Frontiers in Medicine (May 2024)
Case report: Myelitis and ganglionitis, an atypical presentation of Hansen’s disease
- Clarissa Neves Spitz,
- Clarissa Neves Spitz,
- Clarissa Neves Spitz,
- Izabela Jardim R. Pitta,
- Izabela Jardim R. Pitta,
- Ligia Andrade,
- Ligia Andrade,
- Ligia Andrade,
- Larissa Bittencourt de Carvalho,
- Larissa Bittencourt de Carvalho,
- Larissa Bittencourt de Carvalho,
- Diogo Matheus Terrana de Carvalho,
- Felipe da Rocha Schmidt,
- Ana Caroline Siquara de Sousa,
- Silvana Machado Mendonça,
- Euzenir Nunes Sarno,
- Anna Maria Sales,
- Roberta Olmo Pinheiro,
- Roberta Olmo Pinheiro,
- Marcia Rodrigues Jardim,
- Marcia Rodrigues Jardim,
- Marcia Rodrigues Jardim
Affiliations
- Clarissa Neves Spitz
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Clarissa Neves Spitz
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Clarissa Neves Spitz
- Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Izabela Jardim R. Pitta
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Izabela Jardim R. Pitta
- Department of Neurology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Ligia Andrade
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Ligia Andrade
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Ligia Andrade
- Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Larissa Bittencourt de Carvalho
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Larissa Bittencourt de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Larissa Bittencourt de Carvalho
- Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diogo Matheus Terrana de Carvalho
- Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Felipe da Rocha Schmidt
- Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Ana Caroline Siquara de Sousa
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Silvana Machado Mendonça
- Clinical Diagnostic Imaging (CDPI), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Euzenir Nunes Sarno
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Anna Maria Sales
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Roberta Olmo Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Roberta Olmo Pinheiro
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Marcia Rodrigues Jardim
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Marcia Rodrigues Jardim
- Laboratory of Leprosy, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Marcia Rodrigues Jardim
- Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1400423
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 11
Abstract
Hansen’s disease, or leprosy, is a disease characterized by dermatological and neurological disorders. A neural form also exists, in which peripheral neuropathy occurs in the absence of skin lesions. However, cases of leprosy that involve the central nervous system and proximal nerves are rare in the literature. We describe the case of an oligosymptomatic patient diagnosed with the neural form of leprosy with involvement of peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglion, and cervical spinal cord in an atypical presentation of the disease. Through complementary examinations and nerve biopsies, the bacillus was identified, and treatment was subsequently initiated. This case highlights the importance of investigating the suspicion of leprosy, even in cases with atypical manifestations, as early diagnosis and treatment can reduce neurological damage and deformities.
Keywords
- Hansen’s disease
- atypical
- central nervous system
- resonance magnetic images
- ultrasound imaging
- ulnar nerve