[Capillary hemangioma of the spinal cord. A new case]. / Hémangiome capillaire médullaire. Un nouveau cas.

A 49-year-old man presented with a 8-month history of gait and sphincter disturbances. Examination revealed a spastic paraplegia predominant on the left limb, associated with decreased tactile sensitivity below T10. MRI showed a right posterolateral intramedullary lesion with an isosignal on T1-weighted images and a mild hypersignal on T2-weighted images, with an intense contrast enhancement; the spinal cord presented with an hypersignal on T2-weighted images. At operation, a vascular tumor presented at the spinal cord surface, was well demarcated from the parenchyma and was easily removed. Microscopic examination showed a capillary hemangioma. Three months later the patient exhibited a motor improvement with a right spasticity, deficits in proprioception, without sphincter abnormalities. A new MRI showed the disappearance of the hemangioma and of the preoperative spinal cord hypersignal. Capillary hemangiomas are unusual on nerves or roots. Cases found in the spinal cord are extremely rare: to our knowledge, 5 cases have been reported. On MRI, they are easily distinguished from cavernous hemangiomas, but microscopic examination is necessary to distinguish them from hemangioreticulomas. The postoperative prognosis is generally good. However, a report of a multiple location case, on roots and spinal cord, suggests the need for long follow-up.

[Vermian epidermal cyst developing in the fourth ventricle. A case report]. / Kyste épidermoïde vermien développé dans le ive ventricule. Une observation.

A 34-year-old man presented with recent severe headache. Neurological examination found gait disturbance and a static cerebellar syndrome. The CT scan showed a tumor located in the fourth ventricle and which presented with a density close to that of the cerebellar parenchyma, without contrast enhancement, associated with an enlargement of the third and the lateral ventricles. MRI showed that the tumor had an heterogeneous hyposignal on T1-weighted images and an hypersignal on T2-weighted images, without associated edema; the roof of the fourth ventricle was displaced upward and the brain stem forward. At operation, an encapsulated epidermal cyst, developed from the cerebellar vermis, without attachment to the floor of the fourth ventricle, was totally removed. Epidermal cysts of the fourth ventricle are unusual lesions; their capsule often adhere to the floor and cannot be totally removed. Those developed from the cerebellar vermis seem to be rarer. With the use of MRI, their true origin could be suspected. In these cases, the cysts can be totally removed, reducing the risk of recurrence

[Microsporum canis mycetoma of the scalp]. / Mycétome à Microsporum canis du cuir chevelu.

BACKGROUND: Mycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous tumefaction with presence of grains or granules. Etiological agents include bacteria or filamentous fungi. Mycetoma due to dermatophytes is uncommon, mainly occurring in Africa. To our knowledge, no case has been reported in the West Indies. Only two observations of Micosporum canis mycetoma in humans have been reported in the literature. We report a third case of mycetoma of the scalp caused by this fungus. CASE REPORT: A 22-year-old woman from Martinique, French West Indies, presented with an indolent tumefaction of the scalp evolving over five years. She had mental retardation due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The lesion was extracted surgically. Pathology and mycology examinations showed features of Microsporum canis mycetoma. Two months later, the scalp lesion recurred and the patient was treated with griseofulvin after surgical extraction. DISCUSSION: Mycetoma due to dermatophytes is very uncommon, mainly observed on the scalp and nape of the neck. A history of a skin lesion is frequent, leading to transcutaneous penetration of the fungus and mycetoma formation. Several dermatophyte species have been identified as causal agents (Microsporum ferrugineum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum langeronii). Microsporum canis is rarely demonstrated in humans: two cases in children in Africa and Australia. Our observation was similar to the two cases in the literature: indolent and mobile tumefaction of the scalp, in a child or young adult, suggestive of lipoma or epidermal cyst, with excision leading to diagnosis. Association with tinea capitis and skin or nail involvement can also be observed.

Epidemiology of histoplasmosis in the French West Indies (Martinique).

