Cutaneous horn: a brief review and report of a case.

A case of extensive verrucae vulgaris with cutaneous horns in a 32-year-old man is reported. Accompanying terminal phalangeal bone absorptive changes in the fingers of both hands, resulting from subungual warty lesions, are highlighted. The existing literature on the subject of cutaneous horn is briefly reviewed.

Hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas in South India.

Thirty-one patients with inherited palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKs) were screened from 59,490 cases who visiting the OPD of JIPMER, Pondicherry. The prevalence rate was 5.2 per 10,000 population (1:2000 approx.). PPKs were more common in males (25 patients) than females (6 patients); the overall male to female ratio was 4.2:1. The incidence was highest in the group from 0-10 years of life (67.7% of cases). Unna-Thost syndrome topped the list with 38.7% of cases and its prevalence 1:6000 (approx.), followed by Greither's disease (22.9%) and others-Vohwinkel (3 cases), idiopathic punctate (2 cases), ichthyosis vulgaris associated PPK (2 cases) etc. This study has for the first time reported the prevalence and patterns of hereditary PPKs in South India.

Solitary neurilemmoma of the face.

A fourteen-year-old male with solitary neurilemmoma over his left cheek is described. Clinically, it was mistaken for molluscum contagiosum. The case is reported for its rarity and unique features.

Clinico-epidemiological profile of ichthyosis in south Indian patients.

A high frequency rate of hereditary ichthyosis (141.89 per 1000) was detected in a 1029 member South Indian study population selected at random from the skin outpatients of a teaching hospital. An age and sex matched control population screened from the medical and pediatric outpatients of the same institute recorded the incidence of ichthyosis vulgaris as 150 per 1000 population which is even higher.

Cortisol status in different types of leprosy.

Basal plasma cortisol levels in 12 controls and 60 patients with different types of leprosy were within normal limits. They were significantly lower in multibacillary leprosy patients; this abnormality might be due to long standing stress leading to adrenal exhaustion. The plasma cortisol level significantly increased after the ACTH (Synacthen) stimulation test in all of the varieties of leprosy tested, which suggests that the adrenal reserve is maintained in such cases.

Tumoral calcinosis.

Tumoral calcinosis is an unusual clinical disorder in which large masses of calcium are deposited in the periarticular tissues of the body. The characteristic clinical, radiological and histopathological features of this disorder occurring in three middle aged female patients are reported.

Verrucous cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

An unusual case of cutaneous lupus erythematous with verrucous lesions is reported for its rarity and clinical interest.

Cutaneous lymphoma mimicking seborrhoeic dermatitis.

A case of non Hodgkins lymphoma presenting with cutaneous lesions mimicking seborrhoeic dermatitis is reported. Clinician should have a high index of suspicion to diagnose lymphoma in its early stage, since it can mimic many benign dermatoses.

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans.

The case findings in a 22-year-old male patient of keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans are described. In addition to the characteristic cutaneous, occular and histological features, he had striking angular stomatitis and fissuring of the tongue simulating vitamin B-complex deficiency. This is an unreported feature to our knowledge. The mode of inheritance suggested X-linked trait.

Multiple dermatofibromas with unusual features.

A 51-year-old-male with multiple dermatofibromas over both elbows and feet is reported for its rarity and unusual features.

Renal functional status in leprosy.

Renal functional impairment is known to occur in lepsory, specially of multibacillary type. Pedal oedema was seen in 30% patients. Urine analysis showed proteinurea in 3.33%. epithelial casts in 13.33% and microscopic haematuria in 6.66%. A raised 24 hours urinary protein excretion was seen in 53.33%, 60% had a low 24 hours creatinine clearance rate. Abnormal serum creatinine was found in 16.66%, raised serum urea values were seen in 6.66% cases.