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Introduction: scalp disorders are related to several factors including ethnicity, gender or age. In black people, they can be caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Very few studies have been conducted in this ethnic group residing in black Africa, hence the purpose of our survey was to highlight the epidemiological and clinical features of age-sex-specific scalp disorders in patients treated in a dermatology department in Cotonou (Benin)., Methods: we conducted a retrospective and descriptive study of all the medical records of new patients coming to consultation in the dermatology department at the National Hospital and University Center (CNHU) of Cotonou over a period of seven years. The main reason for consultation was scalp disorder. Data on epidemiological and clinical features were collected and analyzed with the EPI-Info 7 software., Results: prevalence of scalp disorders was 2.4% (181/7554). Children (0-18 years) accounted for 38.7% (70 patients) and adults 61.3% (111 patients). Children aged 0-10 (54; 29.8%) and adults aged 25-40 (51; 28,2%) were the most affected. Sex ratio was 1.8. Non-alopecizing dermatosis was diagnosed in 10; 5.5% of cases while alopecizing dermatosis in 171 patients (94.5%), of whom 82.9% (151/171) had non-scarring dermatosis and 11.7% (20/171) had scarring dermatosis. The most common conditions were ringworm (41; 22.6%), mainly occurring in 0-10-year-old boys, chronic non-scarring folliculitis (39; 21.5%) mainly occurring in 0-5-year-old boys and 19-40-year-old men, pelade (38; 21%) occurring in both male and female sexes, especially between the ages of 6-10 and 25-40, traction alopecia (17; 9.4%) occurring exclusively in women and mainly in the 25-40-year-old age group, fibrous folliculitis at the nape of the neck (12; 6.6%) occurring exclusively in men from 19 to 50 years, trichotillomania (9; 5%) occurring in both male and female sexes, mainly in children aged 6-10 years and in adults aged 25-40 years, Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans (6; 3.3%) occurring uniformly in both male and female sexes and mainly between 25-40 years of age., Conclusion: scalp disorders mainly affect male patients before puberty and young adults. They were arranged in descending order in non-scarring alopecizing dermatoses, scarring alopecia and non-alopecizing dermatoses., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d´intérêts., (Copyright: Bérénice Dégboé et al.)

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe two new trichoscopic signs, "Eastern pancake sign" and "comedo-like structures", not previously reported to our knowledge and seen in 5 patients with alopecic and aseptic nodules of scalp (AANS)., Patients and Methods: We report on 5 patients presenting AANS. Demographic and ethnic characteristics, disease duration, clinical description, treatment and evolution were noted. Trichoscopy was performed for all patients., Results: In all cases of NAAS, trichoscopy revealed 2 signs: "Eastern pancake sign" resulting in heterogeneous dilated follicular orifices without trichoscopic signs of alopecia areata, and "comedo-like structures" resembling comedones., Discussion: To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports in the literature of the 2 new trichoscopic signs of AANS described herein: "Eastern pancake sign" and "comedo-like structures". The trichoscopic feature of comedo-like structures suggests the potential role of follicular occlusion in this disease. We consider that follicular occlusion may be a triggering factor in AANS., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pseudocysts of the scalp are a poorly known entity. Herein we present two new cases., Case Report: Two male patients aged respectively 42 and 33 years had been presenting a small number of pseudocystic lesions on the scalp, as well as alopecia limited to the same region, for a number of years. Inflammatory episodes had occurred in certain lesions. In one case, biopsy showed an aspect typical of pseudocyst of the scalp and the lesions appeared to stabilize on treatment with doxycycline., Discussion: Pseudocysts of the scalp are also known as aseptic nodules of the scalp, a term that appears to us to be less appropriate. They form lesions involving alopecia and they may be inflammatory to various degrees. Following incision of these lesions, a deep yellow fluid liquid is released that may be shown by microbiological analysis to be sterile. Histological analysis reveals a pseudocystic wall associated with perilesional inflammatory remodelling. The cysts are frequently confused with dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, but the prognosis is more encouraging. Treatment involves surgical excision, and intralesional injections of corticosteroids or doxycycline., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

