Disabilities in leprosy: an open, retrospective analyses of institutional records

Abstract Background and objectives: Leprosy remains a leading cause of peripheral neuropathy and disability in the world. Primary objective of the study was to determine the incidence of deformities present at a time of diagnosis and new deformities that patients develop over follow up period. Material and methods: An open, retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary medical center in western India. Recruitment phase of the study was of 2 years (2009-2010) followed by observation/follow up phase of 7 years till 31st December 2017. New patients with leprosy and released from treatment cases who presented with deformity as defined by WHO disability grade (1998) and subsequently developing new deformities during the follow up period of up to 7 years were included in the study. Results: The study included 200 leprosy patients. Of the total 254 deformities, 168 (66.14%) deformities were noticed at the moment of diagnosis, 20 (7.87%) deformities occurred during the follow up phase. Of all patients, 21.25% had Grade 1 deformity and 6.31% had Grade 2 or more severe deformity. Deformities of hand were most common in 44.48%, followed by feet 39.76%, and face 15.74% respectively. Limitation of study: Mode of inclusion of patient was self-reporting during follow up phase so there is possible under reporting of the disabilities. Conclusion: New deformities continue to develop in certain forms of leprosy even after release from treatment. Long-term & regular follow up of patients who have been released from treatment is required.

Altered touch perception and associated risk factors in individuals with diabetes mellitus / Percepción alterada del tacto y factores de riesgo asociados en individuos con diabetes mellitus / Percepção do tato alterada e fatores de risco associados em indivíduos com diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of altered touch perception in the feet of individuals with diabetes mellitus and the associated risk factors. Method: Cross-sectional study with 224 individuals with diabetes mellitus conducted in an endocrinology clinic at a public hospital in Campina Grande, Paraíba. The evaluation used touch sensitivity and perception, and a descriptive and multivariate analysis with Poisson regression was performed. Results: We found the prevalence of altered touch perception to be 53.1%. The risk factors that had a significant and joint impact on its occurrence were: female gender; previous ulcer; diabetes mellitus type 2; burning sensation, cracks, fissures, calluses, and Charcot foot. Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of altered perception of touch, and this should support the planning of actions aimed at preventing the problem. The study showed the relevance of the phenomenon as a nursing diagnosis that could be included in NANDA-International.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de la percepción alterada del tacto en los pies de individuos con diabetes mellitus y los factores de riesgo asociados. Método: Estudio transversal con 224 individuos con diabetes mellitus conducido en ambulatorio de endocrinología del hospital público de Campina Grande, Paraíba. Testes de sensibilidad y percepción del tacto han sido empleados en la evaluación; y ha sido realizado análisis descriptivo y multivariado con regresión de Poisson. Resultados: Ha sido encontrado prevalencia de la percepción alterada del tacto de 53,1%. Los factores de riesgo que tuvieron impacto de forma significativa y conjunta en su ocurrencia han sido: sexo femenino; úlcera previa; diabetes mellitus tipo 2; irritación, rajaduras, fisuras, callosidades y pies de Charcot. Conclusiones: Alta prevalencia de la percepción alterada del tacto ha sido encontrada, y esta debe subsidiar el planeamiento de acciones vueltas para la prevención del problema. El estudio evidenció la relevancia del fenómeno en cuanto un diagnóstico de enfermaría pasible de inclusión en la NANDA International.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência da percepção do tato alterada nos pés de indivíduos com diabetes mellitus e os fatores de risco associados. Método: Estudo transversal com 224 indivíduos com diabetes mellitus conduzido em ambulatório de endocrinologia de hospital público de Campina Grande, Paraíba. Testes de sensibilidade e percepção do tato foram empregados na avaliação; e foi realizada análise descritiva e multivariada com regressão de Poisson. Resultados: Encontrou-se prevalência da percepção do tato alterada de 53,1%. Os fatores de risco que tiveram impacto de forma significativa e conjunta na sua ocorrência foram: sexo feminino; úlcera prévia; diabetes mellitus tipo 2; queimação, rachaduras, fissuras, calosidades e pés de Charcot. Conclusões: Alta prevalência da percepção do tato alterada foi encontrada, e esta deve subsidiar o planejamento de ações voltadas para a prevenção do problema. O estudo evidenciou a relevância do fenômeno enquanto um diagnóstico de enfermagem passível de inclusão na NANDA-International.

