Particularités du cancer du larynx chez le sujet jeune / Epidemiological and clinical predictive factors of success in septoplasty: Study of 250 patients

Discuter à travers une étude descriptive ainsi qu'une revue de la littérature, les particularités cliniques, démographiques et pronostiques des patients de moins de 45 ans, ayant un cancer du larynx. Materiels et Methodes: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective descriptive portant sur des patients atteints d'un cancer du larynx, âgés de moins de 45 ans suivis dans le service d'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale du CHU Habib Bourguiba Sfax durant la période s'étendant de 1989 à 2018. Resultats: Nous avons trouvé 31 patients avec une prédominance masculine. Un cancer dans la famille a été trouvé dans 16,12% des cas sans corrélation statistique avec le stade avancé de la maladie. Une importante intoxication tabagique a été trouvée (96%). Trois patients avaient une laryngite chronique et un patient une papillomatose laryngée avec des lésions de dysplasie. Les motifs de consultation étaient dominés par la dysphonie (87%). La maladie a été classée en stades avancés dans 70% des cas. Le traitement chirurgical était préconisé chez 87% des patients et la préservation fonctionnelle chez 38,7%. Le taux de survie globale et sans maladie étaient respectivement, à un an de 96% et 84%, à 3 ans de 87% et 76%, et à 5 ans de 77% et 75% Conclusion: Notre travail n'a pas permis de retenir de différence en termes de données cliniques, de l'évolution de la maladie, de l'algorithme thérapeutique ni du pronostic entre les jeunes patients et les plus âgés

Choanal atresia: Diagnosis and management

Objective: Choanal atresia (CA) is a rare congenital malformation caused by the obliteration of the posterior choanae by an atretic plate. The aim of our study is to describe the diagnosis and management modalities of CA and to determine the factors associated with recurrence. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study based on the medical records of patients with CA managed in our department in the period between 2002 and 2021. We studied the clinical features and management modalities of each patient. For patients who developed a recurrence, we determined the factors associated with recurrence based on a bivariate analysis. Results: We studied the medical records of 26 patients with either a bilateral (n=8) or a unilateral (n=16) form of CA. The median age at surgery was two days for bilateral forms and 5 years and 4 months for unilateral forms. At computed tomography scan, CA was mixed (n=20), bony (n=4) or membranous (n=2). All patients underwent intranasal endoscopic surgical treatment using cold instruments alone in membranous forms and combined to the drilling of the atretic plate in bony and mixed forms. The surgical management included the resection of the posterior part of the vomer bone and the placement of nasal stents in 10 and 16 patients respectively. We recorded 6 cases of recurrence requiring a surgical re-intervention. The presence of associated cranio-facial malformations was the only factor associated with recurrence (p=0,001). Conclusion: Choanal atresia diagnosis was based on nasal endoscopy and CT scan. Surgical treatment using transnasal endoscopic approach was an effective and safe technique. Associated local malformations was a factor associated with re-stenosis

Les surdites brusques idiopathiques facteurs pronostiques / Sudden idiopathic deafness prognostic factors

Les surdités brusques idiopathiques (SBI) constituent l'un des sujets les plus débattus en otologie. Plusieurs problèmes d'ordre physiopathologiques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques restent non résolus. But : Identifier les facteurs pronostiques, cliniques et audiométriques de récupération auditive après traitement d'une SBI. Malades : Etude rétrospective portée sur 27 malades (29 cas de SBI) traités dans le service d'ORL et chirurgie cervicofaciale du CHU Habib Bourguiba Sfax durant la période comprise entre les années 1990 et 2005. Méthodes : C'est une étude statistique recherchant une corrélation significative entre certains facteurs cliniques et audiométriques et la récupération auditive. Les facteurs étudiés étaient : l'âge, l'aspect de la courbe audiométrique, la perte auditive initiale et le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique. Résultats : L'âge inférieur à 50 ans, la courbe ascendante et la perte auditive inférieure à 70 dB étaient les facteurs de meilleur pronostic. Le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique semble avoir peu de rôle dans la récupération auditive. Discussion : La majorité des auteurs ont signalé que l'âge jeune, les surdités légères ou moyennes, la courbe ascendante et la précocité de la prise en charge sont associés à un meilleur pronostic. Nos résultats rejoignent ceux de Tran Ba Huy qui ne trouve pas de corrélation entre le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique et le pronostic de récupération auditive.

