A 45-year-old man from Ethiopia develops a Type 1 (reversal) reaction while on MDT for borderline tuberculoid leprosy. He has acute neuritis with new ...

Question

A 45-year-old man from Ethiopia develops a Type 1 (reversal) reaction while on MDT for borderline tuberculoid leprosy. He has acute neuritis with new weakness of foot dorsiflexion (foot drop) affecting the left leg. What is the most urgent treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage?

Accepted Answer

Oral prednisolone (40-60 mg/day tapered over 12-20 weeks) to suppress the acute inflammatory nerve damage

Answer

Increase clofazimine dose

Answer

Thalidomide

Answer

Stop all MDT drugs

Answer

Surgical nerve decompression as first-line

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Type 1 Reaction Emergency Treatment

A 45-year-old man from Ethiopia develops a Type 1 (reversal) reaction while on MDT for borderline tuberculoid leprosy. He has acute neuritis with new weakness of foot dorsiflexion (foot drop) affecting the left leg. What is the most urgent treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage?