[Factors associated with the death of tuberculosis patients treated in Bamako, Mali, 2017 - 2018]. / Facteurs associes au deces des patients tuberculeux traites a Bamako, Mali, 2017-2018.

GOALS: We studied the socio-demographic and paraclinicalcharacteristics of tuberculosis patients to identify the factors associated with their deaths in Bamako. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on tuberculosis patients registered in Bamako from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Quantitative variables were presented by their mean, qualitative ones by their proportions. Analysis was performed with R version 3.5.0. RESULTS: Out of 2396 patients enrolled, 25 to 45-year olds represented 50.3% and children 4.51%; the average age 37.3 years; the sex ratio M/F 1.94 and co-infected TB/HIV 8.64%. 25 to 45 year olds (HR=2.58; 95% CI [1.35-4.92]; p=0,0042) and those ≥ 46 years (HR=4.64; 95% CI [2.39-9.01] ; p=5.69e-06) and positive HIV status (HR= 5.87 ; 95% CI [2.24-15.41] ; p= 0.0003) were associated with an increased risk of patient death. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis affects young and old males. The risks of death identified were the patient's age and positive HIV status. We recommend specific monitoring of patients aged 25 to 45 and 46 and over and those with positive HIV status.

BUTS: Nous avons étudié les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et paracliniques des tuberculeux pour identifier les facteurs associés à leurs décès à Bamako. MATÉRIELS ET MÉTHODES: Une étude de cohorte rétrospective a été menée portant sur les tuberculeuxenregistrés à Bamako du 1er octobre 2017 au 30 septembre 2018. Les variables quantitatives étaient présentées par leur moyenne et celles qualitatives par leurs proportions. L'analyse a été effectuée avec R version 3.5.0. RÉSULTATS: Sur 2396 patients enrôlés, les25 à 45 ansreprésentaient 50,3 % et les enfants 4,51% ; l'âge moyen 37,3 ans ;le sex-ratio H/F 1,94 etles coinfectés TB/VIH 8,64%. Les25 à 45 ans (HR=2,58 ; IC95% [1,35-4,92] ; p=0,0042) et ceux ≥46 ans (HR=4,64 ; IC95% [2,39-9,01] ; p=5,69e-06) et le statut VIH positif (HR= 5,87 ; IC95% [2,24-15,41] ; p= 0,0003) étaient associés à une augmentation du risque de décès des patients. CONCLUSION: La tuberculose affecte les jeunes et les personnes âgées de sexe masculin. Les risque de décès identifiés étaient l'âge et le statut VIH positifdu patient.Nous recommandons une surveillance spécifique des patients de 25 à 45 ans et 46 ans et plus et ceux avec statut VIH positif.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Management of General Practitioners of the Hospital Districts of Ouagadougou about Migraine (Burkina Faso).

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterized by severe headache attacks that may be debilitating. The objective of this study is to determine the knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners in the hospital districts of the city of Ouagadougou on migraine. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in hospital districts of Ouagadougou. The data were collected during three months from February 1 to April 30, 2020. RESULTS: The study included 116 general practitioners. Thirteen percent of them were suffering from migraine. All participants had previous experience with migraine diagnosis before the survey. Eighty percent of general practitioners had a good level of knowledge of ICDH-3 criteria (knowing 6-7 criteria). The most widely recognized IHS criteria were pulsatility quality (93.1%), photophobia or sonophobia (80.2%), and mild-to-moderate intensity (80%). Ninety-five (81.9%) general practitioners rarely ordered brain imaging. The most common acute treatments were nonsteroidal inflammatory drug (39.47%), paracetamol (44.74%), and derivate of ergot (3.95%). The most common preventive treatments were amitriptyline (27.8%), derivate of ergot (18.9%), and NSAID (16.7%). The majority of general practitioners (56.9%) have referred headache patients to a colleague or specialist. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that diagnostic criteria and acute treatment of migraine were well known by the majority of general practitioners, in contrast of preventive treatment.

