Leprosy x ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Osteoporosis is a common finding in leprosy patients which along with the loss of sensation may lead to fractures.

Because osteoporosis is common among leprosy patients, fractures may occur. Sensory loss and the absence of pain also lead to an increase in trauma which further increases the risk of fractures^[1]

• The radiologic findings are similar to those caused by other conditions in which sensory impairment is complicated by traumatic injury and infection (charcot joint) such as diabetes mellitus, frostbite, pernicious anemia, scleroderma, syringomyelia, tabes dorsalis, and familial sensory neuropathy.
• Motor denervation due to leprous infection of peripheral nerves contributes to deformities such as claw hand and claw toes and is sometimes associated with the development of concentric bone atrophy.
• Absorption of bone in leprosy manifests as a decrease in bone length and width and results in a tapered appearance at the end of the bone.
• When complicated by repeated microtrauma, secondary bacterial infection or both, digits may be resorbed.

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