Objective: to study the efficacy of Sodium Stibogluconate intramuscular injections in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, safety and side effects. Method: A total 43 patients were seen over a period of 12 months, from January 2009 to December 2010. All cases were seen at Prince Rashed Military Hospital in the north of Jordan. The diagnosis of localized cutaneous leishmania was made on clinical grounds proved by leishmania smear or skin biopsy. The distribution of patients according to gender, age groups, time of the year, was made. The criteria for sodium stibogluconate injection were: the severity of symptoms, site of lesion on face (ear, nose and cheek), and multiplicity of lesions. The dose of sodium stibogluconate given was 10 mg\kg given as intramuscular injections daily for total two weeks followed by complete blood count, liver function test, electrocardiogram as base line. Results: 23 patients were males and 20 were females (16 of them were 14 years and below). The age group ranged from 2-72 years. One patient (2.3%) had resistant infection to sodium stibogluconate; and an admission was for one patient (2, 3%) for a few days because of a picture of Hepatotoxicity. 42 patients showed improvement of the lesion (98%); improvement is defined when the lesion flattens and ulceration disappears. One patient (2.3%) demonstrated increase in liver enzymes after one week of treatment' upon stopping treatment for one week the patient then resumes treatment with no complications and with complete remission. Conclusion: Many cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis are seen in Jordan causing cosmetic problems. Early introduction of systemic anti-leishmania agent is recommended. Sodium stibogluconate is an effective way to decrease scarring and dispigmentation, with minimum side effects.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Becker's nevus among young men in Jordan and to define its clinical characteristics. Method: We conducted a survey of all consecutive young male patients who were attending an entry medical examination for Mu'tah Military University in the years 2008 and 2012. The candidates underwent complete physical examination of the skin and the following demographic features were analyzed: age, skin phototype, district of origin, sun exposure, onset, awareness of lesion(s), site, size, hypertrichosis, and other associated features. Results: A sample of 9.862 teenager-males, aged 18-20 years, were examined. There were 642 Becker's nevus cases diagnosed, with a prevalence of 6.5%. Only 8.1% admitted onset during preschool age. About 59.8% had onset during 12-15 years old, 13.4% during 15-20 years, and 13.1% during 6-12 years. In 36 cases (5.6%), the patient could not determine age of onset. A unilateral distribution was observed in all candidates. Upper chest and shoulders were involved in 68.3%, followed by arms (13.1%), lower trunk (8.8%), lower extremities (7.6%), forearms (1.7%), and head and neck (1.4%). Seven cases (1.1%) had Blaschkoid lines distribution. Lesional hypertrichosis was clinically evident in 484 Becker's nevi (75.4%). Candidates with origin from north of Jordan had the highest prevalence. Seven cases showed associated features consistent with Becker's nevus syndrome. Conclusion: We believe that Becker's nevus is under-reported and has an earlier age of onset than it was believed. Our study showed a notably higher prevalence of Becker's nevus than it has been reported before. Becker's nevus syndrome should be always considered and searched for when examining patients with Becker's nevus.