Meningitis trends in Niger 2008-2015: a secondary data analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Niger, located in the meningitis belt, faces recurrent epidemics of magnitudes that vary with the year. The objective of this study was to describe the trends in meningitis and identify the profile of the microbes implicated in meningitis epidemics in Niger. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study (a secondary analysis) of meningitis data from 2008 through 2015. The study population comprised patients with suspected and confirmed meningitis. We conducted an exhaustive sampling of all suspected and confirmed meningitis cases reported in Niger from 2008 to 2015. RESULTS: A total of 6167 (40.6 %) confirmed cases of meningitis were identified. Among them, 5,507 (89.3 %) were attributable to Neisseria meningitidis, 593 (9.6 %) to Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 66 (1.1 %) to Haemophilus influenzae respectively. Among the Neisseria meningitidis cases, 2,984 (54.2 %) were caused by serogroup A, 1,333 (24.2 %) by serogroup W, 1,165 (21.1 %) by serogroup C, 23 (0.4 %) by serogroup X, and 2 (0.03 %) by the serogroup B. CONCLUSION: This study enabled us to describe meningitis trends and identify the profile of the bacteria implicated in its epidemics in Niger. We observed the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis C and recommend vaccination against this serogroup.

Prescription opioid analgesic use in France: Trends and impact on morbidity-mortality.

BACKGROUND: While data from USA and Canada demonstrate an opioid overdose epidemic, very little nation-wide European studies have been published on this topical subject. METHODS: Using a nationally representative sample of the French Claims database (>700,000 patients), the exhaustive nationwide hospital discharge database, and national mortality registry, all patients dispensed at least one prescription opioid (PO) in 2004-2017 were identified, to describe trends in PO analgesic use, shopping behaviour, opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths. Annual prevalence of PO use and shopping behaviour (≥1 day of overlapping prescriptions from ≥2 prescribers, dispensed by ≥3 pharmacies) was estimated. RESULTS: In 2004-2017, the annual prevalence of weak opioid use codeine, tramadol and opium rose by 150%, 123%, and 244%, respectively (p < 0.05). Strong opioid use increased from 0.54% to 1.1% (+104%, p < 0.05), significantly for oxycodone (+1950%). Strong opioid use in chronic noncancer pain rose by 88% (p < 0.05) and 1180% for oxycodone. Opioid shopping increased from 0.50% to 0.67% (+34%, p < 0.05), associated with higher mortality risk HR = 2.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-6.4]. Opioid-related hospitalizations increased from 15 to 40 per 1,000,000 population (+167%, 2000-2017), and opioid-related deaths from 1.3 to 3.2 per 1,000,000 population (+146%, 2000-2015). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a first European approach to a nationwide estimation with complete access to several national registries. In 2004-2017 in France, PO use excluding dextropropoxyphene more than doubled. The increase in oxycodone and fentanyl use, and nontrivial increasing trend in opioid-related morbidity-mortality should prompt authorities to closely monitor PO consumption in order to prevent alarming increases in opioid-related morbidity-mortality. SIGNIFICANCE: In 2004-2017, prescription opioid use in France at least doubled and oxycodone use increased particularly, associated with a nontrivial increase in opioid-related morbidity-mortality. Although giving no indication for an 'opioid epidemic,' these findings call for proper monitoring of opioid use.

Facteurs associés à la qualité de vie de patients souffrant du diabète de type 2 au Burkina Faso

