[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.

Dapsone-induced neuropathy compounds Hansen's disease nerve damage: an electrophysiological study in tuberculoid patients.

In 17 previous cases of dermatological disorders, an axonal motor neuropathy was described as a dapsone (DDS) therapy side effect. In this study, we attempted to assess DDS-induced neuropathy in the ulnar and popliteal nerves of 39 tuberculoid Hansen's disease patients using electrophysiological recordings at the time of DDS withdrawal, owing to dermatological improvement, and 4 months after. Distal motor latencies, conduction velocities at forearm and leg and above the epicondyle and the neck of the fibula were improved at a highly significant level.

[Kaposi's disease in Western Africa. 11 cases in Mali].

Eleven cases of Kaposi's angiosarcoma (ASK) were observed in Bamako over a 2 year period, representing one third of all malignant cutaneous tumours. There was a clear cut male prevalence. The average age of the patients was 32 years.

[New technic of palliative intervention in paralysis of the intrinsic muscles of the hand (cubital paralysis in Hansen's disease)].

On a single poster, drawings explain a surgical technique we performed for some time in the Institut Marchoux on souple clawed fingers in hansenian ulnar palsy. Sketches at first recall anatomy physiopathogeny's principles and hence usual operations yet performed, then the main steps of our method. Its qualities are simplicity, speediness and compatibility with other treatments.