[Evolution of Uterine Ruptures at the Maternity of Ignace Deen National Hospital (Chu of Conakry)]. / Évolution des Ruptures Utérines à la Maternité de L'hôpital National Ignace Deen (Chu de Conakry).

Uterine rupture is a common obstetrical drama in our delivery rooms that has become exceptional in developed countries. In developing countries including Guinea, this tragedy is one of the major concerns of the obstetrician. The objectives of this work were: to evaluate the frequency of uterine rupture in the department, to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, to identify the factors favoring the occurrence of uterine rupture, to evaluate the maternal-fetal prognosis and propose a prevention strategy to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality by uterine rupture. This was a descriptive study with data collection in two phases, one retrospective lasting 18 months from July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018 and the other prospective, lasting 18 months also from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 both carried out at the maternity ward of the Ignace Deen National Hospital. We collected 84 cases of uterine rupture out of 18,790 deliveries, i.e. a frequency of 0.44%. During the same time 10,067 cesarean sections were realized, i.e. one laparotomy for uterine rupture for 120 cesarean sections. The average age of the patients was 28.14 years with a standard deviation of 2 years and the average profile is that of a housewife (51.8%), multiparous (44.6%), evacuated from peripheral maternity (85.5%) and having an insufficient number of antenatal consultations (82.6%). In 93.1% of cases, the uterine rupture had occurred in delivery centers, peripheral maternity hospitals and on the way, the uterine ruptures were mostly spontaneous (65.1%), and occurred in a healthy uterus (59.0%). Uterine rupture was more frequently complete (83.33%). Surgical treatment was more frequently conservative with hysterorrhaphy (88.1%). We recorded 12 maternal deaths, i.e. a case fatality rate of 14.6%. On admission, almost all of the women showed no signs of fetal life. To reduce the frequency of uterine ruptures, better organization of emergency obstetric and neonatal care and better screening for risk factors for obstructed labor during prenatal consultations should be encouraged.

Sexual violence: epidemiological and clinical aspects and circumstances of occurrence among women seen at the Gynecology-Obstetrics department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital of Conakry University Hospital.

Sexual violence is widespread in the world and has a negative impact on women's mental, social, and physical well-being. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the occurrence of sexual violence among patients seen in the Gynecology-Obstetrics department at Ignace Deen National Hospital. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study of victims of sexual violence seen in the department, directly or on court orders, during the two-year period from May 1, 2016, to April 30, 2018. The data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software. Sexual violence accounted for 3.5% of all consultations in the department during the study period. They concerned adolescents (64.0%), females (97.1%), students (78.6%), and single individuals (95.7%). More than half of the sexual assaults were committed in the abuser's home (57.1%), by an assailant known to the victim (87.0%), at night (71.4%), by one person (85.7%), and during the weekend (60.0%). The lesions observed included vulvovaginitis (45.8%), vaginal tears (8.7%), facial bruises (8.7%), anal tears (4.4%), and ocular contusions (4.4%). The gynecological examination was normal in 21.4% of cases. Vaginal penetration was the sexual act practiced most often (88.4%) by aggressors, compared with acts of sodomy (4.3%). We noted 7.2% of fondling. Overall, 58.6% had previously had their hymen broken, and 34.3 very recently, while the hymen was intact in 7.1% of cases. The frequency of sexual violence is underestimated in our society. Its prevention involves its punishment, adequate medical care of victims, and improvement of the status of women.

[Obstetrical vesico-vaginal fistula in Guinea: Data analysis of three sites of treatment at Engender Health ONG]. / Fistules vésico-vaginales obstétricales en Guinée : analyse des données de 3 sites de prise en charge de l'ONG Engender Health.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the management of obstetric vesico-vaginal fistula in the three sites of Engender Health in Guinea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective study of descriptive type having helped collect 450 cases of vesico-vaginal fistulas in three support sites engender health between January 2008 and December 2011. The variables studied were epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic reasons and treatment outcomes were evaluated after a decline of at least six months. RESULTS: The mean age of onset of the fistula was 25years, ranging from 12 to 55years and 58.8% (n=265) of patients were aged between 18 and 30years. The mean duration of fistula was 11years, ranging from 1 to 38years. Eighty-two percent (n=416) of patients were housewives and 66.4% (n=299) off school. The complex fistula with 66% (n=297) was the most frequent. The treatment consisted of a fistulorraphie after splitting vesico-vaginal in 93.3% (n=420) of cases. Therapeutic results considered after a mean of 8months have resulted in a cure in 79.3% (n=357) of cases, improvement in 4.2% (n=19) of cases and failure in 16 4% (n=74) of cases. CONCLUSION: Vesico-vaginal fistula is a major cause of maternal morbidity in Guinea. The establishment of a real health policy based on sound medical and social structures contributes to its eradication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

