The diagnostics and treatment of tropical diseasesStitt, E. R. (Edward Rhodes)
Science
The diagnostics and treatment of tropical diseases
Stitt, E. R. (Edward Rhodes)
Tropical medicine
Anaesthesia of the region supplied by the ulnar nerve with
contractures of the fourth and fifth fingers may be signs directing
our attention to the true nature of the disease and in those cases
where the appearance of smooth yellowish-brown spots precedes the
neuritis manifestations we may here also find anaesthesia, provided
the eruption has lasted for some time.
In brief the fully developed case of nerve leprosy shows anaesthetic
spots, trophic lesions of the skin and bone, together with muscular
palsies. The spots often appear singly and may be from ½ to several
inches in diameter. They are not raised, have a sunburnt color and do
not sweat. Instead of having a preference for the exposed parts they
most frequently appear on the covered portion of the body or limbs as
trunk, buttocks, scapular region, thighs or arms, although the first
appearance of spots may be on the face.
[Illustration: FIG. 80.—Nerve leprosy, showing deformities,
perforating ulcer, etc. (From U. S. Naval Medical Bulletin.)]
These spots often look like ringworm lesions, as they have an
erythematous border with a paler center, but they are oval in
outline rather than round and there is no scaling. Bullous
eruptions, which are most frequently noted about the knuckles, are
rare manifestations of nerve leprosy. They are often followed by
ulceration.
[Illustration: FIG. 81.—Nerve or maculo-anaesthetic leprosy showing
anaesthetic spots on back (U. S. Naval Medical Bulletin.)]
About this time the nerve trunks begin to enlarge, especially
the ulnar at the elbow and the great auricular as it crosses the
sterno-mastoid muscle. The characteristic nerve enlargement is
spindle-shaped or beaded.
These nerve enlargements are at first tender but later become
painless and we have extensive areas of anaesthesia and trophic
changes of the skin and nails of fingers and toes such as felons,
glazed skin, bullae, which latter on rupturing leave ulcers.
We also have absorption of the bones of the phalanges.
The phalangeal bones may be completely absorbed and a distorted
nail cap the end of the metacarpal bone (_lepra mutilans_). Owing
to the anaesthesia lepers often burn or injure their fingers and
toes. Perforating ulcers are more common in leprosy than tabes.
Muscular palsies, atrophies and contractures are more common in the
face and upper extremity than in the lower extremity. We may have
changes quite similar to those of progressive muscular atrophy, the
thenar and hypothenar, as well as the interossei, undergoing atrophy
and resulting in the claw hand. There is extension of the first joint
and flexion of the two distal joints of the fingers. Such hands may
function quite well. Wrist-drop is not uncommon but foot-drop is
rare. Rarely Charcot’s joint condition may be observed.
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