Small fiber dysfunction in patients with Wilson's disease / Disfunção de fibras finas em pacientes com doença de Wilson

Objective: Patients with Wilson’s disease (WD) may develop a wide variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, but there are few reports of autonomic dysfunction. Here, we described evidence of small fiber and/or autonomic dysfunction in 4 patients with WD and levodopa-responsive parkinsonism. Method: We reviewed the charts of 4 patients with WD who underwent evaluation for the presence of neuromuscular dysfunction and water-induced skin wrinkling test (SWT). Results: Two men and 2 women (33±3.5 years) with WD were evaluated. They all had parkinsonism at some point during their disease course. Parkinsonism on patient 4 almost completely subsided with treatment of WD. Two patients had significant sensory and 2 significant autonomic complaints, including syncopal spells. NCS/EMG was normal in all but SWT was abnormal in half of them (mean 4-digit wrinkling of 0.25 and 1). Discussion: A subset of patients with WD exhibit evidence of abnormal skin wrinkling test (small fiber neuropathy). .

Objetivo: Pacientes com doença de Wilson (DW) podem desenvolver uma ampla variedade de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos, mas existem poucos relatos de disfunção autonômica. Aqui, nós descrevemos evidência de disfunção de fibras finas/autonômica em 4 pacientes com DW e parkinsonismo responsivo à levodopa. Método: Nós revisamos os prontuários de 4 pacientes com DW que foram submetidos a avaliação neuromuscular e ao teste de quantificação do enrugamento cutâneo (TEC). Resultados: Dois homens e 2 mulheres (33±3,5 anos) com DW foram avaliados. Todos apresentaram parkinsonismo durante o curso de sua doença. Parkinsonismo no paciente 4 quase completamente desapareceu com tratamento da DW. Dois pacientes apresentaram queixas sensitivas e 2 apresentaram queixas autonômicas significativas incluindo episódios de síncope. Eletroneuromiografia foi normal em todos e TEC foi anormal em metade deles (score do TEC nos 4 dedos de 0,25 e 1). Discussão: Um subgrupo de pacientes com DW apresenta evidência de TEC anormal (neuropatia de fibras finas). .

Hanseníase neural, aspectos diagnósticos da forma neural pura e mecanismos imunopatogênicos da lesão do nervo na doença. Participação de quimiocinas CCL2 e CXCL10 e metaloproteinases 2 e 9 / Neural leprosy, pure neural leprosy diagnosis and imunopatogenic mechanisms of nerve damage during the disease. Participation of chemokines CCL2 and CXCL10) and metalloproteinases 2 and 9

O diagnóstico da hanseníase neural pura baseia-se em dados clínicos e laboratoriais do paciente, incluindo a histopatologia de espécimes de biópsia de nervo e detecção de DNA de Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) pelo PCR. Como o exame histopatológico e a técnica PCR podem não ser suficientes para confirmar o diagnóstico, a imunomarcação de lipoarabinomanana (LAM) e/ou Glicolipídio fenólico 1 (PGL1) - componentes de parede celular de M. leprae foi utilizada na primeira etapa deste estudo, na tentativa de detectar qualquer presença vestigial do M. leprae em amostras de nervo sem bacilos. Além disso, sabe-se que a lesão do nervo na hanseníase pode diretamente ser induzida pelo M. leprae nos estágios iniciais da infecção, no entanto, os mecanismos imunomediados adicionam severidade ao comprometimento da função neural em períodos sintomáticos da doença. Este estudo investigou também a expressão imuno-histoquímica de marcadores envolvidos nos mecanismos de patogenicidade do dano ao nervo na hanseníase. Os imunomarcadores selecionados foram: quimiocinas CXCL10, CCL2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO, CD68, HLA-DR, e metaloproteinases 2 e 9. O estudo foi desenvolvido em espécimes de biópsias congeladas de nervo coletados de pacientes com HNP (n=23 / 6 BAAR+ e 17 BAAR - PCR +) e pacientes diagnosticados com outras neuropatias (n=5) utilizados como controle. Todas as amostras foram criosseccionadas e submetidas à imunoperoxidase. Os resultados iniciais demonstraram que as 6 amostras de nervos BAAR+ são LAM+/PGL1+. Já entre as 17 amostras de nervos BAAR-, 8 são LAM+ e/ou PGL1+. Nas 17 amostras de nervos BAAR-PCR+, apenas 7 tiveram resultados LAM+ e/ou PGL1+. A detecção de imunorreatividade para LAM e PGL1 nas amostras de nervo do grupo HNP contribuiu para a maior eficiência diagnóstica na ausência recursos a diagnósticos moleculares...

