F-waves persistence in peripheral sensory syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The distinction between sensory neuronopathies (SN), which is by definition purely sensory, and sensory polyneuropathies (SP) and sensory multineuropathies (SM) is important for etiologic investigation and prognosis estimation. However, this task is often challenging in clinical practice. We hypothesize that F-wave assessment might be helpful, since it is able to detect subtle signs of motor involvement, which are found in SP and SM, but not in SN. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether F-waves are useful to distinguish SN from SP and SM. METHODS: We selected 21 patients with SP (12 diabetes mellitus, 4 transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy, 4 others), 22 with SM (22 leprosy), and 26 with SN (13 immune-mediated, 10 idiopathic, 3 others) according to clinical-electrophysiological-etiological criteria. For every subject, we collected data on height and performed 20 supramaximal distal stimuli in median, ulnar, peroneal, and tibial nerves, bilaterally, to record F-waves. Latencies (minimum and mean) and persistences were compared across groups using the Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni tests. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: All groups were age, gender, and height-matched. Overall, there were no significant between-group differences regarding F-wave latencies. In contrast, F-wave persistence was able to stratify the groups. Peroneal F-wave persistence was higher, bilaterally, in the SN group compared to SM and SP (p < 0.05). In addition, F-waves persistence of the ulnar and tibial nerves was also helpful to separate SN from SP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: F-wave persistence of the peroneal nerves might be an additional and useful diagnostic tool to differentiate peripheral sensory syndromes.

ANTECEDENTES: A distinção entre neuronopatias sensitivas (SN) e polineuropatias sensitivas (SP) e multineuropatias sensitivas (SM) é importante para a investigação etiológica e para o prognóstico. Contudo, esta tarefa é desafiadora na prática clínica. Hipotetizou-se que a avaliação das ondas-F pode ser útil, por ser capaz de detectar envolvimento motor nas SP e SM, mas não nas SN. OBJETIVO: Determinar se as ondas-F podem ajudar a distinguir entre SN, SP e SM. MéTODOS: Selecionou-se 21 pacientes com SP (12 diabetes mellitus, 4 ATTR-FAP e 4 com outras neuropatias), 22 com SM (22 hanseníases) e 26 com SN (13 imunomediadas, 10 idiopáticas e 3 com outras neuronopatias), de acordo com critérios clínicos, etiológicos e eletrofisiológicos. Para cada indivíduo, foi aferida a altura e foram aplicados 20 estímulos distais supramáximos nos nervos mediano, ulnar, fibular e tibial, bilateralmente, para registrar as ondas-F. Uma comparação foi feita, por grupo, das latências (mínimas e médias) e persistências pelos testes Kruskal-Wallis e Bonferroni. Valores de p < 0.05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. RESULTADOS: Todos os grupos foram pareados por idade, sexo e altura. Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos quanto às latências das ondas-F. A persistência da onda-F foi capaz de estratificar os grupos, sendo as dos nervos fibulares bilateralmente maiores no grupo SN que nos grupos SM e SP (p < 0.05). Adicionalmente, a persistência das ondas-F dos nervos ulnares e tibiais também foi útil para distinguir SN de SP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSãO: A persistência das ondas-F dos nervos fibulares pode ser uma ferramenta adicional e útil para diferenciar síndromes sensitivas periféricas.

F-waves persistence in peripheral sensory syndromes / Persistência das ondas-F nas síndromes sensitivas periféricas

Abstract Background The distinction between sensory neuronopathies (SN), which is by definition purely sensory, and sensory polyneuropathies (SP) and sensory multineuropathies (SM) is important for etiologic investigation and prognosis estimation. However, this task is often challenging in clinical practice. We hypothesize that F-wave assessment might be helpful, since it is able to detect subtle signs of motor involvement, which are found in SP and SM, but not in SN. Objective The aim of the present study was to determine whether F-waves are useful to distinguish SN from SP and SM. Methods We selected 21 patients with SP (12 diabetes mellitus, 4 transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy, 4 others), 22 with SM (22 leprosy), and 26 with SN (13 immune-mediated, 10 idiopathic, 3 others) according to clinical-electrophysiological-etiological criteria. For every subject, we collected data on height and performed 20 supramaximal distal stimuli in median, ulnar, peroneal, and tibial nerves, bilaterally, to record F-waves. Latencies (minimum and mean) and persistences were compared across groups using the Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni tests. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results All groups were age, gender, and height-matched. Overall, there were no significant between-group differences regarding F-wave latencies. In contrast, F-wave persistence was able to stratify the groups. Peroneal F-wave persistence was higher, bilaterally, in the SN group compared to SM and SP (p < 0.05). In addition, F-waves persistence of the ulnar and tibial nerves was also helpful to separate SN from SP (p < 0.05). Conclusion F-wave persistence of the peroneal nerves might be an additional and useful diagnostic tool to differentiate peripheral sensory syndromes.

