampin