[Scalp ringworm tinea capitis in Tunisian infants]. / Teignes du nourrisson en Tunisie.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to specify the epidemiological, clinical, and mycological particularities of tinea capitis in infants. DESIGN: We retrospectively collected data from the files of 245 infants presenting with tinea capitis, followed in the Hedi-Chaker hospital dermatology department and in two mycology laboratories of the Sfax hospital, between January 1995 and December 2006. We collected the epidemiological, clinical, and mycological data for each patient. RESULTS: We included 137 boys and 108 girls with trichophytic tinea in 62 % of cases and microsporic tinea in 34 % of cases. Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis were identified by culture respectively in 51 and 37 % of cases. CONCLUSION: Tinea capitis is frequent observed in our region, Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis are the most frequent mycological agents.

[Appendicular cystadenocarcinoma with cutaneous fistula]. / Cystadénocarcinome appendiculaire fistulisé à la peau.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous metastasis of colorectal cancer is rare. We report a case of fistular lesions of the buttocks revealing a mixed tumour of the appendix involving mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumour. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old woman was admitted for four skin fistulae of the right buttock present for 6 years. Histological examination of skin biopsy specimens identified infiltration of the dermis by metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma while colonoscopy showed a caecal tumour measuring 4 cm. Surgical excision was performed involving right hemicolectomy, evacuation of retroperitoneal mucin collection and excision of fistulae. Histopathological examination of surgical specimen confirmed mixed tumour consisting of perforated mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumour of the appendix. Recurrence of the fistular lesions was seen. The patient was hospitalized several times for surgical drainage of mucin. She died one year later. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous metastasis of colorectal cancer is an uncommon event that usually occurs after identification of the primary tumour and generally indicates advanced-stage disease and an ominous prognosis. This case is particular and underlines the need to rule out a metastatic origin of cutaneous fistulae, even in patients otherwise apparently in good health.

[Sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia: a clinical and histological study]. / Forme sporotrichoïde de leishmaniose cutanée en Tunisie: étude clinique et histologique.

BACKGROUND: The sporotrichoid variety of cutaneous leishmaniasis is defined by the presence of dermal and hypodermal nodules along the lymphatic stream, and remote from the primary inoculation lesions. This clinical form is usually considered rare. The aim of our study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, histological and evolutionary particularities of sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis in the south of Tunisia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a systematic study of all cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis from the south of Tunisia diagnosed in our hospital in 2002, sporotrichoid forms were diagnosed on the basis of clinical criteria. In all cases of sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis, the principal clinical characters were systematically specified. Cutaneous biopsies of subcutaneous nodules were performed in six cases. RESULTS: Of 102 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, 19 presented sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis, that is, a frequency of 19%. Between two and 20 painless subcutaneous nodules were arranged in linear strings on the upper leg in 79% of cases. Time to appearance varied between 12 days and one year after the primary lesions. Fourteen appeared without any preliminary treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis and five appeared after Glucantime infiltration in the primary lesions. Biopsies of the nodules showed an inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and histiocytes. This infiltrate was particularly dense and rich in plasmocytes at the level of the deep dermis. The biopsies were deep enough to involve the hypoderm in one case and the same type of infiltrate was noted at the level of interlobular septa. A small number amastigotes was seen in one deep biopsy sample. Outcome was favourable in all cases under treatment. CONCLUSION: Sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis appears to be common in the south of Tunisia, were cutaneous leishmaniasis is dominant because of Leishmania major. It is not associated with a poor prognosis.

[Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis secondary to lymphoedema: two cases]. / Leishmaniose cutanée disséminée sur lymphoedème: deux cas.

BACKGROUND: Dissemination of cutaneous leishmaniasis may take various forms: satellite papules, sporotrichoid nodules and widespread papulonodular lesions (disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis). We describe a particular clinical form of dissemination in two patients with erysipelas secondary to lymphoedema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case 1. A 75-year-old man with diabetes consulted for erysipelas of the leg secondary to lymphoedema. The site of entry was an infected cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion. The initial outcome was favourable under intravenous penicillin G treatment. Twelve days later, some fifty papulonodular lesions appeared and were strictly limited to the erythematous erysipelas plaque. PCR screening of papulonodular lesion smears for Leishman bodies was positive. Histological examination of skin biopsy samples showed lobular panniculitis. Case 2. A 64-year-old woman with diabetes presented erysipelas in the right upper limb secondary to lymphoedema scattered with multiple erythematous, infiltrated, papular lesions in a setting of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions. PCR analysis of smears taken from the secondary nodular lesions demonstrated the presence of leishmaniasis, while histological analysis of biopsy samples revealed panniculitis. DISCUSSION: Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized by the appearance of multiple (>10) pleomorphic lesions on two or more noncontiguous areas of the body. Our two patients presented certain features of disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, they were unusual in terms of the strict localisation of nodular lesions to the erysipelas plaque. This particular aspect suggests haemolymphatic dissemination of the protozoan infection from the initial lesion as a result of local factors.

