[Squamous cell carcinoma associated with use of skin-lightening cream]. / Carcinome épidermoïde associé à une dépigmentation volontaire.

BACKGROUND: Women widely use skin-lightening products for cosmetic purposes in sub-Saharan Africa despite numerous reported cutaneous and systemic complications. The occurrence of epidermoid carcinoma has long been reported, but only three cases have been published so far. We report the first case in Mali. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 30-year old woman with no noteworthy medical history was seen at our outpatient center for cervical ulceration that had been present for the last 5 years. She had used cosmetic bleaching cream over a period of around ten years. Physical examination revealed extensive ulceration on the left side of her neck. Blood tests for viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus were negative. The pathological examination of the skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. After failure of the initial excision with early relapse, multiple surgical ablations were performed 3 months later. DISCUSSION: The high prevalence of skin-lightening cosmetic use contrasts with the rarity of epidermoid carcinoma in depigmented skin. However, a large chronic ulcer on uncovered parts of the upper body, particularly the neck, should prompt physicians to consider skin cancer. Appropriate preventive measures include the promotion of educational messages for the general population, the use of sun-protection devices, and routine skin biopsy for all women presenting chronic cervical ulceration after long-term use of skin-lightening products.

[Summary Of Admissions To The Bamako Dermatology Hospital]. / Bilan Des Admissions A l'Hôpital De Dermatologie De Bamako.

OBJECTIVE: It was to take stock of the dermatological conditions managed within the hospital over a period of five years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive study performed from January 2015 to December 2019 at the Bamako Dermatology Hospital, based on the records of patients received in consultation. RESULTS: During the period, 6,322 new consultations were recorded. The mean age was 42 ± 12.5 years with extremes of two months and 82 years. The sex ratio was 0.6. The majority of our patients (76.1%) came directly from home. Socio-professionally, the patients were mainly peasants (45%), housewives (23.9%) and workers (12%). Among the 6,322 consultants, 27.1% were hospitalized. In terms of diagnosis, skin conditions were dominated by infections (56.1%), followed by allergies (15.4%); system diseases (12.0%); genetic dermatoses (7.5%) and tumor dermatoses (5.2%). The average length of hospital stay was 46 ± 18.7 days in adults and 21 ± 11.6 days in children. CONCLUSION: This study made it possible to identify the skin conditions subject to consultation in dermatology which are dominated by infections and allergies.

OBJECTIF: Faire le bilan des différentes affections dermatologiques prises en charge au sein de l'hôpital sur une période de cinq années. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Etude rétrospective et descriptive menée de janvier 2015 à décembre 2019 à l'Hôpital de Dermatologie de Bamako, basée sur les dossiers des patients reçus en consultation. RÉSULTATS: Durant la période, 6322 nouvelles consultations ont été enregistrées. La moyenne d'âge était de 42±12,5 ans avec des extrêmes de deux mois et 82 ans. Le sex-ratio était de 0,6. La majorité de nos patients (76,1%) était venue directement de la maison. Sur le plan socioprofessionnel, les patients étaient surtout des paysans (45%), des ménagères (23,9%) et des ouvriers (12%). Parmi les 6322 consultants, 27,1% ont été hospitalisés. Sur le plan diagnostique, les affections cutanées étaient dominées par les infections (56,1%), suivies des allergies (15,4%) ; les maladies de système (12,0%) ; les dermatoses génétiques (7,5%) et celles tumorales (5,2%). La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation était de 46±18,7 jours chez les adultes et de 21±11,6 jours chez les enfants. CONCLUSION: Cette étude a permis de recenser les affections cutanées faisant objet de consultation en dermatologie qui sont dominées par les infections et les allergies.