Adrenal crisis due to suppression of the HPA axis by systemic corticosteroid therapy is a much feared complication which, however, appears to be quite uncommon. In an individual patient, the status of the HPA axis cannot be reliably predicted based on the dose and duration of therapy. Further, the response to stress does not always correlate with the results of tests of HPA function. However, HPA axis suppression is generally associated with daily dosing, high doses and prolonged duration of therapy. The dose, duration and schedule of administration of corticosteroids should be tailored to the needs of the individual patient and his disease. HPA axis suppression need not be considered in acute, inflammatory diseases. In other steroid-responsive dermatoses, intermittent dosing schedules are likely to produce fewer side effects including suppression of the HPA axis. As a measure of caution, patients who have received systemic corticosteroids in the past may be administered supplemental corticosteroids during stressful situations (though not all of them will need it).

A series of 100 male patients with non-venereal dermatoses of external genitalia were screened amongst patients visiting Dermatology OPD of JIPMER, Pondicherry from Aug ’97 to March ’99. The overall prevalence was found to be 14.1 per 10,000. Non-venereal dermatoses were common in the 21-40 years age group. Most of the patients (74%) belonged to labourer class. A total of 25 different non-venereal dermatoses were studied. Genital vitiligo was the most common disorder accounting for 16 cases. Sebaceous cyst of the scrotum was present 13 patients. Among infections and infestations, scabies was observed in 9 patients. Ariboflavinosis was seen in 9 cases. Other disorders encountered were calcinosis scrotum. Iymphangiectasia of the scrotum. Lichen simplex chronicus. Fixed drug eruption, angiokeratoma of Fordyce, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus etc. The study has been quite useful in understanding the clinical and aetiological characteristics of various types of non-veneral dermatoses in males in this subcontinen of Asia.

The present study was taken up to find the incidence of Australia antigen (HbsAg) in patients having sexually transmitted diseases (STD). One hundred patients attending an urban STD clinic in a medical college in Calcutta were considered for evaluation. Study revealed that the highest number of patients in this series belong to 21-30 years of age group. Male (88%) outnumbered female (12%). Seventy percent were from lower income group. Majority of the cases (95%) had extramarital contact and community sex workers were the main source of infection (78%). Majority of the cases were heterosexual. Only 3% were homosexual and 2% were bisexual. Most of the patiens (83%) had multiple exposures. Four patients and one spouse of the patient had history of jaundice in the recent past but none of them was HbsAg positive. In the present study, the incidence of HbsAg in patients was found to be 6 percent. All these patients were heterosexual and had no past history of STD.

Forty patients (male-25, female-15) of age group 15 to 46 years (mean 23 years) were attempted for contact sensitization with 0.5% -3% dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) solution. Thirty five cases could be hypersensitized. Out of these cases, 11(27.5%)cases responded fully with subsequent local application of 0.5-1% DNCB solution on the warts and another 32.5% cases showed moderate response while 40% of cases did not show any response. It was also seen that 77.5% of patients suffered from moderate to severe complication in the form of eczematous reaction. Pain and induration both on the site of hypersensitization and on sites away from it. The eczematous reaction subsided slowly over 2 to 4 weeks period without leaving any permanent scar. DNCB (topical) could be used for a cure under direct supervision in the selected cases of verrucae not responding to standard treatment by initial sensitization and thereafter direct application over the warts. There was a marginal increased tuberculin (PPD) response after hypersensitization process with DNCB.

By systematic sampling method from a list of patients, 100 cases who completed 6 months MDT (PB) and under 1 year suvelliance, were included in the study. Fifty-nine percent of PB cases remained active after completion of WHO MDT. Patients with 4 or more than 4 lesions showed more activity. After 1 year of surveillance, 20.3% of active cases remained active. Moreover, 7.3% of inactive cases becomes active during course of 1 year surveillance.

A 25 year old female presented with an asymptomatic reddish brown nodule on the nose. History of ulceration and bleeding suggested a diagnosis of granuloma pyogenicum. The lesion was excised. Histology revealed features of Spitz naevus.

A 4 year old female child presented with ichthyosiform erythroderma. She had few serpiginous ichthyotic patches on her face. The case is presented for its rarity.

Two collodion babies were followed clinically. One of the babies expired due to inadequate management while the other child survived due to combined efforts of paediatricians and dermatologists.

Lipstick is a commonly used cosmetic. Its use may sometimes lead to contact dermatitis. Contact leucoderma to lipsticks however, is not common. We report a patient developing contact leucoderma to lipstick in association with contact dermatitis.

A case of Anderson – Fabry’s disease presenting with cutaneous, ophthalmic and cardiological manifestations leading to death at an uncharacteristically early age is reported.

A case of Facial Hemiatrophy is being reported for its rarity and clinical interest.

A case of pseudolymphomatous reaction to tick bite is being reported for its rarity. Slow removal of tick sticking to the skin is being emphasized for avoiding such reactions to tick bite.

A 42 year old housewife developed erythematous papules with adherent scales over electrodesiccation sites on the face. Biopsy was suggestive of DLE.

Lymphoedema following cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare occurrence. A case of elephantiasis of leg following lupus vulgaris is presented. It can still be seen in rural India in untreated advanced cutaneous tuberculosis.

A 14 year old female with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia had a tumoral lesion over the face of 3 months duration. Excision biopsy of the lesion confirmed it to be molluscum contagiosum. Giant molluscum contagiosum attaining polypoidal character as seen in our patient is an uncommon presentation and hence being reported for its rarity.

The aim of this investigation was to study with statistical methods, age and sex-distribution, seasonal variations, localization and laboratory data in 365 patients, 191 males and 174 females, with lichen planus treated at the Department of Dermatology, Guthenburg, Sweden, during the period 1954- 1963. Most patients received outpatient treatment but some were hospitalized for their disease. The data were collected from outpatient registers and hospital records.