[Ectopic pregnancy at the Ignace Deen University Hospital in Conakry: epidemiologic, social, demographic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects]. / Grossesse extra-utérine dans la clinique de gynécologie-obstétrique Ignace-Deen du CHU de Conakry Aspects épidémiologique, sociodémographique, thérapeutique et pronostique.

The objectives of this study were to calculate the frequency of ectopic pregnancy in the department, define its epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects, and determine a clear therapeutic approach appropriate to our setting. In this prospective study, we compiled all cases of ectopic pregnancy seen in 2011 and 2012 in the obstetrics-gynecology department at Ignace Deen University Hospital in Conakry. Ectopic pregnancies represented 1.3% of all deliveries over this period. In the 111 cases in this population, women aged 30-34 years accounted for 31.5%, those pregnant for the first time 40.5%, nulliparous women 35.1%, married women 72.1%, those without schooling 43.2%), and those with a history of sexually transmitted infection 57.6% (these categories are not exclusive, and the same women may be included in several). Secondary amenorrhea with abdominopelvic pain and metrorrhagia was the reason for admission in 56.5% of cases. Ultrasound in early pregnancy is infrequent in Conakry. Almost all of our patients underwent emergency surgery (80.2%) More than half of the ectopic pregnancies were located in the ampulla of the uterine tubes (73.0%). There were three abdominal pregnancies and 2 ovarian. In all cases the treatment was surgical, most often salpingectomy. Postoperative complications occurred in 35.1% of cases, most often anemia (27.9% of all cases) requiring blood transfusion in 11.7% of all cases before, during, or after surgery. The maternal death rate was 1.8%. Ectopic pregnancy remains a major concern at Ignace Deen CHU. Reduction of its frequency requires increased population awareness of sexually transmitted infections and illegal abortions. Management should be prompt and appropriate.

[Hysterectomies at the Conakry university hospitals: social, demographic, and clinical characteristics, types, indications, surgical approaches, and prognosis]. / Les hystérectomies au CHU de Conakry : caractéristiques sociodémographiques et cliniques, types, indications, voies d'abord et pronostic.

The objectives of this study were to calculate the frequency of hysterectomies at the Conakry university hospitals (Donka Hospital and Ignace Deen Hospital), describe the women's social, demographic, and clinical characteristics, and identify the key indications, the surgical techniques used, and the prognosis. This was a 2-year descriptive study, retrospective for the first year (May 2011-April 2012) and prospective for the second (May 2012-April 2013), of 333 consecutive hysterectomies performed in the obstetrics and gynecology departments of these two hospitals. Hysterectomy is one of the surgical procedures most commonly performed in these departments (following cesarean deliveries), with frequency of 4.4% interventions. The profile of the women undergoing this surgery was that of a woman aged younger than 49 years (61%), married (75.7%), multiparous (33%), of childbearing age (61%), and with no history of abdominal or pelvic surgery (79.6%). Nearly all hysterectomies were total (95%, compared with 5% subtotal; the approach was abdominal in 82.25% of procedures and vaginal in 17.75%. The most common indication for surgery was uterine fibroids (39.6%), followed by genital prolapse (22.2%), and obstetric emergencies (17.8%). The average duration of surgery was 96 minutes for abdominal and 55 minutes for vaginal hysterectomies. The principal intraoperative complication was hemorrhage (12.31%), and the main postoperative complication parietal suppuration (21.02%). The average length of hospital stay was 10.3 days for abdominal hysterectomies and 7.15 days for vaginal procedures. We recorded 14 deaths for a lethality rate of 4.2%; most of these deaths were associated with hemorrhagic shock during or after an obstetric hysterectomy (93%). Hysterectomy remains a common intervention in developing countries. Its indications are common during the pregnancy and postpartum period, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Improving obstetric coverage could reduce its indications.