[Clinical polymorphism of cutaneous leishmaniasis in centre and south of Tunisia]. / Polymorphisme clinique de la leishmaniose cutanée du centre et sud tunisien.

The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an affection which is quite well known in Tunisia. The zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major by far the more frequent, is endemo-epidemic in the centre and south of the country. It is characterized by clinical polymorphism. The aim of our study is to precise the different clinical aspects of the CL in our region through a prospective study of 102 cases. The average age was 37.8 years old (from 4 to 78 years old) with a slight female predominance. All of our cases lived or stayed in an endemic zone. Various clinical forms were noted in our series. The ulcerated and crusted form was predominant: 54,9% of the cases, the lupoid form was noted in 15.7% of the cases and the sporotrichoid form was observed in 18.6% of the cases. Other rare forms were noted (papular erysipeloid, verrucous, vegetant, erythematous, ulcerated, necrotic and linear) were noted in 25.5% of the cases. Our series is characterized by the multiplicity of clinical forms. Besides, the classical form (ulcerated and crusted form), other clinical form can be individualised: lupoid, loco regional spreading (sporotrichoid form, satellite papules). Some atypical forms can be found which are due to variation of host immune responses and to the strain of the parasites involved.

[Discoid lupus erythematosus with eyelid involvement. A series of nine patients]. / Lupus érythémateux discoïde et paupière. Une série de 9 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that usually affects the sun-exposed skin. Palpebral involvement occurs uncommonly. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The goal of our study was to present the clinical and therapeutic features of a series of nine patients with discoid lupus erythematosus with eyelid involvement. RESULTS: Lesions of discoid lupus were more frequent in the lower eyelids (seven cases). The palpebral location was the only manifestation of the disease in a 34-year-old woman. In the other cases, cutaneous lesions of typical discoid lupus were noted. Seven patients responded to therapy with antimalarial drugs associated with local corticosteroids and photoprotection. DISCUSSION: Eyelid lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus are rare. Involvement of the lower eyelids is more common. It is important to diagnose discoid lupus of the eyelids because misdiagnosis (isolated form) can delay treatment and cause deformities. The treatment is systemic antimalarial drugs, which have an excellent clinical response.

[Androgenic alopecia revealing an ovarian secreting tumor]. / Alopécie de type androgénétique révélatrice d'une tumeur sécrétante de l'ovaire.

BACKGROUND: In menopausal women, rapid development of androgenetic alopecia may be associated with development of androgen-secreting tumors even in the absence of signs of virilisation. We report a case in which ovarian tumor was revealed by this condition. OBSERVATION: A 75 year-old woman menopausal from the age of 44 years had experienced hair loss over the previous three years with exacerbation over the last year. Clinical examination revealed male pattern androgenogenetic alopecia but with no signs of virilisation. Testosterone levels were 3 times the normal limit. Radiological examination confirmed the presence of an ovarian tumour and hysterectomy was performed with bilateral actomy. Histopathological examination revealed a mature cystic dysembryoma of the right ovary containing Leydig cell islets. The outcome was favourable with normalisation of hormone levels 2 months after surgery and gradual hair growth. DISCUSSION: This case involved a woman with androgenogenetic alopecia with no signs of virilisation or of hirsutism. The clinical picture was banal, and given the patient's age, there was no justification for routine endocrine investigation. Because of recent focus on androgenogenetic alopecia, testosterone levels were checked, resulting in the discovery of an ovarian tumour containing Leydig cells. In menopausal women with recent and/or severe androgenogenetic alopecia, testosterone levels should be determined in addition to ultrasensitive TSH and ferritin.

[Penile sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis]. / Leishmaniose sporotrichoïde de la verge.

The localisation of the cutaneous leishmaniasis of L. major at the penis level is rare, we report here a new observation. Mr K. R aged of 41, without known pathological background presented for 20 days a nodular lesion of the anterior face of the neck, 2 juxtaposed ulcerated nodular lesions of the left wrist. He presented also subcutaneous nodules ranged linearly and extended to the root of the penis. Theses lesions were covered by an erythematous or ulcerated skin. The smear made from the genital lesions of the penis confirmed the diagnosis of a cutaneous leishmaniasis. The evolution was favourable after a 21 days treatment by doxycyclin after an interval of one week. Our observation was specific by the localisation of the cutaneous leishmaniasis and by the clinical form. This shows that in our region cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterised by different clinical symptoms.