Smell disorders evolution after chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps surgery

The effects of chronic rhino sinusitis with polyps (CRSWP) surgery on smell symptoms have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CRSWP surgery on smell symptoms over short and long-term follow-up and to identify the factors that might influence their evolution. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study about 184 patients operated endoscopically for CRSWP. In post operative period, long-term local steroids were prescribed systematically. The sense of smell was evaluated preand post-operatively according to a subjective score (1: good smell, 2: hyposmia, 3: anosmia). Some factors, related to the patient, the CRSWP and the treatment, were tested in order to identify predictors of smell outcome after surgery.. Results: Before surgery, the anosmia and the hyposmia were noted in 90.8% and in 8.7% of cases, respectively. At six months after surgery, the improvement of olfactory score was significant: 84% of patient had the score 1 compared with 0.5% preoperatively (p < 0.0001). This improvement was maintained during the 2 first years and decreased significantly at 3 years, although an average delay of polyps recurrence was 23.4 months. Among the factors studied in our series, only the observance of postoperative corticosteroids was retained as a predictor of smell recovery after surgery (p = 0,011). Conclusion: CRSWP surgery can significantly improve the smell sense, especially during the two first years. This effect can be sustainable if good post operative compliance for local corticosteroid are achieved.

[Ductal carcinomas of the parotid gland]. / Les carcinomes canalaires de la parotide.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical, therapeutic and prognostic features of ductal carcinomas of the parotid gland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five patients with ductal carcinoma of the parotid gland (primary and secondary carcinoma) treated, between 2007 and 2019, in our ENT department, were reviewed. RESULTS: Four men and one woman were included. The mean age was 61,4 years. One patient had a history of an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Four patients consulted for swelling in the parotid region. One patient referred to our department for dysfunction of facial nerve. Skin invasion was found in one case. Four patients underwent total parotidectomy with sacrifice of the facial nerve (three cases). One patient underwent extended parotidectomy involving the skin. An ipsilateral selective neck dissection was performed in four cases. One patient had a parotid gland biopsy. Ductal carcinoma was primary in four cases and metastatic from breast origin in one case. Four patients were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. Remission was obtained in three cases. One patient had a local and meningeal recurrence. The patient with metastatic carcinoma had pulmonary, bone, hepatic and brain progression. CONCLUSION: Ductal carcinoma is a rare and aggressive tumor of the parotid gland. It can be primary or secondary. The treatment is based on surgery and radiotherapy. The prognosis is poor.

[Ectopic thymus: A rare cause of neck mass in children]. / Thymus ectopique : une cause rare de tuméfaction cervicale chez le nourrisson.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic cervical thymus (ECT) is a rare embryological abnormality in children. It can be revealed by a compressive neck mass mistaken for a malignant tumor. Through a new case of ECT, we review the embryopathogenesis, diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic features. CLINICAL OBSERVATION: A 19-month-old girl presented a right cervical mass that quickly increased in size, causing intermittent dyspnea. The physical examination objectified a 6-cm, soft and compressible, painless right cervical tumefaction, extending from the mastoid area to the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa. The diagnosis suggested based on CT was a cervicomediastinal cystic lymphangioma. The diagnoses discussed based on MRI were a collection of necrotic lymphadenopathy, rhabdomyosarcoma or neurofibroma debris. The mass was surgically excised through a laterocervical incision. A whitish multilobular tissular mass was found, adherent to the neurovascular axis of the neck. Pathological examination concluded in normal ectopic thymus tissue. The postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Although ECT is a rare benign anomaly, it should be considered as a possible cause of a neck mass in children. Surgery is the curative treatment. Before surgery, the presence of a mediastinal thymus must be confirmed to avoid the risk of a total thymectomy in children. MRI is helpful in delineating thymic ectopia compared to the mediastinal thymus.

Rhonchopathie chronique : quelle chirurgie pour quels patients ?

