Leg ulcers caused by yaws and endemic syphilis

Treponematoses as a cause of leg ulcer is today an infrequent phenomenon and is reported sporadically. ¹ Availability and widespread use of a large variety of potent antibiotics, improvements in living conditions, increased social awareness and hygiene, and worldwide improvements in medical care have all contributed to its containment. However, in the underdeveloped, third world countries, pockets of endemic treponematoses continue to persist. Of late, a resurgence of the disease appears to have occurred in Western and Central Africa, and in the Asia Pacific region,^{2 7} following the easing of surveillance and control measures. The current concept as far as the classification of human-associated treponematoses is concerned is given in Table 1.^8,9     

Chondrodermatitis nodularis

Chondrodermatitis nodularis is a common condition in clinical practice but rarely discussed or reported in the literature. It most often affects the helices and antihelices of the ear. It is either uni- or bilateral. Injury usually initiates or triggers the disease. Microscopic pathology supplements the clinical diagnosis. Its etiopathogenesis points to this being a transepidermal elimination or perforating dermatoses.     

Plexiform neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis type 1

Plexiform neurofibroma developing in neurofibromatosis type 1 is a fascinating overture whereby diagnosis is primarily based on clinical characteristics, the details of which are outlined. Nonetheless, it is imperative to establish a clear-cut clinical status vis-á-vis the adjoining tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide an additional supplement to the diagnosis and an aid to further management of the condition.     

Leg ulcers caused by deep mycotic infection

Leg ulcers causing deep mycosis following fungi are encountered in temperate and tropical climates. They are usually asymetrical, and are located over trauma-prone areas of the legs. The ulcers are usually asympatomatic and insidious at onset. They are often confined to certain geographic regions; sporadic cases have, however, been seen elsewhere. The common deep mycoses causing leg ulcers are mycetoma, sporotrichosis, chromomycosis, and blastomycosis. Histoplasmosis and lobomycosis may occasionally produce bizarre leg ulcers. The causative fungus in them may either be identified through smears/histopathologic sections or on culture.     

Evaluation of Serum Creatine Kinase as a Diagnostic Marker for Tubal Pregnancy

Forty women comprising of 20 each in study and control groups had their serum creatine kinase (CK) estimated. The study subjects were proven cases of ectopic pregnancy and the controls were either medical termination of pregnancy seekers or antenatal cases matched for gestational age and with a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy. Total serum creatine kinase levels were found to be significantly higher in the study group i.e. 34.15 +/- 1.17 IU/L compared to the controls 18.72 +/- 1.25 (p < 0.001). Creatine kinase is estimated routinely in cardiac patients even on an emergency basis. Our findings indicate that when in doubt the test could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.     

Standards for the Uniform Reporting of Hypertension in Adults Using Population Survey Data: Recommendations From the World Hypertension League Expert Committee

Surveillance and monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors including raised blood pressure are critical to informing efforts to prevent and control cardiovascular disease. Yet, many countries lack the capacity for adequate national surveillance. Furthermore, hypertension indicators are often reported in different ways, which hampers the ability to compare and assess progress. In order to encourage standardized hypertension surveillance reporting, the World Hypertension League assembled an Expert Committee to develop a standard set of core indicators, definitions, and recommended analyses. The recommended core indicators are: (1) blood pressure distribution, (2) prevalence of hypertension, (3) awareness of the condition, (4) antihypertensive drug treatment, and (5) control of hypertension based on drug therapy. Each of these can be reported overall and by age group and sex, with crude and age‐standardized changes tracked over time in order to assess the impact of instituted policies and programs for hypertension prevention and control. An expanded list of indicators can also facilitate tracking of hypertension prevention and control efforts. Widespread adoption of these indicators and analyses could benefit all those conducting and analyzing hypertension surveys and will facilitate hypertension surveillance efforts.