[Sciatica due to unusual causes: Tarlov cysts and nerve roots anomalies]. / Lombosciatique de causes inhabituelles: kystes de Tarlov et anomalies des racines nerveuses.

Tarlov cysts and nerve roots anomalies usually involve lumbosacral roots and are often asymptomatic. MRI has enabled recognition of many conditions that used to be missed by CT or myelography investigations performed for back and leg pain. However, even without additional compressive impingement (disc hernia, spondylolisthesis or lumbar canal stenosis) these anomalies can be responsible for sciatica, motor deficit and bladder sphincter dysfunction. Tarlov cysts are perinervous dilatations of the dorsal root ganglion. CT and especially MRI can reveal these cysts and their precise relations with the neighboring structures. Delayed filling of the cysts can be visualized on the myelogram. MRI is more sensitive than CT myelography for a positive diagnosis of nerve root anomalies, a differential diagnosis with disc hernia and classification of these anomalies. Surgical treatment is indicated for symptomatic Tarlov cysts and nerve root anomalies resistant to conservative treatment. Better outcome is observed in patients with an additional compressive impingement component. We report two cases of sciatica: one caused by Tarlov cysts diagnosed by MRI and the other by nerve root anomalies diagnosed by CT myelography. In both cases, conservative treatment was undertaken. The clinical, radiological and therapeutic aspects of these disorders are discussed.

[Multifocal tuberculous dactylitis: a case report]. / Dactylite tuberculeuse multifocale : à propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous dactylitis (TD) is a rare disorder. It is the source of a diagnostic hardship as it is difficult to distinguish from other lesions. We report an unusual case with multiple affected sites both in hands and the right big toe. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old female initially presented with two painful tumefactions affecting the left third finger and the right middle finger. These tumefactions had been present for two months. Conventional radiography and computed tomography of the hand revealed soft tissue swelling with bone expansion and cortical destruction in the proximal, middle and distal phalanx of the third finger, the proximal phalanx of the middle finger in the left hand, the proximal and middle phalanx of the middle finger of the right hand. Bone scintigraphy showed additionally infraradiologic localisation in the proximal phalanx of the first right toe. Pathology examination of a biopsy specimen revealed granulomatous osteitis with caseous necrosis. Antituberculosis treatment led to initial clinical remission followed by a recurrence and lesion spreading due to bacteria resistance. The second line treatment with Rifampicine, Ciprofloxacine, Ethambutol and Clarithromycine induced favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis dactylitis is well tolerated for a long time leading to a late diagnosis which may favour its spreading. Antituberculosis treatment is effective but the functional outcome depends on early diagnosis.