Faisant partie de l'arsenal thérapeutique du ronflement, la chirurgie garde encore à ce jour un intérêt majeur. L'efficacité des traitements chirurgicaux est très difficile à évaluer, en raison principalement de l'hétérogénéité des critères d'évaluation rapportés dans la littérature, d'un recul très variable selon les séries, et surtout de la méthodologie des études.Nous avons mené une étude sur 105 patients qui ont été opérés pour le ronflement. Nos résultats ont été rapportés selon différents groupes plus homogènes permettent une comparaison plus fine des résultats. L'analyse univariée a montré un meilleur résultat de la chirurgie chez les ronfleurs simples par rapport aux apnéiques (p=0.03), l'efficacité de la chirurgie en cas d'apnées du sommeil se voyait surtout sur le volume sonore et non sur l'index d'apnées hypopnées. En analyse multivariée, nous avons dégagé le profildes malades chez qui le traitement chirurgical aurait de meilleurs résultats : jeune âge, non obèse, sans rétrognatisme avec un voile long et/ou flasque et avec un index apnées hypopnées< 30

Les perforations pharyngo-oesophagiennes par corps étranger

Introduction : La perforation pharyngo-œsophagienne par ingestion de corps étranger (CE) est une complication rare et grave. De ce fait, sa prise en charge n'est pas standardisée. Le but de ce travail est d'étudier les caractéristiques épidémiologiques et diagnostiques de ces complications et de discuter les modalités thérapeutiques. Patients et méthodes :Sur une période 17 ans (1998 - 2014), nous avons colligé 573 patients ayant ingéré des CE pharyngo-œsophagiens et qui ont bénéficié d'une extraction endoscopique au tube rigide. Onze patients (1,9%) se sont compliqués d'une perforation. Résultats : Il s'agissait de 3 enfants et 8 adultes. Les corps étrangers étaient dominés par les fragments d'os (55% des cas). Les perforations étaient jugées liées aux manœuvres d'extraction dans 54,5% et au CE dans 45,5%. Le diagnostic a été posé dans un délai maximal de 2 jours après extraction. La chirurgie a été réalisée d'emblée dans 2 cas devant la migration extra-viscérale du CE et devant la présence d'une abcédation péri-œsophagienne, respectivement. Le geste opératoire consistait, respectivement, en l'ablation du CE avec suture de l'œsophage et un simple drainage de l'abcès. Dans un autre cas, la chirurgie a été pratiquée en seconde intention après échec du traitement médical et devant l'apparition d'une pleurésie purulente. Le geste opératoire était une suture renforcée par un lambeau intercostal. Un traitement conservateur était instauré dans 8 cas (72,7%).L'évolution était favorable dans 10 cas (soit 90,9%) et fatale dans un seul cas, soit une mortalité de 9,1%. Conclusion : Le pronostic dépend essentiellement de la précocité diagnostique des perforations œsophagiennes par CE. Le traitement conservateur serait suffisant et efficace en dehors d'un syndrome infectieux sévère

[Idiopathic facial paralysis in children]. / Paralysie faciale idiopathique de l'enfant.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic facial palsy is the most common cause of facial nerve palsy in children. Controversy exists regarding treatment options. The objectives of this study were to review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of idiopathic facial palsy in children to suggest appropriate treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on children with a diagnosis of idiopathic facial palsy from 2007 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases (13 males, 24 females) with a mean age of 13.9 years were included in this analysis. The mean duration between onset of Bell's palsy and consultation was 3 days. Of these patients, 78.3% had moderately severe (grade IV) or severe paralysis (grade V on the House and Brackmann grading). Twenty-seven patients were treated in an outpatient context, three patients were hospitalized, and seven patients were treated as outpatients and subsequently hospitalized. All patients received corticosteroids. Eight of them also received antiviral treatment. The complete recovery rate was 94.6% (35/37). The duration of complete recovery was 7.4 weeks. DISCUSSION: Children with idiopathic facial palsy have a very good prognosis. The complete recovery rate exceeds 90%. However, controversy exists regarding treatment options. High-quality studies have been conducted on adult populations. Medical treatment based on corticosteroids alone or combined with antiviral treatment is certainly effective in improving facial function outcomes in adults. In children, the recommendation for prescription of steroids and antiviral drugs based on adult treatment appears to be justified. CONCLUSION: Randomized controlled trials in the pediatric population are recommended to define a strategy for management of idiopathic facial paralysis.

[Predictive factors for recurrence after surgery of nasal polyposis].

Introduction: Endoscopic sinus surgery has become the treatment of choice in the surgical management of patients with nasal polyposis. The aim of our study is to identify the role of some epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic factors in recurrence after surgery of nasal polyposis. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 11 years (between 2000 and 2010) including 184 patients operated for nasal polyposis after failure of prolonged medical treatment. We evaluated the impact of epidemiological and clinical factors (age, sex, asthma, Widal disease, allergy and stage of nasal polyposis at the time of surgery) and treatment (surgical technique, observance of postoperative topical steroids ) on postoperative recurrence. Results: Nasal poly­posis recurred in 26.6% of patients after an average period of 23 months. Widal disease, asthma and bad observance of the intranasal steroid therapy were significantly associated with postoperative recurrence in the univariate analysis. In multi­variate analysis the bad observance of the intranasal steroid therapy was the only factor significantly associated with recurren­ce. Conclusion: Postoperative steroids prescribed routi­nely in our practice can effectively prevent recurrence after endonasal surgery and this result was found in both uni­variate and multivariate analysis.

