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Electrophysiological and Radiological Investigations

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Clinical Cases in Leprosy

Part of the book series: Clinical Cases in Dermatology ((CLIDADE))

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Abstract

Leprosy is an important chronic, infectious disease affecting the peripheral nerves. As it is a treatable disease, it is of paramount importance to detect nerve impairment early in the disease as it can help in the prevention of disability. Electrophysiologic examination of the peripheral nerves is a noninvasive and sensitive method in the early detection of neuropathy. Nerve conduction study can detect the functional derangement of nerves prior to the clinical manifestations of symptoms and signs. Reduction of NCV and worsening of EMG indicate failure of medical treatment and are an indication for surgical intervention. Radiologic examination helps in evaluating the extent of bone involvement and the risks of a pathological fracture in a patient of leprosy. High-resolution ultrasonography is a noninvasive imaging technique that provides accurate morphologic information about peripheral nerves using the improvised spatial and contrast resolution. Vital information on nerve structure, morphology, vascularity, and real-time blood flow in the nerve contributes to the diagnosis and assessment of nerve damage in leprosy. MRI is a sensitive modality which helps in detecting early neuro-arthropathic changes and soft tissue changes.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Swetalina Pradhan for USG image.

Dr. Ashwini Babu for the clinical and ultrasonographic images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, India

    Malcolm Pinto & M. Manjunath Shenoy

Authors
  1. Malcolm Pinto
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  2. M. Manjunath Shenoy
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India

    Swetalina Pradhan

  2. Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy, Madhubani Medical College and Hospital, Bihar, India

    Piyush Kumar

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Pinto, M., Manjunath Shenoy, M. (2022). Electrophysiological and Radiological Investigations. In: Pradhan, S., Kumar, P. (eds) Clinical Cases in Leprosy. Clinical Cases in Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08220-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08220-7_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-08219-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-08220-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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