Bone Changes in Leprosy
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Date
2025-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh (Indian Leprosy Association)
Abstract
Specific and non-specific changes in the bones have been known for many years. With the availability of early and effective multi-drug treatment, there has been a decline in multibacillary and extensive forms of leprosy, but some patients still bear the brunt of deformities. This study aimed to identify early bone changes in patients even without overt clinical deformities. As studies on cases without overt clinical deformity in recent times are rare, this study has been carried out. A total of 55 patients suffering from leprosy who presented to Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD) and Upgraded Urban Leprosy Centre attached to Dermatology OPD of Gauhati Medical College were included in this study. Radiological examination was carried out to detect any bone changes in all patients and correlated with clinical findings. Among the 33 patients with bone changes on radiological examination, 36.4% (n=12) patients had specific and 69.7% (n=23) had nonspecific bone changes. Osteoporosis was present in 30.3% (n=10) of patients. Bone changes in skull and paranasal sinuses were found in 21.2% (n=7) of patients. More than one type of bone change was present in many patients involving multiple limbs. In patients without visible deformities, specific bone changes were found in 18.2% of cases, including bone cyst, while nonspecific bone changes were seen in 45.5% (n=5) of cases, including bone spur. Awareness and detection of such changes will enable the clinicians to consider timely measures and prevent their onset and progression.
Description
Keywords
Leprosy, Bone Changes, Specific/Nonspecific, Skull, Paranasal Sinuses, Limbs, India
Citation
Singh R, Dutta B.. Bone Changes in Leprosy. Indian Journal of Leprosy . 2025 Mar; 97(1): 37-52