Resumo Antecedentes A distinção entre neuronopatias sensitivas (SN) e polineuropatias sensitivas (SP) e multineuropatias sensitivas (SM) é importante para a investigação etiológica e para o prognóstico. Contudo, esta tarefa é desafiadora na prática clínica. Hipotetizou-se que a avaliação das ondas-F pode ser útil, por ser capaz de detectar envolvimento motor nas SP e SM, mas não nas SN. Objetivo Determinar se as ondas-F podem ajudar a distinguir entre SN, SP e SM. Métodos Selecionou-se 21 pacientes com SP (12 diabetes mellitus, 4 ATTR-FAP e 4 com outras neuropatias), 22 com SM (22 hanseníases) e 26 com SN (13 imunomediadas, 10 idiopáticas e 3 com outras neuronopatias), de acordo com critérios clínicos, etiológicos e eletrofisiológicos. Para cada indivíduo, foi aferida a altura e foram aplicados 20 estímulos distais supramáximos nos nervos mediano, ulnar, fibular e tibial, bilateralmente, para registrar as ondas-F. Uma comparação foi feita, por grupo, das latências (mínimas e médias) e persistências pelos testes Kruskal-Wallis e Bonferroni. Valores de p < 0.05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados Todos os grupos foram pareados por idade, sexo e altura. Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos quanto às latências das ondas-F. A persistência da onda-F foi capaz de estratificar os grupos, sendo as dos nervos fibulares bilateralmente maiores no grupo SN que nos grupos SM e SP (p < 0.05). Adicionalmente, a persistência das ondas-F dos nervos ulnares e tibiais também foi útil para distinguir SN de SP (p < 0.05). Conclusão A persistência das ondas-F dos nervos fibulares pode ser uma ferramenta adicional e útil para diferenciar síndromes sensitivas periféricas.

A-waves are associated with neuropathic pain in leprosy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: The A-wave is a late response related either to demyelination or early axonal regeneration. It may be helpful in the evaluation of some peripheral neuropathies. In leprosy, previous studies suggested that A-waves could be a neurophysiological marker of pain in patients during reactions. Herein we have attempted to further assess the profile and clinical correlates of A-waves by exploring a large leprosy cohort. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2018, 63 patients with leprosy (47 men and 16 women) had A-waves in nerve conduction studies and were included in this study. We included patients regardless of whether they were experiencing leprosy reactions or not. We then compared clinical features in nerves with and without A-waves. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 46.5 ± 12.3 years and most had borderline leprosy. From this cohort, we assessed separately 83 motor nerves that demonstrated A-waves (group A+ ) and 29 motor nerves that did not demonstrate A-waves (group A- ). Neuropathic pain (NP) was found in 66 of 83 nerves in group A+ , but only 5 of 29 in group A- (79.5 vs 17.2%, P < .001). In contrast, no significant between-group difference emerged regarding presence of reactions, sensory function (based on Semmes-Weinstein evaluations), or muscle strength. A-waves were found in nerves with neuropathic pain experiencing (39 of 66 = 59%) or not experiencing (27 of 66 = 41%) leprosy reactions. DISCUSSION: These results show that A-waves are associated with neuropathic pain in leprosy patients, regardless of the nerves affected and the immune status (in reaction or not).