[Pemphigoid gestationis: a study of 15 cases]. / Pemphigoïde gestationis: une étude de 15 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare subepidermal bullous dermatosis generally occurring during the 2(nd) or 3(rd) quarter of gestation or in the postpartum period in women who already have been pregnant. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to draw a profile of the epidemiology, clinical aspects, treatment and evolution of the disease by studying hospital series. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 15 cases of pemphigoid gestationis confirmed by direct immunofluorescence, followed in the department of dermatology between 1983 and 1999, were included. RESULTS: The age of onset was 19 to 39 years (mean age: 30 years). In 73% of cases, pemphigoid gestationis occurred in women who had already been pregnant, and appeared during the last 3 months of gestation in 11 patients. In all cases, purities was the first symptom, followed by a erythematous maculopapular eruption. In the steady state of the disease, all patients had annular confluent erythematous papules with herpes, like vesicles predominant in the umbilicus. The diagnosis of pemphigoid gestationis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence in all cases demonstrated linear staining of C3 at the basement membrane zone. Systemic corticosteroids (0.5-1mg/kg/day) were used in 54% of reported cases. Dapsone was efficient in 26% of patients. 20% of patients were treated with oral antihistamine and topical glucocorticoid. Recurrence occurred in postpartum in 53,3% of patients. Two patients had recurrence during the following pregnancies. CONCLUSION: PG remains a rare dermatitis of pregnancy. Our series is comparable to the literature: the late occurrence of PG during the course of pregnancy, the high frequency of multigravida women, the lack involvement in the newborn, however with some particularities: the frequent involvement of the face and the efficiency of dapsone.

[Pityriasis versicolor in children: a retrospective study of 164 cases]. / Pityriasis versicolor de l'enfant: étude rétrospective de 164 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Pityriasis versicolor is a superficial mycosis uncommonly reported in children. It occurs frequently in warm humid climates. Clinical diagnosis can be confirmed by mycology examination of a biopsy sample or a patch-test. The aim of our work was to assess the frequency of pityriasis versicolor in children in our region and ascertain the contribution of the cutaneous patch test and its diagnostic specificity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in patients meeting the following inclusion criteria over a 5-year period: age < 14 years, clinical presentation compatible with pityriasis versicolor, a positive patch-test. Age, sex, clinical features and favoring factors were recorded for all patients. Patch tests were performed in a control group of age-matched children with eczema or vitiligo. RESULTS: Pityriasis versicolor was diagnosed in 1,379 cases during the study period including 164 children (11.8 p. 100). Age varied from 5 months to 14 years (mean 11 years), with a slight female predominance. Facial lesions were the most frequent (n = 78; 47.5 p. 100), preferentially on the forehead (n = 53; 68 p. 100). An achromic and hypochromic aspect predominated (n = 118; 72 p. 100). The adhesive tape tests were negative in all controls. DISCUSSION: Pityriasis versicolor is exceptional in children in our region. The adhesive tape test provides a specific diagnostic tool. Preferential facial localization and predominant achromic and hypochromic aspect are characteristic of childhood pityriasis versicolor in our region. These 2 features are also reported in the literature. Childhood cases suggests the pathogenic factors involved in pityriasis versicolor should be reconsidered. Pityriasis versicolor should be included in the differential diagnosis of childhood hypopigmentation of the face.

[Childhood plaque milia of the inner canthus]. / Milium en plaque, infantile, du canthus interne.

BACKGROUND: Milia en plaque is an uncommon skin condition usually seen in adult women, typically in the retroauricular region. We report a new localization in a young child. CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old girl with an uneventful history had developed over the last 7 months an erythematous plaque with numerous whitish-yellow microcysts on the left internal canthus. No local or general favoring factor was found. Skin biopsy showed numerous cystic cavities with an epidermal lining containing layers of keratin within a moderately inflammatory infiltration. The lesion resolved after enucleation of the cysts and no recurrence has been observed after 9 months follow-up. DISCUSSION: Milia en plaque is a charateristic erythematous lesion covered with cysts. The usual localization is the retroauricular region, but other localizations have been reported, mainly on the head. This is the first report involving the internal canthus and also in such a young child. One case of a 15-year-old boy has been discribed. Milia en plaque is often a primary condition as in our case although local or general factors may rarely be inductive. Our case illustrates the different localizations possible for milia en plaque, with predominance on the head, and the possibility of childhood cases. We prefer the term milia en plaque rather than retroauricular milia en plaque.