Characterizations of infant flours and profiles of populations using them in the center of Côte d'Ivoire.

Introduction: Infant malnutrition is a public health issue observed in children from the age of 6 months, period of food diversification. The objective of this study was to characterize the infant flours intended for children from 6 to 24 months on the Ivorian market and to identify the profiles of the populations using them in order to improve a new type of flour manufacturing. Materials and methods: Then, a cross-sectional investigation was conducted among 300 households with young children in the center of Cote d'Ivoire. This survey should point out the different types of complementary foods percentages used in households and the ones who use these foods which have an impact on child malnutrition; this in order to highlight the social and economic factors which influence the practices of use, preferences and choices of complementary foods of the populations that use them. Results and discussions: The results indicate that 76 % of the households surveyed use industrial infant flours, 22 % traditional flours and 2 % make a combination of both industrial and traditional flours. The overall populations find imported manufactured flours too expensive with a preference rate of 41.5 %, 26 % for traditional flours and 32.5 % for products made up of the two previous ones. As for the practice of using complementary foods by households: 18 % practice it early, 54 % at the recommended age (6 months) and 28 % use them late. Conclusions: a preference for traditional flours by households is observed because of their accessibility (affordable prices). Also, to better the nutritional and economic qualities of these traditional flours would be a good strategy to fight against child malnutrition in Africa.

Trachéotomie chirurgicale chez l'enfant au centre hospitalier universitaire de Bouaké à propos de 32 cas / Surgical tracheotomy in children at the university hospital center of Bouake about 32 cases

Objectif : déterminer les indications de la trachéotomie chirurgicale chez l'enfant, décrire la technique et les suites opératoires. Matériel et méthode : il s'agit d'une étude descriptive rétrospective portant sur les trachéotomies pédiatriques réalisées au CHU de Bouaké de janvier 2016 à décembre 2022. Les indications de la trachéotomie, la technique opératoire et l'évolution ont été étudiées. Le test exact de Fisher a été utilisé pour évaluer le lien entre le motif de la trachéotomie et les pathologies au seuil α de 5%. Résultats : pendant la période d'étude, 32 enfants ont été trachéotomisés. Leur âge variait entre 9 mois et 15 ans avec un âge moyen de 7,2 ans. Il s'agissait de 22 garçons et 10 filles. L'impossibilité d'intuber le patient (65,62%) et la dyspnée laryngée sévère (25%) constituaient les motifs de la trachéotomie. Les corps étrangers laryngo-trachéaux et la papillomatose laryngée représentaient respectivement 37,5% et 21,87% des pathologies. Nous n'avons pas noté de lien significatif entre le motif de la trachéotomie et les pathologies (p=1,000). L'intervention a été réalisée sous sédation dans 78,12% des cas. L'ouverture trachéale était en forme de « H ¼ et de siège sous-isthmique. Les suites opératoires étaient simples chez 93,75% des patients. La décanulation a été effective dans 24 cas (75%). Conclusion : les principaux motifs de la trachéotomie dans notre expérience sont l'impossibilité d'intuber le patient et la dyspnée laryngée sévère. Les pathologies étaient dominées par les corps étrangers laryngo-trachéaux et la papillomatose laryngée. Les suites opératoires étaient généralement satisfaisantes.

Objective: to determine the indications for surgical tracheotomy in children, to describe the technique and the postoperative course. Material and method: This is a retrospective descriptive study of pediatric tracheotomies performed at the Bouaké University Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022. The indications for tracheotomy, the operating technique and the evolution were studied. Fisher's exact test was used to assess the link between the reason for the tracheotomy and the pathologies at the α threshold of 5%. Results: during the study period, 32 children were tracheotomized. Their age varied between 9 months and 15 years with an average age of 7.2 years. They were 22 boys and 10 girls. The impossibility of intubating the patient (65.62%) and severe laryngeal dyspnea (25%) were the reasons for the tracheotomy. Laryngo-tracheal foreign bodies and laryngeal papillomatosis accounted for 37.5% and 21.87% of pathologies respectively. We did not note any significant link between the reason for the tracheotomy and the pathologies (p=1,000). The intervention was performed under sedation in 78.12% of cases. The tracheal opening was "H" shaped and sub-isthmic. The postoperative course was simple in 93.75% of patients. Decanulation was effective in 24 cases (75%). Conclusion: the main reasons for tracheotomy in our experience are the impossibility of intubating the patient and severe laryngeal dyspnea. The pathologies were dominated by laryngo-tracheal foreign bodies and laryngeal papillomatosis. The postoperative course was generally satisfactory

