[Conidiobolus coronatus infections revealed by a facial tumor]. / Infection à Conidiobolus coronatus révélée par une tumeur de la face.

INTRODUCTION: Conidiobolomycoses (Conidiobolus coronatus fungal infections) are rare and potentially severe infections prevalent in the tropics. The disease starts in the facial sinus and evolves as a subcutaneous tumor on the mid face OBSERVATION: A 19-year-old female patient from Burkina Faso presented with an acquired nasal deformation having evolved for a few months, associated to bilateral nasal obstruction. The patient had no medical or surgical history. The pathological analysis of the surgical exeresis allowed diagnosing a C. coronatus infection. DISCUSSION: The C. coronatus lives in decaying vegetation in hot and humid climates. It is a potential human pathogen that infects immunocompetent patients presenting with micro-wounds of the sinus and nasal mucosa. Hundred cases have been reported. The management is specific. The diagnosis should be discussed in case of distorting tumors of the midface.

[Repair of palatal fistulae in cleft patients]. / Fermeture des fistules palatines séquellaires de fentes.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of oronasal fistulae in cleft patients remains a surgical challenge because of its high failure rate. The authors report the results of an aggressive surgical technique using the total elevation of palatal mucoperiosteum, even for small fistulae. METHODS: This approach was used on twelve consecutive patients, from five to 33 years of age, presenting with a Pittsburgh classification type IV palatal fistulae. The surgical procedure was total elevation of the hard palate mucoperiosteum starting from the dental sulcus combined with sealed double layer sutures. Clinical and photographical control was made at least 6 months after to detect a possible relapse. RESULTS: The success rate was 100%. No relapsing fistula was observed with follow-up ranging from 6 to 36 months. DISCUSSION: This technique allows wide exposure and safe closure of the nasal layer. It is simple and leaves no raw bone surface exposed and no additional scar. The authors think it can be used in all type IV fistulae less than 1cm wide. Several other surgical techniques have been described to close palatal fistulae: local turnover flaps, pedicled flaps from adjacent oral tissue, tongue flaps, tissue expansion, and even free flaps. Obturator prostheses have also been used. The technique we report, even if more aggressive, seems to be more reliable with fewer relapse and sequelae.

[Tongue necrosis under corticosteroids]. / Nécrose de langue sous corticoïdes.

INTRODUCTION: The tongue is a common location for Horton necrotic injuries. But some herpetic lesions can show similar symptoms to the disease and complicate the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old woman, treated by corticosteroids for Horton disease, presented a central, deep, and very painful ulceration of the tongue. The spreading of necrosis despite treatment was an indication for biopsy, giving the diagnosis of herpetic infection. Valacyclovir was efficient within 15 days. DISCUSSION: This necrotic injury looks like herpetic stomatitis presented by severely immunodeficient AIDS patients. No case under corticosteroids had been described so far. The tongue-limited location is exceptional.