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Study of radiological changes of bones in leprosy patients.

Abstract

Background: India has the greatest number of leprosy cases worldwide, Brazil is the second and Indonesia is the third most common country. Many changes, like bone involvement and soft tissue changes occur in leprosy due to various factors like specific leprous infection, deformity, anaesthesia, trauma and ulceration, can be observed in skiagrams. The aim of the study is to know the prevalence of radiological changes in Leprosy patients and various presentations of radiological changes. Methods: The present study included 35 cases of leprosy who attended the out-patient clinic, Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Government General Hospital, Anantapuramu, Andhra Pradesh. Radiographs were taken for all the patients, including Anteroposterior, lateral or oblique view of both hands, both feet and nasal bones. These skiagrams were studied, for specific, non-specific bone changes and osteoporosis, in detail. These radiological findings have been correlated with other clinical features. Results: Majority of the patients were presented with contractures of digits (71.4%), followed by 60%, Trophic or other ulcers (48.5%), wasting of muscles (37.1%), Nasal deformity (31.4%). Nasal bone erosions were noted among 3(8.5%) out of 35 patients, whereas nasal bone resorption observed in a patient (2.8%). 42.8% patient radiological changes were observed as both specific & nonspecific changes, 28.5% were nonspecific bone changes, 20% were Osteopetrosis and 8.5% were specific bone changes. Conclusion: Once bone changes develops in leprosy patients, its difficult to treat patient and also need good rehabilitation resources. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment may help to avoid bony deformities.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Reddy B
Sreedevi L
Suryanarayana S