The diagnosis of pure neural leprosy (PNL) is based on clinical and laboratory data, including the histopathology of nerve biopsy specimens and detection of M. leprae DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Given that histopathological examination and PCR methods may not be sufficient to confirm diagnosis, immunolabeling of lipoarabinomanan (LAM) and/or phenolic glycolipid 1 (PGL1) M. leprae wall components were utilized in the first step of this investigation in an attempt to detect any vestigial presence of M. leprae in AFB- nerve samples. Furthermore, it´s well known that nerve damage in leprosy can be directly induced by Mycobacterium leprae in the early stages of infection; however, immunomediated mechanisms add gravity to the impairment of neural function in symptomatic periods of the disease. Therefore, this study also investigated the immunohistochemical expression of immunomarkers involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of leprosy nerve damage. These markers selected were CXCL10, CCL2 chemokines and CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO, CD68, HLA-DR, metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in nerve biopsy specimens collected from leprosy (23) and nonleprosy patients (5) suffering peripheral neuropathy. Twenty-three PNL nerve samples (6 AFB+ and 17 AFB-PCR+) were cryosectioned and submitted to LAM and PGL1 immunohistochemical staining by immunoperoxidase; 5 nonleprosy nerve samples were used as controls. The 6 AFB-positive samples showed LAM/PGL1 immunoreactivity. Among the 17 AFB- samples, only 8 revealed LAM and/or PGL1 immunoreactivity. In 17 AFB-PCR+ patients, just 7 had LAM and/or PGL1-positive nerve results. In the PNL cases, the detection of immunolabeled LAM and PGL1 in the nerve samples would have contributed to enhanced diagnostic efficiency in the absence of molecular diagnostic facilities...

Leprosy neuropathy: clinical presentations / Neuropatia da lepra: apresentacoes clinicas

Leprosy is a chronic infectious peripheral neuropathy caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The different clinical presentations of the disease are determined by the quality of the host immune response. Early detection of leprosy and treatment by multidrug therapy are the most important steps in preventing deformity and disability. Thus the early recognition of the clinical leprosy presentation is essential. Mononeuritis, mononeuritis multiplex (MM), polyneuritis (MM summation) are the most frequent. The frequent anesthetic skin lesions are absent in the pure neuritic leprosy presentation form. Isolated peripheral nerve involvement is common, including the cranial ones. Arthritic presentation is occasionally seen, usually misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. Attention should be given to autonomic dysfunctions in leprosy. There are clinical presentations with severe neuropathic pain - painful small-fiber neuropathy. Leprous late-onset neuropathy (LLON) clinical presentation should be considered facing a patient who develop an inflammatory neuropathy many years after a previous skin leprosy treatment.

