Ultrasonographic screening for cystic echinococcosis in sheep in Tunisia.

Sheep from the areas of Fondouk-Jeddid, Bir Mchergua and El Fahs, located in the Northeast of Tunisia, were examined by ultrasonography between 2001 and 2004 in order to assess their infection with Echinococcus granulosus, the agent of hydatid disease, and to evaluate this method as an efficient aire for hydatid cysts. A total of 1039 sheep, aged between 1 and 14 years was examined. The highest prevalence was found in sheep aged more than 8 years. The least infected animals were aged between 1 and 2 years. All hydatid cysts detected by ultrasound were located in the liver. In all age-groups, the dead cysts were more numerous than viable cysts. Eighteen positive sheep were autopsied and a comparison between ultrasound and autopsy results was performed. The results showed a prevalence of about 40% for the three areas. Ultrasonography allowed the cysts, deep or superficial to localize in the central or left part in relation to the caudal vena cava of the animals. Consequently, all the cysts were not detected with this technique. This work shows that ultrasonography confirms the importance of ovine hydatid cyst in Tunisia and that its use as a mass screening approach for cystic echinococcosis in sheep could be helpful for the monitoring of this disease in a hydatid control program without great stress for the animals.

Cystic hydatic disease in sheep: treatment with percutaneous aspiration and injection with dipeptide methyl ester.

An in vitro and in vivo study was conducted to show the effect of dipeptide methyl ester on the protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus and in naturally infected sheep. Easily punctured cysts were located by ultrasonography. A PAIR and PAI method were performed by the injection of dipeptide methyl ester into these cysts at a final concentration of 110 mmol/L. Follow-up was conducted monthly by ultrasonography. After injection of the compound, the sheep were sacrificed at different times from 6 to 17 weeks. The size and the morphological aspect of treated cysts were noted. Samples were collected for histology and electron microscopy. In conclusion, these studies revealed significant and rapid detachment of the membrane of the treated cyst and alteration of the inner membrane in less than 5 min after injection of the drug, confirming the effect of the compound on the laminated layer of the parasite.

Manual de diagnóstico ultrasónico / Manual of diagnostic ultrasound

This manual provides guidance on the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of a wide variety of common conditions at thw primary and first-referral levels of health care. It is intended for use by doctors, sonographers, nurses and midwives with basic training in ultrasound techniques, who are working with a general-purpose scanner, and who do not have ready access to expert advice

The introductory chapters explain how ultrasound works, give advice on choosing a scanner, and describe some misleading artefacts that may occur on ultrasound images. These are followed by 17 chapters dealing with specific organs or systems of the body. Each chapter includes guidance on the indications for ultrasound examination, and describes the preparation of the patient and the techniques that are likely to be successful. Numerous ultrasound scans show both normal and abnormal conditions, and almost every scan is accompanied by a corresponding computer-generated image on which the most significant features are highlighted

Manual of diagnostic ultrasound

This manual provides guidance on the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of a wide variety of common conditions at thw primary and first-referral levels of health care. It is intended for use by doctors, sonographers, nurses and midwives with basic training in ultrasound techniques, who are working with a general-purpose scanner, and who do not have ready access to expert advice

The introductory chapters explain how ultrasound works, give advice on choosing a scanner, and describe some misleading artefacts that may occur on ultrasound images. These are followed by 17 chapters dealing with specific organs or systems of the body. Each chapter includes guidance on the indications for ultrasound examination, and describes the preparation of the patient and the techniques that are likely to be successful. Numerous ultrasound scans show both normal and abnormal conditions, and almost every scan is accompanied by a corresponding computer-generated image on which the most significant features are highlighted

[An exceptional combined malformation: duplication of the lower urinary tract, the vulva and the posterior intestine]. / Une association malformative exceptionnelle: duplication du bas appareil urinaire, de la vulve et de l'intestin postérieur.

The authors report the case of a 6 year old girl with bladder duplication, urethral duplication, genital system duplication associated with colonic duplication and low double anorectal anomalies. This patient presented two hemivertebrae at T9 and T11. This girl died a few days after admission from internal obstruction and septicemia. The embryological features especially the possibility of associating two different embryopathogenic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of this combined malformation (Split notochord syndrome and fissure of the urogenital system), and diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are studied in relation to this case and a review of the literature.

Percutaneous treatment of hydatid cysts (Echinococcus granulosus).

A new method called PAIR (Puncture-Aspiration of cyst contents--Injection of hypertonic saline solution--Reaspiration) was used as a percutaneous treatment of hydatid cysts. In 37 patients, 120 cysts were punctured. All patients had not been considered surgical candidates. The cysts were localized in the liver, peritoneum, spleen, kidneys, muscles, and bones. In 70% of patients, good results were obtained. Recurrence occurred in 5 of 120 cysts, all at the beginning of our experience when a low concentration of sodium chloride solution was injected. Moderate allergic reactions occurred during seven cyst aspirations. No anaphylactic shock, sudden deaths or dissemination of cyst contents were observed.

[Asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia associated with hepatic ductal hypoplasia, agenesis of the corpus callosum and Dandy-Walker syndrome]. / Dystrophie thoracique asphyxiante de Jeune associée à une hypoplasie ductulaire hépatique, une agénésie du corps calleux et un syndrome de Dandy-Walker.

The authors report on a case of a newborn with asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia who died 36 h after birth. This chondrodysplasia was associated with hepatic ductular hypoplasia, agenesis of the corpus callosum and Dandy-Walker malformation. To our knowledge, such an association has not previously been reported in the literature.

[Femoral hypoplasia--unusual facies syndrome]. / Hypoplasie fémorale avec dysmorphie faciale. A propos d'une nouvelle observation.

We report a new case of femoral hypoplasia-unusual facies syndrome (FH-UFS). A review of the literature disclosed fifty-five previously published cases. Both boys and girls can be affected. The syndrome includes bilateral femoral hypoplasia; facial dysmorphism with a cleft palate, micrognathia, a long philtrum, a thin upper lip, and a short broad-tipped nose; dysplasia of the hips; and hypoplasia of the fibulae. Other malformations may be found, including skeletal defects and visceral (especially cardiovascular and genitourinary) abnormalities. Etiopathogenesis of this syndrome remains unknown. Some investigators have suggested a link between the FH-UFS and caudal dysplasia in infants born to diabetic mothers.