Le diabète est une maladie responsable de complications qui aggravent le risque de mortalité chez les malades. au Burkina Faso, très peu de données existent sur la qualité de vie des patients souffrant du diabète de type 2. l'objectif de l'étude est de decrire la qualité de vie des patients diabétiques de type 2 dans les deux principales villes du pays. il s'agit d'une étude transversale descriptive qui a inclus des patients de Ouagadougou et Bobo-dioulasso souffrant de diabète de type 2 et suivis par un spécialiste dans les hôpitaux publiques et les cliniques privées. au total cent 100 (patients) ont été inclus dans l'étude. les informations sociodémographiques et cliniques ont été collectées à partir de questionnaires adminitrés en vis-à-vis par des enquêteurs formés. la perception de la qualité de vie a été mesurée sur une échelle de 10 (10/10 = vit parfaitement avec sa maladie ; 0/10 = ne vit pas du tout parfaitement avec sa maladie). le patient était considéré comme mécontent de sa qualité de vie si le score était < 5. une analyse descriptive pour explorer l'échantillon a été réalisée. ensuite, une analyse factorielle des correspondances multiples a été effectuée pour analyser la relation entre les caractéristiques des patients et la qualité de vie perçue. dans l'échantillon, il y avait 52 % (52) d'hommes et 61 % (61) des patients avaient plus de 50 ans. la plupart des patients étaient mariés, chefs de ménage, et avaient un travail. au total, 39 % (39) des patients ne vivaient pas du tout parfaitement avec leur maladie. les facteurs qui contribuent à la première dimension (65,2 % de l'inertie) appelée « répercussions de la maladie » étaient celle décrivant l'impact du diabète sur la vie professionnelle (12,2 %), économique (11,2 %), sociale (9,4 %) et familiale (3,8 %) du patient. les facteurs qui contribuent à la deuxième dimension (27,37 % de l'inertie) appelée « complications de la maladie » étaient les complications cardiovasculaires (16,6 %), nerveuses (12,5 %, rénales (11,2 %), et oculaires (9,2 %), et le fait d'avoir une durée de la maladie d'au moins 5 ans (7,5 %). l'étude a montré que le diabète de type 2, a non seulement des répercussions sur la vie professionnelle, économique, sociale et familiale, mais aussi des repercussions en termes de complications cliniques qui impactent négativement sur la qualité de vie des malades. une stratégie de promotion de santé centrée sur la sensibilisation de l'entourage des malades et l'accessibilité aux soins permettraient d'améliorer la santé des patients souffrant de diabète de type 2

[Prognosis for motor deficits after strokes in Burkina Faso]. / Pronostic du handicap moteur au cours des accidents vasculaires cérébraux au Burkina Faso.

Stroke is a common, severe, and disabling condition that is recognized as a major public health problem. Our goal was to study the clinical features and prognosis of motor deficits in stroke patients hospitalized in the neurology department of the Yalgado-Oeudraogo University Hospital in Burkina Faso. This cross-sectional study took place from March 1 through September 30, 2012. The study included all patients with motor disabilities following a CT-confirmed stroke that had occurred within the previous month. Patients were reviewed at one month (M1) and three months (M3) to assess their current treatment and their autonomy, by the Barthel Index. During the study period, 59 patients were hospitalized for stroke, 56 with motor disabilities for a 95% prevalence of stroke with motor deficit. Their mean age was 57.8 ± 17.7 years (range: 20 to 84 years), and the sex-ratio of 1.6 (male/female). Overall, 61% of the strokes were ischemic and 39% hemorrhagic, with an equal distribution of right and left hemiplegia (46.4% each) and 7% of the patients showing bilateral involvement. The mortality rate before M1 was 29% and before M3, 40%. On admission, 4% of patients had a Barthel Index greater than 60, at M1 35%, and at M3, 60%. Only 51% of patients received physical therapy. Characteristics significantly associated with functional recovery were age younger than 65 years (p = 0.0026), sphincter disorders at M1 (p = 0.002), hemorrhagic stroke (compared to ischemic) (p = 0.0038), functional rehabilitation (p = 0.0012), and right (versus left) hemisphere damage (p = 0.010).

[Polyneuropathies of pregnancy and the postpartum period in Burkina Faso]. / Les polyneuropathies de la grossesse et du post-partum au Burkina Faso.

Polyneuropathies of pregnancy and the postpartum period are considered rare but also understudied in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are usually related to a thiamine deficiency in under- or malnourished women. Our aim was to study the clinical and etiological factors of this disease in the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. Our prospective cross-sectional study lasted for 20 months, from August 2008 to April 2010. During the period, 27 women received this diagnosis. Their mean age was 27.5 years (range: 20 to 38). All but two (92%) had no or a very small or a modest income. Their monotonous diet was based on local cereals and available irregularly. Almost all (24/27, 89%) had developed one or more diseases during pregnancy, primarily excessive vomiting (70%) and severe anorexia (89%). Sensory symptoms were present in 70% of cases, and sensorimotor symptoms in 30%. The cause was always a deficiency-related polyneuropathy. All patients were treated with vitamin B complex and all symptoms disappeared by the third month of treatment. We conclude that polyneuropathies during pregnancy and during the postpartum delivery occur in women eating an unbalanced diet and living in a deprived social and economic situation and that it is manifested by serious vomiting and anorexia.

[Strokes and hemoglobinopathies in Burkina Faso]. / Accidents vasculaires cérébraux et hémoglobinopathies au Burkina Faso.

