[Characterization of chronic plantar ulcers in former leprosy patients].

Between 1988 and 1992, 21 biopsies for pathological examination were taken from 20 Senegalese leprosy patients suffering from chronic plantar ulcers (CPU) suspected of malignant transformation. The diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was effectively made in 13 cases and that of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia in the remaining 8 cases. The mean period of time between the onset of CPU and that of malignant transformation was 10 years (range: 1 to 15 years); the mean annual frequency of the malignant transformation was 2 per 1,000 CPU.

[Progression towards dislocations of foot bone lesions in leprosy].

From a series of 211 tarsal, medio-tarsal and metatarso-phalangeal dislocations, the authors, after having recalled the lesion mechanism, adopted a classification and gave a place to preventive conservative surgery in 52 cases. The early forms can have early limited arthrodesia. The developed lesions present indications of arthrodesia--isolated reconstruction or associated to spongy or cortico-spongy bone grafts.

[Course of bone lesions of leprosic feet towards dislocation of the tarsus and metatarsus].

The authors have observed 135 dislocations of the tarsus in leprosic feet. They recall the mechanism of the lesion and propose a classification. 42 cases were operated on to prevent further deformities.