Traumatic asphyxia, or Perthes syndrome, in children

Traumatic asphyxia, known also as Perthes syndrome, is a clinical entity associating cervicofacial cyanosis, petechia, subconjunctival hemorrhage and neurological symptoms. This syndrome appears after severe and transient direct compressive chest injury. A valsalva maneuver is required before thoracic compression for the development of this syndrome. The treatment includes rapid chest decompression and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The prognosis is favorable but a prolonged thoracic compression could lead to cerebral anoxia and neurological sequel. We report four cases of Perthes syndrome in children recorded in our department with a good prognosis

Large pancreatic hydatid cyst presenting with obstructive jaundice

Primary hydatid disease of the pancreas is very rare. We report about the case of a 38-year-old man who presented with jaundice, abdominal pain and epigastric mass. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography [CT] scan demonstrated a large, thick-walled pancreatic cystic mass compressing the common bile duct and causing obstructive jaundice. The treatment involved eccentration and the resection of the protruding mass by cystogastrostomy. The procedure was successful and no recurrence of complication occurred postoperatively. Hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all cystic masses in the pancreas, especially in the geographical regions where the disease is endemic

[Kapandji pinning in palm tree for fractures of the upper extremity of the humerus]

The fractures of the surgical collum of the humerus are frequent. We report a series of 12 cases performed at the department of orthopedic and traumatology surgery of the University Hospital Hassan II of Fes, during the period between 2003 and 2004. The average age of the patients was 44 years old, and most of them were females. The right side is the most affected [71% of the total studied cases]. All the fractures were under displaced tubersoity and closed except one that was opened, consisting of stage [I] of Cauchoix and Duparc. The installation is particular in dorsal decubitus, and the arm was suspended on a gynecological support. The osteosynthesis was unique by pinning in plam tree technique according to the description of Kapandji. The functional results were excellent after an average time of 13 months. Through this work, we point on a technique that is easy and reproducible for the treating fractures of the superior extremity of the humerus, and we describe a particular installation allowing simplification and the obtaining scoped controls of face and profile