S and C hemoglobinopathies are a group of inherited blood disorders including sickle cell disease, characterized by the presence of abnormal S and C hemoglobins. They are common in tropical Africa. Stroke is a common complication of sickle cell disease. Studies of the relation between these two diseases are virtually nonexistent in sub-saharan Africa. Our work aimed to study the influence of these hemoglobinopathies on the onset of strokes in adults. This cross-sectional study took place from 1st December 2009 to 31st May 2010 at University Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo. Out of 142 patients admitted to our neurology department during this period, 74 patients had had strokes. Their mean age was 55.9 years and their sex ratio 1.53. Ischemic strokes accounted for 57% of the total, followed by cerebral hemorrhage (39%). Forty-six patients (62%) were AA genotype, 27 (36%) patients had sickle cell trait (16 AC and 11 AS) and three patients were homozygous CC. This study showed a higher prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in patients with stroke than in the general population. Unlike heterozygous SC and homozygous SS forms, the existence of sickle cell trait in this population does not appear to increase the risk of onset of ischemic stroke but may reduce the age at onset of cerebral hemorrhage.

[Post-partum thunderclap headaches in a patient from Burkina Faso: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes]. / Céphalées en "coup de tonnerre" du post-partum chez une Burkinabé: syndrome de vasoconstriction cérébrale réversible.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is considered as rare but is probably under-recognized. It is characterized by the association of acute severe headache and/or focal neurological deficits and/or seizures and segmental vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries that resolve within one to three months. The purpose of this report is to describe the first case of post-partum RCVS from Burkina Faso. Diagnosis of RCVS was based on clinical setting (post-partum), absence of vascular risk factor, sudden onset, rapid resolution of signs and symptoms within eight days, brain scan findings (spontaneous bilateral posterior low density areas of cerebral ischemia), and elimination of other possible causes, i.e., meningeal or cerebellar hemorrhage, cerebral venous thrombosis, HELLP syndrome.

[Infectious ventriculitis in relation with neurocysticercosis in Burkina Faso]. / Ventriculite infectieuse secondaire à une neurocysticercose au Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: Ventriculitis is an uncommon entity, which is defined as localized meningitis in the cerebral ventricles. It usually occurs in a context of immunodepression, where its presence may suggest primary brain lymphoma, certain viral infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and much more rarely, tuberculous meningitis. OBSERVATION: A 48-year-old immunocompetent male was admitted to the neurology department of the Ouagadougou teaching hospital with the diagnosis of infectious ventriculitis in relation with neurocysticercosis (NCC). The diagnosis was based on several arguments including brain CT scan (dilated lateral and third ventricles with ependymal enhancement and scattered parenchymatous cystic hypodensities exhibiting enhancement after contrast injection), the notion of exposure (the patient raised pigs), residence in an endemic zone of cysticercosis, and test results: CSF analysis (aseptic meningitis), positive ELISA for NCC in both CSF and blood. The good clinical and biological outcome after treatment with albendazole was another argument favoring the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This illustrates the importance of searching for NCC in patients with ventriculitis residing in an endemic zone for cysticercosis.

[A case of focal hand dystonia combined with carpal tunnel syndrome in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. / Un cas de crampe des écrivains dystonique combinée à un syndrome du canal carpien à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

INTRODUCTION: Focal hand dystonia and carpal tunnel syndrome are linked to impairment of the central and peripheral nervous systems, respectively. We report a singular case combining these two entities. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old right-handed male pharmacy employee whose daily activity for 18 years was to fill out and staple insurance vouchers and unload and store boxes of medicines, presented, almost concomitantly, the combination of right focal hand dystonia and homolateral carpal tunnel syndrome. CONCLUSION: This observation corroborates the results of experimental studies on repetitive manual activity which would be a source of central and peripheral changes, affecting the hand somatotopy in the sensory-motor cortex and the descending control of basal ganglia, explaining dystonia, and leading to median nerve compression related to repeated microtrauma, inflammatory reactions and fibrosis of the carpal tunnel.

