[Neonatal botriomycoma of the tongue (a case report)]. / Botryomycome lingual néonatal (à propos d'une observation).

INTRODUCTION: The botryomycoma is a benign tumor that develops as a response to a local trauma. Generally, it occurs in the fingers, the face and the oral cavity. It is often easily recognized. However, the diagnosis between this tumor and other oral tumors, whether benign or malignant, may be difficult in some cases. We report a particular case of a botryomycoma that occurred with no history of a trauma at an earlier age in the tongue, which is an unusual site for this tumor. CASE REPORT: A 7-month-old infant presented with a polypoid and sessile swelling on the dorsal side of the tongue. This tumor gradually increased in size since birth. Clinically, the appearance of this mass with the gathered vessels inside was similar to that of a benign vascular tumor. A possibly malignant nature was not excluded. A complete resection under general anesthesia was performed. The histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma. DISCUSSION: Pyogenic granuloma is a rare benign tumor which is most likely to occur between the age of 11 and 40. The most frequent location encountered for oral cavity is the gingiva. The tongue is rarely a site for its occurrence. Cutaneous pyogenic granuloma may have different aspect from mucosal type and thus may make the diagnosis difficult. Treatment consists on surgical excision and removal of etiological factors that may be source of recurrence.

[Complications of head and neck skin expansion]. / Complications de l'expansion cutanée cervico-faciale.

INTRODUCTION: Skin expansion is a good solution for the reconstruction of head and neck defects. We assessed the complications of cervico-facial skin expansion technique to draft recommendations so as to minimize risks. METHODS: We made a retrospective study from 1990 to 2005. Complications were analyzed according to age, sex, etiology, area to reconstruct, location of the expander, expander volume and number, simultaneous single or repeated technique, type of expander, duration of expansion, and type of flap used for reconstruction. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine tissue expanders were placed in 114 patients. The rate of complications was 60.4%. Age was not a risk factor (P=0.21; Fisher's exact test). The early complications were not related to the expander volume (P=0.32; Fisher's exact test). Infection was the most frequent complication (51.3%). Hypertrophic or large scars, retraction, or cording accounted for 32.4% of sequels. A rate of 6.5% of total and 6.5% of partial failure were recorded. Infection was the cause of 77.8% of total or partial failure. DISCUSSION: The complications of head and neck soft tissue expansion are often minor. The rate of reconstruction failure remains acceptable.

[Amniotic band syndrome and facial malformations]. / Maladie des brides amniotiques et malformations faciales.

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is a collection of fetal congenital malformations affecting mainly the limbs, but also the craniofacial area. The pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. The facial malformations in ABS are multiple, polymorphous, and asymmetric. The type and extent of facial defects depend on band location and time of onset. Defects may include a combination of facial cleft, cleft palate and lip, ocular lesions, and cranial malformations. The management of this disease must be multidisciplinary and the outcome depends on the gravity of malformations.