A-waves associated are with neuropathic pain in leprosy

Introduction/Aims:The A-wave is a late response related either to demyelination or early axonal regeneration. It may be helpful in the evaluation of some peripheral neuropathies. In leprosy, previous studies suggested that A-waves could be a neurophysiological marker of pain in patients during reactions. Herein we have attempted to further assess the profile and clinical correlates of A-waves by exploring a large leprosy cohort. Methods: Between 2015 and 2018, 63 patients with leprosy (47 men and 16 women) had A-waves in nerve conduction studies and were included in this study. We included patients regardless of whether they were experiencing leprosy reactions ornot. We then compared clinical features in nerves with and without A-waves. Results:The mean age of study participants was 46.5 ± 12.3 years and most had borderline leprosy. From this cohort, we assessed separately 83 motor nerves that demonstrated A-waves (group A+) and 29 motor nerves that did not demonstrate A-waves (group A-). Neuropathic pain (NP) was found in 66 of 83 nerves in group A+,but only 5 of 29 in group A-(79.5 vs 17.2%,P< .001). In contrast, no significant between-group difference emerged regarding presence of reactions, sensory function (based on Semmes-Weinstein evaluations), or muscle strength. A-waves were found in nerves with neuropathic pain experiencing (39 of 66=59%) or not experiencing (27 of 66=41%) leprosy reactions. Discussion: These results show that A-waves are associated with neuropathic pain in leprosy patients, regardless of the nerves affected and the immune status (in reaction or not).

Comparison between nerve conduction study anf high-resolution ultrasonography with color doppler in type 1 and type 2 leprosy

Objective: To analyze the role of high-resolution ultrasonography with color Doppler (HRUS with CD) to diagnose inflammatory activity (IA) in nerves of leprosy patients under type 1 (RT1) and 2 (RT2) reactions compared to Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS). Methods: Leprosy patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of neuritis (RT1 and RT2) without corticosteroids use were selected. They were evaluated by NCS and subsequently by HRUS with CD. Subacute segmental demyelination and the presence of blood flow, respectively, were considered signs of IA. The two methods were compared for their ability to diagnose patients with leprosy reactions. Results: A total of 257 nerves from 35 patients were evaluated. NCS and HRUS with CD diagnosed IA in 68% and 74% of patients, respectively. When both methods were used concomitantly, the diagnosis rate was 91.4%. HRUS with CD was particular helpful when there was minimal neurophysiological compromise in NCS or when motor potentials were not detected. Conclusion: HRUS with CD was able to detect leprosy reactions, especially when combined with NCS. It was especially useful in two opposite situations: nerves with only minor changes and those without motor response in NCS. Significance: Our data shows the usefulness of HRUS and CD, similar to NCS, as a tool to diagnose leprosy reactions.

Neurophysiological comparative response to clinical and surgical treatment of the ulnar neuropathy in leprosy / Padrões neurofisiológicos da resposta tardia ao tratamento clínico e cirúrgico da neuropatia ulnar na hanseníase

Leprosy neuropathy may develop into subacute and chronic inflammatory scenarios, called reactions, which may cause entrapments in the anatomic tunnels. Objective: This study describes the late nerve conduction findings in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow that were submitted to clinical and surgery treatments. Methods: A total of 27 nerves of 21 patients with borderline leprosy during type 1 (reversal) reaction were selected in a non- competing retrospective cohort for three years. The nerves with treated clinically active neuropathy (Group A1) were randomized for inclusion of surgical treatment (Group A2) after one month of clinical treatment without clear signs of clinical and neurophysiological improvement. Fifteen nerves were randomly chosen for surgery while 12 were clinically treated, after steroids treatment without expected response. Nerve conduction was measured before and after treatment on four occasions. Results: The authors observed significant improvement in the following variables in the surgically treated nerves: compound motor action potential amplitude (CMAP) at elbow and above elbow and conduction velocity (CV) along the forearm. Conclusion: The improvement of CMAP amplitudes and conduction velocity (CV) along the forearm express the late effect of nerve decompression. Persistence of temporal dispersion (TD) along the elbow was related to the new reaction or to incomplete surgical solution. However, moderate reduction in CV along the elbow, without TD, was considered an indication of na expected partial remyelination. Previous gradation of the nerve lesion based on the CMAP amplitude was related to the most severe results

