Background: Ainhum is an idiopathic dermatological disease characterized by a progressive constricting ring\nusually on the fifth toe, which may lead to spontaneous auto-amputation of the affected toe. Timely diagnosis and\ntreatment are the key elements to avert amputations with resultant mutilating deformities, permanent handicaps\nand psychological sequelae. Though common in African descents, this pathology has not been described in the\nCameroonian literature. Herein, we report the case of an adult Cameroonian woman presenting with ainhum.\nCase presentation: A 54-year old Cameroonian was admitted to our primary healthcare centre with a 6-month\nhistory of a painful constriction band developing at the base of her right fifth toe. Her past history was uneventful.\nBased on the absence of trauma and spontaneous onset of the condition, the diagnosis of ainhum was most\nsuggestive. She was managed surgically by excision of the band, disarticulated at right fifth metatarsophalangeal\njoint and skin closure. Her post-operative course after 1 year was uneventful.\nConclusion: Here we presented a case of ainhum, a rare dermatological disease with few reports. In view of the\nserious complications of ainhum such as mutilating deformities with permanent physical disabilities and\npsychological trauma, we draw cliniciansâ?? attention, especially wound care specialists to this rare but potentially\nhandicapping disease, for timely diagnosis and management.
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