A total of 242 patients with clinically diagnosed tinea cruris were screened and 181 (74.7 %) were found to be positive in culture for dermatophytes. 93.9% of infections were caused by Trichophyton spp., of which 58.4% were Trichophyton rubrum, 5.5% were Epidermophyton floccosum, 3.8% were Trichophyton tonsurans and we had a single isolate of Microsporum gypseum complex. Incidence of tinea cruris was higher in males (95.6%) than in females (4.4%). 45% of the cases were recurrent and 38% of cases were chronic tinea cruris. Three patients had granulomatous lesion. Zoophilic T mentagrophytes was the major aetiologic agent isolated from all the 3 cases of granulomatous tinea cruris.

A disorder of hyperpigmentation is described which is seen commonly in middle aged individuals. Face and neck including upper part of the trunk are mostly affected. The lesions are usually bilaterally symmetrical and occur in a localized or generalized distribution. Oral mucosa is infrequently involved. The colour of pigmentation varies from grey, blue and brown to black and it persists for years. None of the patients had any features of lichen planus. Histopathology reveals varying rates of lichenoid tissue reactions. We have tentatively designated this disorder as lichen dyschromicum perstans. Its relationship with other similar disorders is discussed.

Twenty patients having contact dermatitis on the forehead due to Kum-Kum were patch tested with the commercially available Kum-Kum used by the patient as such, and also the extended European standard series of allergens, as well as brilliant lake red R, sudan I, aminoazobenzene and canaga oil since analysis of the Kum-Kum by thin-layer chromatography showed presence of these constituents. Patch tests were positive in all the patients with the commercial Kum-Kum and brilliant lake red R, sudan I, aminoazobenzene and canaga oil, but not with the extended European standard series of allergens.

Twenty one cases of Kyrle's disease were subjected to a thorough clinical examination and various investigations in order to find out the association of Kyrle's disease with other systemic disorders and to elucidate the association between specific biochemical abnormalities and Kyrle's disease. It was found that all the cases of Kyrle's disease were associated with systemic disorders and that the major systemic disorder was nephropathy. The significant biochemical abnormality detected was a raised phosphorus level. So it is probable that the elevated phosphorus may be triggering the occurrence of Kyrle's disease.

A study of clinical profile of acrochordons was carried out in 100 patients. Their association with diabetes mellitus and other disorders was studied. Acrochordons were found to be closely associated with pseudo-acanthosis nigricans, seborrhoeic keratosis, obesity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Combi laser therapy was evaluated in 50 cases of established post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Established PHN term was used when neuralgia persisted after 3 months of disappearance of herpes zoster (HZ) vesicles. Twenty exposures were given and affected areas were irradiated from a distance of 2 cm at a frequency of 5000 Hz each area being exposed for a period of 1.23 minutes ie, 8J/cm² of beam was given. Therapeutic evaluation was done on 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th day. All 17 cases of established PHN of duration upto 3 months healed after 16 exposures and in the end 44/50 had cure, 5/50 had partial relief and one patient left trial after 2nd exposure.

Mesalazine- a 5 lipoxygenase inhibitor was tried in this open trial on 20 psoriatics. Whereas 50% patients (10) had complete clearance in 4 weeks, by 12 weeks 85% (17) patients had good response and 15% (3) patients had no relief at all. No side effects were observed. Further longitudinal double-blind trials of this drug, which has an advantage of not causing bone marrow depression and oligospermia over sulfasalazine, another 5 lipoxygenase inhibitor, are advocated.

Piebaldism is an uncommon congenital hypomelanotic disorder characterized by a white forelock and vitiligo like amelanotic macules. We report a family with piebaldism affecting four successive generations. The disease was present in 16 members of the family.

Pattern of genodermatoses in paediatric age group was studied. The relative incidence of genodermatoses in paediatric dermatology out patient department was 0.62%. The commonest genodermatoses observed was ichthyosis.

Two classical cases of Reiter's disease, one successfully treated with methotrexate and the other with sulphasalazine are reported.

Although tuberous sclerosis has been described with a diagnostic triad, it is not present consistently in all cases. Variety of skin manifestations were reported in tuberous sclerosis. This studay was undertaken to assess the frequency of various skin changes in tuberous sclerosis. Ten consecutive cases of tuberous sclerosis were studied. Angiofibroma was the commonest cutaneous manifestation. Atypical fibroxanthoma, dermatofibroma and neurofibroma were also noticed as interesting associations.

Hypotrichosis present at birth occurring as an isolated defect in three members of an Afghan family and transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, responded to topical applications of fluocinolone acetonide acetate ointment. The patients were a 9-year-old boy, his 7-year-old sister and their 30-year-old mother who since birth, had sparse, light-coloured and thin hairs on their scalp which would not grow longer than 1 cm in length. Microscopic examination revealed the hairs to be thin and fragile, but of a uniform thickness. Some of the hairs showed secondary trichorrhexis. Following topical applications of 0.1% fluocinolone ointment, the hairs became coarser and increased in length from an ayerage of 0.7 cm before treatment to 6.2 and 7.1 cm in the two children after 10 months. The mother who started the treatment later also showed improvement.

A case of glucagonoma is being presented. The patient presented with erosions, crusts, bullous dermatitis, glucose intolerance and weight loss.

Naevus comedonicus associated with epidermoid cyst is a rare association. Two such case reports are presented.

A pair of identical twins presented with lichen planus involving skin and nails.

A 30 year old woman presented with typical lesions of mutilating keratoderma. The patient was deaf and dumb. Hyperkeratosis of palms and soles was present since infancy. Constriction of digits started by the age of 5 years. The clinical diagnosis was supported by histopathological examination.

An epileptic teenager put on carbamazepine therapy presented with onychomadesis 6 months later. Carbamazepine was substituted with phenytoin. Affected nails were shed and healthy nails regrew in 5 months.

A 10-year-old boy, a diagnosed case of acute rheumatic fever, presented with livedo reticularis involving whole of body except face. Livedo reticularis has been very rarely reported in rheumatic fever.

A 26-year-old male presented with asymptomatic, flesh coloured nodules on right elbow, forehead and right retroauricular region. A skin biopsy form the nodule stained with hematoxylin and eosin and special stain (mucicarmine) showed focal deposition of mucin in the dermis.

A 24-year-old healthy Bengali woman presented with progressive, macular tanned lesions in a zosteriform pattern located upon her right upper limb, breast and chest. The biopsy from the tanned lesion showed mild increase in the pigment in the basal layer.