Neoplastic change in chronic leg ulcer.

Seventeen cases of chronic leg ulcers were examined, 12 males and five females, with a mean age of 45 years. The average duration of ulcers was 21 years. Eleven of the cancers arose from ulcers that recurrently healed and broke down. Three arose from ulcers that never healed and three from stable scars. Treatment was by various levels of amputation in nine patients and by excision and skin grafting in one. Histological findings showed 16 cases to be squamous cell carcinoma while one case was sarcomatous in appearance. Most of the cases were poorly differentiated and findings of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia were significant. This was thought to represent earlier stages of fetoplasia which in itself may continue for many years and may be a prelude to frank neoplasia. It was therefore suggested by the authors that the laboratory study of fetal antigens or other fetal markers in these types of lesions may be useful. It was also suggested that careful examination of deeper tissues in lesions where pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia has been found is necessary to ascertain that there is no undetected malignancy.

Vitamins and trace elements profiles in chronic leg ulcers in Nigerians.

This report discusses vitamins and trace elements profiles in Nigerians suffering from chronic leg ulcers. The levels of vitamin A, C and E are significantly lower than levels in healthy Nigerian controls. Copper values are almost the same in the two groups, but the results indicate deficiency of zinc. The relationship of these nutrients to wound healing is discussed; the addition of vitamin E in the management of leg ulcers is recommended.

McCune-Albright's syndrome.

A case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, cutaneous pigmentation, and a bifid ureter is presented. The need for urinary tract investigation in McCune-Albright's syndrome is stressed.

Recurrent ameloblastoma of the jaws--a review of 22 cases.

A retrospective study of 22 patients who had surgical treatment for recurrent ameloblastoma of the jaws at our clinic, within a period of 16 years, was carried out. (1) The recurrent lesion in 18 patients was due to an inadequate previous operation; (2) massive soft-tissue recurrences even after wide mandibular resection occurred in 4 patients; and (3) a malignant transformation was noted in 1 patient.

Hemangiomas in Nigeria.

Forty cases of hemangioma in black Nigerians are presented. Twenty-eight patients were female and 20 male. Of these cases 43.8 percent were discovered at birth and 77 percent were located in the head and neck areas. Forty-eight percent of the lesions were of the cavernous type and 29 percent of the strawberry variety. There was a positive family history of hemangioma in only two percent of cases. Associated anomalies, treatments, and complications are also presented.

Pattern of oral cancer in a Nigerian population.

The pattern of oral cancer in a Nigerian population is described. Unlike the benign tumours of the jaws, this disease is relatively rare. It is, however, invariably lethal, mostly as a result of late presentation by the patients. At the present time, no aetiological factor can be identified amongst the population.

Aggressive basal cell carcinoma in Nigerians.

It is important to emphasize that basal cell carcinoma occurs in black Africans, a fact denied in some reports. The present study shows that the disease appears to behave more aggressively in the African, particularly in albinos, than in Caucasians. In albinos preventive measures should be employed regularly.

Tropical ulcers.

We present 87 cases of chronic leg ulcers. The ages and sexes of the patients, and the symptomatology and complications, are described. The term "tropical ulcer" is inappropriate for these cases--though the term may be appropriate for certain rare acute ulcers colonized by Vincent's bacilli. For most persistent leg ulcers in the tropics, however, a general term of chronic ulcer is better--because it stimulates one to look for the cause and to treat the patient accordingly.

Ameloblastic sarcoma of the mandible: report of case.

A case of ameloblastic sarcoma of the mandible in a 19-year-old man is presented. Pain, paresthesia, and rapidity of growth were features of the lesion. Successful excision was followed by death from secondary hemorrhage.

Post-circumcision epidermoid inclusion cysts of the clitoris.

We describe our experiences during the last 5 years with 19 cases of epidermoid inclusion cysts of the clitoris resulting from circumcision. There were 14 children and 5 adults. The management consisted of complete excision of the cyst, and reconstruction of the clitoris, wherever possible.

Hypospadias in Nigeria.

We present a review of 42 cases of hypospadias seen at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria from 1969 to 1977. The incidence was low. No family history of hypospadias was noted in any of these patients. Fifty-seven percent had associated anomalies--mostly of the genitourinary system. Most of the patients had been circumscribed on arrival for treatment.

The radiologic features of fibrous dysplasia of the craniofacial bones.

The radiographs of twenty-five patients (eight males, seventeen females) with histologically proven craniofacial fibrous dysplasia were analyzed. The lesions could be classified into six radiologic types: (1) peau d'orange, (2) whorled plaquelike, (3) diffuse sclerotic, (4) cystlike (multilocular or unilocular), (5) pagetoid, and (6) chalky types. The peau d'orange type was by far the most common (40 per cent) followed by the plaquelike (20 per cent, cystlike (16 per cent), and sclerotic (12 per cent). Most of the patients were young, with 60 per cent being underthe age of 20 years and 96 per cent under the age of 40 years.

Radiology of multiloculated fibrous dysplasia of the jaws.

Three cases of multiloculated lesion of the jaw (two in the mandible and one in the maxillar) closely mimicking ameloblastoma are described. Histology showed all three to be fibrous dysplasia. Against a diagnosis of ameloblastoma were (1) the relative fuzziness of the margins of the loculi and septae; (2) the mineralization of the matrix which gave a ground-glass background instead of the distinct radiolucency seen in ameloblastoma; and (3) the non-resorption of the dental root apices within the lesion.