SENSORY IMPROVEMENT AND REDUCTION OF NERVE THICKENING IN A LEPROSY PATIENT TREATED WITH ULTRASOUND GUIDED PERINEURAL INJECTION OF AUTOLOGOUS PLATELETRICH PLASMA: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Background: Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae which has a certain predilection for peripheral nerves. It causes peripheral neuropathy and in the long run, it causes deformity of hands and feet. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) which contains a variety of growth factors can stimulate neural regeneration. Materials & Methodology:A case report and review of literature (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholars, and other electronic search engines) were done. In a 45-year-old male leprosy patient, ultrasound-guided perineural autologous PRP (1 ml) injection was given at the right ulnar nerve under all aseptic precautions. Results: Right ulnar nerve showed sensory improvement especially in ulnar distribution. In ultrasound, right ulnar nerve showed mild reduction in mean cross-sectional area whereas the left ulnar nerve showed no changes. Interventions which were ethically supported by existing literature and evidences were followed and reviewed. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report where ultrasound-guided intervention was done, a long term follow-up for 4 weeks was followed and nerve thickness comparison was done. Here, PRP showed its promising role to reduce the nerve thickness and to improve the sensory function in leprosy.