LEPROSY
Leprosy Review
0305-7518
British Leprosy Relief Association
Colchester, UK
37-4382
0305-7518/03/064053+09
10.47276/lr.74.4.374
Original Papers
Ulnar and median nerves in paucibacillary leprosy—a follow-up study of electrophysiological functions in patients before and after nerve trunk decompression
KumarAnil
aYadavV. S.
aMalaviyaG. N.
aa
Central Jalma Institute for Leprosy Tuition Tajganj, Agra, India
Correspondence to: S. Husain
01122003
74
4
374
382
02062003
© Lepra
2003
Electrophysiological functions of ulnar and median nerves in paucibacillary leprosy patients were studied. Patients who showed deterioration of sensory motor functions in spite of steroid therapy were offered nerve decompression together with oral steroids. On periodic follow-up of those who opted for surgery, it was observed, in general, that NCV and amplitude remained reduced even though clinical recovery occurred. Only 80% recovery of electrophysiological functions was seen (as compared to control levels), even in cases that showed good results. Motor function recovered better than sensory function. Complete electrophysiological recovery, if it occurs at all, takes much longer than clinical recovery.