An unusual cause of arthritis.

We present a case of leprosy, an uncommon infection in the United Kingdom, which mimicked features of widely known rheumatic diseases and resulted in subsequent delay of diagnosis.

Atypical multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with paraproteinemia.

Two women had multiple subcutaneous nodules that showed features of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MR). Neither had joint symptoms. Both had a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, an immunoglobulin G paraproteinemia, and raised levels of nonhepatic serum alkaline phosphatase. The skin lesions have been followed up, using light and electron microscopy, immunoperoxidase, and histochemical methods. The material in the giant cells stained positively for gamma heavy chain determinants: the light chain type in each case was that of the paraprotein. An attempt to reproduce the skin lesions in one patient by intradermal injection of her paraprotein failed.

Cement burns.

Four cases are presented of men who sustained burns after contact with premixed concrete. The pathogenesis of the condition is discussed.