A Subcentimetric Nodule on the Penile Shaft

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a benign histiocytic disorder usually affecting the head and trunk region of a child. The isolated occurrence of JXG in the penile shaft of a young adult is hitherto unreported. This lesion is amenable to surgical resection although systemic and/or internal visceral involvement can occur. The clinical differential of this solid cystic lesion may include other solid cystic lesions of the penile shaft, namely, epidermal inclusion cyst. A typical yellowish color can aid in the diagnosis though it is not a constant feature. In this article, we discuss a case of isolated penile JXG in a young adult with salient clinical and histopathological differentials.

Postcrania of large dissorophid temnospondyls from Richards Spur, Oklahoma

The early Permian karst system near Richards Spur, Oklahoma preserves a diverse assemblage of terrestrial dissorophoid temnospondyls. Here we report the presence of a large-bodied dissorophine dissorophid that is represented by an articulated anterior trunk region, including a partial pectoral girdle, a ribcage characterized by extremely developed uncinate processes, and a rare, completely articulated pes. This represents the first documentation of the clade at the locality. Previously, dissorophids were represented only by the eucacopine Cacops. A complete pelvic girdle with hindlimbs is also referred to Cacops and represents the first material of the posterior trunk region to be described from the genus at Richards Spur. These specimens expand the taxonomic diversity known from the site and provide significant, well-preserved postcranial material that improves the characterization of dissorophid postcranial anatomy.

Anthropological analysis of projectile trauma to the bony regions of the trunk

Ballistics literature often focuses on soft tissue injures and projectile trauma to the cranium. Minimal details on the bony characteristics of projectile trauma to the thorax/abdomen regions have been published. This study aims to analyse projectile trauma to the bony trunk region including the ribs, vertebrae, scapula, sternum and the hip bone to form a better understanding of the characteristics and biomechanics of skeletal trauma caused by a projectile and contribute to the existing database on skeletal trauma caused by projectiles. Fourteen cases of documented projectile trauma to the bony regions of the trunk from the Hamman-Todd Human Osteological Collection at the Cleveland Natural History Museum, Ohio were analysed. Of the 14 individuals with gunshot wounds examined, 40 wounds occurred to the bones. Twenty- four injuries to the ribs, 1 ilium, 11 vertebrae, 3 scapulae, and 1 sternum. Fracture patterns, heaving and bevelling can be used to determine the direction of travel of the projectile which can be evident on the ribs, sternum, scapula and ilium. It is critical to understand the wounding patterns associated with projectile trauma to the torso region as this is often targeted, due to being the centre of mass.