[Painful ophthalmoplegia in a woman from Burkina Faso: cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) of the cavernous sinus]. / Ophtalmoplégie douloureuse chez une Burkinabé: thrombose veineuse cérébrale (TVC) du sinus caverneux.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cerebral vascular pathology with highly variable clinical features and outcome. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of CVT of the cavernous sinus that presented as painful ophthalmoplegia. A 26-year-old woman with a contraceptive implant for seven months consulted at the Neurology Department of Yalgado Ouedrago hospital for a painful ophthalmoplegia that was initially diagnosed and treated as ophthalmoplegia migraine. One month later, clinical symptoms had progressed to asymmetric muscle weakness in all four limbs, right cerebellum ataxia and involvement of the trigeminal ophthalmic branch. Computerized axial tomography of the brain depicted a zone of unusual contrast extending from the cavernous sinus up to the tentorium cerebelli and a mass effect on the fourth ventricle. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid demonstrated a cellular reaction with 8 lymphocytes and high protein rate (0.64 g/L). The levels of C reactive protein (CRP) and D-Dimeres were elevated: 16.6 mg/L and 0.99 microg/mL respectively. Based on a presumptive diagnosis of CVT, heparin treatment was undertaken and led to almost complete remission of the signs and symptoms. This case again shows the wide range of clinical features and outcomes of CVT that can oscillate between encephalitis, intracranial tumor or infection. As a result, CVT should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with focal neurological signs, intracranial hypertension syndrome, loss of consciousness or cavernous sinus syndrome whenever the context is right (post-partum, oestroprogestative, congenital thrombophilia).

[Cerebral venous thrombosis in the hospital environment in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. / Les thromboses veineuses cérébrales en milieu hospitalier à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition difficult to diagnose because of the wide variability of the clinical presentations. The goal of our survey was to study the clinical, etiological and progressive aspects of the CVT in Burkina. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted a prospective study for two years, including patients with a diagnosis of CVT based on clinical and imaging criteria. Age, gender, clinical findings and results of complementary tests were recorded as was the clinical outcome. RESULTS: The study included 17 patients (seven men and ten women) mean age 42.5 years. The inaugural signs were sub-acute in two-thirds of the patients. Headache was a constant finding (n=17 patients, 100%); 15 patients (88%) had unilateral or bilateral motor deficits. An infectious syndrome was common (60%). The brain CT scan generally revealed spontaneous high density signals from a sinus. d-dimeres were high in 15 cases. Four patients were HIV-1 seropositive and four had rhino-sinusitis. The other etiological factors were rare. Heparin was administred in 80% of patients, followed by oral anticoagulation for three months on average. CONCLUSION: Our cohort presents a relatively different clinical picture compared with the literature due to the high frequency of the infectious etiologies. A prospective multicentric study with more specific diagnostic tools could be useful to learn more about the epidemiology of CVT in Subsaharan Africa.

[Epilepsy by bovine (zebu) goring: a case report in Burkina Faso]. / Epilepsie par encornement bovin (zébu): a propos d'un cas au Burkina Faso.

The post-traumatic epilepsy is responsible for 20% of the symptomatic epilepsies. Accidents on public highway constitute more than 70% of the causes. We report a singular case of fronto-polar post-traumatic epilepsy by zebu goring which appeared two years after the traumatism. The neurological examination of the patient was normal apart from a inconspicuous expansiveness of humor underlined by an excess of familiarity and hypersyntony. The cerebral scanner revealed a left fronto-basal cortico-under-cortical low density up to the homolateral fronto-polar area. The electroencephalogram (EEG) showed some left fronto-polar bursts of spike and wave on a normal bottom line. This clinical observation draws our attention on the fact that in Sahelian tropical environment where bovine breeding holds a major place, the cranio-encephalic traumatism by goring is not rare and can be responsible for epilepsy in the same way as accidents on public highway, or ballistic traumatism.

[Athetosis in relation with intracranial tuberculomas in a patient from Burkina Faso]. / Mouvements anormaux chez un Burkinabé.

Athetosis is generally characterized by involuntary movements due to damage of the extrapyramidal tract secondary to neonatal cerebral anoxia or nuclear icterus. The purpose of this report is to describe the case of a 41-year-old man who was admitted to the neurology department of the Ouagadougou teaching hospital in Burkina Faso for right hemiathetosis in relation with intracranial tuberculomas ongoing for two years. Diagnosis was based on clinical findings, i.e., lymph node tuberculosis and positive HIV1 serology; on CT scans showing multiple low density nodular lesions of variable size with annular contrast at the level of the right cerebellum and calcification at the left parietal level and in projection of the left capsulolenticular area; and on favorable response to tuberculosis treatment.

