A patient with leprosy may have thickening of various nerves. Several superficial nerves are readily palpable.
Nerves that are accessible to palpation:
(1) radial cutaneous nerve (wrist)
(2) ulnar cutaneous nerve (wrist)
(3) medial cutaneous nerve (forearm)
(4) superficial peroneal nerve (lateral aspect lower leg, anterior ankle)
(5) sural nerve (popliteal fossa)
(6) greater auricular nerve (neck)
The nerves on both the left and right sides should be examined.
The presence of palpable nerves supports the diagnosis of leprosy but can be seen in other conditions as well.
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Dermatology
ICD-10: ,
