A rare case of cade oil poisoning complicated by acute pancreatitis and acute tubular necrosis.

Introduction: Cade oil is often used in traditional medicinal practices despite of its toxic effects, hence the occurrence of intoxication incidents often requiring intensive care. Case presentation: We present the case of a young patient with no prior medical history who was exposed to significant doses of Cade oil both on skin and ingested, and who subsequently developed an apyretic consciousness disorder warranting an admission to our ICU department for specialized management. Discussion: in this chapter we discuss the place of cade oil within Morocco's unsupervised medicinal practices. We also detail the spectrum of cade oil poisoning which is rarely reported in the literature, before discussing the therapeutic options. Conclusion: The phenol derivatives of Cade oil, which is still used frequently and widely, are responsible of an acute intoxication, mainly impairing the cardiovascular, respiratory and renal functions. A pancreatic involvement is rarely reported.

Dexamethasone or methylprednisolone therapy in covid-19 pneumonia: A retrospective and comparative study of 513 cases.

BACKGROUNDS: Corona virus disease 19 (Covid-19) affects especially the respiratory tract, and induces lung injury which may progress to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Various treatment options were tried all over the world, corticosteroids had showed beneficial effects.The Objective of this study, is to compare the safety and efficiency of two corticosteroids: dexamethasone and prednisolone in the treatment of Covid-19 infection. METHODS: This retrospective and comparative study included 513 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 infection and were admitted to intensive care unit of our university hospital center of MOHAMMED VI Oujda from March 1, 2020, to December 31st, 2020. RESULTS: In this study, 513 cases were included, 230 patients were received methylprednisolone, and 283 were treated with dexamethasone. The median age in methylprednisolone group was 64 years, and 63 years in the second group treated with dexamethasone. Patients treated with dexamethasone had more critically lesions compared to patients treated with methylprednisolone (67.6%), these patients had a good evolution with a significant reduction of oxygen supplementation, lower use of invasive ventilation and a significant improvement in biological parameters. The difference in outcome between the two groups in terms of mortality was significantly reduced in the second group. CONCLUSION: Both steroids are efficient in the management of mild, moderate and severe Covid-19 pneumonia with a clear superiority of dexamethasone especially in severe forms.

Guillain Barre syndrome as a complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Covid-19 infection usually manifests with respiratory symptoms, but neurological signs might be the mean symptom revealing this infection such as Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS).COVID-19 associated GBS seems to be more severe than non-COVID-19 GBS. CASE MANAGEMENT: We reported a 49 old-man admitted in the intensive care unit for bilateral ascending symmetrical paresthesia associated with lower limb numbness and sphincter disorders two weeks after an upper respiratory infection. The diagnosis of post-Covid-19 GBS was maintained, and the evolution was favorable after Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange (PLEX) as a second therapy. CONCLUSION: This case report suggest the probable causal link between COVID 19 and GBS. This severe association prompts us to do further research that may help professionals in an early diagnosis and early treatment thus improving morbidity and mortality.

