Vascular Cutaneous Abnormalities in Togo: a 120-Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemio-clinical profile, and treatment of vascular cutaneous abnormalities in Togo. It was a retrospective study of patients recorded in dermatology for vascular cutaneous abnormality between 1998 and 2017. During the study period, 120 (0.1%) of 88,869 patients received in dermatology have consulted for vascular cutaneous abnormalities. Their mean age was 25.3 months and the sex-ratio (M/F) 0.4. The most recurring vascular cutaneous abnormalities were vascular tumors (97 cases; 80.8%), mainly infantile hemangioma (IH) (93 cases; 77.5%). The mean time of onset of IH after birth was 2.9 months. The IH (54 cases; 50.5%) and port wine stains (8 cases, 53.3%) were predominantly localized at the cephalic region and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome cases on lower limbs. We opted for a therapeutic abstention in the majority of the patients (50 cases of IH, 16 cases of simple vascular abnormalities, all Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome cases and telegiectasia cases). Of the 43 IH cases treated, the main drugs used were corticosteroids (23 cases of which 17 between 1998 and 2011 and 6 from 2012) followed by propranolol (11 cases from 2012). We had a favorable response in 9 of the 15 patients seen again. Cutaneous vascular abnormalities are very rare in dermatology in Togo and are dominated by IH with female predominance. In IH treatments, propranolol use, started in 2012 in Togo, is increasing when corticotherapy has declined.