Disseminated form of syringoma (eruptive syringoma) sparing the face-a rare presentation causing diagnostic challenge.

Syringomas are benign neoplasms of the skin commonly appearing around the eye lids. Though common in middle-aged women, it affects all age groups. The lesions are asymptomatic, firm, discrete, translucent or skin colored flat-topped papules.

Neuropathic pain in people treated for multibacillary leprosy more than ten years previously.

Objectives: To identify patients with typical symptoms of neuropathic pain in a well-defined cohort of multibacillary patients being followed up as part of a relapse study in Ethiopia; to identify risk factors for the development of neuropathic pain.

Design: 96 patients who had completed MDT more than 10 years previously participated in the study, through a questionnaire.

Results: 28 (29%) had symptoms of neuropathic pain and it was reported as severe in 12.

Community diagnosis of common skin diseases in the Zay community of the Zeway Islands, Ethiopia.

Background: Skin diseases are common public health problems throughout the world. Studies on skin problems are rare in Ethiopia. Easy and cheap methods of identifying skin conditions in the community are poorly developed in the country.

Challenges presented by nerve damage in leprosy.

The basis of nerve damage in leprosy is the unique tendency of Mycobacterium leprae to invade Schwann cells. alphaBeta-Dystroglycan on the basement membrane of Schwann cells binds to laminin alpha2, in turn binding to receptors on the M. leprae surface, comprising a histone-like protein and phenoglycolipid-1.

Prevalence of mental distress in the outpatient clinic of a specialized leprosy hospital. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2002.

Leprosy is a chronic disease that leads to physical disability as a result of nerve damage. Stigma and associated psychosocial problems are common and may increase the risk of mental disorders. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of mental distress amongst people attending a Specialized Leprosy and Dermatology Hospital, ALERT, Addis Ababa.