[Sexual dysfunction after colostomy]. / Troubles sexuels après colostomies définitives.

BACKGROUND: Sexual disturbances after colostomy are various. However, they probably remain underestimated in societies where sexuality is still a taboo issue. THE AIM of this prospective study was to evaluate the possible sexual behaviour and the post operative sexual disturbances in patients whome underwent colostomy. METHODS: The group was devided in 10 male and 11 female patients. Seventeen patients (81%) were married, 3 widowed and 1 unmaried. RESULTS: Sexual disturbances were found in 47% of patients. There was a lack of interest in sexual relations in 2 women, a resolved premature ejaculation in one case, post operative dysparenia in 2 female patients, a retrograde ejaculation in a 60-year-old man, impotence in a 46 years old patient, and a premature ejaculation in a 36-year-old man. The frequency of sexual disturbances (47%) in our series was close to that reported in the literature (50%). CONCLUSION: The sexual disorders are more common in male patients, the most frequent being ejaculatory dysfunction. In women, dyspareunia is the most common disorder. The particular case of colostomy in homosexuals remains a current issue.

[Clinical and histological study of lupoid cutaneous leishmaniasis (16 cases)]. / Etude anatomoclinique de la forme lupoïde de la leishmaniose cutanée (16 cas).

INTRODUCTION: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is characterised by a major clinical polymorphism, especially the lupoid type. The aim of our study was to precise the anatomic and clinical particularities of this clinical form of CL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present work was a prospective 1-year study. In all patients, the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics were identified, together with those regarding disease progression. Standard cutaneous biopsies were carried out for all study patients. RESULTS: The lupoid form was observed in 15% of the patients. It was clinically characterised by a lupoid aspect with papular and squamous placard surrounded by a satellite papule, a short duration of disease progression (28 months in average) and a preferential localisation at the level of the face and the elbow, statistically proven. At the histological level, epidermic hyperplasia was found in 93.8% of the cases; an inflammatory polymorphic dermic infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes and plasmocytes was found in all patients; granulomas were noted in 50% of the cases, and isolated epitheloid cells were observed in the derm of 3 patients. Amastigotes were rarely observed. DISCUSSION: In our series, the lupoid form was characterised with a short and non chronic evolution and two preferential sites for the affection: the face and the elbow. At the histological level, the lupoid type of CL appeared characterized by a high frequency of granuloma, usually organized, and rare amastigotes. However, the histology of authentic lupoid forms can be non granolomatosic.

[Epidemio-clinical profile of skin cancer in southern Tunisia]. / Profil epidemio-clinique des cancers cutanes dans le sud Tunisien.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer (SK) frequency is increasing all over the world. AIM: We report a clinical and epidemiological study of SK in the south of Tunisia through a 1476 cases series. METHOD: On the basis of a retrospective study, we report the clinical and epidemiological data collected from files of patients with skin cancers seen during a 24-year-period (1979-2002). RESULTS: Our series was composed of 1476 patients, with an incidence of 615 cases/year. The mean age was 55 years. Epithelial skin carcinomas were the most common (1288 cases, 87.3%). Basal cell carcinomas were found in 890 patients (69%) and squamous cell carcinomas in 398 (31%). The mean age was 60 years. The phototype III was the most common (52.8%) among these patients. Skin melanomas were found in 71 cases (4.8%). The mean age was 54 years with a female predominance (60.6 %). Kaposi sarcoma was found in 4.5% of patients. The mean age was 64.3% and a male predominance was found (80% of cases). Two patients with Kaposi sarcoma (33%) were HIV positive. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans was reported in 2% of patients and skin lymphoma in 1.7%. CONCLUSION: The mean age is relatively low in our series. The increase in the incidence of skin cancers is probably related to the climatic conditions, the ageing of the population and to the changes in the social, economic and cultural aspects in the country. The male predominance is changing toward an equal distribution between both sexes probably in relation to the present similarity in the life style and work conditions.