A neuropatia de hanseníase pode desenvolver quadros inflamatórios subagudos e crônicos denominados reações, os quais podem evoluir para compressões nos túneis anatômicos. Objetivo: Descrever os achados de condução nervosa (CN) tardios em pacientes com neuropatia ulnar no cotovelo submetidos aos tratamentos clínico e cirúrgico. Método: Vinte e sete nervos de 21 pacientes foram selecionados em uma coorte retrospectiva não-concorrente por um a três anos, sendo formados dois grupos. Após o tratamento clínico sem sinais inequívocos de melhora os nervos foram randomizados para manter o tratamento clinico (Grupo A1) ou adicionar a descompressão do nervo (Grupo A2). Resultados: Os autores observaram melhora significativa nas seguintes variáveis no Grupo A2, tratado com a adição da descompressão cirúrgica, amplitude do potencial de ação motor composto (PAMC) no cotovelo e acima do cotovelo e velocidade de condução (VC) ao longo do antebraço. Conclusão: O ganho em amplitudes dos PAMCs no cotovelo e acima do cotovelo e da velocidade de condução (VC) ao longo do antebraço são a expressão do efeito tardio da descompressão do nervo ulnar. A persistência de dispersão temporal (DT) através do cotovelo foi relacionada a nova reação ou solução cirúrgica incompleta. Entretanto, a persistência de redução moderada da VC através do cotovelo sem a DT foi discutida e considerada como remielinização parcial esperada. A graduação previa da lesão do nervo baseada na amplitude dos PAMCs apresentou relação direta aos resultados menos favoráveis

Peripheral nerve tumor, a differential diagnosis with primary neural leprosy: five case reports / Tumor de nervo periférico, diagnóstico diferencial com hanseníase neural primária: relato de cinco casos

From December 1999 to May 2015, five patients with nerve tumors were sent to Lauro de Souza Lima Institute. It was suspected that they suffered from primary neural leprosy towards the tuberculoid clinical form, a prevalence of 4.5:10000 among the new patients assessed during the study period. All of the patients had similar clinical conditions characterized by mononeuropathy with nerve tumor associated with pain, absence of skin lesions and positive Mitsuda reaction. The authors report the main clinical characteristics and complementary tests: immunologic investigation of Mitsuda's reaction and the antigen Phenolic GlicoLipid-1 test (PGL-1), bacilloscopic index, neurophysiologic study and image procedures. All patients were submitted to tumor resection and anatomopathological study. Four out of the five patients were diagnosed with peripheral nerve tumor (one of them with malignant schwannoma, two of them with benign schwannomas and the other with neural fibrolipoma), whereas the fifth patient was diagnosed with tuberculoid leprosy.

No período de dezembro de 1999 a maio de 2015, foram encaminhados ao Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima (ILSL) cinco pacientes com tumoração em nervos suspeitos de hanseníase neural primária (HPN) da forma clinica tuberculoide, uma prevalência de 4,5/10000 entre os casos novos atendidos nesse período. Todos os pacientes apresentavam quadro clínico semelhante caracterizado por mononeuropatia com tumoração do nervo associada à dor, ausência de lesões de pele e reação de Mitsuda positiva. Os autores relatam as principais características clinicas e os exames complementares: investigação imunológica da reação de Mitsuda e o teste do antigeno Glicolipídeo-Fenólico-1, índice baciloscópico, avaliação neurofisiológica e estudos de imagem. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a ressecção cirúrgica do tumor e estudo anatomopatológico. Dentre os cinco pacientes, quatro foram diagnosticados como tumor de nervo periférico (um Schwannoma maligno, dois Schwannomas benignos e um fibrolipoma neural) e um como hanseníase tuberculoide.

Assessing nerves in leprosy.

Leprosy neuropathy is dependent on the patient's immune response and expresses itself as a focal or multifocal neuropathy with asymmetric involvement. Leprosy neuropathy evolves chronically but recurrently develops periods of exacerbation during type 1 or type 2 reactions, leading to acute neuropathy. Nerve enlargement leading to entrapment syndromes is also a common manifestation. Pain may be either of inflammatory or neuropathic origin. A thorough and detailed evaluation is mandatory for adequate patient follow-up, including nerve palpation, pain assessment, graded sensory mapping, muscle power testing, and autonomic evaluation. Nerve conduction studies are a sensitive tool for nerve dysfunction, including new lesions during reaction periods or development of entrapment syndromes. Nerve ultrasonography is also a very promising method for nerve evaluation in leprosy. The authors propose a composite nerve clinical score for nerve function assessment that can be useful for longitudinal evaluation.

Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial Investigating Decompression for Leprous Neuropathy (The DELN Protocol).