A hanseníase é uma neuropatia periférica infecciosa, crônica, causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae. As diferentes apresentações clínicas são determinadas pela qualidade da resposta imune do hospedeiro. O diagnóstico precoce e a multi-droga terapia são os passos mais importantes na prevenção de deformidades e incapacidades. Dessa forma, o reconhecimento precoce da apresentação clínica da hanseníase é essencial. Mononeurites, mononeurites múltipla (MM), polineurite (superposição de MM) são as mais frequentes. As frequentes lesões anestésicas de pele estão ausentes na forma neurítica pura. Comprometimento de nervo isolado é comum, inclusive os cranianos. Apresentação com artrite é ocasionalmente vista, erroneamente diagnosticada como artrite reumatóide. Atenção deve ser dada às disfunções autonômicas na hanseníase. Há apresentações clínicas com dor neuropática grave - neuropatia dolorosa de pequenas fibras. Neuropatia de início tardio (LLON) é apresentação clínica que deve ser considerada frente a paciente que desenvolve neuropatia inflamatória muitos anos depois de tratamento prévio da lepra cutânea.

Thyrotoxic myo-neuropathy.

Myopathy is an important complication of thyrotoxicosis. Neuropathy is a less commonly reported complication, and is often subclinical. Here we report a patient of throtoxic myopathy with sub-clinical entrapment neuropathy. This case is reported to emphasise the importance of NCV to look for neuropathy.

Combined nerve conduction index in diabetic polyneuropathy / Índice combinado de condução nervosa na polineuropatia diabética

Diabetic polyneuropathy can be confirmed by nerve conduction studies. The data can be analyzed in the form of a combined index instead of individual parameters. METHODS: The combined index included five parameters of nerve conduction studies commonly used for evaluation of polyneuropathies. We evaluated sensitivity in 100 diabetic patients with suspected polyneuropathy, and specificity in 200 non-diabetic patients with suspected lumbosacral radiculopathy. All results were expressed in number of standard deviations (SD). RESULTS: The sensitivity of the combined index was 81 or 74%, and specificity was 97 or 98%, using respectively -2.0 or -2.5 SD as cutoff. The range of sensitivity of the other parameters was 57-65% or 48-56%, and specificity range was 96-98% or 98-100%, using the same criteria. DISCUSSION: The combined index had higher sensitivity and equivalent specificity compared to isolated parameters.

A polineuropatia diabética pode ser confirmada por estudos de condução nervosa. Os dados podem ser analisados por um índice combinado ao invés de parâmetros isolados. MÉTODOS: O índice combinado incluiu cinco parâmetros usados rotineiramente na avaliação de polineuropatias. Avaliamos a sensibilidade em 100 pacientes diabéticos com suspeita de polineuropatia e a especificidade em 200 pacientes não diabéticos com suspeita de radiculopatia lombossacral. Todos os resultados foram expressos em número de desvios-padrão (DP). RESULTADOS: A sensibilidade do índice combinado foi 81 ou 74%, e a especificidade foi 97 ou 98%, usando respectivamente -2,0 ou -2,5 DP como ponto de corte. A sensibilidade dos parâmetros isolados oscilou entre 57-65% ou 48-56%, e a especificidade foi 96-98% ou 98-100%, usando os mesmos critérios. DISCUSSÃO: O índice combinado apresentou melhor sensibilidade e especificidade equivalente aos parâmetros isolados.

Estudo da anatomia do nervo tibial e seus ramos ao nível do terço distal da perna / Study of the anatomy of the tibial nerve and its branches in the distal medial leg

OBJETIVO: Determinar, através de dissecção em cadáveres frescos, a anatomia topográfica do nervo tibial e seus ramos ao nível do tornozelo, em relação ao túnel do tarso. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas dissecções bilaterais em 26 cadáveres frescos e as localizações da bifurcação do nervo tibial e seus ramos aferidas em milímetros, com relação ao eixo maleolar-calcaneal (EMC). Para os ramos calcâneos, a quantidade e seus respectivos nervos de origens também foram analisados. RESULTADOS: A bifurcação do nervo tibial ocorreu sob o túnel em 88% dos casos e proximalmente em 12%. Quanto aos ramos calcâneos, o medial apresentou-se com um (58%), dois (34%) e três (8%) ramos, com a origem mais comum do nervo tibial (90%) e o inferior com ramo único por perna, tendo o nervo plantar lateral como origem mais comum (70%). Nivel de Evidência V, Opinião de especialista.