Evaluation de la surdite professionnelle dans un departement du sud tunisien

Objectif: La surdite professionnelle (SP) est une atteinte auditive acquise due a une exposition excessive au bruit au travail. Elle represente une cause frequente des surdites de l'adulte. Le but de notre travail est de rapporter les caracteristiques epidemiologiques; cliniques et audiometriques des patients presentant une SP. Methode : Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective concernant 200 patients presentant une SP declaree dans le gouvernorat de Sfax durant la periode (1990-2007). Un interrogatoire; un examen ORL complet ainsi qu'une audiometrie tonale ont ete realises pour tous les malades. Nous avons etudie l'incidence annuelle; l'age; le sexe; le secteur d'activite ainsi que les donnees audiometriques de ces patients. Une etude analytique univariee a recherche une correlation entre la perte auditive moyenne (PAM); l'age; la duree d'exposition au bruit et le secteur d'activite. Resultats : Une predominance masculine a ete notee (99). La moyenne d'age etait de 46 ans. Les secteurs d'activite les plus incrimines etaient la metallurgie (27;5); la menuiserie (10) et le secteur automobile (6). 26;5 des patients rapportaient des acouphenes et 3;5 se plaignaient de troubles de l'equilibre. La surdite professionnelle etait perceptionnelle; bilaterale et symetrique dans 93 des cas. L'analyse statistique univariee n'a pas objective de correlation entre la PAM; l'age; la duree d'exposition au bruit et le secteur d'activite. Conclusion : A notre connaissance; il s'agit de la premiere etude publiee rapportant les caracteristiques de la SP chez des travailleurs dans le sud Tunisien. Cette etude montre le manque de sensibilisation du public vis-a-vis de l'importance de la preservation de l'audition du bruit. Elle met en evidence aussi le manque d'outils de prevention; leur inefficacite voire les deux

Localisation nasosinusienne des tumeurs plasmocytaires

Introduction : Les tumeurs plasmocytaires representent 3 a 4 des tumeurs des cavites naso-sinusiennes. Elles necessitent un bilan diagnostique specifique et une prise en charge adequate. Nous nous proposons d'etudier les particularites diagnostiques et therapeutiques des plasmocytomes naso-sinusiens. Materiel et methodes : Notre etude est retrospective comportant 5 cas de plasmocytomes naso-sinusiens confirmes histologiquement. Resultats : Il s'agit de 3 hommes et 2 femmes ages de 32 a 77 ans. Le plasmocytome avait une localisation sphenoidale dans un cas; nasale dans 2 cas; ethmoido-nasale dans un cas et naso-maxillaire dans le cas restant. Il s'agissait d'un myelome multiple dans un cas. Trois patients ont eu une radiotherapie. Celle-ci etait associee a une chimiotherapie dans le cas du myelome multiple et a une exerese chirurgicale dans les 2 autres cas La chirurgie a ete seule dans un cas. La chimiotherapie exclusive a ete proposee dans un cas de plasmocytome localement avance mais le patient a ete perdu de vue. Pour les patients suivis; une seule recidive a ete notee a 18 mois. Conclusion : La presentation clinique des plasmocytomes nasosinusiens est aspecifique. Le diagnostic est confirme par l'histologie. Le pronostic est domine par la presence ou non d'un myelome multiple et par la taille tumorale. Un suivi prolonge est necessaire

