Radiological and dermatological findings in two patients suffering from early yaws in Indonesia

Two children suffering from early yaws in Indonesia are presented. Apart from skin lesions and a positive treponemal serology in both patients, involvement of tubular bones, particularly of the hands, was revealed by radiological examination. In one patient involvement of a distal phalanx was remarkable. Early diagnosis and treatment of yaws is important since a delay in treatment may result in severe and irreversible bone deformities of the late stage of the disease. This report illustrates that radiological changes, although rare, can still be detected in the early stage of yaws in areas where yaws is resurgent nowadays.