SENLAT syndrome, also known as TIBOLA/DEBONEL, is an emerging disease in France. The major symptoms are necrotic eschar on the scalp associated with painful cervical lymphadenopathy. It occurs mainly in women and children during the cold seasons after a bite by a Dermacentor tick, responsible for transmitting Rickettsia slovaca or Rickettsia raoultii. Cutaneous swabs are safe, easy and reliable tools that should be used routinely by physicians to confirm diagnosis. In this particular disease, they should be preferred to serology, which is less sensitive. Doxycycline is the antibiotic of choice for this syndrome., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Rosacea is a common dermatosis that can involve the bald area of the scalp. We report the case of a man presenting clinical symptoms of rosacea of the forehead and the scalp, but with a histological picture of familial chronic benign pemphigus., Patients and Methods: A 47-year-old man with a history of Hailey-Hailey disease had been presenting facial dermatosis for 5 years. The clinical features were erythema with pustules and scales located on the mid-forehead and the androgenic bald area of the frontal scalp. The histological aspect of the skin biopsy showed suprabasilar clefting and ancantholysis at all levels of the epidermis and sparse perivascular infiltrate. Direct immunofluorescence was negative. These findings were typical of Hailey-Hailey disease. Based on clinical findings, and without taking account of the skin biopsy results, treatment with doxycycline and a topical antifungal was administered for 3 months, leading to remission of symptoms., Discussion: The site of rosacea on the bald area of the scalp in males is described in the literature, and when present, is probably enhanced by exposure to UV radiation. In this patient, the histological features were interpreted as histopathologically equivalent to Köbner phenomenon., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The trichilemmal cyst, also called pilar cyst, is a dermal epithelial cyst originating from the pilar follicle. It usually occurs in the scalp. Hereditary and ossifying cases are rare., Case Report: We report the case of a 61-year-old woman presenting with familial multiple trichilemmal cysts, located in the scalp. The histological examination after surgical exeresis confirmed the diagnosis. The trichilemmal cysts featured intra-cystic ossification. The wide dimension of the lesions dimension imposed an extensive surgical scalp exeresis. Reconstruction was performed with a flap after skin expansion., Discussion: The trichilemmal cyst is a benign tumor of skin appendages with a slow outcome. Multiple locations may require an extensive surgical scalp exeresis and lead to a problematic reconstruction. Hereditary cases require familial follow-up to prevent such problems., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The scalp is a unique site of the human body that may exhibit some particular physiopathological reactions. A few manifestations are paroxysmal. The main ones are the acute pruritus of pediculosis, and the pruritus at onset of dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis. One must add the telogen effuvium after solar exposure or during the post-partum, and the anagen dystrophic alopecia following chemotherapy. Other paroxysmal events include acute canitia and alopecia areata.

Introduction: A nodule of the scalp in a child of less than eleven years should evoke a cranial fasciitis among other serious diagnoses., Observation: A four-month old infant had a firm and pink nodule at the left parietal level, exhibiting a slow growth since two months. It was excised. The pathologic sample showed spindle-shaped cells within a myxoïde matrix, with a strong reactivity for smooth muscle actin (immunohistochemical analysis). Diagnosis of cranial fasciitis was made. Due to the results of pathology, it was possible to rule out the diagnosis of sarcoma, therefore, no complementary work-up was performed. Evolution was favorable., Discussion: Cranial fasciitis is a diagnosis to be considered when confronted with a firm nodule of the scalp in a infant or a young child, with or without bone involvement. This is a benign lesion but worrying pathological signs may exist, making diagnosis of benignity difficult. Exeresis of the lesion, even incomplete, protects the child from possible recurrence. Evolution is always good.

Background: Mycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous tumefaction with presence of grains or granules. Etiological agents include bacteria or filamentous fungi. Mycetoma due to dermatophytes is uncommon, mainly occurring in Africa. To our knowledge, no case has been reported in the West Indies. Only two observations of Micosporum canis mycetoma in humans have been reported in the literature. We report a third case of mycetoma of the scalp caused by this fungus., Case Report: A 22-year-old woman from Martinique, French West Indies, presented with an indolent tumefaction of the scalp evolving over five years. She had mental retardation due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The lesion was extracted surgically. Pathology and mycology examinations showed features of Microsporum canis mycetoma. Two months later, the scalp lesion recurred and the patient was treated with griseofulvin after surgical extraction., Discussion: Mycetoma due to dermatophytes is very uncommon, mainly observed on the scalp and nape of the neck. A history of a skin lesion is frequent, leading to transcutaneous penetration of the fungus and mycetoma formation. Several dermatophyte species have been identified as causal agents (Microsporum ferrugineum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum langeronii). Microsporum canis is rarely demonstrated in humans: two cases in children in Africa and Australia. Our observation was similar to the two cases in the literature: indolent and mobile tumefaction of the scalp, in a child or young adult, suggestive of lipoma or epidermal cyst, with excision leading to diagnosis. Association with tinea capitis and skin or nail involvement can also be observed.

