[Should patients with age-related macular degeneration have cataract surgery?]. / Faut-il opérer de la cataracte les patients porteurs d'une dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge?

PURPOSE: To study the progression of visual acuity (VA) and retinal abnormalities in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after cataract surgery. METHODS: Forty eyes of 25 patients with AMD who had had cataract surgery were included in the study. They were divided up into two groups according to AMD stage: the first group with drusen and retinal pigmented epithelium abnormalities and the second in the severe stages of age-related macular degeneration with atrophy and neovascularization. RESULTS: In the first group (15 eyes), we found an improvement in VA in 93.3% of the eyes. New manifestations of neovascularization appeared in only one eye (6.7%) 1 year after surgery. In the second group (25 eyes), we found atrophy in 80% of the eyes and neovascularization in 20% of the eyes before surgery. There was an improvement in VA after cataract surgery in 68% of the eyes, and in three eyes (17%) VA worsened. CONCLUSION: In our study, patients with AMD improved VA and quality of life after cataract surgery. The same results of VA improvement after surgery can be found in the literature. However, no conclusions can be made concerning the progression of fundus lesions on a short term, though it seems that cataract surgery may accelerate the progression of AMD lesions 5 years after surgery.

[Epstein-Barr virus-associated cutaneous plasmacytoma post-solid organ transplantation]. / Plasmocytomes cutanés associés au virus Epstein-Barr chez les transplantés d'organes.

BACKGROUND: Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders develop in 1 to 10p. 100 of organ transplant recipients and are frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Among post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders, plasmacytoma with cutaneous involvement is exceptional. Association with EBV has been rarely reported in post-transplantation plasmacytomas and the latency type of EBV has never been characterized. We report 2 new cases of cutaneous monotype EBV-related plasmacytomas. CASE-REPORTS: Clinical presentation was a sub-cutaneous tumor on the thigh in the first case and an ulcerated nodule of the leg in the second case, occurring respectively 7 and 8 years after organ transplantation (liver transplantation and heart transplantation). In both lesions, tumor cells exhibited lambda light chain restriction and the association with EBV was confirmed using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The expression of EBV genes in tumor cells demonstrated type III latency. DISCUSSION: The classification of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders is not well defined and some authors retain 3 categories. Among the latter, plasmacytomas have been rarely described. Cutaneous involvement is reported in 4 cases and an association with EBV in only 2 cases without description of viral latency. Clinical and histological features of post-transplantation plasmacytomas appear polymorphic. We report EBV-association in both cases, with a type III latency clearly demonstrated in one case, as has been reported in other lymphoproliferative diseases in patients with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. We also discuss various possible therapeutic strategies for post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders.

[Clinical management of non palpable breast lesions: experience about a series of 176 consecutive cases]. / Prise en charge des lésions infracliniques du sein : expérience à propos de 176 cas consécutifs.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a rational attitude to treat infraclinic breast lesions about a 176-case retrospective analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January and December 2000, 176 patients were addressed for an infraclinic breast lesion. The epidemiologic and mammographic data, diagnostic management and histological results were collected. RESULTS: Patients were addressed for an ACR 2 lesion in 0.8% of cases, ACR 3: 34.8%, ACR 4: 43.2% and ACR 5: 21.2%. One hundred and sixteen patients underwent a stereotactic macrobiopsy: 55 Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI), 61 Minimal Invasive Breast Biopsy (MIBB). Histologically, 59.5% were benign, 33.6% malignant, 2.6% borderline and 4.3% suspicious or non contributive. Forty-two patients underwent an open surgical biopsy. Histologically 56.1% were benign, 41.5% malignant and 2.4% borderline. Eighteen patients were controlled by mammography. Among ACR 3s there were 90% of benign lesions and 46% of malignancy in ACR 4s. Patients with malignant, borderline or suspicious result in stereotactic biopsy, underwent one-time surgery in 97% vs 55% in surgical biopsy (P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Infraclinic breast lesions must be radiologically classified with the ACR classification. Stereotactic macrobiopsies are reserved for ACR 4 and ACR 5 lesions. Because of their reliability, practice of macrobiopsies avoids surgery in about 50% of ACR 4 lesions which correspond to benign lesions. When the result is malignant, it allows most of times surgical procedure one-time.

[Management of psychologic factors in chronic urticaria. When and how?]. / Facteurs psychologiques et urticaire chronique. Quand faut-il envisager leur prise en charge? Selon quelles modalités?