[Sweet syndrome: retrospective study of 54 cases]. / Syndrome de Sweet: étude rétrospective de 54 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Sweet syndrome is the most common neutrophilic dermatosis. We studied its natural history and epidemiologic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics from a series of 54 cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examines 54 cases collected over a 10-year-period. Diagnosis was based on clinical and histological criteria. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 47 years. The sex ratio was 8 women for every man. Disease developed most often in autumn and onset was sudden in all patients. Untypical aspects were found in 20 patients. Lesions were located mainly on the arms (43 cases) and legs (33 cases). No mucous membrane involvement was observed. Histological testing found leukocytoclastic vasculitis in 8 cases. Sweet syndrome was idiopathic for 38 patients. Lesions began at the site of previous trauma for 9 patients, occurred during pregnancy for 2, and were associated with cancer for 3. First-line treatment was colchicine for 23 patients and oral steroids for 12. Six patients had recurrences and 2 patients had relapses. COMMENTARY: This large series of patients with Sweet syndrome differs from other reports by the frequency of untypical aspects and post-traumatic forms, as well as the rarity of association with cancer. Histological findings of vasculitis do not rule out a diagnosis of Sweet syndrome.

Acquired lymphangioma circumscriptum of the vulva.

Lymphangiomas are rare benign proliferations of the lymphatic system. Acquired lymphangioma circumscriptum of the vulva is induced by impaired lymph flow. We describe a new case of lymphangioma circumscriptum resulting from tuberculosis involving a lymph node. A 45-year-old female presented with swelling of the vulva for the past 8 years. She had a history of multiple left inguinal swellings successfully treated with four antituberculosis drugs. Her vulval swelling did not respond and was diagnosed as acquired lymphangioma circumscriptum. She becomes the fifth reported case of acquired lymphangioma circumscriptum of the vulva with tubercular lymphadenitis. The single antituberculosis treatment is insufficient to control lymphangioma. Ablative methods seem encouraging.

[Fluconazole and treatment of onychomycosis. About 86 cases]. / Fluconazole et traitement des onychomycoses. A propos de 86 cas.

Systemic treatment of onychomycosis is based these last years on the new drug utilization aiming to decrease the length of the treatment and secondary effects particularly with fluconazole. The aim of our study is to determine the efficiency and the tolerance of the fluconazole (Funzol) managed to the dose of 150 mg per week in the treatment of onychomycosis. It is a multicentric and prospective study done to different department of dermatology in Tunisia. Are included adult patients with clinical and mycologic documented onychomycosis. They are treated during 12 to 24 weeks for the fingernail and 24 to 36 weeks for the toenail. The assessment of the efficiency and the tolerance of the drug was clinic and biologic. During this survey, 86 patients are included, 55 female and 31 male with mean age of 43.5 years. Onychomycosis seat to hands in 30 cases (34.8%) with a predominance of Candida species (73%), to toes in 68 cases (79%) witch due in 85% of cases to dermatophytic agent (85%). At 6 months, clinical cure rate is observed in 51% of cases. After 9 months, at the end of therapy, 84% of patients were judged clinical successes and culture was negative in 82% of cases. Some minimal secondary effects are signalled in 11% of cases to 6 weeks and 10% to 12 weeks not justifying the stop of the treatment. So this study confirms the efficiency and the good tolerance of fluconazole in the treatment of onychomycosis.

[Beneficial effects of antimalarials in the treatment of generalized granuloma annular in children]. / Interet des antipaludeens de synthese dans le traitement du granulome annulaire generalise de l'enfant.

Granulma annulare is a polymorphic granulomatous disease of the skin. It has a chronic course and affects mainly children and young adults. We report two cases of generalized granuloma annulare in children successfully treated with antimalarials. Two children, 6 and 12 years of age, without clinical history, presented with multiple granuloma annulare lesions which did not respond to potent topical steroids. Blood glucose level was normal. These lesions responded to small doses of antimalarials. No side effects were noticed. Compared with other drugs, with potential important side effects for children. Small doses of antimalarials might be beneficial in the treatment of generalized granuloma annulare.

