[A case of malignant amygdaloid cyst]. / Un cas de dégénérescence maligne de kyste amygdaloïde.

INTRODUCTION: An amygdaloid cyst is a rare high laterocervical cystic tumor arising from the second branchial cleft. It accounts for 2% of laterocervical tumors and up to 85% of second branchial cleft abnormalities [1]. The incidence of intracystic squamous cell carcinoma ranges from 4 to 22% [2]. The diagnosis of primary carcinoma or intracystic metastasis is a controversial issue. We report a rare case of degenerate amygdaloid cyst meeting the diagnostic criteria for intracystic squamous cell carcinoma determined by Martin and Khafif. OBSERVATION: A 73-year-old female patient consulted for a left cervical swelling in 2010; the diagnosis was an amygdaloid cyst. She had a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate (T1NoMo) surgery and radiation therapy in 2009, without recurrence. Three years later, the swelling increased to a large size without any cervical node involvement. An exploratory cervicotomy with histological study revealed intracystic squamous cell degeneration. DISCUSSION: Primary squamous cell carcinoma location in the wall of an amygdaloid cyst is extremely rare and a highly controversial issue. The challenge is to be able to discriminate between a cystic metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the aerodigestive tract and a primary squamous cell carcinoma located in the wall of an amygdaloid cyst. Martin and Khafif defined specific criteria to confirm the diagnosis of primary branchiogenic carcinoma.

[Benign odontogenic tumours: epidemiological analysis of 97 cases in the Algerian population]. / Les tumeurs odontogènes bénignes: analyse épidémiologique de 97 cas dans la population algérienne.

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic tumours are often benign. They are originating from dento-maxillary structures and their embryonic remnants. They represent a wide variety of lesions derived from epithelial cells, mesenchymal, or both. The series reported in literature show a distinct geographic variation. However, there has been no concrete study and detailed epidemiological profile of these tumours in the Algerian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our prospective study based on the classification of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005, focused on the epidemiological analysis of 97 cases of odontogenic tumours, collected in the department of maxillofacial surgery of the University Hospital of Constantine. This study was designed to determine the relative frequency of such tumours, their distribution by age and sex, and their histological distribution. RESULT: In our series, women were most affected by the disease (64% of cases) than men (36% of cases). The population was predominantly young with an average age of 29.9 years (range from 12 to 85). The mandible was the site of choice in 74% of cases. Epithelial tumours were diagnosed in 77% of cases; almost half of these cases were ameloblastomas (44% of cases). DISCUSSION: The distribution of odontogenic tumours is different depending on the population studied. The incidence of ameloblastoma is increased in African and Asian population with a female predominance. On the other hand, the odontoma is the most recognized odontogenic tumour in North America and Europe, and more particularly in men.

[Congenital insensitivity to pain: difficulty of management]. / L'insensibilité congénitale à la douleur : difficultés de prise en charge.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a very rare disorder, most often of genetic origin. CASE REPORT: The authors present the case of two siblings, 10 and 13 years old, both followed-up since the age of 2 for CIPA diagnosed after discovering insensitivity to pain during iterative falls, burns, and of severe oro-digital self-mutilating behavior. Sural nerve biopsy and an electromyogram confirmed the diagnosis. DISCUSSION: CIPA with anhidrosis is a very rare disease. It is characterized by unexplained fever episodes, anhidrosis, pain insensitivity, self-mutilating behavior, and sometimes mental retardation. Complications of this insensitivity (non-treated fractures, burns, and oro-digital mutilation) may be lethal. Treatment remains preventive. The patient must observe a very strict hygiene. Prevention for maxillofacial involvement consists in breaking the cycle of oral self-mutilation.

Massive osteolysis of the maxillo-facial bones: case report and review of the literature.

An unusual case of massive osteolysis destroying the left side of the mandible, the maxilla, the orbit, the cranium bones and the upper cervical spine is reported. The evolution of this disease was observed over a period of 4 years. The literature was reviewed, only 39 cases have been found involving the maxillo-facial bones. In our case, attempts at surgery was without success. However, further radiotherapy with 35 Gy controlled the progression of this osteolysis.

[Massive lytic osteodystrophy or Gorham-Stout disease of the craniomaxillofacial area]. / L'ostéodystrophie lytique massive ou maladie de Gorham-Stout à localisation craniomaxillofaciale.

Gorham's disease also called idiopathic massive osteolysis represents a rare affection with unknown aetiology. This disease was described in different bones of the body but its location on maxillo-facial skeleton is particular by the number of cases in the world (only 32), by morphological, functional consequences and the prognosis. The authors describe a new case of male teenager (17 years old) who had a massive osteolysis of mandibular ramus, upper maxillary, malaire, sphenoid, temporal and occipital left bone. The authors give precision about epidemiological data, methods of diagnosis and therapeutic procedures.