Background: Cryptococcosis is an infection caused by the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. It primarily occurs in immunocompromised hosts. Crytptococcosis is usually a systemic disease and may be serious if the lungs or the central nervous system are involved., Case Report: We describe a case of cutaneous cryptococcosis without systemic involvement occurring as the first manifestation of AIDS. The skin lesion in our patient consisted of a large crusted ulceration on the scalp. Fluconazole was successful., Discussion: This case is a new observation of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in a patient with AIDS. Clinical appearance may be misleading; skin lesions may be the primary sign in immunocompromised patients. Rapid treatment and secondary prophylaxis are required.

The analysis of 62 cases of nevus sebaceus of Jadassohn and the study of the literature allows to define the clinical and histo-pathologic features of this benign tumor. The massive development of sebaceous glands, papillomatous epidermal hyperplasia, and maturation of apocrines glands, are present in a considerable number of cases. The lesions occurred on the scalp, face, auricular area and neck and are usually present at birth as a yellowish orange area. At puberty, the lesion becomes yellow to dark-brown and is verrucoid and micronodular. Almost all are hair-deficit nevi, and the final stage is the development of secondary tumors of the skin within the lesion. The risk of degeneration in basal-cell carcinoma justifies systematic surgical treatment.

Introduction: Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp is a rare and chronic dermatosis of unknown etiology with non specific histology and without effective treatment. It affects mostly old women. We have observed a 80 year-old male suffering from an erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp following application of 5 p. 100 fluorouracile cream (Efudex) and his resistance to various treatments including skin graft., Observation: An 80 year-old man had been suffering, for many years from recurrent episodes of pustules, erosions and crusts of the scalp, following treatment with 5 p. 100 fluorouracile cream for skin lesions diagnosed as actinic keratosis. Different topical and systemic treatments were tried without much improvement. A skin graft of the scalp lesional area was finally done, showing a severe recurrence as a Koebner's reaction. Despite this recurrence, we have observed an easier control with a topical mixture of steroid and antibiotic., Conclusion: This recurrence of erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp following skin graft had never been previously observed before, showing that removing affected skin did not control the disease, suggesting that anti-inflammatory agents probably originating from trauma persist.

Introduction: Pustular candidiasis in heroin addicts is a rare entity in dermatology. We report a case., Case Report: A 29-year-old female heroin addict developed a painful pustular growth on the scalp. There was no fever. Multiple follicular pustulae measuring 2 to 3 mm were associated with hyperesthesia of the scalp and painful cervical nodes. Biopsy showed acute ostiofolliculitis with a few blastospores and mycelial filaments. Candida albicans was isolated from the pustulae and the buccal cavity. Candida serology was positive (indirect immunofluorescence 1/100, coelectrosyneresis: 4 archs). Search for other localizations and HIV serology were negative. The last injection of brown heroin had been taken 15 days earlier; lemon had been added. Treatment with flucanazole (400 mg/d) led to improvement within 48 hours., Discussion: Sudden development of pustulae or nodules in pilous zones in a heroin addict should suggest the diagnosis. Outcome depends on early treatment after diagnosis and search for other localizations. Our case presented two particular aspects: ostiofollicular localization of the pustulae and a long delay (15 days) between the (presumably) last injection and the development of the lesion. Folliculitis develops almost exclusively in addicts who use brown heroin. Contamination by Candida albicans results from the lemon used to improve solubility at injection.

Background: We report an exceptional clinical presentation of erosive lichen planus of the scalp associated with hepatitis C and idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia., Case Report: A 90-year-old woman was hospitalized in May 1995 for erosive dermatosis of the scalp and alopecia, associated with ungual lesions. Histology of the scalp lesions demonstrated lichen and the serology tests were positive for hepatitis C. The patient also had severe CD4 lymphocytopenia (290/mm3). The lesions regressed with clobetasol and occlusion and growth of scalp hair turned., Discussion: Erosive lichen planus of the scalp has, to our knowledge, not been reported previously. The causal effect of drugs taken by this patient (tetrazepam and clorazepam) was not retained. Seropositivity for hepatitis C (with no evidence of active disease) was however probably not fortuitous. The association with CD4 lymphocytopenia merits discussion.

The authors report two new cases of proliferating tricholemmal cyst. Physiopathological, clinical and histological findings are described. Differential diagnosis with squamous cell carcinoma is discussed.