Management of breast lobular carcinoma in situ: radio-pathological correlation, clinical implications, and follow-up.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To show management of patients with breast lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is the retrospective review of 65 patients, between 1996 and 2012, with isolated LCIS of the breast, evaluated through clinical examination, ultrasound, and mammography at the first examination and follow-up. RESULTS: In 53 patients (81.54%), clinical examination was negative. In 14/65 (21.54%) cases, ultrasound was positive and led to biopsy. The clusters of tiny calcifications were the predominant mammographic pattern (45 cases, 69.23%). Forty-six patients (70.77%) underwent surgical biopsy after guided stereotactic placement of metallic marker (hook-wire), 12 (18.46%) by stereotactic vacuum biopsy (SVB), 5 (7.69%) by core needle biopsy (CNB) under ultrasound guidance, two (3.08%) patients CNB with clinically palpable nodules. Fourteen (21.54%) women underwent a quadrantectomy or total mastectomy after the first diagnosis; in this latter group follow-up was negative. Among the 51 patients (78.46%) who did not undergo quadrantectomy or total mastectomy, five relapses occurred, respectively, three LCIS and two infiltrating ductal carcinomas (IDC). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 144 months. CONCLUSION: LCIS is a risk factor for invasive carcinoma and should be managed with careful follow-up, but if there is a discrepancy between pathology and imaging, surgical excision is mandatory.

[Hepatitis B: cross-sectional study of knowledge and immunization among students at University of Cocody, Ivory Coast]. / Connaissance et couverture vaccinale contre l'hépatite virale B (HVB) : étude transversale parmi les étudiants de l'université de Cocody, Côte d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate knowledge about hepatitis B and vaccination coverage among students at Cocody's University, Ivory Coast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the academic year 2005-2006 (2557 students). Parameters were collected by interview using a survey chart. Factors influencing knowledge and vaccination against hepatitis B were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The majority of students (n=1174, 69.4% [95% CI 68-71]) knew about hepatitis B. Only 17.5% and 26.1% of students respectively were aware of sexual and blood transmission. None of the students were aware of maternal-fetal transmission. Factors associated with knowledge of hepatitis B were enrollment in health sciences (Odds Ratio=24.19 [95% CI 8.65-76.63]) and having a scholarship (Odds Ratio=2.34 [95% CI 1.54-3.56]). Vaccination coverage against hepatitis B was low (Odds Ratio=3.7% [95% CI 3-4]). Factors associated with vaccination were: knowledge of hepatitis B (Odds Ratio=6.83 [95% CI 4.57-10.27]), enrollment in health sciences (Odds Ratio=3.59 [95% CI 2.60-4.96]), marriage (Odds Ratio=2.04 [95% CI 1.13-3.64]) and having a scholarship (Odds Ratio=1.60 [95% CI 1.09-2.35]). CONCLUSION: Knowledge and vaccination coverage against hepatitis B among students at Cocody's University is low. Students should be given information about hepatitis B and access to free vaccination. Students enrolled in health sciences should be vaccinated before admission because of specific risks of contamination, for themselves and for their patients.

[Tolerance and Acceptability of Gastroscopy in Adults in Ivory Coast: 300 Cases]. / Tolerance et Acceptabilite de la Gastroscopie Chez L'Adulte en Cote D'Ivoire a Propos de 300 cas.

The purpose of this study was to report the real-life experience of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) patients in order to note apprehensions and postoperative feedback. This prospective study involving 300 patients of the Cocody Teaching Hospital, was carried out over a four month period. It included 158 men and 142 women with an average age of 40 years. OGD was performed on outpatients (78%) and hospitalized patients (22%). The feelings of patients before EGD were marked by anxiety (91%) or serenity (9%). 88% of the patients received premedication versus 12% who did not. This premedication was based on midazolam in 69.31% of cases and diazepam in 30.69%. No incident or accident related to the procedure or to the premedication was reported. The tolerance of the patients regarding OGD, as reported by the patients and doctors, was good (78% vs 78% respectively), acceptable (17% vs 16.67%) or bad (5% vs 5.33%). Patients found the examination to be unpleasant (43.34%), painful (30.33%) or painless (26.33%). Doctors reported that patients' attitudes were marked by anxiety (91%) and serenity (9%). Age, sex, previous information on the examination, psychological preparation, the feelings of the patients before the examination and premedication with hypnovel or valium did not influence the tolerance of patients since the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). 89.33% of our patients would accept a repeat of the digestive endoscopy versus 10.67% who would not. Almost all the patients (99.33%), would recommend an OGD to another person versus only 0.67% who would not. 83.33% of patients were satisfied with the OGD versus 16.67% who were not.The OGD remains bearable with 78% of patients presenting a good tolerance despite the important number of patients (91%) who felt anxious before the examination.