The Caribbean islands are presumed to be an endemic zone for Histoplasma capsulatum infection, but no epidemiological studies have been done in this area. Our purpose was to report the epidemiology of histoplasmosis from 1991 to 1997 in the French West Indies (Martinique). Cases identified from the register of the mycology laboratory were analysed retrospectively. Ten cases (9 male and 1 female) were identified; 8 of the patients were infected with HIV (average T4 lymphocyte count in these 8 patients was 32/mm3). Eight patients had cutaneous involvement. The incidence in AIDS patients was 1.7%. The annual incidence in the general population was 0.34/100,000. Our data showed that histoplasmosis is endemic in Martinique, with an incidence in AIDS patients slightly inferior to that in endemic areas of the USA. The high rate of cutaneous forms (80%) is uncommon.

[Guidelines for the evaluation of internal quality control of smears for screening of uterine cancer in France in the structures of Pathologic Anatomy and Cytology. French Association for Quality Assurance in Pathologic Anatomy and Cytology (AFAQAP)--Commission for cervical smears]. / Recommandations pour l'évaluation de qualité interne des frottis de dépistage du cancer du col utérin en France dans les structures d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques. Association Française pour l'Assurance de Qualité en Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques (AFAQAP)-Commission Frottis du col utérin.

A national organized mass-screening effective programme is the only way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, if properly organized and correlated with a system of Quality Assurance. Since 1900, an Association for Quality Assurance was created by the French pathologists, named "AFAQAP". These pathologists thus demonstrated their interest in this kind of action that should be effective if women and clinicians are also implied. The pathologists have concluded the first part of their programme with these French guidelines for internal quality control of pap smears.

Epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma in the French West Indies (Martinique).

The epidemiology of melanoma in populations of African-European descent has rarely been reported. The authors studied melanoma in the French West Indies (Martinique), where black Caribbeans and whites represented 96% and 4% of the population, respectively. Among the 85 cases of melanoma collected from 1976 to 1995, blacks represented 75% and whites, 25%. The average incidence rates were 1.48 and 0.9 per 100,000 per year in females and males, respectively. The sole of the foot represented 72% of the primary sites in blacks. Breslow's tumor thickness was > 1.5 mm in 68% of the cases. The 5-year survival was 44%.

Intramedullary neurenteric cyst without any associated malformation. One case evaluated by RMI and electron microscopic study.

A 46 years old woman presented with several years history of low back pain. For five years she suffered from weakness of the left lower limb and three years later she experienced an episode of right foot weakness. She suffered too from occasional urinary urgency. The examination showed decreased power and diminished sensory perception in the left leg. On myelography, a block at L2 level was observed. RMI evaluation showed an intramedullary cyst in the anterior part of the spinal cord without any enhancement of its wall by the Gadolinium. At operation a thin-wall cyst was found containing clear fluid. After a biopsy of the wall, a cystosubarachnoid shunt was performed. Histological examination of the surgical sample showed a simple cuboidal epithelium lying on collagen fibrills. Electron microscopic studies showed ciliated cells with a clearly-visible basement membrane. The diagnosis of neurenteric cyst was confirmed. In the postoperative course the patient complained about sensory loss of the legs and the perineal area. Six months later, she exhibited a sensory disturbance of the feet and the right sacral area, a motor deficit of the distal left leg without urinary disturbance. Neurenteric cysts are dysraphic lesions which can be observed without other abnormalities. They are usually extramedullary and the intramedullary forms are very rare: among 5 cases reported in the literature, one has been evaluated by RMI. In the absence of enhancement by the Gadolinium, the other possible diagnosis seems an ependymal cyst. Contrary to extramedullary forms the postoperative course of intramedullary neurenteric cysts are not always eventful. Because the cyst wall cannot be removed, repeated RMI are desirable in the follow-up.

[Apropos of a case of chondromyxoid fibroma of the talus. A review of the literature]. / A propos d'un cas de fibrome chondromyxoïde au niveau de l'astragale. Revue de la littérature.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a very rare tumor. CMF represents less than 1p. 100 of all benign osseous tumors. The upper part of the tibia is the most frequent localization. We report the second case of talus tumor published in the world literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 20 years old man presented a lytic tumor of the talus. The histology diagnosed a Chondromyxoid fibroma. A complete excision was made. An autologous bone graft associated with blocks of coral were used for reconstruction. RESULTS: After six months sport activities were authorized. After 10 years follow-up, there is no recurrence, the coral has progressively disappeared, replaced by host bone. DISCUSSION: Only one case of talus tumor has been published in world literature. Feldman has collected 189 cases of CMF published before 1970. After 1970, 297 new cases published. Analysis of these 486 cases pointed out the frequency of differents localizations. CONCLUSION: This very rare tumor frequent between 10 and 30 years of age. The foot is the second localization after the tibia. A surgical conservative treatment with complete excision is recommended even in case of recurrence. Radiotherapy must be avoided in any case because of the risk of malignant degeneration.