OBJECTIVE: Determine, through dissection in fresh cadavers, the topographic anatomy of the tibial nerve and its branches at the ankle, in relation to the tarsal tunnel. METHODS: Bilateral dissections were performed on 26 fresh cadavers and the locations of the tibial nerve bifurcation and its branches were measured in millimeters. For the calcaneal branches, the amount and their respective nerves of origin were also analyzed. RESULTS: The tibial nerve bifurcation occurred under the tunnel in 88% of the cases and proximally in 12%. As for the calcaneal branches, the medial presented with one (58%), two (34%) and three (8%) branches, with the most common source occurring in the tibial nerve (90%) and the lower with a single branch per leg and lateral plantar nerve as origin most common (70%). Level of Evidence, V Expert opinion.

Analysis of 158 forensic identification cases involved with peripheral nerve injury / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the characteristics of forensic identification cases involved with peripheral nerve injury, and to discuss how to apply the clinical information, forensic examination and neurophysiological testing.@*METHODS@#One hundred and fifty-eight cases which were diagnosed peripheral nerve injury in clinic, were collected. Then the individual characteristics, injuries, identification results, exaggeration or camouflage were analysed.@*RESULTS@#The male, the unemployed, and the young and middle-aged were common in our cases. The main reasons of "peripheral nerve injury" were traffic accidents and sharp injuries. Most wounded parts were in limbs. Also the exaggeration and camouflage accounted for a considerable proportion in our cases.@*CONCLUSION@#The forensic identification of "peripheral nerve injury" cases should be evaluated with clinical information, forensic examination and electrophysiological testing comprehensively.

C5 and C6 human dermatomes: a clinical, electromyographical, imaging and surgical findings / Dermátomos humanos C5 e C6: estudo clínico, eletromiográfico, de imagem e cirúrgico

There is substantial controversy in literature about human dermatomes. In this work, C5 and C6 superior limb dermatomes were studied. The method consisted of comparing clinical signs and symptoms with conduction studies, electromyographical data, neurosurgical findings, and imaging findings obtained by computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for each patient. Data analysis from superior members in 18 patients suggests that C5 is located in the lateral aspect of the shoulder and arm, and C6 in the lateral aspect of the forearm and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers. To our knowledge this is the first time that C5 and C6 human dermatomes have been studied by all the following methods together: clinical, electromyographical, CT and MR imaging, and surgical findings.

Há controvérsias na literatura sobre os dermátomos humanos. Neste estudo os dermátomos do membro superior C5 e C6 foram analisados. O método consistiu em comparar os sinais e sintomas com achados eletromiográficos, de imagem e achados cirúrgicos. Análise dos dados do membro superior de 18 pacientes sugere que o dermátomo C5 esteja localizado na região lateral do ombro e braço, e o dermátomo C6 na região lateral do antebraço e 1º, 2º e 3º dedos da mão. Este é o primeiro estudo em que os dermátomos C5 e C6 foram avaliados pelos dados clínicos, eletromiográficos, de imagem e achados cirúrgicos.

L4-L5-S1 human dermatomes: a clinical, electromyographical, imaging and surgical findings / Dermátomos humanos L4, L5 e S1: achados clínicos, eletromiográficos, de imagem e cirúrgicos

There is substantial controversy in literature about human dermatomes. We studied L4, L5, and S1 inferior limb dermatomes by comparing clinical signs and symptoms with conduction studies, electromyographical data, neurosurgical findings, and imaging data from computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After analyzing 60 patients, we concluded that L4 is probably located in the medial aspect of the leg, L5 in the lateral aspect of the leg and foot dorsus, and S1 in the posterior aspect of the backside, tight, leg and plantar foot skin. This is the first time that these human dermatomes have been evaluated by combined analysis of clinical, electromyographical, neurosurgical, and imaging data.

