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.     

Histoid leprosy: the impact of the entity on the postglobal leprosy elimination era

A fresh focus on histoid leprosy is the primary objective of this article, especially in the context of the postglobal leprosy elimination era. The emergence of the entity following dapsone monotherapy is well recognized, in addition to de novo cases. Irregular and inadequate therapies, coupled with resistance to dapsone and/or mutant organisms, are responsible. It was considered to be worthwhile to take stock of the condition through its history, nomenclature, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis. The bacteriologic and histopathologic features and immunologic profile are also described.     

Review of some studies of group behaviour relevant to global security

Since the publication of Lionel Penrose's On the Objective Study of Crowd Behaviour, significant advances have been made in the understanding of intragroup and intergroup behaviour relevant to world security and peace. Some of these are reviewed in this article. Rational decisions in the complex and dangerous modern world may require understanding of the constraints and influence of both the cultural and biological backgrounds of human social existence.     

Paraneoplastic pemphigus/paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is the term used for an exclusive subset of pemphigus. The clinical lesions may resemble pemphigus, pemphigoid, erythema multiforme, graft-vs.-host disease, or lichen planus. A common denominator in all patients is the concomitant occurrence of either occult or confirmed systemic neoplasm. It is imperative to confirm the diagnosis through microscopy, where intraepidermal suprabasal cleavage, epidermal acantholysis, dyskeratotic keratinocytes and vacuolar changes in the basal epidermis, interfacial dermatitis, and epidermal exocytosis can be seen. Furthermore, the deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and complement in the epidermal intercellular spaces, detected by direct and/or indirect immunofluorescence, is equally crucial for confirming the diagnosis.     

Evaluation of plexiform neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1 in 18 family members of 3 generations: ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging a diagnostic supplement

Plexiform neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1, an autosomal-dominant genetic disorder, is characterized by a combination of interlacing components or a network. The prominent enlargement of a nerve with tumor nodules results in the gross pathologic appearance termed "bag of worms." Plexiform neurofibroma was found in two of seven family members with neurofibromatosis type 1 in three generations. Ultrasonography/color doppler and magnetic resonance imaging, in addition to microscopic pathology, were used as diagnostic tools, and their indications for future use in the diagnosis of plexiform neurofibroma are highlighted.