Les tumeurs myofibroblastiques inflammatoires cervico-faciales

Objectifs : Confronter les signes cliniques et paracliniques de cette entite a celle des cancers et etudier ses modalites therapeutiques. Materiel et methodes : Etude retrospective portant sur huit cas de tumeurs myofibroblastiques inflammatoires cervico-faciales. Resultats : L'age moyen etait de 37 ans sans predominance de sexe. Le siege de la pseudotumeur etait thyroidien dans un cas; ganglionnaire dans deux cas; les parties molles cervicales dans un cas; larynge dans un cas; nasosinusien dans un cas; orbito-sinusienne dans 1 cas et du cavum dans un cas. Le traitement etait chirurgical dans 6 cas. Une corticotherapie a ete instauree dans 4 cas dont 2 en post operatoire. L'evolution; apres un recul moyen de 21 mois; etait marquee par la survenue de recidive dans 2 cas; une poursuite evolutive dans 1 cas et l'apparition d'autres localisations renales et retro peritoneale chez une patiente. Discussion : Les tumeurs myofibroblastiques inflammatoires sont rares. De caractere benin; ces tumeurs presentent generalement des caracteristiques cliniques d'agressivite avec un pouvoir lytique mimant une tumeur maligne. L'atteinte des voies aerodigestives superieures se voit dans 11 des tumeurs extrapulmonaires. Le diagnostic preoperatoire est difficile. L'exerese aussi large que possible de la tumeur est generalement preconisee. L'association d'une corticotherapie est indiquee chez des patients demeurant symptomatiques

Carcinome verruqueux du larynx : Diagnostic et traitement

Introduction : Les carcinomes verruqueux du larynx sont des tumeurs rares. Ils posent des problemes diagnostics et therapeutiques. Le but de notre travail est de detailler les difficultes diagnostiques et therapeutiques du carcinome verruqueux du larynx. Patients et methodes : Treize malades ont ete traite d'un carcinomes verruqueux du larynx entre 1992et 2007. Resultats : Une chirurgie a ete pratiquee pour dix patients dont 7 ont eu un curage ganglionnaire. Deux patients etaient traites par radiotherapie exclusive et un autre par radio chimiotherapie concomitante. L'evolution etait bonne sans recidive ni metastases chez tous les patients qui ont ete traites chirurgicalement avec un recul moyen de 37 mois. Conclusion : Le carcinome verruqueux du larynx est une forme rare; de bas grade et bien differenciee du carcinome epidermoide. Il s'agit d'une tumeur a croissance lente et localement agressive dont le traitement de choix est l'exerese chirurgicale en marges saines

[Bronchoscopy for foreign body inhalation in the pediatric population: lessons learned from 223 cases]. / Bronchoscopie pour inhalation de corps étrangers chez l'enfant : à propos de 223cas.

INTRODUCTION: Inhalation of foreign body in children is a serious accident that may compromise the vital prognosis of the child. The diagnostic was difficult in the absence of a recognizable penetration syndrome. Bronchoscopy is still recommended as the appropriate diagnostic and treatment of foreign bodies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the diagnostic and the treatment result of bronchoscopy and discuss its indications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] A retrospective study analyzing data related to 223 children undergoing bronchoscopy due to suspicion of foreign body aspiration over a period of 10 years (2000-2009). The average age of the children was 29 months (range: one month-13 years). Approximately, two thirds of these patients were boys. The penetration syndrome was reported in 79.8% of cases. RESULTS: During bronchoscopy, the foreign body was confirmed only in 57.4%. Foreign bodies were found in the bronchus in 79.7% of cases. Among the foreign bodies, 78.1% were of vegetal origin. The average time of stay of the foreign body was of 16.1 days. Penetration syndrome and abnormal physical exam were the most sensitive parameters (79.7% and 82.8%, respectively) but with low specificity (24.2% and 35.8%, respectively). The combination of clinical and radiological signs suggestive of foreign body was the most specific sign (74.7%). Similarly, we found a statistically significant correlation between positive bronchoscopy and simultaneous suggestive clinical and radiological signs (P=0.03). The multivariate study showed that predictors factors of positivity of the bronchoscopy were: abnormal physical exam (P=0.016), abnormal radiological exam (P=0.003) and type of indication (P=0.005). DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of laryngotracheobronchial foreign body recures an array of arguments. It is suspected on the clinical interview specially penetration syndrome and on the clinical and radiological presentation. Any suspicion should lead to a bronchoscopy.

[Maxillary sinusitis of odontogenic origin: surgical treatment]. / Sinusites maxillaires d'origine dentaire : traitement chirurgical.