Objectives: An expert group of peripheral nerve surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, and immunologists who have extensive experience with Hansen's Disease convened to discuss the status of nerve decompression as a treatment for leprous neuropathy. The expert group recommended an international, multi-center randomised controlled trial (RCT). Subsequently, a study protocol called Decompression for Leprous Neuropathy (DELN) was designed and further refined by multiple investigators worldwide. The DELN Protocol: The DELN RCT seeks to determine the long-term effect of nerve decompression on sensibility, motor function, neuropathic pain, disability, and quality of life. The RCT would enroll patients with clinically diagnosed leprous neuropathy and positive Tinel signs in the upper and lower extremities. Patients would then be randomized to receive nerve decompression or not. Outcomes of interest include sensory function, motor function, pain, disability, and quality of life. The development of ulcers or amputations after surgery and the influence of corticosteroid therapy are also important outcomes that DELN seeks to determine. Conclusions: The study Decompression for Leprous Neuropathy (DELN) is an international, multi-center RCT with the potential to produce high quality data to address whether nerve decompression for leprous neuropathy can conclusively improve patient outcomes. We invite discussion from all those involved in the peripheral nerve and leprosy communities.

Assessing nerves in leprosy

Leprosy neuropathy is dependent on the patient's immune response and expresses itself as a focal or multifocal neuropathy with asymmetric involvement. Leprosy neuropathy evolves chronically but recurrently develops periods of exacerbation during type 1 or type 2 reactions, leading to acute neuropathy. Nerve enlargement leading to entrapment syndromes is also a common manifestation. Pain may be either of inflammatory or neuropathic origin. A thorough and detailed evaluation is mandatory for adequate patient follow-up, including nerve palpation, pain assessment, graded sensory mapping, muscle power testing, and autonomic evaluation. Nerve conduction studies are a sensitive tool for nerve dysfunction, including new lesions during reaction periods or development of entrapment syndromes. Nerve ultrasonography is also a very promising method for nerve evaluation in leprosy. The authors propose a composite nerve clinical score for nerve function assessment that can be useful for longitudinal evaluation.

Estudos de condução nervosa no nervo tibial através do tunel do tarso em pacientes de hanseníase / Nerve conduction studies of the tibial nerveacross the tarsal tunnel in leprosy patients

Os autores avaliaram todos os exames de condução nervosa do nervo tibial dos pacientes com suspeita de neuropatia da hanseníase, aguda ou subaguda, atendidos no Ambulatório de Hansenologia do Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima (ILSL) no período de dois anos. Foram incluídos 75 pacientes, 52 masculinos e 23 femininos, com média de idade de 44,5 anos (21 a 73 anos), totalizando 150 nervos. Procurou-se caracterizar o comprometimento neurofisiológico individualizando-se os ramos plantar medial (PM) e plantar lateral (PL), observou-se que o mais envolvido foio PL com 57,4%, seguido do PM com 42,6%. O tipo de lesão nervosa mais frequente foi a de predomínio axonal, com 66%, seguida pela mielínica, com 28,7%.O envolvimento mais freqüente e desproporcional dor amo PL, além de evidenciar o caráter compressivo do comprometimento do tibial no túnel do tarso, remete a uma mononeuropatia múltipla compressiva nos membros inferiores. A alta prevalência do comprometimento do nervo tibial foi considerada uma marcada doença, da mesma forma que a neuropatia ulnar.

The authors assessed all tibial nerve conduction studies (NCS) of the patients under suspicious of acute or subacute leprosy neuropathy, who have been attended the Leprosy Ambulatory Clinic of the ILSL during a period of two years. Seventy-five patients have been included as follows: 52 male and 23 female, between 21 and 73 years old, with the mean age of 44.5 totaling 150 nerves The medial plantar (MP) and lateral plantar ( (LP) branches were studied separately. The most involved was the LP with 57.4%, followed bythe MP with 42.6%. The most frequent injury among the abnormal nerves was the axonal lesion with 66%, followed by the myelin lesion with 28.7%. The most frequent and disproportional involvement of thePL branch not only demonstrates the compressivecharacter of the tibial nerve injury in the tarsaltunnel but also indicates a multiple entrapment mononeuropathy in the lower limbs. The high prevalence of the tibial nerve injury was considered a hallmark of the disease, as well as the ulnar neuropathy.

Abordagem diagnóstica da dermatomiosite / Diagnostic approach to dermatomiositis

O Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima (ILSL) é um centro de referência dermatológica e a dermatomiosite é uma doença frequente em seu ambulatório. A dermatomiosite é identificada por suas lesões de pele específicas e pela presença de miopatia inflamatória. Sua incidência é baixa. A confirmação diagnóstica é realizada através da análise da apresentação dermatológica, dosagem sérica de enzimas musculares, eletroneuromiografia e biópsias de pele e músculo. Objetivo: analisar a incidência, características clínicas e procedimentos diagnósticos realizados bem como o tempo para o diagnóstico, levando em conta a sua efetividade. Método: estudo retrospectivo dos prontuários de pacientes diagnosticados com dermatomiosite de janeiro de 2000 a abril de 2013 no ILSL. Conclusão: aconselha-se que se dê prioridade ao atendimento de pacientes com os sintomas neurológicos mais sugestivos, tais como: fraqueza muscular e disfagia associadas a lesões de pele, tendo em vista a possibilidade de dermatomiosite.

As the Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima is a Dermatology Reference Center, dermatomyositis is prevalent in its outpatient clinic. Dermatomyositis is identified by its specific skin lesions and inflammatory myopathy and has low incidence. Diagnostic confirmation is made by the dermatological presentation, serum muscle enzymes, electroneuromyography and skin and muscle biopsies. Objective: to analyze the incidence, clinical features, diagnostic procedures and time to diagnosis of dermatomyositis patients, according to the algorithm rationality and effectiveness Methods: it is a retrospective surveillance of Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima (ILSL) patients from January 2000 until April 2013. Conclusion: in a dermatology outpatient department it is advisable to prioritize dermatological cases with neurological symptoms suggestive of dysphagia and muscular weakness with skin lesions, referring for neurological examination due to the possibility of derrmatomyositis.

Primary neural leprosy: systematic review.

The authors proposed a systematic review on the current concepts of primary neural leprosy by consulting the following online databases: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO, and Embase. Selected studies were classified based on the degree of recommendation and levels of scientific evidence according to the "Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine". The following aspects were reviewed: cutaneous clinical and laboratorial investigations, i.e. skin clinical exam, smears, and biopsy, and Mitsuda's reaction; neurological investigation (anamnesis, electromyography and nerve biopsy); serological investigation and molecular testing, i.e. serological testing for the detection of the phenolic glycolipid 1 (PGL-I) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and treatment (classification criteria for the definition of specific treatment, steroid treatment, and cure criteria).

Primary neural leprosy: systematic review / Hanseníase neural primária: revisão sistemática

The authors proposed a systematic review on the current concepts of primary neural leprosy by consulting the following online databases: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO, and Embase. Selected studies were classified based on the degree of recommendation and levels of scientific evidence according to the “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”. The following aspects were reviewed: cutaneous clinical and laboratorial investigations, i.e. skin clinical exam, smears, and biopsy, and Mitsuda's reaction; neurological investigation (anamnesis, electromyography and nerve biopsy); serological investigation and molecular testing, i.e. serological testing for the detection of the phenolic glycolipid 1 (PGL-I) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and treatment (classification criteria for the definition of specific treatment, steroid treatment, and cure criteria).

Os autores propuseram-se a realizar uma revisão sistemática em conceitos atuais sobre a hanseníase neural primária, consultando as seguintes bases bibliográficas on-line: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO e Embase. Os estudos selecionados foram classificados conforme o grau de recomendação e o nível de evidência científica de acordo com o “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”. Os seguintes temas foram revisados: investigações clínica e laboratorial cutâneas, ou seja, exame, esfregaço e biópsia de pele e reação de Mitsuda; investigação neurológica (anamnese, eletroneuromiografia e biópsia de nervo); investigação sorológica e testes moleculares, ou seja, testes sorológicos para detecção de um glicolipídio fenólico e reação de cadeia de polimerase (PCR) e tratamento (critérios de classificação para definição de tratamento específico, tratamento com esteroides e critérios de cura).

Tratamento clínico das reações da Hanseníase com repercussão neurológica – revisão histórica / Clinical treatment of leprosy reactions affecting nerves - historical review

Foi realizada uma busca na literatura sobre o tratamento da neuropatia da hanseníase durante episódios reacionais, no tocante às reações tipo 1 e tipo 2. O levantamento refere-se ao período 1976-2010. Foram consultadas as bases de dados LILAU, MEDLINE e LILACS. O enfoque principal foi o tratamento das reações hansênicas, com esteróides via oral empregado nos Programas de Controle da Hanseníase.

An extensive search on the treatment of leprosy reactions in nerves is presented. It covers almost four decades, from 1976 to 2010. The data bases screened were the LILAU, MEDLINE and LILACS. The focal point was to review the steroid treatment indication in the Leprosy Control Programs.