Value of troponin levels in the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in moderate scorpion envenomation.

CONTEXT: Cardiac dysfunction is one of the most serious consequences of scorpion envenomation. The best tool to evaluate cardiac function is echocardiography, but it is not available at all emergency departments. Many studies aimed to describe biological predictive factors of cardiac dysfunction in scorpion envenomation. Troponin is one of these biomarkers but its correlation with myocarditis is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate correlation between troponin levels and cardiac dysfunction in moderate scorpion envenomation. METHODS: A retrospective monocentric study including patients admitted in the emergency department for moderate scorpion envenomation with troponin measurement during their early management. On arrival, an electrocardiogram and a chest X-ray were realized for all patients. RESULTS: We enrolled 132 patients with a mean age at 31.3 ± 24.4 years and a 1.35 sex-ratio. All patients had moderate systemic manifestations. There were 28 patients with clinical manifestations of cardiac dysfunction without life-threatening troubles (21.2%). Troponin was undetectable in 69 patients (56%). The mean value of troponin level (pg/ml) was higher in patients with clinical manifestations of left ventricular dysfunction (1.80 ± 3.8 vs. 0.11 ± 0.5; p = 0.02). Troponin levels were significantly higher in patients with positive T wave on electrocardiogram. CONCLUSION: In patients with moderate scorpion envenomation with positive T wave, high values of troponin suggest the presence of cardiac dysfunction.

[BCG multifocal osteomyelitis. A case report]. / Ostéomyélite multifocale à BCG : à propos d'un cas.

Multifocal osteomyelitis is a rare complication of the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. It particularly affects immunocompromised children and poses a difficult diagnostic problem. A 6-month-old boy had BCG vaccination postnatally and developed extensive disseminated skeletal osteomyelitis. He was found to have severe combined immunodeficiency. Despite antibiotic therapy and bone marrow grafting, the disease was fatal.

The experience of a Tunisian referral centre in prenatal diagnosis of Xeroderma pigmentosum.

AIMS: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP, OMIM 278700-278780) is one of the most severe genodermatoses and is relatively frequent in Tunisia. In the absence of any therapy and to better manage the disease, we aimed to develop a molecular tool for DNA-based prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: Six consanguineous Tunisian XP families (4 XP-A and 2 XP-C) have benefited from a prenatal diagnosis. Screening for mutations was performed by direct sequencing, while maternal-foetal contamination was checked by genotyping. RESULTS: Among the 7 prenatal diagnoses, 4 foetuses were heterozygous for the screened mutation. Exclusion of contamination by maternal cells was checked. Mutations were detected at a homozygous state in the remaining cases, and the parents decided to terminate pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Our study illustrates the implementation of prenatal diagnosis for better health support of XP in Tunisia.

[Radiation induced breast sarcoma: a case report]. / Sarcome radio-induit du sein: à propos d'un cas.

Radiation-induced breast sarcoma is a late complication of radiation treatment. We report a case of an undifferentiated sarcoma occurring 8 years after breast conserving treatment, which required mastectomy taking pectoralis major.

[Tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis: an unusual presentation]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Tuberculose ganglionnaire axillaire une présentation inhabituelle.

Axillary lymph node tuberculosis is rare and often poses problems of differential, diagnosis, especially with breast carcinoma. We report the case of a tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis discovered at the time of the exploration of a supposedly metastatic liver and, initially, taken for metastases of an occult breast carcinoma. Tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis remains a rare condition which must be considered in patients living in country with endemic tuberculosis.

[The effect of uterine incision expansion at caesarean delivery on perioperative haemorrhage: a prospective randomised clinical trial]. / Impact de la technique d'hystérotomie au cours de la césarienne sur le saignement périopératoire: un essai prospectif randomise.

To determine if blunt or sharp expansion of the uterus at caesarean delivery is associated with increased maternal peripartum haemorrhage as estimated by the drop in hematocrit. Prospective randomised intention to treat clinical trial of women undergoing elective or urgent caesarean delivery at at least 36 weeks gestation. Two study groups were formed; after an initial hysterotomy which consisted in a transverse uterine incision of the lower segment, in the blunt group, the surgeon's indexes expanded the initial incision bilaterally and cephalad; in the sharp group, expansion of the initial incision was made using scissors. The primary outcome measure was the mean drop in hematocrit and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Three hundred women were randomised: 153 to the sharp group and 147 to the blunt group. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the two populations were similar. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in estimated blood loss as assessed by the mean drop in hematocrit (%) (respectively 1.71 +/- 3.18 versus blunt group 1.91 +/- 3.28 p = 0.58 non significant). Our findings support that sharp or blunt expansion of hysterotomy during caesarean section equally affect blood loss as estimated by drop in hematocrit.

[Clinical case of the month. Peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking ovarian carcinoma]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Tuberculose péritonéale simulant un cancer ovarien.

Peritoneal tuberculosis can mimic advanced stage ovarian cancer and can lead to the performance of an unnecessary extended surgery. Clinical discrimination between peritoneal tuberculosis and ovarian carcinoma may sometimes be extremely difficult. We report 2 cases of peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking ovarian carcinoma. Diagnosis was made on perioneal biopsy.

[Risk factors for group B streptococcal colonization in pregnant women at term: prospective study of 294 cases]. / Facteurs de risque du portage du streptocoque du groupe B chez la femme enceinte à terme: étude prospective à propos de 294 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate and risk factors for group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in term pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vaginal and anal cultures were prospectively conducted in 294 parturient on admission for term vaginal delivery. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (12.92%) parturient had positive GBS cultures. None of the studied risk factors (age, education status, nulliparity, previous obstetric problem, twin pregnancy and diabetes) was statistically predictive of maternal colonization. All the isolated GBS were sensitive to the penicillin G. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Systematic screening strategy of GBS close to the delivery on all pregnant women is desirable.

Modulation of adipokines and cytokines in gestational diabetes and macrosomia.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE: Not much is known about the implication of adipokines and different cytokines in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and macrosomia. The purpose of this study was to assess the profile of these hormones and cytokines in macrosomic babies, born to gestational diabetic women. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: A total of 59 women (age, 19-42 yr) suffering from GDM with their macrosomic babies (4.35 +/- 0.06 kg) and 60 healthy age-matched pregnant women and their newborns (3.22 +/- 0.08 kg) were selected. METHODS: Serum adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) were quantified using an obesity-related multiple ELISA microarray kit. The concentrations of serum cytokines were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin levels were decreased, whereas the concentrations of leptin, inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha, were significantly increased in gestational diabetic mothers compared with control women. The levels of these adipocytokines were diminished in macrosomic babies in comparison with their age-matched control newborns. Serum concentrations of T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines (IL-2 and interferon-gamma) were decreased, whereas IL-10 levels were significantly enhanced in gestational diabetic mothers compared with control women. Macrosomic children exhibited high levels of Th1 cytokines and low levels of IL-10 compared with control infants. Serum IL-4 levels were not altered between gestational diabetic mothers and control mothers or the macrosomic babies and newborn control babies. CONCLUSIONS: GDM is linked to the down-regulation of adiponectin along with Th1 cytokines and up-regulation of leptin and inflammatory cytokines. Macrosomia was associated with the up-regulation of Th1 cytokines and the down-regulation of the obesity-related agents (IL-6 and TNF-alpha, leptin, and adiponectin).

[Clinical and sonographic diagnosis of occiput posterior position: a prospective study of 350 deliveries]. / Diagnostic clinico-échographique et devenir des variétés postérieures dans la présentation du sommet: étude prospective longitudinale de 350 parturientes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical reliability compared to intrapartum ultrasound as a tool to diagnose occiput posterior position and to investigate the proportion of rotations occurring during labour. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 350 women in labor with a singleton fetus in a vertex position were prospectively studied using ultrasound and obstetrical examination. Outcome of labor was also monitored. RESULTS: Reliability of clinical examination is 85,7%, initial occiput posterior position represented 40,2% and most rotated in an anterior position (84, 8%) while only 0,6% of initial anterior positions delivered in occiput posterior position. Logistic regression did not allow to find significant predictor of occiput posterior position rotation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Clinical examination is relatively reliable for posterior position diagnosis and in most cases, initially occipitoposterior positions rotate anteriorly.