Le but de cette étude était de rapporter le vécu de la FOGD par les patients afin de vérifier la véracité des appréhensions. Cette étude prospective portant sur 300 patients recensés au CHU Cocody d'Abidjan, a été réalisée sur une période de quatre mois. Elle regroupait 158 hommes et 142 femmes, d'âge moyen de 40 ans. La FOGD était réalisée chez des patients vus en ambulatoire (78%) ou hospitalisés (22%). Les sentiments des patients avant la FOGD étaient marqués par l'anxiété (91%) ou la sérénité (9%). 88% de nos patients ont reçu une prémédication versus 12% sans prémédication. Cette prémédication était à base de midazolam (69,31%) ou de diazépam (30,69%). Aucun incident ou accident lié au geste ou à la prémédication n'a été rapporté. La tolérance de la FOGD selon les patients était superposable à celle selon les médecins : bonne (78% vs 78%), acceptable (17% vs 16,67%) ou mauvaise (5% vs 5,33%). Les patients avaient trouvé l'examen désagréable (43,34%), douloureux (30,33%) ou indolore (26,33%). Les attitudes des patients selon les médecins ont été marquées par l'anxiété (91%) ou la sérénité (9%). L'âge, le sexe, les informations antérieures sur l'examen, la préparation psychologique, les sentiments des patients avant l'examen et la prémédication à l'hypnovel ou au valium n'influenceraient pas la tolérance des patients puisque les différences observées n'étaient pas statistiquement significatives (p > 0,05). 89,33% de nos patients accepteraient de refaire une endoscopie digestive versus 10,67% d'avis défavorable. La quasi-totalité de nos patients soit 99,33% recommanderaient une FOGD à une autre personne contre seulement 0,67%. 83,33% des patients étaient satisfaits de la FOGD contre 16,67% qui ne l'étaient pas.La FOGD reste tout de même supportable avec 78% des patients présentant une bonne tolérance malgré le grand nombre qui étaient anxieux avant l'examen 91%.

[Pediatric colonoscopy at the University Hospital of Cocody (Ivory Coast)]. / Coloscopie pédiatrique: expérience du centre hospitalier universitaire de Cocody (Côte d'Ivoire).

No published data are available on pediatric colonoscopy in Ivory Coast (and only one report on pediatric gastroscopy). We conducted a retrospective study of all colonoscopy reports of procedures performed from 1 September, 1991, to December 31, 2010, at the University Hospital of Cocody in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and examined the epidemiological aspects, conditions of performance, indications, and results of colonoscopy in patients younger than 18 years. Eleven of the total of 1 159 colonoscopies were performed in in this age group (0.94%). The mean age of these 8 girls and 3 boys was 15 years (range: 10 to 17 years). All patients had been referred by a gastroenterologist. Bowel preparation was performed in all with a water enema. Premedication was performed exclusively with midazolam. A pediatric colonoscope was used. The colonoscopy was incomplete in 36% of cases (n=4). Rectal bleeding was the main indication. Results were abnormal in 72% of cases (n=8) and the lesions found were juvenile polyps, ulcerative colitis, sigmoid varices, rectocolitis due to a caustic product, and adenomatous polyps. The results of the examination were normal in 3 children. No complications were reported. In conclusion, although the pediatric colonoscopy practice at the University Hospital of Cocody in Abidjan is extremely small, its therapeutic and diagnostic yields are high, particularly in cases of rectal bleeding. Physicians (general practitioners and pediatricians) managing children should not hesitate to ask for a colonoscopy when appropriate.

[Diagnosis of hematochezia in Abidjan Cocody University Hospital (Ivory Coast)]. / Diagnostic des rectorragies au centre hospitalier universitaire de Cocody à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

AIM: To determine the prevalence of endoscopic lesions, according to age and location, in patients with rectal bleeding who underwent total colonoscopy. METHODS: Retrospective observational study examining records from the hepatogastroenterology department at the Cocody University Hospital (Abidjan) of colonoscopies for rectal examination from September 1, 1991, through August 15, 2007. The data collected and analyzed from the records included age, sex and colonoscopy results. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 1,158 colonoscopies, 270 (23.3%) were performed for hematochezia: 105 women (mean age: 48.8 years ± 19.9 years, range: 10-96 years) and 165 men (mean age: 46 ± 14.2, range: 21-83 years) with a sex-ratio (M/F) of 1.57. Because colorectal cancer seems to occur at a younger age in Africa, patients were divided into two groups (aged 45 years: 139 [51.5%] and above 45 years: 131 [48.5%]). The abnormalities found were consistent with anal pathologies (16.3%), polyps (10.4%), diverticular disease (11.1%), colorectal inflammatory lesions (21.5%) and carcinoma (7%). Diverticula were significantly more common in those older than 45 years and inflammatory lesions in the younger group (p < 10(-3)). More than two thirds of the significant lesions were found in the distal colon (p < 10(-3)). CONCLUSION: The predominance of distal colon lesions suggests that exploration by flexible sigmoidoscopy can be performed in patients with low to moderate risk of colorectal cancer, with total colonoscopy reserved for the population at high risk.

