Cutaneous manifestations of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Thirty-two confirmed cases of non -Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were examined for cutaneous manifestations for a period of 2 years from November 1998 in KMC Hospital Attavar, Mangalore. Cutaneous manifestations in the study group were compared to a control group of 32 patients. Specific infiltrates were present in all (5/5) CTCL patients and one out of twenty-seven patients with low grade NHL. Morphologically they presented as papules, plaques, nodules and erythroderma. Infective conditions seen in the study group were superficial fungal (7/32) and viral infections (2/ 32). Non-infective conditions were acquired ichthyosis (10/32), generalised pruritus (5/32), insect bite reaction (1/32) and drug eruption (1/32). When compared to control patients only acquired ichthyosis and generalised pruritus were found to be statistically significant. The study group also showed changes due to chemotherapy like diffuse alopecia (24/29), bluish pigmentation of proximal part of nail (4/29), localised pigmentation of palms and soles (1 /29), diffuse pigmentation at injection site (1 /29), pigmentation at scar site (1 /29) and stomatitis (4/29).

Disease concomitance in psoriasis: a clinical study of 61 cases

Sixty-one patients with psoriasis were studied for concomitant diseases and compared with 61 age and sex-matched controls. Concomitant cutaneous diseases most often seen with psoriasis were lichen simplex chronicus (16.3%), verruca vulgaris (9.8%) and me Iasina (4.9%). Of the systemic disorders, diabetes showed the highest frequency (13.1%) followed by hypertension (8.1%). Two patients had HIV infection (3.2%). Both the patients had severe and atypical lesions.

Pattern of skin diseases in Bantwal Taluq, Dakshina Kannada

A survey was conducted to find out the pattern of skin diseases among patients who attended the fortnightly medical camp held in Bantwal Taluq, a rural area. Infective disorders were found in 42.68% and non infective in 41.58%. Among the infective disorders fungal infections were most common (24.08%). Among the non infective dermatoses eczemas were most common (33.93%). On comparing the proportional infectivity rate of infectious diseases among males and females it was found that in scabies males were more affected than females.

Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in skin isolates from hospital acquired infections

Eighty-four isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) obtained from nosocomial infections were screened for methicillin resistance, which was found to be about 40.47%. This indicates a rising trend in the incidence of MRSA over the previous years. Early detection of resistant strains as well as prudent use of antibiotics can help to combat the global problem of resistance.

Prevalence of various dermatoses in school children

In a school survey of 1161 children from 2 different schools studying in 1st to 5th standard between the age of 6 and 12 years, 890 (76.65%) students were found to have disorders of skin and its appendage. Most of the dermatoses were asymptomatic and were diagnosed in the routine examination. Nevoid conditions were seen in 255 (21.96%) students. Communicable dermatoses were noted in 221 (19%) students and nutritional deficiencies were seen in 78 (6.71%) students. Rest of the students had miscellaneous condition. Health education and good personal hygiene will definitely help to improve the health status of the school children.

Dermatoses of the hand-an observation

After going through 1000 case files of patients registered in the skin department of K.M.C. Hospital, it was found that 166 (16.6%) of them had dermatoses restricted to their hands. Based on the clinical findings and clinical diagnosis recorded, the various dermatoses were tabulated and evaluated. Ninety-two males and 74 females had dermatoses of hands. Warts and eczemas formed the major chunk of cases. Females out numbered males among patients with warts and eczemas.

Renal function tests in lithium treated patients - a controlled study

Results of renal function tests done on 36 patients on prophylactic lithium treatment are compared with those of 28 age matched individuals, also being treated for affective disorders but exposed only to neuroleptics and/or tricyclic antidepressants. 25% of the lithium treated patients had A.D.H. resistant concentration dysfunction resulting in polyuria and polydypsia. Serum lithium levels had a significant positive correlation with the daily urine volume and a significant negative correlation with the 12 hour urine specific gravity. No relationship was found between the total amount of lithium consumed or the duration of lithium treatment and the urine volume. Though a higher proportion of the lithium treated patients had proteinuria, it was only of a mild degree. Glomerular Filteration Rate and renal tubular hydrogen ion excretion were normal in both the test and control groups.