Brain and Spinal Cord Lesions in Leprosy: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Study.

ABSTRACT: Neurotropism and infiltration by Mycobacterium leprae of peripheral nerves causing neuropathy are well established, but reports of central nervous system (CNS) damage are exceptional. We report CNS magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord as well as lesions in nerve roots and plexus in leprosy patients. Eight patients aged between 17 and 41 years underwent detailed clinical, histopathological, and MRI evaluation. All had prominent sensory-motor deficits with hypopigmented and hypo/anesthetic skin patches and thickened peripheral nerves. All demonstrated M. Leprae DNA in affected peripheral nerve tissue. All received multidrug therapy (MDT). Two patients had brainstem lesions with enhancing facial nuclei and nerves, and one patient had a lesi

SUBMITTER: Polavarapu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6447108 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature