Aspects cliniques et pronostiques des accidents vasculaires cérébraux en réanimation au Cameroun / Clinical and prognostic aspects of stroke in a Cameroonian intensive care unit

Introduction. L'accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) est une pathologie fréquente. Le but de l'étude était de décrire les aspects pronostiques des AVC en réanimation. Patients et Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une étude longitudinale descriptive et analytique, qui s'est déroulée de janvier à avril 2019. Nous avons recruté dans les services de réanimation de trois hôpitaux universitaires de Yaoundé. Etait inclus, tout patient hospitalisé en réanimation pour prise en charge d'un AVC, ayant réalisé un scanner cérébral. Le consentement était obtenu auprès du patient ou d'un parent. Les variables étaient les données sociodémographiques, les données cliniques et pronostiques.Les données étaient analysées à partir du logiciel Epi info 3.5.4 et Microsoft Office Excel 2013. Les proportions étaient comparées par le test de Chi carré ou le test exact de Fisher. Les médianes étaient comparées par le test de MannWhitney. La survie était représentée par une courbe de Kaplan Meier. Résultats. Au total, 34 patients étaient inclus. L'âge moyen était de 59,9±9,7 ans. Le sex-ratio était de 0,7. Le délai moyen d'admission était de 4,5±4,84 jours. L'hypertension artérielle était le facteur de risque dominant (42,5%). Une altération de la conscience était fréquente (73,5%). L'hémiplégie constituait le principal signe neurologique focal. L'AVC hémorragique était retrouvé chez 58,8% des patients. Deux patients étaient intubés (5,88%). Dix-huit décès étaient enregistrés (52,9%). La durée moyenne du séjour était de 21,8±19,4 jours. Les facteurs pronostiques étaient le score de Glasgow <8 (P=0,01), le score de NIHSS≥15 (P=0,001), l'hyperthermie (P=0,04), la présence de trouble de la déglutition à l'entrée (P=0,01) et l'effet de masse au scanner cérébral (P=0,01). Conclusion. Les AVC restent une affection fréquente dans notre pays. La mortalité est élevée.Elle est liée à la gravité clinique et la survenue des complications

Background. Stroke is a frequent pathology. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical, and prognostic aspects of stroke in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients and Methods. This was a longitudinal descriptive and analytical study, which took place from January to April 2019. We recruited from the intensive care units of three university hospitals in Yaoundé. Any patient hospitalised in the ICU for stroke management who had undergone a brain scan was included. Consent was obtained from the patient or a relative. The variables were socio-demographic data, clinical data, therapeutic data and outcome. Data were analysed using Epi info 3.5.4 and Microsoft Office Excel 2013. Proportions were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Medians were compared by the Mann-Whitney test. Survival was represented by a Kaplan Meier curve. Results. A total of 34 patients were included. The mean age was 59.9±9.7 years. The sex ratio was 0.7. The mean time to admission was 4.5 days ±4.84. Hypertension was the dominant risk factor (42.5%). Altered consciousness was common (73.5%). Hemiplegia was the main focal neurological sign. Hemorrhagic stroke was found in 58.8% of the patients. All patients received general measures. Two patients were intubated (5.88%). Eighteen deaths were recorded (52.9%). The average length of stay was 21.8±19.4 days. Prognostic factors were Glasgow score <8 (P=0.01), NIHSS score≥15 (P=0.001), hyperthermia (P=0.04), presence of swallowing disorder at admission (P=0.01) and mass effect on brain scan (P=0.01). Conclusion. Stroke remains a frequent condition in our country. Mortality is high. It is related to the clinical severity and the occurrence of complications.

[Management Of Undescended Testis In Children In Yaounde. A Report On 71 Cases]. / Prise En Charge Du Testicule Non Descendu Chez L'Enfant A Yaounde: A Propos De 71 Cas.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of undescended testicle in the of Pediatric Surgery service of the Yaoundé gyneco-obstetric and pediatric hospital. METHOD: Our study was retrospective, descriptive and analytical from June 2008 to December 2016; a period of 8 years and 6 months. Included in this study were records of pediatric patients aged 0 - 15 years who had been managed for an undescended testis in the Pediatric Surgery service of the Yaoundé gyneco-obstetric and pediatric hospital and followed up at our outpatient clinic. Data recorded included age, term of pregnancy at birth, time to presentation, presenting complaint, symptoms, location of the testis, surgical approach and procedure, complications and follow up. Open orchidopexy according to Surraco was the standard operation carried out for all our patients, a scrotal doppler ultrasound was systematic 30 days after the surgery and the child was scheduled for follow-up visits at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were managed during the study period, giving a hospital frequency of 10 cases per annum. The average age of our patients was 5.8 years [1 day and 15 years]. The mean time to consultation was 4.5 years [1 day and 15 years]. Most patients consulted for absence of the testis (n = 62). All patients were full term births. Clinically, the undescended testis was categorized as: cryptorchidism (n = 45), ectopia testis (n = 2), intra-abdominal testis (n = 24), retractile testis (n = 7), vanishing testis (n = 4). The position of the undescended testis was: inguinal (n = 64), pelvic (n = 2) and abdominal (n = 5). Single stage open orchidopexy according to Surraco using an incision in the lower inguinal crease was performed in 66 cases (93%). Laparoscopy was used in 7% of cases for location of non-palpable testis. With a mean follow-up of 3 months, testicular atrophy was found in 5.6% of cases in our series.

BUT: Le but de ce travail était de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques du testicule non descendu dans le Service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique de l'hôpital gynéco-obstétrique et pédiatrique de Yaoundé (HGOPY). PATIENTS ET MÉTHODE: Notre étude a été rétrospective et descriptive de Juin 2008 à Décembre 2016; soit une période de 8 ans et 6 mois dans le Service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique de l'hôpital gynéco-obstétrique et pédiatrique de Yaoundé. Ont été inclus dans cette étude, les dossiers des patients pédiatriques d'âge 10 ­ 15 ans ayant présenté un testicule non descendu pris en charge à HGOPY et revus en consultation.Les paramètres étudiés étaient: âge, terme, délai de consultation, motif de consultation, tableau clinique, topographie du testicule, voie d'abord, geste réalisé, morbidité, recul. L'abaissement testiculaire selon Surraco avait été de mise chez tous nos patients, une échographie doppler scrotale était systématique à J 30 post opératoire et l'enfant était revu en consultation de contrôle à 3 mois, 6 mois, 9 mois et 12 mois. RÉSULTATS: Soixante-onze patients ont été colligés et traités pendant la période d'étude, soit une fréquence annuelle de 10 cas. L'âge moyen de nos patients était de 5,8 ans [1 jour et 15 ans]. Le délai moyen de consultation était de 4,5 ans [1 jour et 15 ans]. L'absence de testicule était le principal motif de consultation (n=62). Tous les patients étaient nés à terme. Les tableaux cliniques étaient les suivant: testicule cryptorchide (n=45), testicule ectopique (n=2), testicule intra-abdominal (n=24), testicule oscillant (n=7), testicule évanescent ou « vanishing testis ¼ (n=4). La topographie du testicule non descendu a été: inguinale (n=64), pelvienne (n=2), abdominal (n=5). La voie d'abord a été inguinale dans un pli abdominal inférieur dans 66 cas (93%) et coelioscopique dans 7% des cas. Les gestes réalisés ont été dominés par l'abaissement testiculaire avec orchidopexie. Avec un recul moyen de 3 mois l'atrophie testiculaire a représenté 5,6% de notre série.

Complications obstétricales admises en réanimation : épidémiologie, diagnostic et pronostic

Objectif. Le but de notre travail était de déterminer le profil épidémiologique, le type de pathologie et l'évolution des patientes avec complications obstétricales admises dans les services de réanimation de deux hôpitaux de référence du Cameroun. Patients et méthodes. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale descriptive rétrospective portant sur 177 cas de complications obstétricales admises dans les services de réanimation de l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé et de l'Hôpital Gynéco-Obstétrique et Pédiatrique de Yaoundé, du 1er janvier 2014 au 31 décembre 2015.les paramètres analysées étaient les données sociodémographiques des mères, les antécédents obstétricaux passés et actuels, le type de complications, et la morbimortalité maternelle et fœtale. Résultats. La prévalence des patientes admises pour complications obstétricales était de 6,1 % des hospitalisations de réanimation. L'âge moyen des patientes était de 25,7 ± 7,3 ans. Les femmes célibataires étaient les plus représentées (74%). Les ménagères représentaient 67,2% de l'effectif et les élèves ou étudiantes 17,5%. Il y avait 33.3 % de nullipares et 32.8% de primipares. 52,9% des femmes vivaient en milieu rural et 48,6% n'avaient effectué aucune consultation prénatale. 44% des complications ont été observées entre 37 et 40 semaines d'aménorrhée et 30% dans le post-partum. Les pathologies répertoriées étaient les pathologies hypertensives sur grossesse (72,3%), les hémorragies antépartum (13,5%) et les pathologies infectieuses sur grossesse (10,2%). Le taux de mortalité maternelle était de 9,6% et le taux de mortalité fœtale de 18,5%. Conclusion. Les complications obstétricales 'admises en réanimation sont à l'origine d'une mortalité maternelle et fœtale considérables. La réduction de ces complications passe par l'éducation des patientes, le suivi régulier de la grossesse par un personnel qualifié et entraîné, la détection rapide des complications et leur prise en charge adéquate en milieu spécialisé

La nécrolyse épidermique toxique en milieu hospitalier camerounais

Objectif : Le but de cette étude était de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs de la nécrolyse épidermique toxique à l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé, et d'identifier les médicaments incriminés dans la survenue de cette maladie. Patients et méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective et descriptive réalisée dans le service de réanimation de l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé, portant sur 64 cas de nécrolyse épidermique toxique, diagnostiqués entre le 1er octobre 2005 et le 30 septembre 2015. Résultats : La prévalence de la nécrolyse épidermique toxique a été estimée à 2% des patients hospitalisés. Il y avait une prédominance féminine (sex-ratio de 1 : 1,6 en faveur des femmes). L'âge moyen des patients était 32,7 ± 22 ans avec une prédominance des jeunes âgés de 20 à 40 ans (75%). Le syndrome de Lyell était le plus fréquent (62%), suivi de la forme intermédiaire (25%) et du syndrome de Stevens-Johnson (13%). Et dans 67,2% des cas, cette maladie survenait chez des patients infectés par le VIH. L'évolution a été marquée par un taux de mortalité de 56,3%, tous présentant le syndrome de Lyell. Parmi les médicaments incriminés, le Sulfaméthoxazole-Triméthoprime était en tête (56,2%), suivi par la Sulfadoxine-Pyriméthamine (18,7%) et la Névirapine (11%). Chez 8 patients (12,5%), aucun médicament n'a été formellement mis en cause. Conclusion : La nécrolyse épidermique toxique est fréquemment rencontrée et diagnostiquée. Elle est causée par des médicaments reconnus allergisants et inducteurs de toxidermie. L'usage de ces médicaments devrait faire pondérer le bénéfice thérapeutique attendu par le risque encouru

[Risk factors and prognosis of emergency cesarean delivery at the Yaoundé Women's and Children's Hospital, Cameroon]. / Facteurs de risque et pronostic des césariennes d'urgence à l'hôpital gynéco-obstétrique et pédiatrique de Yaoundé (Cameroun).

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors for emergency cesarean deliveries and assess the effects of the emergency situation on maternal and fetal prognosis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared emergency and elective cesarean deliveries performed at the Yaoundé Women's and Children's Hospital in Cameroon, analyzing socioeconomic variables, the indications for surgery, and complications for mother and child. RESULTS: Risk factors predisposing to emergency cesareans were: age <20 years, not having a salaried job, unmarried status, no university-level education, referral from other health facilities, primiparity, prenatal care in a health center or in a district hospital, prenatal care by a nurse, and preadmission rupture of membranes. Emergency cesareans increased the mothers risk of general anesthesia, unavailability of standard preoperative work-up during surgery, infection, and a longer hospital stay. Babies born by emergency cesarean delivery had a higher risk of admission to the neonatology unit, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal infection, preterm birth, and perinatal death. CONCLUSION: In our setting, lack of reproductive experience (primiparity), low socioeconomic level, poor prenatal care, and preadmission rupture of membranes were risk factors for emergency cesarean deliveries. The emergency situation exposes mother and child to a significant risk of morbidity and mortality.

[Mortality of neonatal surgical emergencies at the Gynecology-Obstetric and Pediatric hospital of Yaounde, Cameroon]. / Mortalité des urgences chirurgicales néonatates à l'hôpital gynéco-obstétrique et pédiatrique de Yaoundé, Cameroun.

From July 2005 to November 2009, 38 neonates with surgical emergencies died in the neonatal unit of the Gyneco Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital Yaounde. The mortality rate of these emergencies was 43.1%, and those within the age group of 1 to 7 days were the most affected with a sex ratio of 1.2. The mean delay before consultation was 3.7 days. Half of the neonates had a birth weight of less than 2,500 g and 7 cases (18.4%) were premature. A medicalised ambulance was used for transfer to our unit in only half of the neonates. The main disorders were those affecting the digestive tract in 42.1% of our series. In 50% of our cases, there were associated malformations and 28 cases (73.7%) did not undergo surgery. Malnutrition and infection were the main complications in 60% of the cases. The authors discuss this deplorable situation and suggest recommendations for improvement.

[Results of the first three years of operation of the emergency medical assistance service (SAMU) in Yaounde, Cameroon]. / Bilan des trois premieres années d'activités du SAMU de Yaoundé (Cameroun).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to present the results of a descriptive and retrospective study of the operations of the emergency medical assistance service (SAMU) in Yaounde, Cameroon. METHODS: Medical regulation and intervention records and monthly statistics forms were analysed for the period going from the creation of the SAMU in 2004 to March 2007. Study was limited to call reception, medical regulation, and extra-hospital and training activities. Study focused on operations and services. RESULTS: The SAMU in Cameroon is managed by a pilot committee presided by the Minister of Public Health and headed by a technical executive secretary. The single phone number to contact SAMU Yaoundé is 19 (119). When a call comes, the personnel on duty in the regulation room identifies the caller and either gives a non-medical response or transfers the call to an on-call emergency doctor who decides whether or not on-site intervention is required. In the 3-year study period, the SAMU received 50,822 calls per year (mean, 1694 +/- 2195). There were 1 596 prank calls (3.14%), 31 044 (61.08%) calls requesting non-medical information, and 2054 (4.04%) calls requiring on-site intervention. The number of calls decreased by 23% from the first to third year of operation. The number of on site-interventions carried out by Yaoundé SAMU was 578 in the first year, 651 in the second and 825 in the third year. A total of 1555 interventions were carried out including 142 that ended in no action and 107 that ended in late arrival. Road traffic accidents were the main reason for intervention. Only one training session was organised for the personnel during the first year of operations. CONCLUSION: The SAMU Yaoundé is based on the French model (on-site care). The number of calls has dropped from the first to third year but the number of prank calls has also decreased. Road traffic accidents accounted for most of the on-site interventions. Further work is needed to increase public awareness of the importance of the SAMU and to provide training for SAMU personnel.

[Are health care facilities in Cameroon compatible with rational management of emergency patients?]. / La carte sanitaire au Cameroun est-elle compatible avec une prise en charge rationnelle des urgences?

The aim of this month-long cross sectional study was to evaluate the preparedness of health care institutions in Cameroon to provide rational management of emergency patients. During January 2002 a survey was carried out to list all health care institutions offering emergency care services and to determine their other departments and available equipment and staff. A total of 144 institutions with emergency care facilities were found including 12 central reference hospitals and 123 district hospitals equipped to provide primary emergency care. In relation to a population of 15 million inhabitants, the ratio was one reference hospital for 104180 inhabitants and one district hospital for 100,000 inhabitants. None of the services involved in emergency management had facilities for emergency treatment on an outpatient basis. Regarding hospital-based services, an emergency ward was available at the 12 central reference hospitals for a ratio of one ward for 1,250,000 inhabitants. This ratio was 10 times higher than in France in 1994. Almost all major equipment and trained personnel for emergency care medicine were concentrated at the central reference hospitals but these resources were insufficient to organize round-the-clock services except at a single site. The findings of this survey indicate that the distribution of health care facilities in Cameroon was relatively adequate in relation to population density but that equipment and human resources were still insufficient to provide rational management of emergency patients.

[Emergency medical training: the future of emergency care in Africa?]. / Capacite de medecine d'urgence: avenir des urgences en Afrique?

The main goal of emergency medicine training is to teach the wide range of sciences and skills necessary to recognize and stabilize emergency situations. Emergency medicine training has proven highly effective in developed countries especially with regard to organization of survival medicine. This type of training is especially important in sub-Saharan Africa where there is a severe shortage of intensive care specialists and an almost total lack of other personnel qualified to manage life-threatening trauma and disease. Starting with the 1998 Nsam fire disaster in Yaounde, a number of situations have confirmed the seriously deficient state of resources for handling emergencies in Cameroon. In view of this situation a two-year study program in emergency medicine was proposed and introduced at the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I during the 2000/2001 academic year. The curriculum includes eight 40-hour didactic course modules and 800 hours of hands-on work in local hospitals and in France. Students undergo regular assessment of their scientific knowledge and practical competencies after each module. As additional prerequisites for the diploma, they must be certified in first aid and rescue and present a research paper. Despite the lack of faculty and teaching materials, this program is expected to increase the number of emergency medical care providers and improve access to high-quality emergency care services.

Anthropometric measurements in a newborn population in west Africa: a reliable and simple tool for the identification of infants at risk for early postnatal morbidity.

The predictive value of anthropometric measurements in the identification of infants at risk for early postnatal morbidity was assessed in a cohort of 490 neonates born in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Mid-arm circumference (MAC), head circumference, weight, and length were measured within 6 hours of birth, and the gestational age, individual MAC/head circumference ratio, and individual ponderal index were calculated. A detailed questionnaire on gestational medical history was also obtained from the mothers. All infants were then closely monitored during the first 72 hours after delivery for the appearance of symptoms requiring medical intervention and treated accordingly. Low birth weight (LBW) was observed in 37.75%, prematurity in 25.5%, and small size for gestational age in 14.1% of the neonates. Gestational medical problems were reported by 44.3% of the mothers; malaria was the most frequent. Early postnatal morbidity was observed in 26% of the infants; infection (53%), respiratory distress (26%), hypoglycemia (26%), and convulsions (11.7%) accounted for most of the problems. The MAC correlated best of all variables with birth weight (r = 0.91); a value of less than or equal to 9.5 cm had a 93% sensitivity and a 90.5% specificity in the prediction of LBW. An MAC cutoff value of less than or equal to 9.5 cm was also the best of all variables in the prediction of early postnatal morbidity, and 85.2% sensitivity and 74.3% specificity were achieved. We conclude that in developing countries, where scales are not always available and the overburdened maternity wards cannot allow for medical surveillance of every infant, the MAC can be used in the estimation of birth weight. Moreover, an appropriately calculated cutoff value of MAC may serve as a reliable indicator of LBW and of infants at risk for early postnatal morbidity.