[Breech presentation: mode of delivery and maternal and fetal outcomes at the Ignace Deen Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Conakry University Hospital]. / Presentation de siege: mode d'accouchement et pronostic maternal-foetal a la Clinique de Gynecologie Obstetrique Ignace Deen du CHU de Conakry.

The authors in a prospective, analytical study of 8 months from January 1st to August 31st performed at the Ignace Deen Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Conakry University Hospital; assessed the impact of the mode of delivery in breech presentation on maternal and fetal outcome in the African context of Guinea. Breech presentation in mono fetal pregnancy of at least 28 weeks of amenorrhea was the inclusion criterion in this study. Among 1490 deliveries, 144 breech presentations were reviewed, representing a frequency of 9.66%. Half of breech deliveries (49.99%) were premature against only 11.85% in cephalic presentations. The breech was incomplete in 57.64% cases and complete in 42.35%. Caesarean section was performed in 40.97% of cases against 39.54% in cephalic presentation. The indications were often primiparity (30.50%), acute fetal distress (28.81%) and macrosomia (23.72%). Deliveries through the lower route frequently used the maneuver of Bracht (52.50%). 54.16% of the new-born babies had a fetal weight lower than 2500 g at born. Morbid Apgar score at the 1st minute after delivery through the lower route was found in 69.40% of the breech presentation born babies; however, this rate was 32.70% in cephalic presentation (p=0.000). The maternal morbidity concerned essentially perineal lesions (26.53%). The outcome is largely better in case of delivery through the upper route. The caesarean section is an alternative for the improvement of fetal outcome in countries with low resources.

[Intrapartum obstetrical transfers: sociodemographic, clinical and prognosistic aspects in Conakry, Guinea]. / Evacuations obstétricales intrapartum: aspects sociodémographique, clinique et pronostique à Conakry, Guinée.

The objectives of this descriptive prospective study were to determine the frequency of intrapartum obstetrical transfers, assess the sociodemographic profile of parturients requiring transfer, describe transfer modalities, and assess maternal and newborn outcomes. Study included all patients requiring intrepartum obstetrical transfer to the Ignace Deen University Hospital Gynecology Obstetrics Clinic in Conakry, Guinea from August 1st, 2009 to July 31st, 2010. Out of 3122 deliveries during the study period, intrapartum transfer was required in 220 cases, i.e. 7.05%. Mean patient age was 23.2 years (range, 14 to 44). The risk for intrapartum transfer was higher among multiparous or nulliparous women (incidence, 8.79%) and adolescents (incidence, 10%). Patients requiring transfer were mainly housewives (60%) and uneducated women (57.27%). Most had had an insufficient number (<4) of antenatal examinations (76.36%) and had been examined at peripheral maternity units (62.73%). In 175 cases (79.54%), patients were transferred by taxi. In 191 patients, treatment required surgery including 130 caesarian sections. There were 12 maternal deaths (5.45%) and 45 neonatal deaths out of 242 newborns including 22 twin deliveries (18.59%). Further work is necessary to improve referral and transfer at all levels of the health pyramid.

Presentation de siege : mode d'accouchement et pronostic materno-feotal a la clinique de gynecologie obstetrique Ignace Deen du CHU de Conakry

Les auteurs dans une etude prospective de type analytique de 8 mois; allant du 1er janvier au 31 aout 2006; realisee a la clinique de gynecologie obstetrique de l'hopital Ignace Deen du CHU de Conakry; ont evalue l'impact du mode d'accouchement dans la presentation du siege sur le pronostic materno-foetal dans le contexte africain guineen. La grossesse mono foetale en siege d'au moins 28 semaines d'amenorrhee a ete le critere d'inclusion.Sur 1490 accouchements; 144 presentations de siege ont ete colliges; soit une frequence de 9;66. La moitie des accouchements en siege (49;99) etait prematuree contre seulement 11;85en sommet. Le siege etait decomplete dans 57;64des cas et complet dans 42;35. La cesarienne a ete realisee dans 40;97des cas; contre 39;54dans la presentation du sommet. Les indications etaient le plus souvent la primiparite (30;50); la souffrance foetale aigue (28;81) et la macrosomie (23;72).Les accouchements par voie basse avaient recours plus frequemment a la manoeuvre de Bracht (52;50). 54;16des nouveaux nes avaient un poids foetal inferieur a 2500 g a la naissance. L'Apgar morbide a la 1ere minute; apres accouchement par voie basse; a ete retrouve chez 69;40des nouveaux nes en siege ; alors que ce taux en sommet etait de 32;70(p=0;000). La morbidite maternelle concernait essentiellement les lesions perineales (26;53).Le pronostic est largement meilleur lors de l'accouchement par voie haute. La cesarienne est une alternative pour l'amelioration du pronostic foetal dans les pays a ressources limitees