[Cavernous hemangioma of the breast: a case report]. / Hémangiome caverneux du sein: à propos d'un cas.

Cavernous hemangiomas of the breast are uncommon. Clinical diagnosis is rather difficult. Generally there are coincidental microscopic findings. We present a case of a 67-year-old woman which commenced as a 6 cm palpable mass of the right breast. The use of mammography, ultrasound and MRI facilitate diagnosis. Large surgical excision of the lesion was performed and histology allowed to find a cavernous hemangioma without cellular atypia.

[Operative termination of pregnancy between 12 and 14 weeks' gestation: influence of the operator's experience]. / Particularités techniques de l'IVG instrumentale entre 12 et 14 semaines d'aménorrhée: influence de l'expérience de l'opérateur.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of operative termination of pregnancy between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation and the role of the operator's experience in physicians previously unfamiliar to this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 251 operative terminations of pregnancy, from July 1st, 2001 to January 31st, 2002, and from May 1st, 2002 to October 31st, 2002, in order to assess the role of operator's experience. 104 terminations between 12 and 14 weeks were compared to 147 terminations at earlier gestational ages. All patients received cervical ripening with 400 mcg oral misoprostol 3-4 hours before operation performed under general anesthesia. Evaluation criteria were: duration of operation, need for use of forceps, and complications: uterine perforation, cervical laceration, bleeding > 500 ml and need for blood transfusion. RESULTS: There was no difference in the rate of operative complications between terminations before and after 12 weeks. The duration of operation was slightly longer after 12 weeks than before (12.9 +/- 6.7 min versus 11.1 +/- 2.8 min.; p < 0.05). Forceps use was 0.7% before 12 weeks, 20% between 12 and 13 weeks, and 59% between 13 and 14 weeks (p < 0.01). There was no difference in the complication rate or in the need for forceps according to the operator's experience. The perceived difficulty in cervical dilatation was higher in early experience than in experimented operators (19.6% versus 5.2%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Operative termination of pregnancy is technically feasible beyond 12 weeks without dramatic increase in operative complications. Technical skill can be acquired in a short time interval.

[Rupture of rudimentary horn pregnancy at the 18th week of gestation: a case report]. / Rupture d'une corne rudimentaire sur une grossesse de 18 semaines d'aménorrhée: à propos d'un cas.

We report a case of pregnancy in a rudimentary horn that ruptured at 18 weeks. An emergency laparotomy was taken for acute abdomen and ruptured right rudimentary horn pregnancy was diagnosed. Excision of the rudimentary horn and ipsilateral salpingectomy were carried out. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she left the hospital 6 days later.

[Mifepristone 100 mg for early medical abortion]. / Mifépristone à la dose de 100 mg dans les avortements médicamenteux.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy of mifepristone 100 mg followed two days later by misoprostol 400 microg orally in women undergoing medical termination of pregnancy up to 56 days gestational age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study over 8.5 months of 762 cases early medical abortion. 100 mg mifepristone was used on day 1 after clinic visit and vaginal ultrasonography. Misoprostol 400 microg was administered orally on day 3. Following administration of prostaglandin, women were observed in the ward for 4 hours. A control visit on day 15 was systematic. Success was defined as a complete uterine evacuation without the need for surgical intervention. RESULTS: Medical terminations accounted for 42% of all abortions. 16% of women were pregnant for < 42 days, 76% for 43 to 49 days and 8% for 50 to 56 days. Termination occurred within 4 hours after administration of misoprostol in 80.2% of the women. Only one woman aborted within 48 hours of mifepristone administration only. The success rate in this study was 94.4% and the failure rate increased with the gestational age. Pain was the predominant side effect. Six cases of bleeding required a surgical intervention. No patient required transfusion. 96% of patients attended a control visit on day 15. The acceptability rate of the method has been 94%. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone 100 mg followed two days later by misoprostol 400 microg orally is safe and effective for early termination of pregnancy.