Risk factors for erysipelas of the leg in Tunisia: a multicenter case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for erysipelas (cellulitis) were rarely evaluated in controlled studies. Regional variations of these risk factors have never be assessed. OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for erysipelas of the leg in Tunisia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Case-control study in seven hospital centers in Tunisia. Cases were 114 consecutive patients with erysipelas of the leg [sudden onset (<24 h) of a well-demarcated dermo-hypodermatitis with fever or chills]. Two controls were matched to each case for age, sex, and hospital (n = 208). Main outcome measures are local and general suspected risk factors for erysipelas of the leg. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, disruption of the cutaneous barrier (i.e. traumatic wound, toe-web intertrigo, excoriated leg dermatosis or plantar squamous lesions) and leg edema were independently associated with erysipelas of the leg, with respective odds ratios of 13.6 (95% confidence interval: 6.0-31) and 7.0 (1.3-38). No association was observed with diabetes, alcoholism, or smoking. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the major role of local risk factors and the minor role of general risk factors for erysipelas of the leg, in a setting different than the one previously studied. Detecting and treating toe-web intertrigo and traumatic wounds should be considered in the prevention of erysipelas of the leg.

[Cutaneous metastasis of Crohn's disease]. / Localisations cutanées métastatiques d'une maladie de Crohn.

INTRODUCTION: Involvement of the skin in Crohn's disease is rare. We report the case of a young woman presenting cutaneous nodules revealing a Crohn's disease. CASE REPORT: R. K. a 19 year old woman was admitted the impatient clinic for a 2 week history of nodular lesions of the extremities. Simultaneously, she had watery diarrhoea and abdominal pain associated with a bad general condition and fever. Skin examination showed ulcerated lesions with a non infiltrated inflammatory bader of the left food and the right calf associated with an abscess of the left forearm. Skin biopsy showed an inflammatory infiltrate of the deep dermis with tuberculoid noncaseating granulomas. Colonoscopy demonstrated multiple ulcers, a "globlestone appearance" of the glow and segmental glitis. Colonoscopy was followed by a peritonitis which made steroid therapy questionable. Meanwhile, the patient underwent a colonostomy and was fed intravenously, the skin lesions resolved. A follow up colonoscopy demonstrated colon polyps, and the biopsy of the colon showed features of colitis and "follicular" duodenitis which was in concordance with the diagnosis of Crohn's disease. COMMENTARIES: Usually, cutaneous lesions in Crohn's disease are consistent with nodules and granulomatous fissures of the grain. Involvement of the mucosa is rare. We report the case of "metastatic" localisation of nodular abscesses in Corhn disease. Improvement of cutaneous lesions might be explained by the nonuse of the digestive track allowed by the parenteral supplementation.

[Kaposi' s sarcoma. A series of 65 cases]. / La maladie de Kaposi. Une série de 65 cas.

Kaposi sarcoma (SK) is characterized by proliferation of vascular and spindle-shaped cells with variable clinical presentations. The association with AIDS modifies the profile of this disease. The pathophysiology seems to be based on the major role HHV-8. The goal of this work was to specify the profile of this disease in our region through a retrospective study of 65 cases of SK over a 23-year period (1981-2003). In our series, the classic form prevailed 163 cases (96.9%)]. One patient had a secondary form due to steroid therapy and another patient had a KS associated with AIDS. A male prevalence was noticed (M/F: 2.8). Cutaneous lesions were dominated by papulo-nodular lesions (90.9%) of the lower limbs (92.3% of the cases). Mucous lesions were present in 15.4% of the cases. Therapeutic abstention was decided in 38.4%. Surgical excision was indicated in 35.4% of cases, radiotherapy in 4.6% of the cases and chemotherapy in 23% of the cases. The classic form of KS is the most frequent in our area; the other forms remaining rare.