Bacground. Psoriasis is an erythematosquamous dermatosis of chronic development. In sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have been focused on complicated forms of psoriasis. Objective. The aim is to describe epidemiological, clinical, and histological features of severe skin forms of psoriasis in Cote d'Ivoire. Material and Methods. The study was both cross-sectional and descriptive, that focused on patient admitted to the dermatology unit for complicated psoriasis, from January 1st, 1986, to December 31th, 2007. Results. Fifty-six patients admitted to hospital for severe skin forms of psoriasis were recorded and included in our study over 7.503 patients hospitalized during the study period. They represented 0.75% of cases. The average age was 39.6 ± 3.3 years. There were 49 male (87.5%) and 7 female patients (12.5%) with a sex ratio of 7. At socioprofessional level, 48 patients (87.5%) were from category 1. Patients' history was dominated by the psoriasis vulgaris. Physical and general signs were dominated by itching (58.9%). The three severe skin forms were observed with predominant erythrodermic psoriasis (60.7%). Fifteen patients (34.9%) were HIV positive. Conclusion. Severe skin forms of psoriasis are rare in our setting. But in the quarter of HIV-positive patients, they are dominated by the erythrodermic psoriasis.

Few studies have been devoted to atopic dermatitis in children in sub-Saharan Africa. We therefore make this study in Côte d'Ivoire in order to contribute to a better knowledge of atopic dermatitis in children on black skin. In our study the prevalence was 9.2%. The duration of the disease before the consultation ranged from 3-45 days. Atopic dermatitis occurs more frequently in children from2 to 5 years old. More than half of the patients had a history of atopy and the lesions generally were localized in the folds. 60% of the lesions were dry and were trigged by dust. The pruritus was often insomnia and the scratching leads to hyperpigmentation of the lower eyelid; a characteristic sign on black skin not often reported in the literature.

Voluntary skin depigmentation is defined as a set of procedures for obtaining skin clarification for cosmetic purposes. Skin cancers are possible complications, but rarely reported. We describe a case observed in Ivory Coast. A 52-year-old Ivorian woman consulted the Dermatology Department of the University Hospital of Treichville, Abidjan for an ulceration of the middle third of the right clavicle evolving for 10 months. A diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was confirmed by histological examination of the tumour biopsy. Retroviral serology (HIV) was negative. An excision of the tumour was performed. The postoperative consequences were simple. We report a case of SCC following long-term use of depigmenting cosmetic products in a female phototype VI. SCC is the most common skin cancer among black Africans. It is secondary to precancerous lesions or takes place on a damaged skin. Concerning our patient, the onset of this carcinoma could be associated with the carcinogenic effect of hydroquinone and topical corticoids used for a long time. In addition, no precancerous lesion or preexisting condition were found. The chronic evolution without healing was in favour of a neoplastic origin achieved through the analysis of the biopsy sample.

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Abstract:We report an unusual case of a large cutaneous leiomyoma. Dermal leiomyomas are rare and benign skin tumors derived from the smooth erector muscles of the hair. The patient was a 12-year-old child who came in for a consultation on a big cervical tumor of the anterior part of the neck which simulated goiter. The lesion evolved since the patient was five years old; it was consistently firm and was associated with skin ulceration and significant deep suppurations. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed that this tumor was limited to the soft and cutaneous tissues without invading the thoracic muscles. Surgical treatment allowed the excision of the gelatinous and well vascularized skin tumor measuring about 15 cm in diameter. Final histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of dermal leiomyoma.