Introduction: Among the cutaneous manifestations of the Churg-Strauss syndrome, palpable purpura of the extremities is the most common. Although they are not specific, sub-cutaneous nodules of the scalp are the most distinctive lesions., Case Report: A 58 year-old man, with a 7-years history of asthma, developed profuse cutaneous lesions involving the face and the scalp, initially erythematosus and vesiculous, then purpuric and necrotic which led to the diagnostic of Churg-Strauss syndrome., Commentary: Cutaneous lesions occur frequently during the Churg-Strauss syndrome and may reveal the disease as in our patient. However, the initial clinical presentation was uncommon with erythematosus and vesiculous lesions mimicking primary herpes infection. Cutaneous biopsy was useful leading to an early diagnosis.

On the basis of two new cases of cutaneous mucosal tertiary syphilis and a personal series of 30 cases observed at the University Hospital of Rabat and Casablanca from 1963 to 1980, we reviewed the clinical presentations of this disease. Late stage syphilis has not disappeared and appears to be increasing over the last decade. Lesions of the nervous system are increasingly reported in atypical often unrecognized forms. Cutaneous mucosal tertiary syphilis is very rare and little known and can take on the form of skin lesions suggesting tuberculosis, deep mycosis, sarcoidosis, leprosy or leishmaniasis. Based on our experience, we recall the variety of clinical presentations including superficial nodules and deep gommas leading to atrophic and rarely hypertrophic scars. The diagnosis relies essentially on the serology results which are always positive at a significant level. The pathology examination adds no essential information. Rapid response to treatment is one of the important criteria of the diagnosis of syphilis.

Introduction: Tufted hair folliculitis is a localized scarring bacterial folliculitis due to Staphylococcus aureus. We present two cases., Observations: Both patients were in their thirties. The first had had an inflammatory sclerous lesion of the vertex for three years, and the second an alopecial scarring lesion. Clinically there were tufts of hair within or around the lesions. Staphylococcus aureus was found in biopsy samples which showed hairs or composed follicles. Prolonged treatment with oral antibiotics led to progressive limitation of the lesions., Discussion: Tufted hair folliculitis is a characteristic folliculitis of the scalp showing scar formation and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. The review of the literature raises the question of the role of local immunity and the nature of the hair tufts: primary anomaly or secondary to Staphylococcus infection? The therapeutic attitude is not well defined but prolonged treatment with oral antibiotics can stabilize the lesions.

We observed a case of folliculitis decalvans involving the beard and the scalp with a tufted hair folliculitis aspect in the occipital region. The presence of two clinical presentations in the same patient has not been reported in the literature. This would suggest that the two entities could be morphological aspects of the same pathological process which might cause either atrophy with loss or the annexes or tufted hair folliculitis depending upon the depts and destructive capacity of the inflammatory process.

A case of erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp is reported. The lesions were eroded with crusting and pustule formation and were localised on the scalp. Investigations for infection, autoimmunity, vascular or tumoral aetiology were negative. Skin biopsy revealed non specific inflammation as usually, but also showed spongiform pustule formations which had not previously been described. Topical corticosteroid therapy dramatically improved the lesions. The pathogenesis of this disease is discussed.

The case of a 59-year old man who had a clinical Brunsting-Perry pemphigoid localized to the scalp is described. Direct immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated IgG and C3 immune deposits in the anchoring fibril zone, as in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. No circulating antibodies were detected by Western immunoblotting on epidermal and dermal extracts. These findings show that Brunsting-Perry pemphigoid is not an immunological entity and that it widens the clinical spectrum of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

We report a new case of multiple trichoepitheliomas, milia and cylindromas syndrome. This new case differed from the others in that it was complicated by the occurrence of a basal cell carcinoma presenting as an ulcus rodens affecting the nasal pyramid. In such cases, the main differential diagnosis to be excluded is basal cell naevomatosis.

An 11-year-old child developed an infection of the scalp due to anaerobic germs following an acute attack of frontal sinusitis. The mechanism and therapy of this rare complication are discussed. The favorable outcome in this case suggests the need for revision of the generally poor prognosis of this complication, on the condition that adequate treatment be applied under the control of a multidisciplinary team.

Infection of the scalp in an elderly woman due to Microsporum canis (zoophilic, long-lived fungus) after repeated direct contact with infected cats. We think that the infection could occur because of an age-induced decrease in some of the organic functions which govern the healing process of microsporous infections during puberty.