Há controvérsia na literatura sobre os dermátomos humanos. Estudamos dermátomos do membro inferior comparando sinais e sintomas com estudos eletromiográficos, de imagem e achados cirúrgicos. Analisando 60 pacientes, concluímos que o dermátomo L4 provavelmente está localizado na região medial da perna, o dermátomo L5 na região lateral da perna e dorso do pé, e o dermátomo S1 na nádega, região posterior da coxa e da perna e na região plantar. Este é o primeiro estudo que os dermátomos do membro inferior foram analisados através de dados clínicos, eletromiográficos, imagem e achados cirúrgicos.

Streptozotocin-induced mechanical hypernociception is not dependent on hyperglycemia

Since streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes is a widely used model of painful diabetic neuropathy, the aim of the present study was to design a rational protocol to investigate whether the development of mechanical hypernociception induced by STZ depends exclusively on hyperglycemia. Male Wistar rats (180-200 g; N = 6-7 per group) received a single intravenous injection of STZ at three different doses (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg). Only the higher dose (40 mg/kg) induced a significant increase in blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance and deficiency in weight gain. However, all STZ-treated rats (hyperglycemic or not) developed persistent (for at least 20 days) and indistinguishable bilateral mechanical hypernociception that was not prevented by daily insulin treatment (2 IU twice a day, sc). Systemic morphine (2 mg/kg) but not local (intraplantar) morphine treatment (8 µg/paw) significantly inhibited the mechanical hypernociception induced by STZ (10 or 40 mg/kg). In addition, intraplantar injection of STZ at doses that did not cause hyperglycemia (30, 100 or 300 µg/paw) induced ipsilateral mechanical hypernociception for at least 8 h that was inhibited by local and systemic morphine treatment (8 µg/paw or 2 mg/kg, respectively), but not by dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, sc). The results of this study demonstrate that systemic administration of STZ induces mechanical hypernociception that does not depend on hyperglycemia and intraplantar STZ induces mechanical sensitization of primary sensory neurons responsive to local morphine treatment.

Electrophysiological examination of peripheral nerve injury and its significance in forensic medicine / 法医学杂志

Assessment of peripheral nerve injury is a common task in forensic practice. As an objective assistance of inspection, electrophysiological examination is significant in the evaluation of peripheral nerve function after injury. There are currently several methods of electrophysiological examination, including I-T curve, EMG, NCV and SEP. Because electrophysiological examination can assess the injury and regeneration of peripheral nerve injury at different times, it is valuable to estimate prognosis of peripheral nerve injury in forensic medicine. Besides the electrophysiological examination, evaluation of the peripheral nerve injury needs to combine other clinical manifestations to provide an accurate appraisal.

A Laserterapia de baixa intensidade acelera a regeneração de nervos periféricos / Low-power laser therapy accelerates peripheral nerves' regeneration

Há evidências de que a terapia com o laser pode estimular a regeneração de nervos e esta hipótese foi testada em ratos. Uma lesão por esmagamento controlado foi produzida no nervo isquiático de 20 ratos Wistar, metade dos quais foram submetidos a irradiação efetiva com o laser de arseneto de gálio (AsGa) e a outra metade a irradiação simulada, durante dez dias consecutivos, começando no primeiro dia pós-operatório. Os resultados foram avaliados com três semanas pela medida do índice funcional do isquiático (IFC) em intervalos semanais e pela medida do número total de fibras nervosas e da densidade de fibras dos nervos, após o sacrifício dos animais na terceira semana, com o nível de significância de 5 por cento (p<0.05). Observou-se melhora progressiva do IFC tanto nos nervos irradiados como nos controles (69 por cento e 45 por cento, respectivamente), com diferença significante entre ambos na segunda semana (p=0,04). A densidade de fibras aumentou para os nervos irradiados e diminuiu para os nervos controle, a diferença entre ambos sendo significante (p=0,001). Os autores concluem que a terapia com o laser de baixa intensidade efetivamente acelera a regeneração do nervo isquiático do rato.