[Wallenberg syndrome and neurocysticercosis: about one case in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]. / Syndrome de Wallenberg et neurocysticercose: a propos d'un cas a Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) frequently appears by seizures following parenchymatous location of encysted worms of Taenia solium. We report a case of NCC revealed by a Wallenberg's syndrome. A man of 44 years old, without any cardiovascular risk factor was admitted at the neurology department of Yalgado-Ouédraogo hospital in Ouagadougou for an abrupt onset of vertigos, recurrent falls on the right side, hiccough, and deglutition weakness. The clinical examination found a blood pressure at 130 mmHg/80 mmHg, a CMI at 24, a Wallenberg's syndrome. The CT scan showed a laterobulbar lacunar infarct with punctiform calcifications of cerebellum, third ventricle, frontal, right temporal, occipital and left parietal lobes. The CSF showed a raise of cells number at 23 lymphocytic elements, proteins rose to 1.5 g/l, glucose and chloride were normal. Cysticercosis blood and CSF serologies were positive. The blood cells count showed only an eosinophilia and the blood sedimentation rate reached 119 mm in the first hour. The accepted diagnosis was: laterobulbar lacunar infarct following a NCC angiitis. The course of the disease under albendazole at 15 mg/kg during two weeks combined with a short steroid therapy by prednisolone at 1 mg/kg during 5 days was favourable. NCC should be more and more regarded as a cerebrovascular risk factor in endemic area, especially in young people.

[Herpes zoster and human imunodeficiency virus in the medical centers of Ouagadougou]. / Le zona dans les formations sanitaires de Ouagadougou dans le contexte de la pandemie du VIH/SIDA.

Herpes zoster is an acute posterior ganglio-radiculitis related to the reactivation of the chicken pox-herpes zoster virus remained quiescent in the neurons of the nerve-knots. It usually occurs at the subject after 60 years old. For young patient, it is closely related to the infection by the HIV. Our exploratory descriptive and analytical study was carried out from 1 October 2002 to 30 September 2003, in order to describe the epidemiological, clinical aspects of the herpes zoster in the medical formations of the town of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and to determine the prevalence of the infection by the HIV in the patients. We have collected 118 patients who have a herpes zoster through 6500 consultants. There were 79 women and 39 men. The average age was 34.4 years. The age bracket from 20 to 40 years was the most touched. The blistered eruption was the first reason for consultation; the light with type of burn, intermittent pain prevailed. The lesions healed in one month but there were 28 ulcerated necrotic cases. Post zoster pains have been observed in 33 cases. The localizations were the members in 44 cases (37.29%), the head in 35 cases (29.66%) and the trunk in 40 cases (33.90%). We have observed a case with double localization of herpes zoster. On 65 patients tested for the HIV, 58 (89.2%) were infected. The age bracket from 20 to 40 was the most concerned. A case of corneal necrosis isolated, with blindness and another with an opposed, spasmodic and total hemi paresis were notified. Fourteen patients having an antecedent of herpes zoster were all infected by HIV. Since the pandemic infection by the HIV, the incidence of the herpes zoster increases within the young population. The high frequency of HIV infection among our patients (89.2%) showed that the herpes zoster is closely related to this disease.

[Lumbar canal stenosis in Ouagadougou: aetiological, clinical aspects and prognosis regarding 80 cases]. / Le canal lombaire étroit à Ouagadougou: aspects étiologiques, cliniques et pronostiques sur une étude de 80 cas.

The authors report their experience about 80 cases operated for lumbar spinal stenosis. Etiological clinical aspects and prognosis are studied. Lumbar arthrosis (83.8%) is the most frequent aetiology. The mean age is 50.7 years. Men are most affected than women (sex-ratio 2/1). Heavy work has a part to play in the genesis, in effect it tends to low the age of symptomatic stenosis. Lumbar and radicular pains are the most frequent symptoms (82.5%). Neurogenic intermittent claudication is less frequent (65%). Heavy cases with neurologic complications are frequent (32.5%). Surgical results are satisfactory in 74.3% of the cases. The authors insist in the interest of extensive laminectomy, respecting however as much as possible, the structure of stability of the vertebral column.