INTRODUCTION: Chronic idiopathic urticaria is a frequent disease witch treatment is often disappointing. Psychological factors seem to be frequently associated to it. In what cases consider psychological treatment? And according to what modalities? METHOD: Review of the literature in search of articles in both French and English concerning psychological factors associated to chronic urticaria, either as responsible factors, or as aggravating factors, or as a consequence of the urticaria, with the study of the impact on the quality of life. We also studied articles analyzing various types of psychology-targeted treatments. We use a serie of keywords on following data banks: Medline (1970-2002), Embase, Pascal and Cochrane Library (period 1995-2002). RESULTS: Very few controlled studies were published.: Various studies are found reporting an association between stress, anxiety or depressive symptomatology and CIU, but none can assert a causality. Three controlled opened studies show significantly more anxiety and\or depression in the chronic urticaria patients. Three studies analyze the psychopathological personalities of the patients with urticaria. Two studies focus specifically on the impact of the CIU on the quality of life. Various psychotropic drugs (mainly tricyclic antidepressants) have been tested, mostly because of their anti-H1 activity. There is no study on psychological support, psychotherapies, behavioral therapies, technique of biofeedback and group therapies. A particular attention is focused to hypnosis and relaxation techniques because of the improvement of the urticarial wheals reported in studies of cutaneous ability to react in subcutaneous injections of histamine. CONCLUSION: A complementary psychological treatment of patients suffering from CIU seems necessary, because of the high frequency of psychological symptoms. Published studies concern essentially the prescription of psychotropic drugs and the use of therapies with suggestion or relaxation under hypnosis. Prospective studies on the impact of an adapted psychological treatment on the CIU evolution are not available.

Current treatments for scabies.

Scabies is a frequent interhuman ectoparasitic infection. Several treatments are available worldwide. There are local treatments: synthetic pyrethrins, benzyl benzoate, lindane, crotamiton. Recently a few studies were published concerning ivermectin, systemic antiparasitic agent use in onchocercosis treatment. We reviewed the literature with an evidence-based medicine method. We attempt to answer two questions in particular: what is the treatment of choice for common scabies in a patient otherwise in good health? What is the role of systemic ivermectin? We also report specific situations. Among local treatments, studies are heterogeneous according to products, countries, group of treated patients, with or without contact subjects, and the method of treatment application. There are very few high proof-level controlled studies. In France, a combination of benzyl benzoate 10% and sulfiram 2% is used most, according to professional consensus. The most studied product is the cream permethrin 5%, available in the USA and UK. Its efficacy seems slightly superior to lindane and less toxic. It is more efficient than crotamiton. There is no study comparing benzyl benzoate and permethrin. Concerning systemic ivermectin, five controlled studies showed its efficiency in common scabies. But its relative efficiency over local treatment has not been established. A few open studies showed its efficacy in institutional epidemic, profuse scabies and in HIV-positive patients. Local treatment of choice in common scabies remains to be determined among the four principal molecules. There is no study comparing permethrin or esdepallethrin to benzyl benzoate. In what cases should we prescribe crotamiton or lindane? Indication of ivermectin seems proved in common scabies and probably for HIV-positive patients. It remains to be determined if it should be prescribed in the first instance, be double or triple, be associated or not with local treatment. In case of keratotic scabies, ivermectin seems interesting with two applications within 1 week, and should be associated with local treatment (duration remains to be defined). Ivermectin is probably useful in institutional epidemic, and therapeutic attitude remains to be defined. Ivermectin seems to have little or no risk. Treatment must be adapted case-by-case, according to feasibility. It is still important to treat contacts, and modality of this treatment remains to be specified.

[Retinal arteritis in a case of sarcoidosis. A case report]. / Artérite rétinienne dans un cas de sarcoïdose.

Retinal vasculitis is a common finding and occurs in 10% - 83% of patients with sarcoidosis. In most cases, there are bilateral, peripheral and nonischemic periphlebitis. In contrast, periarterial involvement is rarely observed. We report a case of retinal vasculitis associated with sarcoidosis and its differential diagnosis. Sarcoidosis should not be excluded in case of periarteritis.

[Cataract in uveitis patients: extracapsular and intraocular posterior implantation results. A retrospective study of 14 eyes]. / Cataracte et uvéite: résultats après implantation en chambre postérieure en extracapsulaire.

PURPOSE: Checking visual results and progression after cataract surgery in uveitis patients. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 13 patients were retrospectively studied after cataract extraction from December 1993 to April 1997. We describe the surgical procedure followed by the visual outcome of cataract surgery, complications, and treatment. RESULTS: Specific uveitic syndromes were determined in eight patients. Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis was the cause in three cases, ankylosing spondylitis in one case, sarcoidosis in two cases, toxoplasmosis in one case and Birdshot chorioretinopathy in one case. Phacoemulsification was performed in 10 eyes and a manual extracapsular procedure in four eyes. Posterior chamber implantation was performed in 13 cases. Final visual acuity improved in 64% cases, from 1 to 8 lines (average 3.5). Eight eyes had visual acuity worse than 5/10, attributed to posterior segment abnormalities, in particular macular edema, which is the main limiting factor of optimal visual recovery. Capsular opacification was the most frequent complication in the anterior segment. Endophthalmitis was described in one patient. CONCLUSION: Visual results of cataract surgery depend on different uveitic entities and on posterior segment abnormalities. Results are generally successful when uveitis is not severe and the posterior segment can be carefully observed after cataract surgery. Extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber implantation seem to be well tolerated if inflammation is perfectly under control before surgery.

