Epicardial cavernous hemangioma: a two-case report.

AIMS: We report two-cases of cavernous hemangiomas arising from the epicardium in two women aged respectively 24 and 79 years old. The first patient was symptomatic and presented with palpitations. The second patient was referred after a random discovery at echocardiography. Chest CT and MRI were performed in the two cases and showed a mass located in the pericardial cavity. Coronary CT was necessary in the first case to ascertain the degree of coronary artery involvement. Both of our patients underwent surgical resection under cardiopulmonary bypass with an uneventful postoperative course for the first case. The second one, died postoperatively from pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Cardiac cavernous hemangiomas, although rare and well tolerated require prompt management and surgery at discovery to avoid further complications which may put at risk the patient's life prognosis.

Lead and cadmium concentrations in seawater and algae of the Tunisian coast.

Both lead and cadmium are toxic trace metals, even in very weak concentrations. The aim of this study was to estimate lead and cadmium pollution in various sites of the Tunisian coast and to verify the possibility of modification of the algae bioconcentration power according to water physico-chemical conditions. Our study concerned 99 samples of algae and 99 samples of seawater, taken in different sites of the Tunisian littoral. The analysis was realized by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (oven graphite). In algae, Sfax site presented the highest concentrations of lead when Sousse site showed the lowest ones. In seawater, the most amounts of lead were observed in Bizerte, Mahdia and Sfax sites, and those of cadmium in Bizerte and Medenine coasts. Bizerte's coast seems to be the most exposed zone to pollution. Indeed, the intensification of sea traffic may take place on this pollution because hydrocarbons derived from petroleum contain some tetraethylic lead characterised by its great toxicity. Sousse's region is the least polluted zone; it might be due to the development of tourism and a strict regulation of pollution in this district.

Use of plants to induce chemical submission in Tunisia.

Induced chemical submission is the administration or instigation of consumption of one or more substances to an individual without their knowledge to alter attentiveness and make the person vulnerable to abuse. Specific experiences in managing victims of induced submission from plant materials at a poison control center are presented.

[Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, celiac disease and cardiomyopathy]. / Hémosidérose pulmonaire idiopathique, maladie coeliaque et cardiomyopathie.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND--Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH), a rare and possibly immune disease, is sometimes associated with coeliac disease and myocardiopathy. CASE REPORTS: CASE NO 1--A 2 year-old boy with IPH was investigated because he suffered from frequent, soft stools. Small bowel biopsy showed partial villous atrophy. Circulating gliadin antibodies were present. The patient was placed on a gluten-free diet. CASE NO 2--An 8 year-old girl was admitted because she suffered from severe anemia (Hb: 4 g/100 ml). She was found to have IPH and myocardiopathy. She had no manifestation, but a systematic search for coeliac disease was positive (total villous atrophy; presence of circulating gliadin and alveolar basement membrane antibodies). The patient was placed on a gluten-free diet, prednisone and diuretics, but she died during a relapse 2 months later. CONCLUSION--It is worthwhile checking for coeliac disease in all patients with IPH. The presence of myocardiopathy is a negative prognosis.