[Chronic abdominal pain and fever in an Ivoirian woman: Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare duodenitis in an AIDS patient in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire]. / Douleurs abdominales chroniques et fièvre chez une ivoirienne.

Duodenal infection by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare is a common opportunistic disease in HIV-infected patients. Individuals with CD4 counts <50 cells/mm3 are at highest risk. The main symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever. Endoscopic examination shows various abnormalities including disseminated nodules that may be yellowish, whitish, or pinkish in color. Other mucosal lesions may be found such as erosion, erythema, or friable edematous aspect. Since these findings are non-specific, it is important to obtain biopsy specimens for histological and microbiological examination. The most common histologic features are atrophic mucosa resembling Whipple's disease with strongly positive PAS staining. The presence of BARR in macrophages is typical of MAI. Diagnosis is based on identification of the bacteria using either conventional culture techniques or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Differential diagnosis includes other gastrointestinal infections associated with AIDS, i.e., microsporidiosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiosis, anguillulosis, CMV, and isoporosis. The course of the disease is usually unfavorable even with antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of duodenitis due to atypical mycobacterial infection in a 30-year-old woman who was seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus. She was hospitalized due to fever with deterioration of her general condition (more than 10% of body weight loss) and chronic abdominal pain with inflammation. Diagnosis of MAI was confirmed by biopsy and Ziehl-Neelsen coloration. The patient was treated with rifampicine, isoniazide, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide in association with stavudine, lamuvidine and efavirenz. Despite improvement of general condition, fever persisted and the patient died after 40 days of treatment.

Percutaneous vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy with upright stereotactic equipment. Indications, limitations and results.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy (VCBB) performed using a stereotactic add-on device and film-screen technology with the patient in an upright seated position. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed a series of 129 women with non-palpable mammographic abnormalities who required stereotactic VCBB from December 1999 to November 2000. Twenty-seven (20.9%) cases were excluded due to difficulties in keeping the correct position during the procedure, while the other 102 (79.1%) underwent successful VCBB. Patients with lesions consisting of either atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ were considered for excisional biopsy. Patients with either ductal carcinoma in situ or infiltrating breast cancer were referred for definitive surgery. The results of stereotactic VCBB were correlated to the subsequent surgical histology. RESULTS: Stereotactic VCBB was interrupted because of bleeding in 1 case and vasovagal reaction in 5 cases. Two haematomas occurred after the procedure. Overall underestimation rate was 10.5%. No new lesions were discovered after a mean follow-up of 18.7 months. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic VCBB performed using a standard add-on device with the patient in an upright seated position and analog technology is feasible in about 80% of cases, has a low complication rate, is not significantly time-consuming, and can offer the same accuracy as dedicated prone equipment.

Ultrasound-guided mammotome vacuum biopsy for the diagnosis of impalpable breast lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided mammotome vacuum biopsy in impalpable breast lesions. METHODS: Seventy-three patients who presented with impalpable breast lesions that were suspicious for malignancy at mammography and/or sonography were included in the study. In the first instance the women underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology, then, 3 days later, histological biopsy with an ultrasound-guided mammotome device. The patients with both cytological and histological diagnoses of malignancy underwent surgery; those with a negative (for malignancy) cytological diagnosis, but with a histological diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia or sclerosing adenosis, underwent surgical biopsy. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology was 67.2%; the sensitivity was 86.7%, the specificity was 48.4%, the negative predictive value was 78.9% and the positive predictive value was 61.9%. In comparison, the diagnostic accuracy of histological sampling by mammotome vacuum biopsy was 97.3%; the sensitivity was 94.7%, the specificity was 100%, the negative predictive value was 94.6% and the positive predictive value was 100%. Thus there was a statistically significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between fine-needle aspiration cytology and mammotome vacuum biopsy (67.2% vs. 97.3%; chi2 test, P < 0.001). The 2.7% (2/73) failure rate of mammotome biopsy was likely to be due to an error in the positioning of the needle. The subsequent surgical biopsy proved that two cases, negative for malignancy by mammotome biopsy, were in fact malignant. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the value of sonography for the diagnosis of breast carcinoma in the preclinical phase and the efficacy of ultrasound sampling using a mammotome device to confirm the diagnosis in impalpable breast lesions.