3-Anilino-4-arylmaleimides: potent and selective inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3).

Potent 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimide glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitors have been prepared using automated array methodology. A number of these are highly selective, having little inhibitory potency against more than 20 other protein kinases.

[Cost of managing cataracts. Evaluation of traditional hospitalization and ambulatory surgery]. / Coût de la prise en charge de la cataracte. Evaluation en hospitalisation traditionnelle et en chirurgie de jour.

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate eventual differences and evaluate the medical costs of treatment of a cataract in traditional hospitalisation and out-patient surgical conditions. METHODS: We conducted a study of minimisation costs in 3 ophthalmologic hospital departments. This retrospective study randomly selected the medical files of 250 patients (100 operated in the out-patient surgical department and 150 operated in traditional surgical conditions). Costs were evaluated on direct hospital costs, according to the standard costs method and the method of true costs. RESULTS: The mean total cost of a cataract is of 10,984 F in traditional hospital conditions and of 7,683 F in out-patient surgical conditions. DISCUSSION: In terms of direct hospital costs, treatment of cataracts in out-patient surgery appears more economic compared with traditional surgery. The difference in cost concerned the fixed hospital charges (structures and staff). CONCLUSION: Out-patient surgery will progress in France in the next few years, but traditional hospitalisation will still be required in ophthalmologic practice.

[Stereotactic excisional nonpalpable breast lesions using the advanced breast biopsy instrumentation]. / Exérèse stéréotaxique des lésions infracliniques du sein par le système ABBI (Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation).

UNLABELLED: Today, the widespead use of mammography has increased the detection of suspected nonpalpable lesions. Accordingly, the number of surgical biopsies is higher. PURPOSE: Evaluation of Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) system as a promising alternative to conventional surgical biopsy in stereotactic excisional breast biopsies less than 20 mm. METHODS: From October 1998 and May 1999, 33 women have had: stereotactic excisional breast biopsies less than 20mm using ABBI. Epidemiologic, mammographic and histologic datas were collected. RESULTS: Mammographic finding were 23 microcalcifications and 10 nonpalpable solid nodular densities. In 25 cases, pathology were benign (79%), 7 cases (21%) were cancer. In these cases, the cancer could be treated later, with a single surgical procedure. No complication occurred and tolerance was excellent in most cases. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic excisional breast biopsies less than 20 mm using ABBI is a very good alternative (reliable, reproducible, ambulatory, very weak morbidity) to surgical biopsy.

Recurrent convulsions and cardiac conduction disturbances after propafenone overdose.

Propafenone is a class Ic antiarrhythmic agent which also exhibits beta-adrenergic and fast sodium channel blockade. We report a case of severe poisoning in a 24-y-old woman who suffered a seizure 1 h after the intentional ingestion of 2.7 g propafenone, and had a recurrence of convulsion on arrival at the hospital. She also developed severe arrhythmia during her hospital course. She recovered uneventfully with supportive treatment.

Gamma butyrolactone poisoning and its similarities to gamma hydroxybutyric acid: two case reports.

Clinical experience with toxicity induced by products containing gamma butyrolactone is limited. We report here 2 cases of gamma butyrolactone poisoning with a nail polish remover labelled "acetone-free". Rapid onset of coma, respiratory depression and bradycardia occurred in both patients. After supportive care, they fully recovered within a few hours.

[Home thrombolysis: an original experience of SAMU 51]. / Thrombolyse à domicile: expérience originale du SAMU 51.

S.A.M.U. 51 practises thrombolysis in patient's house associated with cardiologists of the University Hospital and of a Private Hospital, in indication and following for treatment. This way of working gives a large security for using this therapeutic to the whole population whatever the chosen hospital.

[Acute psychiatric syndrome and quinolones]. / Syndrome psychiatrique aigu et quinolones.

A case of Flumequine poisoning is described; a 13-year-old girl was admitted for a psychiatric syndrome. 3 hours after, seizures, coma, and metabolic disorders were observed. Infectious, encephalitic or diabetic diseases were suspected, but not confirmed. After 12 hours of a symptomatic treatment, the clinical status improved and the patient was discharged. At that time a tablet was found in her bedroom and a mas spectrographic analysis was positive for Flumequine. This case report is in agreement with previous observations and confirms the small therapeutic index of quinolone, and the absolute necessity to assess carefully a psychiatric diagnosis.

Severe ethylene glycol butyl ether poisoning. Kinetics and metabolic pattern.

A case of severe poisoning with ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE) after massive ingestion is described. Deep coma, metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia, haemoglobinuria, oxaluria and a transitory rise in the serum creatinine level were observed. The elimination of the various metabolites butoxyacetic acid and oxalate was assessed in urine and a metabolic pattern for EGBE is suggested.