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The World Health Organization established a goal in 1991 of "elimination of leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000." Although prevalence rates of leprosy have decreased in many geographic areas, it is clear that in some countries where leprosy is endemic, such as Brazil and India, this goal will not be reached. Leprosy is rare in the United States, but 85% of detected cases are in immigrants in whom the disease may mimic many common dermatologic and neurological entities, leading to delay of diagnosis. The statuses of polymerase chain reaction analysis, serological testing, and vaccines are reviewed. Effective multidrug therapy and prevention of permanent damage to nerves by early recognition and treatment will help prevent residual disabilities. This update reviews what is known about the pathophysiology and treatment of leprosy. Increased awareness will lead to earlier recognition, diagnosis, and treatment.

On clinical grounds, ulcers of the leg of vascular origin can fairly easily be separated into venous and arterial origins; 85% of ulcers of the leg are caused by venous insufficiency. The ulcers occur mainly around the medial malleolus, are covered by moist granulation tissue, and are surrounded by varying degrees of stasis dermatitis and brown hemosiderin pigmentation. The limb is usually edematous and improves with elevation. In contrast, arterial ulcers of the leg develop more distally on the toes or feet, severe pain is a prominent feature, and the dry crusted ulcers usually lack granulation tissue. Elevation of the leg aggravated the pain of ischemic ulcers, whereas dependency of the limb provides some relief. Both types of ulcers heal faster with occlusive dressings that furnish a moist wound environment. Patients with ulcers caused by venous insufficiency can have coexisting peripheral atherosclerosis. Compression elastic stockings used for venous insufficiency should not be so tight that they induce necrosis of the skin in patients with occult arterial disease.

Sarcoidosis, a multisystem disease of unknown cause characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas, may involve any organ of the body, but the commonest sites of predilection are the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, and eyes. Sarcoidosis can be associated with polyclonal hyperglobulinemia, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, circulating immune complexes, cutaneous anergy, and in vitro depressed cell-mediated immunity. Recent studies of the cellular composition and cellular interactions of sarcoid-involved tissue have resulted in some insight into the pathophysiology of the disease. In early stages the predominance of activated T-helper cells in affected sites may account for many of the immunologic aberrations. The production of macrophage chemotactic substances by these cells may be the initial stimulus for the formation of the granuloma. The natural history of the disease is highly variable; the acute forms tend to resolve spontaneously, whereas the chronic forms rarely involute. Although multiple therapeutic modalities have been used and some have reportedly been effective, systemic corticosteroids remain the most effective available therapeutic agents.

Although systemic corticosteroids have been helpful in certain dermatologic conditions, their prolonged use may be cursed with serious side effects. Currently several dermatologic, immunologic, and proliferative disorders have been helped or controlled with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs. A guideline for their use is advocated and described. The short- and long-term toxicity of these drugs is presented. The most frequently prescribed therapeutic programs for psoriasis, pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid lymphoma cutis, and metastatic melanoma are outlined and discussed. Lists of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents and of the diseases or conditions for which they have been or are used and of dosage and toxicities are given.

The importance of physically intact hands and feet is taken for granted and consequently not appreciated until they are functionally impaired by vascular or neural injury of disease. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of cutaneous lesions complicating hypersensitive and insensitive limbs are described. The current therapeutic approaches and measures for these conditions are presented. Protection and prophylaxis trauma for neurologically impaired parts are emphasized.