Radial scar of the breast: mammographic enigma in pre- and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and the mammographic features of the lesions suggestive of radial scar (RS). METHODS: We reviewed 31883 mammograms of women in pre and postmenopause and we found 23 (0.072%) images suggestive of RS. Twelve out of 23 (52%) women were in premenopause and 11 out of 23 (48%) in postmenopause, respectively. Histologic diagnosis was made on the surgical biopsy specimen. RESULTS: We described mammographic features of these lesions. On 23 biopsy specimens of mammograms suggestive of RS, histology pointed out 11 (48%) radial scars, 3 (13%) sclerosing adenosis and 9 (39%) carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: In our case histories we found 11 (0.034%) radial scars among 31883 performed mammographies. Mammographic findings suggestive of RS provide remarkable diagnostic problems because numerous aspects at mammography suggestive of this lesion can be found also both in case of sclerosing adenosis and carcinomas making differential diagnosis impossible. The finding of mammographic features suggestive of RS imposes performance of targeted surgical biopsy for the correct diagnosis.

Effectiveness of "core biopsy" by the mammotome device for diagnosis of inflammatory carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of "Mammotome" device for the diagnosis of the inflammatory breast carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 6 patients, aged 43-79 years, with clinical evidence of inflammatory breast carcinoma. We compared two sampling techniques, a cytologic one by Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and a microhistologic one by "Mammotome". RESULTS: Cytologic sampling by FNA permitted certain diagnosis of malignant lesions in 2 out of 6 cases, while the "Mammotome" device confirmed the correct diagnosis in all 6 considered cases. CONCLUSIONS: The "Mammotome" device proved more useful in the diagnosis of inflammatory breast carcinoma than FNA and it can be a valide alternative to surgical biopsy.

[Lobular carcinoma in situ: the mammographic aspects and the therapeutic problems]. / II carcinoma lobulare in situ: aspetti mammografici e problematiche terapeutiche.

Lobular carcinoma in situ is an uncommon noninvasive breast neoplasm; it accounts for about 0.8-3.8% of breast cancers and presents 3 peculiar characteristics: multicentricity (60-90%), bilaterality (35-59%), and the risk of invasive cancer (17-37%). The latter feature led some authors to consider this lesion as a marker of the development of an invasive cancer rather than a real malignant neoplasm. The main problem after histologic diagnosis is the choice of treatment: follow-up or surgery? Some authors reported, in the patients with lobular carcinoma in situ, the same incidence of ipsilateral invasive carcinoma as that in the normal population, which suggests a "wait and see" policy. This study, carried out on 27 patients (mean age: 49 years) with histologic diagnosis of lobular carcinoma in situ yielded the following aspecific mammographic findings: clustered microcalcifications; stellate masses and irregular nodular lesions with or without calcifications; architectural distortion with calcifications. In 10 surgical patients, 2 ductal carcinomas were demonstrated near the lobular carcinoma in situ. In the 17 patients submitted to follow-up, lobular carcinoma in situ recurrences were found in 4 patients at biopsy; a comedocarcinoma associated with a metastatic axillary node was found in one patient. Thus, we conclude that, in the patients with lobular carcinoma in situ, a "wait and see" policy of close observation should be adopted.

[Localization of non-palpable lesions of the breast using a metallic guide. Potential complications]. / Localizzazione con guida metallica delle lesioni non palpabili della mammella. Possibili complicanze.

The authors reviewed the complications occurred in 393 patients who underwent needle localization breast biopsy from September, 1987, through September 1994. The lesions were located using 20-22 G needles with a teminal hook wire. The maneuver was carried out under US guidance in 7 patients, using stereotaxic equipment in 88 patients and without stereotaxic equipment in 298 patients. Clinical and guide-wire related complications were reported. The former complications were: severe vagal crises (in 3 patients), mild vagal crisis (10 patients) and bleeding (1 patient). Guidewire complications were: wire breakage (in 8 patients) and wire dislodgment (3 patients). Vagal crisis occurred above all in anxious patients. Guide-wire breakage or dislodgement may prevent lesion removal and, subsequently, lead to a diagnostic error. Our experiences suggests that information and continuous radiologist attendance positively influence patient's psychology reducing clinical complications. Moreover, operator's experience and care in choosing the appropriate devices greatly reduce the incidence of maneuver-related complications.