There are evidences that laser therapy may stimulate nerve regeneration and this hypothesis was tested in rats. A controlled crush injury was produced on the sciatic nerve of 20 Wistar rats, half of which submitted to effective Ga-As laser irradiation and the other half to simulated irradiation for 10 consecutive days beginning on the first postoperative day. Results were evaluated at three weeks postoperatively by measuring the sciatic functional index (SFI) at weekly intervals and the total number of nerve fibers and nerve fiber density of the sciatic nerve at three weeks (p<0.05). The SFI progressively improved for both irradiated and control nerves (69 percent and 45 percent, respectively) with a significant difference between them at two weeks (p=0.04). Nerve fiber density increased for the irradiated nerves and decreased for the control nerves, with significant differences between them (p=0.001). Low intensity therapeutic ultrasound accelerates nerve regeneration, as demonstrated with significance on the 21st postoperative day.

Focal and multifocal diabetic neuropathies

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common neuropathy in industrialized countries, with a remarkable range of clinical manifestations. The vast majority of the patients with clinical diabetic neuropathy have a distal symmetrical form that progress following a fiber-length dependent pattern, with predominant sensory and autonomic manifestations. This pattern of neuropathy is associated with a progressive distal axonopathy. Patients are exposed to trophic changes in the feet, pains and autonomic disturbances. Less often, diabetic patients may develop focal and multifocal neuropathy that includes cranial nerve involvement, limb and truncal neuropathies. This neuropathic pattern tends to occur after 50 years of age, mostly in patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus. The LDDP does not show any trend to improvement and either relentlessly progresses or remain relatively stable over years. Conversely the focal diabetic neuropathies, which are often associated with inflammatory vasculopathy on nerve biopsies, remain self limited, sometimes after a relapsing course.

A neuropatia diabética é a mais predominante das neuropatias nos países industrializados apresentando uma gama variável de manifestações clinicas. A maioria dos pacientes com neuropatia diabética apresenta uma forma simétrica distal que progride para um padrão fibra comprimento dependente com manifestações sensitivas e autonomicas. Este tipo de neuropatia é associado com uma axonopatia distal progressiva. Os pacientes apresentam modificações tróficas nos pés, dores e distúrbios autonômicos. Menos freqüentemente os pacientes diabéticos podem desenvolver neuropatia focal e multifocal que incluem envolvimento de nervos cranianos, tronco e membros inferiores. Este padrão de neuropatia é mais freqüente em pacientes com mais de 50 anos e com longa historia de diabetes. Este tipo de neuropatia fibra-comprimento dependente não apresenta melhora, progride lentamente ou permanece estável por vários anos. As neuropatias focais que são associadas freqüentemente com vasculopatias inflamatórias nas biópsias de nervo, permanecem auto limitadas por vezes com surtos de remissão.

Influence of Blood Lead Concentration on the Nerve Conduction Velocity in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Diseases of the peripheral nervous system are the most prevalent in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although increased blood levels of lead in ESRD have been reported, the role of lead remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the connection of blood lead concentration with peripheral nerve conduction velocity. One hundred ninety-eight healthy subjects (control group) and 68 patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis (ESRD group) were enrolled. Nerve conduction was measured within two hours after hemodialysis. Orthodromic sensory nerve action potentials and compound muscle action potentials were recorded on the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. Hemoglobin-corrected blood lead was significantly higher in ESRD patients than in controls (9.1+/-2.8 microgram/dL vs. 5.9+/-2.3 microgram/dL, p0.05). Our result suggested that even though the blood lead levels were high in ESRD, they were not associated with the decline of peripheral nerve function. Diabetes mellitus is a primary independent risk of neuropathy in ESRD patients.

