[Cortisol rhythm during the month of Ramadan]. / Rythme du cortisol pendant le mois de Ramadan.

We studied the nyctohemeral cortisol secretion rhythm and the cortisol response to 1-24 corticotropin during Ramadan in 11 healthy, male volunteers aged 20-35 years. Their response to 250 mg 1-24 corticotropin was investigated 2 weeks before Ramadan by testing daily at 08:00 and 20:00 hours. After 16-22 days of fasting, their cortisol levels were measured at 08:00 hours and their response to 1-24 corticotropin at 20:00 hours. Before Ramadan, the baseline cortisol level was significantly higher at 08:00 hours than at 20:00 hours and the cortisol response to 1-24 corticotropin was also higher at 08:00 hours but this difference was not significant. During Ramadan, the cortisol level at 08:00 hours was lower than at the same time before Ramadan; the level at 20:00 hours was slightly higher than at the same time before Ramadan. There was no significant difference between the cortisol response to 1-24 corticotropin at 20:00 hours during Ramadan and the responses before Ramadan at 20:00 hours and 08:00 hours.

[Abdominal cystic lymphangioma in children]. / Le lymphangiome kystique abdominal de l'enfant.

Cystic lymphangioma is a rare tumour (6% of benign tumours in children), frequently situated in the cervical or axillary region and exceptionally intraabdominal. It arises due to a congenital defect in the connection of the primary lymphatic channels with the central collecting system. It presents clinically either in the form of a pseudo-appendix or pseudo-ascites syndrome or in the form of an abdominal tumour with or without compression of adjacent structures. It can now be easily diagnosed by ultrasonography. Treatment is well defined and consists of surgical resection of the isolated lymphangioma or associated with the adjacent intestine, depending on the site of the tumour. It has a good prognosis.