Benefits of Tocilizumab in patients with a severe form of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Experience of the intensive care unit of the Mohammed VI university hospital, Oujda.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a new disease that appeared in December 2019. Millions of people have been infected and died from this infection. Until today, the pathophysiology and treatment of this infection remain unknown, but a lot of studies are trying to solve the mystery. The trail of inflammation remains the most convincing, especially the Interleukin 6 (IL-6) which could play an important role in a reaction cascade leading to a cytokine storm. According to studies, although few in number, the Tociluzimab (TCZ), which is an anti-IL6, could prevent or even suppress this storm, leading to a less severe clinical state of the disease and a faster recovery. This could decrease the use of oxygen, avoid the risk of intubation and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective observational case review brought together 557 COVID-19 seriously ill patients (pulmonary involvement> 25% + SatO2AA <90%) admitted to the intensive care unit of our university hospital from March 1st, 2020 to February 28th, 2021. They were divided into 2 groups a Tociluzimab group (TCZ group) and a Non Tociluzimab group (NON TCZ) to facilitate the comparison. The aim of the study was to compare the length of hospital stay, the use of mechanical ventilation and the mortality in the TCZ group versus the NON TCZ group. RESULTS: The average age of our patients was 62,05 years (±13.51) and 62.61 years (±16.33) respectively in the TCZ versus NON TCZ group. 76 (76%) were men while 24 were women (24%) in the TCZ group; and there was 313 (68.49%) men and 144 (31.51%) women in the NON TCZ group. Their average BMI was 28 kg/m2 (±4.52) in the TCZ group versus 27.89 kg/m2 (±4.73) in the NON TCZ group. Among them, the TCZ group included 38 (38%) diabetic patients, 38 hypertensive (38%), 12 heart disease (12%) and 2 chronic renal failure (2%), while the NON TCZ group regrouped 35 (7.65%) diabetics, 33 (7.22%) hypertensive, 12 heart disease (2.67%), and 5 chronic renal failure (1.09%) patients. The mean time to consultation of patients was almost similar in the two groups: 8.86 (±7,28) days for TCZ and 8.83 (±7,03) days for NON TCZ group. The mean length of ICU hospital stay was 9 days (4,94) for the TCZ group and 8,75 days (4,73) for the other one. The saturation at admission was at 74.92% (10.45) for the TCZ group ranging from 40% to 92%, and at 73,56% for the NON TCZ group. Lung damage from COVID-19 was extensive in 12%, severe in 32%, and critical in 56% of TCZ group enrolled cases. Meanwhile it was extensive in 23.63%, severe in 41,35%, and critical in 35,01% of the NON TCZ group. The biological findings found average of white blood cells at 12256/12082 e/mm3, lymphocytes at 761/842 e/mm3, CRP at 181/199 mg/L, ferritin at 1747/528 µg/L, and fibrinogen at 6.92/6.27 g/L for the TCZ group versus NON TCZ group. Medical care was based on isolation, oxygenotherapy, azithromycin, vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, salicylic acid, dexamethasone followed with methylprednisolone, and anticoagulation for all hospitalized patients. The TCZ group received at least 1 course of Tociluzimab dosed at 400 mg (2 patients received 2 doses and 1 patient received 3 doses). The indication of a Tociluzimab course in our department was based on a set of arguments: an increase in oxygen requirements, a progression of lesions on chest-computed tomography and an increase in inflammation markers including IL-6, CRP, ferritin, fibrinogen, and a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes. The invasive mechanical ventilation was indicated for 4 (4%) patients in the TCZ group versus 192 (42,01%) in the NON TCZ. Among the 100 patients included in our cohort in the TCZ group, 40% died in intensive care unit and 60% had a favorable evolution with a decrease of the biological markers of inflammation. However, in the NON TCZ group, 197 (43,10%) passed away. CONCLUSION: The use of Tociluzimab in ICU patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia did not contribute to a significant difference in the reduction of hospital stay. However, the invasive mechanical ventilation was less needed in patients receiving Tociluzimab than the others. Moreover, there was a mortality benefit associated with the use of Tociluzimab, but only before 10 days of hospitalization.

COVID 19 pneumonia in Down syndrome patients: About 2 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Covid-19 is a severe emerging infection with high rate of mortality. Patients with Covid-19 and Down syndrome represent a high rate of morbidity and mortality. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 27-year-old white male with Down's syndrome admitted to the ICU for Covid-19 infection with lung damage of 30-50%. The patient improved and referred to the pulmonology department.Case 2: A 49-year-old man admitted to the ICU for Covid-19 infection with a lung damage of 50%. The evolution was lethal and he passed away after 12 days of his admission. CONCLUSION: People suffering from Down syndrome should be given priority in the management of acute respiratory distress following infection with SARS COV2, or even candidates for early immunosuppressive treatment and possible vaccination once started.

[Rupture of the descending thoracic aorta following sudden traumatic deceleration injury]. / Rupture de l'aorte thoracique descendante suite à une décélération brutale post traumatique.

Acute post-traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta is the second cause of road traffic deaths; 80% of patients die at the scene of the accident. The involvement of its descending portion outside the isthmus is rare and it is estimated to be less than 3%. We report the case of a 60-year old man, victim of road traffic accidents (RTA) whose mechanism was: the motorcyclist was struck by a car; the points of impact included the right upper limb and the chest. This RTA caused a fracture in both bones of the forearm and a rupture of the descending thoracic aorta (ATD). Treatment was based in the first time on the suture of the aortic rupture complemented by synthetic circumferential prosthesis implantation with aorto-aortic anastomosis and in a second time on the application of a screwed plate in the forearm. The outcome was good and the patient was referred to the Department of vascular surgery.