Electrophysiological evaluation of nerve affection after trauma to the extremities

Evidence of peripheral nerve injury should be sought in all wounds of extremities. Nerve conduction studies [NCSs] and electromyography [EMG] are used to evaluate the nature of pathophysiology, and quantification of severity of involvement, detection of the level of neurological deficit and determining prognosis. The study was conducted to correlate between clinical examination and electrophysiological studies in diagnosis and prognosis of nerve affection. The study was conducted on 36 cases with trauma to the extremities referred to the Department of Physical Medicine. They were clinically examined and electrophysiological study was performed to every case including motor conduction of the relevant and contralateral nerves in addition to EMG of the relevant muscle. The mean age of patients was 30.11 +/- 13.23 years. 44.44% of cases were manual workers. 58.33% of the injuries were accidental, of these 33.33% were occupational accidents. The number of nerves affected in all cases was 49 nerves. The clinical evaluation revealed that 33.33% of cases had partial injury, while 55.56% had complete injury A percent of 11.11% of cases were considered to be clinically free, however the nerves were proved to be affected by electrophysiologic study. Electrophysiologically 80% of cases showed same nerve affection as showed clinically. 10% of cases showed multiple nerve affection electrophysiologically, while clinically they were diagnosed as single nerve affection. Ulnar nerve was the most frequent nerve affected in the studied sample. Evidence of reinnervation was detected in 35% of cases by electrophysiological studies, while clinically they were considered completely paralyzed. It was concluded that in every case of extremity injury requiring medicolegal evaluation, electrophysiological studies should be done beside the clinical examination to discover mild, subclinical or even unnoticed deficits of nerve affection to determine the prognosis

Ataxia cerebelosa dominante cubana. Estudios de conduccion de nervios perifericos en pacientes y familiares asintomaticos / Cuban dominant cerebellar ataxia. Peripheral nerve conduction studies in patients and asymptomatic relatives

Se estudiaron 59 familiares de pacientes con Ataxia Cerebelosa Dominante Cubana (SCA2) durante diez años. A todos se les realizó un examen físico para valorar su estado clínico y estudios de conducción en nervios periféricos motores y sensitivos. En 13 de ellos se encontraron manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad. En otros 11 familiares se detectaron alteraciones electrofisiológicas en ausencia de síntomas y signos de SCA2. La principal alteración electrofisiológica encontrada fue la reducción en la aplitud de los potenciales sensitivos, lo que es expresión de una lesión axonal que se presenta desde etapas presintomáticas.

Avaliação ultra-sonora de nervos periféricos, com especial enfoque em hanseníase / ?

Fundamentos: o diagnóstico precoce das neurites hansênicas é fundamental para a prevenção de incapacidades e deformidades, embora existam poucos trabalhos que avaliam os espessamentos neurais através dos ultra-sons. Objetivos: o objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar o valor da ultra-sonografia na detecção precoce de neurites hansênicas. O objetivo específico foi comparar o diâmetro do nervo mediano entre pacientes com hanseníase e indivíduos sadios, por meio da ultra-sonografia. Delineamento: estudo descritivo. Material e métodos: em 20 pacientes com hanseníase paucibacilar e em 20 indivíduos sadios, distribuídos igualmente entre os sexos, avaliaram-se os diâmetros transversais maiores e menores, e os longitudinais do nervo mediano na face anterior dos antebraços, por meio de um aparelho de ultra-sonografia a 7.5 MHz. Utilizando um transdutor a 20 MHz (Universidade de Tours, França), foram documentadas imagens in vitro do nervo mediano. Resultados: não se evidenciaram espessamentos nem assimetrias neurais nos cortes transversais. Os diâmetros transversais maiores, tanto nos pacientes, como nos controles, foram significativamente (p < 0,01) maiores no sexo masculino (4,3 mm), quando comparados aos do sexo feminino (3,8 mm). Conclusões: pela primeira vez na literatura médica (mundial e brasileira), foi possível padronizar os diâmetros transversais do nervo mediano, constatando-se que nos homens ele é mais espesso do que nas mulheres. Para que a ultra-sonografia passe a ser empregada no diagnóstico das neurites periféricas, é necessário o aperfeiçoamento da resolução das imagens, reduzindo a ecofusão do nervo com as estruturas vizinhas, de forma que permita a análise dos diâmetros em todo o trajeto neural.