[Ulnar nerve palsy in leprosy without skin changes: biopsy of the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve in the hand]. / Paralisia do nervo ulnar na lepra sem alterações cutâneas. Biópsia do ramo superficial do nervo ulnar na mão.

Leprosy is one of the most common diseases of peripheral nerves in the world. In Brazil it is particularly frequent, being a major health problem. In tuberculoid leprosy the ulnar nerve is the most common affected nerve. Sometimes there are no skin changes. In these cases in spite of nerve thickening only the nerve biopsy is capable to make a specific diagnosis. We performed a biopsy in the dorsal sensory branch of the ulnar nerve in the hand in 17 patients with ulnar palsy with thickening of the nerve in the elbow, without skin changes. The pathological findings consisted mainly of: loss of fibers (14 cases), inflammatory infiltration (13), fibrosis (12), demyelination and remyelination (9), presence of granuloma (6) and presence of bacilli (5 cases). We conclude that in case of ulnar nerve palsy in leprosy without skin changes, the biopsy of the dorsal sensory branch of this nerve in the hand is a good procedure for the diagnosis of leprosy.

Clinical evaluation of composite resin tunnel restorations on primary molars.

Twenty children, presenting 66 proximal carious lesions in 60 primary molars, were selected to receive composite resin tunnel restorations. Thirty of these teeth were expected to exfoliate within 6 months (group I); in the remaining 30 teeth exfoliation was expected within 1 year (group II). All teeth received tunnel preparations, which were then restored with a posterior composite resin. The restorations were evaluated after 6 months and after 1 year through each of the following methods: bitewing radiographic examination, clinical examination with a probe and mirror, and direct examination of proximal surfaces after tooth extraction. The occlusal portions of the restorations were considered to be excellent both after 6 months and 1 year. Radiographic examinations and direct examinations (performed after extraction of teeth) did not reveal the same percentages of secondary caries in the proximal portion of restorations. Fracture of the marginal crest reached 3% during the first 6 months, but fracture was absent during the subsequent 6 months.