Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025
Nerve Ultrasound Protocol to Detect Dysimmune Neuropathies
Published on: October 7, 2021
High-Resolution Ultrasound in Evaluation of Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients of Hansen's Disease
Tulika Rai1, Atul M Singh1, Manish Indal2
1Department of Dermatology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Insights
High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) effectively detects nerve thickening in Hansen's disease (HD) patients, even when clinical examination misses subtle signs. This non-invasive tool aids early diagnosis and prevention of deformities caused by peripheral neuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hansen's disease (HD) causes peripheral neuropathy and deformities, necessitating early diagnosis.
- Prompt treatment is crucial for preserving nerve function in HD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) in diagnosing Hansen's disease.
- To assess HRUS for detecting nerve structural changes in HD patients.
Main Methods:
- A study included 40 patients with clinically diagnosed HD and 19 controls.
- High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) was used to assess bilateral ulnar nerves (UNs) and other clinically thickened peripheral nerves.
- Nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Patients with HD showed significantly thickened UNs compared to controls.
- HRUS detected bilateral nerve enlargement in two pure neuritic HD cases where clinical examination was inconclusive.
- No significant difference in UN CSA was observed between multi-drug therapy (MDT)-treated and treatment-naive patients.
Conclusions:
- HRUS is a sensitive, non-invasive tool for diagnosing HD, particularly the pure neuritic type.
- HRUS provides valuable information on nerve morphology and can detect early nerve damage, preventing disabilities.
- HRUS complements clinical examination in diagnosing and managing Hansen's disease.
Introduction:
Hansen's disease (HD) is a major public health problem in developing countries. It causes peripheral neuropathy, and if left untreated, it leads to deformities. It is important to diagnose such cases early, and prompt treatment should be given to patients to preserve nerve function.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 40 patients with HD who were already on multi-drug therapy (MDT) or treatment-naive were included in this study. These were clinically diagnosed cases of HD as per the Ridley-Jopling classification, and these patients were subjected to high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS). A total of 19 controls were also included. The patients were clinically evaluated, and HRUS of bilateral ulnar nerves (UNs) was performed in all cases and controls. The other peripheral nerves, if clinically thickened, were evaluated using HRUS.
Results:
The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the UN in cases was significantly thickened as compared to controls. There was no difference in the CSA of patients on MDT as compared to treatment naïve patients. In two patients with pure neuritic HD, the clinical examination missed the bilateral nerve enlargement, and only unilateral nerve thickening was clinically appreciated. However, bilateral thickening was detected on HRUS.
Conclusion:
HRUS is a non-invasive and sensitive diagnostic tool that gives significant information on nerve structure and morphology. HRUS adds a new dimension to diagnosing HD, particularly the pure neuritic type, with the assessment of early nerve damage, which can prevent disabilities. HRUS is an objective diagnostic tool that can complement the clinical examination.
More Related Videos
06:40Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Published on: January 11, 2019
11:29Corneal Confocal Microscopy: A Novel Non-invasive Technique to Quantify Small Fibre Pathology in Peripheral Neuropathies
Published on: January 3, 2011
