@article{27143,
  keywords = {leprosy, Neuropathy, Nerve function assessment},
  author = {Garbino JA and Heise CO and Marques W},
  title = {Assessing nerves in leprosy.},
  abstract = {<p>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.</p>
},
  year = {2016},
  journal = {Clinics in dermatology},
  volume = {34},
  pages = {51-58},
  issn = {1879-1131},
  doi = {10.1016/j.clindermatol.2015.10.018},
  language = {eng},
}