Torture sequelae located to the skin

Abstract

Torture sequelae and associated diagnostic problems within the field of dermatology are reported. Patient 1 claimed to have been subjected to torture in 1973 in South America and reported that he had a thick rubber-like rope tied around each thigh just above the knees. Six years later a linear zone of alopecia was observed extending circularly around each thigh, probably representing cicatricial alopecia. Patient 2 claimed to have been subjected to torture in November 1978 in Iraq and reported that he was burned on several areas of the skin with a metal rod of the size and shape of a cigarette. One year later, several circular or serpiginous scars with a markedly atrophic centre and a narrow hypertrophic, distinctly demarcated peripheral zone were observed on the skin. They probably represent the sequelae to deep third-degree burns produced by an electrically heated, cylindrical metal rod. Patient 3 claimed to have been subjected to torture in July and August 1974 in India. She reported to have been burned on several areas of the skin with a cigar as well as lifted by her hair. A few days after the torture she developed transient features typical of traction alopecia in the scalp, including the appearance of pimples. The examination 6 years later revealed on the extremities two irregularly shaped and indistinctly demarcated scars, one of them slightly atrophic, which might be sequelae to burns produced by an ember from a cigar.