[Management of pre-term labor: use of nifedipine in Conakry, Guinea]. / Menaces d'accouchement prématuré: utilisation de la nifédipine à Conakry, Guinée.

This purpose of this prospective and descriptive study was to evaluate the utility of a calcium-channel inhibitor, i.e. nifedipine, for management of preterm labor in our work setting in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness in comparison with betamimetics classically used for this indication. Study was carried out over a six-month period in the department of Gynecology-Obstetrics Department of Ignace Deen National Hospital in Conakry, Guinea. Pregnant women meeting the following criteria were included: 28 to 33 weeks of amenorrhea, six days of hospitalization either for preterm labor or for another diagnosis that was associated with the occurrence of preterm labor during hospitalization, and absence of contraindications for tocolysis using nifedipine. A total of 42 women were included. Pregnancy was extended for more than 48 hours after the first dose of nifedipine in 86.8% of cases. Administration of nifedipine failed in 5 cases including one case in which it was necessary to change the tocolytic and 4 cases in which delivery occurred less than 48 hours after the first dose of nifedipine. In 68% of cases, 90 mg of nifedipine were sufficient to stop uterine contractions within 48 hours. In 39.5% of cases, no side effects were observed. Adverse effects in the other cases were dizziness (39.5%) and headache (18.4%). The mean term of delivery was 36 weeks +/- 5 days of amenorrhea with a mean extension of 6.2 weeks. Apgar score was low in 30.5% of the newborns and normal in 69.5%. One newborn (2.8%) died. The results of this study indicate that nifedipine is an effective, economical and safe drug for tocolysis and that it can be used as an alternative to betamimetis in countries with limited resources. An information campaign is needed to promote use of nifedipine as a tocolytic in obstetrical facilities of our country.

Monitoring transient Ca2+ dynamics with large-conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels at active zones in frog saccular hair cells.

Neurotransmitter release from the basolateral surface of auditory and vestibular hair cells is mediated by Ca(2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. Co-localization of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels at the active zones of these cells affords them with an optimal location to act as reporters of the Ca(2+) concentration changes at active zones of transmitter release. In this report we use BK channels in frog (Rana pipiens) hair cells to monitor dynamic changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration during transient influxes of Ca(2+), showing that BK current magnitude and delay to onset are correlated with the rate and duration of Ca(2+) entry through Ca(2+) channels. We also show that BK channels exhibit a much higher Ca(2+) binding affinity in the open state than in the closed state.

Tuberculose cutanee a Dakar: a propos de 151 cas

Introduction. Le diagnostic de tuberculose cutanee est rendu difficile par son polymorphisme clinique. Notre objectif etait de preciser les donnees epidemiologiques; cliniques; paracliniques et evolutives de la tuberculose cutanee a Dakar. Materiel et methode :Une etude retrospective de Janvier 1972 a Octobre 2005 a ete effectuee au service de Dermatologie de l'Hopital Le Dantec de Dakar. Le diagnostic etait base sur des arguments epidemiologiques; cliniques; l'intradermo-reaction a la tuberculine; la bacteriologie et l'histologie. Resultats : Notre etude a recense 151 cas dont 78 hommes et 73 femmes. La tuberculose cutaneo-ganglionnaire etait majoritaire (84;76) suivie de la gomme (11;25). Le lupus tuberculeux (1;98); la tuberculose periorificielle (1;98); la tuberculose verruqueuse (2;64) et la BCGite (0;66) etaient plus rares. Les localisations viscerales (43) etaient pulmonaires (26;5); osteoarticulaires (8;6) neurologiques (0;66) et multiples (9;17). L'IDR etait fortement positive dans 65;15des cas; la bacilloscopie dans 12;5; l'histologie dans 66;22et la serologie VIH dans 14;28. La cicatrisation des lesions cutanees etait notee chez tous les patients apres 1 a 2 mois de traitement. Une recidive a ete notee dans 3 cas et un deces dans 3 cas chez des patients positifs au VIH. Une guerison a ete observee dans 23 cas apres 8 a 12 mois de traitement. Conclusion : La tuberculose cutanee demeure endemique au Senegal. Le scrofuloderme et la gomme sont les principales formes cliniques. L'IDR fortement positive et le granulome tuberculoide avec necrose caseeuse deviennent des arguments diagnostiques de grande valeur