[Adenoma of the choledochus]. / Les adénomes du cholédoque.

Two patients with signs of an obstructed main bile duct underwent surgery. Choleductectomy was performed followed by Mirizzi exploration. Extemporaneous pathology examination of the intra-ductal tissue revealed benign adenoma of the main bile duct. Resection of the main bile duct with hepato-duodenal anastomosis was performed in the first patient and resection with end-to-end anastomosis in the second.

[Granular cell tumor of the gingiva in the newborn. Report of a case in Martinique]. / Tumeur à cellules granuleuses de la gencive chez le nouveau-né. A propos d'un cas en Martinique.

The authors report a case of a gingival granular cell tumor, also called "congenital epulis", occurring in a female newborn. It is a rare congenital, benign tumor of uncertain histogenesis, with marked predilection for female newborn. The tumor arises, as a polypoid mass, on the gingiva of the anterior maxillary or mandibular alveolar ridge. Typical histologic features are represented by sheets of large cells with pale granular cytoplasm. Despite remarkable similarities between gingival granular cell tumors and others ubiquitous granular cell tumors (granular cell myoblastoma or Abrikossoff's tumor), histogenesis of the gingival granular cell tumors seems different. Unlike those of granular cell myoblastoma, granular cells of gingival granular cell tumor do not express S-100 protein and Neuron-Specific-Enolase. Considering the positivity for oestrogen and progesterone receptors, a hormonal factor may be important in the development of gingival granular cell tumor. The generally accepted treatment is simple excision.

Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma: a clinico-pathologic study of twenty-six patients from Martinique.

Twenty-six cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) were identified between 1983 and 1991 in Martinique (French West Indies). There were 14 men and 12 women, all of mixed racial descent and born in Martinique. Their ages ranged from 23 to 95 years. The main clinical and laboratory features at initial presentation were peripheral lymphadenopathy (22 cases), hepatomegaly (11 cases), splenomegaly (10 cases), cutaneous lesions (12 cases), hypercalcemia (16 cases), refractory infection by Strongyloides stercoralis (12 cases), and pre-existing autoimmune disorders (4 cases). All patients had absolute lymphocytosis with circulating pleomorphic abnormal lymphocytes. The prognosis was poor, with most patients (20 cases) surviving for less than 6 months. Although the overall clinicopathologic features of ATLL in this series are similar to those described in previous reports, we observed three additional points of interest: a high association with Strongyloides infection, an increased incidence of tropical spastic paresis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) among the relatives of the patients (5 cases), and the presence of prior collagen vascular diseases.

[Three cases of solid and papillary tumors of the pancreas in black women]. / Trois cas de tumeurs solides et papillaires du pancréas chez la femme de race noire.

Three cases of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas are presented. These tumors occur more commonly in young patients with a predilection for young black females. They have a good prognosis allowing conservative surgery. The histological study of the specimens strongly suggests an endocrine tumor but all histological and immunocytochemical endocrine stains are negative. The ultrastructural study of these tumors has revealed the existence of borderline forms between these tumors and endocrine tumors.

[Intestinal angiostrongyliasis caused by Angiostrongylus costaricencis. Apropos of a case in Martinique]. / Angiostrongylose intestinale à Angiostrongylus costaricensis. A propos d'un cas en Martinique.

Intestinal angiostrongyliasis caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis is a rare nematodiasis which is present mainly in Costa-Rica, and in some other countries in the northern part of South America, Central America, and in the southern part of Mexico. This is a report of the first case from Martinique involving a sixteen month old child, and proved by an intestinal pathologic study. The epidemiology of the disease, its clinical, parasitological, histopathologic and therapeutic aspects are emphasized.