PURPOSE: The frequency of maxillary sinusitis of dental origin (MSDO) is under estimated. The medical and surgical treatment has improved thanks to endoscopic guidance. We report our experience and strategy in the treatment of MSDO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients presenting with MSDO were treated between 1998 and 2008. The results were evaluated on clinical, functional, sinusal, and odontologic signs. RESULTS: MSDO accounted for 16% of surgically managed sinusitis. CT was performed in 95% of cases. The etiologies were apical leakage in seven patients, migration of a tooth or root during extraction, or presence of ectopic tooth in the sinus in nine patients, a cyst in three patients, and oroantral communication in three patients. Surgery was performed after antibiotic and NSAID treatment. The first surgical step was the treatment of the odontogenic source. The second step was sinus drainage by endoscopic treatment in 64%, Caldwell-Luc in 23%, and drainage by oroantral communication enlarged then closed in the same operative time in 13%. The follow up ranged from 3 months to 10 years. Early postoperative superinfection was observed in two patients. Two patients presented with recurrent sinusitis. The postoperative sequels were hyposmia in three patients, dental pulpotomy, and trigeminal neuralgia in five patients treated by Caldwell-Luc surgery. DISCUSSION: Nasal endoscopy has improved the surgical management of MSDO. It makes curettage and exclusion of sinus cavities obsolete. It is reliable and has a low rate of complications. The best treatment remains prevention.

Primary sinonasal meningioma.

INTRODUCTION: Primary meningiomas of the sinonasal tract are rare tumors. Their positive diagnosis is difficult to establish. From one case observation, we report the clinical features, the diagnosis difficulties and the therapeutic modalities of primary meningioma of the sinonasal tract. CASE REPORT: A seventeen-year-old girl consulted for a left unilateral nasal obstruction with progressive evolution without episodes of epistaxis, smell disorder or headaches over a year. Physical examination revealed a grayish polypoid tumor in the left nasal fossa. CT scan evidenced an isodense lesion of the left nasal fossa slightly enhanced pushing back the lateral nasal wall without invasion or intracranial connection. Biopsy was in favour of an inverted papilloma. The tumor was resected via endoscopic approach. Pathological examination established the diagnosis of meningothelial menigioma. The prognosis was favourable without recurrence after a six-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The positive diagnosis of primary sinonasal meningioma is difficult to establish because of their infrequent occurrence in this ectopic site and of their non-specific clinical appearance. The final diagnosis rests on the histological examination. Immunohistochemical studies are helpful to establish the accurate diagnosis. Imaging confirms the primitive nature of these tumors. Prognosis is excellent after complete surgical extirpation without the necessity of adjuvant therapy.

[Para-pharyngeal tumors, contribution of imaging]. / Tumeurs parapharyngées, apport de l'imagerie.

OBJECTIVES: Para-pharyngeal tumors are located deeply. Imaging is mandatory for their management. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the contribution of imaging for their diagnosis and treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Imaging was performed for 20 cases of primary para-pharyngeal tumors between 1986 and 2008. We compared the imaging to the anatomic and histological features of these tumors. RESULTS: Computed tomography and MRI confirmed the para-pharyngeal location of tumors. Tumors were located in the prestyloid compartment in eight cases, in the retrostyloid compartment in five cases, and in the retropharyngeal compartment in one case. Six tumors had filled all the para-pharyngeal space. Salivary gland tumors had filled the prestyloid space in two cases, and in two other malignant cases all para-pharyngeal space were invaded. MRI failed to differentiate the nature of tumor and its malignancy except when there was obvious bone erosion. The treatment was mainly surgical. The mean follow-up was 5 years 6 months. DISCUSSION: Imaging contributes to the etiological diagnosis and assesses tumor extension, thus helping to choose the surgical approach. MRI is the most contributive examination; its resolution is more adapted to the diagnosis of deep tumors. CT scan is contributive when studying the bone structure.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis by protein C activated resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Jugular vein thrombosis is mainly due to infectious, neoplastic and iatrogenic causes. Activated protein C (APC) resistance is an exceptional cause of jugular vein thrombosis. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old woman consulted for left lateral neck swelling present for two weeks. Neck ultrasound revealed left internal jugular vein thrombosis, which was confirmed by contrast CT. The rest of the examination, including routine clotting assessment and inflammatory work-up, was normal. Further investigations demonstrated APC resistance with Factor V Leiden mutation. Treatment consisted of oral anticoagulants with a good outcome. DISCUSSION: APC resistance is a recently identified and relatively frequent cause of thrombophilia, mostly due to Factor V Leiden mutation. APC resistance is responsible for 20% to 50% of all thrombotic events. The laboratory diagnosis is based on two tests: a phenotypic test based on APTT with and without APC and a genotypic test based on detection of a Factor V Leiden mutation. CONCLUSION: Screening for APC resistance and Factor V Leiden mutation is now part of the aetiological work-up of thromboses, particularly in subjects younger than 50. Treatment is based on oral anticoagulants.