[Management of ectopic pregnancy in Conakry, Guinea]. / Prise en charge de la grossesse extra utérine à Conakry (Guinée).

Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most frequent hemorrhagic emergencies encountered in gynecology and obstetrics. The purpose of this 16-month descriptive prospective study at the Ignace Deen Gynecology-Obstetric clinic at Conakry University Hospital in Guinea was to assess diagnostic techniques and therapeutic attitudes regarding ectopic pregnancy in a low-resource setting. The frequency of ectopic pregnancy was 1.4%. Mean patient age was 28.9 years. Ectopic pregnancy was often observed at the second or third pregnancy (47.1%) in women who were giving birth for the second or third time (36.0%) and had a history of sexually transmitted infections (88.2%) or abortions (43.1%). Most women had no schooling (60.8 %), were poor and lived in a marital home (86.3%). Presenting symptoms included the classic triad of amenorrhea (98.0%), abdominopelvic pain (92.2%), and vaginal bleeding (62.7%). Definitive diagnosis was achieved by ultrasound examination in 76.6% of cases and by puncture of the Douglas pouch in 84%. The most frequent site of ectopic pregnancy was the ampulla of the uterine tube (66.9%). Abdominal and ovarian pregnancy was observed in 3 and 4 of the 51 cases respectively. Surgical management was performed in all cases. The most frequent procedure was salpingectomy (80.3%). Proper treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI), start-up of post-abortion care facilities, and provision of information during early consultation at the first signs of pregnancy would help reduce the frequency and improve the prognosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Reticulohistiocytose multicentrique : a propos de deux observations

Introduction :La Reticulohistiocytose Multicentrique (RHM) est une affection peu decrite dans la litterature. Nous rapportons deux observations de RHM faites a Dakar; caracteristiques par l'agressivite des lesions et la presentation cutanee pure dans un cas.Observations : La premiere observation concernait une patiente agee de 34 ans admise pour des papulo nodules dissemines; une polyarthrite bilaterale asymetrique destructrice n'epargnant pas les inter-phalangiennes distales et un epanchement sero-hematique aux genoux. La deuxieme observation etait faite chez une patiente agee de 26 ans qui avait des papulo-nodules dissemines depuis 10 ans. L'examen histologique en faveur de la RHM dans les deux cas; montrait une infiltration intradermique d'histiocytes multinucleees sans plasmocytes ni polynucleaires ni cellules xanthomisees. La corticotherapie etait decevante dans la premiere observation. La surveillance etait indiquee dans le deuxieme cas. Conlusion : La RHM est une maladie rare chronique handicapante a localisation tegumentaire diffuse isolee exceptionnelle en Afrique

Prise en charge de la grossesse extra uterine a Conakry (Guinee)

