Abstract
Medical illustrations of:
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) nodule on the leg,
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) nodule being palpated on the leg,
- a comparison of the size of a Buruli ulcer (BU) nodule to a coin,
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) at large lesion stage,
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) papule on the leg (these are <1cm and hard to distinguish so this visual is to highlight papule's and bring to people's attention),
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) plaque on a single leg,
- a healthy skin tissue in cross section,
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) plaque with swelling or oedema (BU plaque can present in many ways, here are two versions),
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) nodule shown in cross section within the skin,
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) nodule being palpated,
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) papule compared to a coin,
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) lesion and how to test for undermining (undermining is a pocket of skin degraded around a BU lesion that can be tested by inserting a cotton bud tip. BU is the only lesion that has this trait, hence why testing is carried out),
- a Buruli ulcer (BU) nodule size to a Ghanaian coin (to provide a memorable visual to help identify BU. A BU nodule has few identifiers at this stage apart from its size and what it feels like under the skin),
- a typical anatomy in a Buruli ulcer (BU) lesion,
- a Buruli ulcer nodule comparing it to the same size and firmness as a pigeon pea.
These are all part of a set of skin related neglected topical diseases (skin NTDs), which are chronic infectious diseases found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. How the Illustrations were created. The research of skin neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs) was combined with the method of medical illustration completing a practice-based and multi-disciplinary PhD study. The resulting medical illustrations include different skin presentations and stages of skin NTDs. The published and clinically approved medical illustrations are being made available to use both in print and digital format. Their purpose to support healthcare professionals for skin NTD identification and detection, and for use within patient education as engaging and informative visual communications for those living in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa.