Mononeuritis multiplex and painful ulcers as the initial manifestation of hepatitis B infection

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 May 2:2013:bcr2013009666. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009666.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection leads to multisystem manifestations owing to involvement of kidney, skin, vasculature, haematopoietic and nervous system. The hepatitis B infection can cause neuropathy either to vasculitis associated with polyarteritis nodosa or immune-mediated neural damage. In this submission, we report a young woman, who presented with mononeuritis multiplex and painful ulcerations as the first manifestation of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The antiviral therapy along with steroids led to remarkable recovery. The clinical settings of hepatitis B virus infection should not be ignored in the presentation of mononeuritis multiplex with ulcers, although the commonest cause is leprosy in the Indian sub-continent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Hepatitis B / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis B / virology
  • Hepatitis B virus*
  • Humans
  • Mononeuropathies / diagnosis
  • Mononeuropathies / drug therapy
  • Mononeuropathies / etiology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / etiology
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Ulcer / etiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Steroids