La grossesse extra uterine (GEU) est l'une des principales urgences hemorragiques rencontrees en milieu gyneco-obstetrical. Les auteurs; dans une etude prospective; descriptive; d'une duree de 16 mois a la clinique de gynecologie obstetrique de l'Hopital Ignace Deen du CHU de Conakry; ont ressorti la place des moyens diagnostiques et degage les attitudes therapeutiques dans un contexte de travail ou les ressources sont limitees. La frequence de la GEU etait de 1;4; la moyenne d'age des patientes etait de 28;9 ans. Dans 47;1des cas; la GEU survenait a la deuxieme ou a la troisieme grossesse; chez les femmes qui accouchaient pour la deuxieme ou la troisieme fois (36;0) avec des antecedents d'infections sexuellement transmissibles (88;2) ou d'avortements provoques (43;1). Ces femmes etaient non scolarisees (60;8); issues de milieux defavorises et vivaient dans un foyer conjugal (86;3). La triade amenorrhee (98;0); douleurs abdomino-pelviennes (92;2); metrorragie (62;7) a ete la principale revelatrice de la GEU. L'echographie a ete concluante dans 76;6des cas et la culdocentese dans 84. Le siege de la GEU a ete le plus souvent ampullaire (66;7). Nous avons note 3 cas de grossesse abdominale et 4 cas de grossesse ovarienne sur 51 cas de GEU. Dans tous les cas la prise en charge a ete chirurgicale et le geste le plus frequent etait la salpingectomie (80;3). La prise en charge des IST; l'instauration d'unites de soins apres avortement et la sensibilisation a la consultation precoce devant les signes de grossesse contribueraient a la reduction de la frequence de la GEU et a l'amelioration de son pronostic

Protein stability promotes evolvability.

The biophysical properties that enable proteins to so readily evolve to perform diverse biochemical tasks are largely unknown. Here, we show that a protein's capacity to evolve is enhanced by the mutational robustness conferred by extra stability. We use simulations with model lattice proteins to demonstrate how extra stability increases evolvability by allowing a protein to accept a wider range of beneficial mutations while still folding to its native structure. We confirm this view experimentally by mutating marginally stable and thermostable variants of cytochrome P450 BM3. Mutants of the stabilized parent were more likely to exhibit new or improved functions. Only the stabilized P450 parent could tolerate the highly destabilizing mutations needed to confer novel activities such as hydroxylating the antiinflammatory drug naproxen. Our work establishes a crucial link between protein stability and evolution. We show that we can exploit this link to discover protein functions, and we suggest how natural evolution might do the same.

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis in hospital area: epidemiological and clinical aspects, about 16 cases]. / Leishmaniose cutanée en milieu hospitalier: aspects epidémiologiques et cliniques a propos de 16 observations.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis, a chronic infectious ulcerative skin disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania, is transmitted by the bite of sandflies. We report 16 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis observed in Dakar from 1990 to 2000. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical features. Their age range was 10 to 78 years (mean 41.12 years). The sex ratio was 3. The most commun presentation was the ulcero-crusted lesions (bouton d'orient) observed in 56.25% of cases. The other clinical presentation are the sporotrichoid lesions (25%), the lupoid lesions observed in 12.5% and the cutaneous diffus leishmaniasis in 12.5%. In all these cases, there were many lesions. On treatment we observed 87.5% of total remission.

[Squamous cell carcinoma in black patients: 80 cases]. / Carcinome épidermoïde sur peau noire: 80 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor of the skin, rarely observed in "black" skin. It often complicates an acquired or congenital pre-neoplastic dermatosis. We report on 80 cases of squamous cell carcinoma having occurred in black African patients from Senegal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all the medical files of patients followed-up in the department for histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma from 1980 to 1999. RESULTS: Eighty cases of carcinoma were collected. The mean age of the patients was of 47 years (range: 1 to 85) and the sex ratio was of 1.35 (46 men and 34 women). A pre-neoplastic dermatosis was identified in 65% the patients. Acquired pre-neoplastic dermatosis was: heat burn scars (15 cases), chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (6 cases) and chronic phagedenic ulcer (4 cases). Pre-neoplastic genodermatoses were: albinism (6 cases), xeroderma pigmentosum (5 cases) and epidermodysplasia verruciformis (1 case). Lesions were multiple and cephalic in patients with genodermatosis. Death due to carcinoma occurred in 8 patients. COMMENTS: This large series of squamous cell carcinoma emphasizes: the rarity of squamous cell carcinomas in black patients and the frequency of its occurrence on acquired pre-existing dermatosis. For many years phagedenic ulcers predominated. Our results show the regression of the latter and its increase on post-burn scars and chronic lupus erythematosus. Pre-neoplastic genodermatoses that determine multiple cancers, usually located on sun-exposed areas and occurring in young patients, are particularly severe.