Leprosy x ray
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Leprosy Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Leprosy x ray On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Leprosy x ray |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
X Ray
Attending to the fact that osteoporosis is a common finding in leprosy patients, it is expected the occurrence of fractures in these patients. Additionally, the sensory loss and the absence of pain, lead to an increase of trauma and bruises, and eventually fractures, that may be appreciated on a X ray.
- The radiologic findings are similar to those caused by other conditions in which sensory impairment is complicated by traumatic injury and infection (charcot joint) such as diabetes mellitus, frostbite, pernicious anemia, scleroderma, syringomyelia, [tabes dorsalis]], and familial sensory neuropathy.
- Motor denervation due to leprous infection of peripheral nerves contributes to deformities such as claw hand and claw toes and is sometimes associated with the development of concentric bone atrophy.
- Absorption of bone in leprosy manifests as a decrease in bone length and width and results in a tapered appearance at the end of the bone, which has been likened to a licked candy stick.
- When complicated by repeated microtrauma, secondary bacterial infection, or both, digits may be resorbed.
