Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a gastrointestinal disease that mostly affects premature infants. It involves infection and inflammation that causes destruction of the bowel. Although it affects only 1 in 2,000 to 4,000 births, or between 1 and 5% of neonatal intensive care unit admissions, NEC is the most common and serious gastrointestinal disorder among hospitalized preterm infants. We present a very representative abdominal X-ray of this disease.

Flexible bronchoscopic removal of a fractured metallic tracheostomy tube.

Patients frequently require a tracheostomy for a variety of indications, but its prolonged use is associated with several complications, including fracture of the tube. Metallic tracheostomy tubes, which are often used in developing countries, are predisposed to such a complication essentially because of corrosion from prolonged used. We report 2 cases of a fractured tracheostomy tube inserted into the central airways, with different clinical presentations. Fractured pieces were successfully removed using a flexible bronchoscope under topical anesthesia.

Internet and medical student in Marrakech.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of ICT in the academic curriculum is a part of the e-reform of the undergraduate education currently ongoing at the Moroccan medical school. In order to evaluate the efficiency of such reform, the authors have conducted a survey at the Marrakech school of medicine including 200 students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparison between the third year medical students and sixth year medical students was performed in our university Hospital. RESULTS: The majority of the students have a personal computer and internet access. Our study shows no significant differences between third year medical students and sixth year medical students. In both students' groups the level of internet and computer access, the internet skills, the opinions on internet use and ICT implementation and the difficulties encountered when using internet for medical purpose were similar. This can be explained by the lack of no implementation of ICT in our university. CONCLUSION: The learning process is still based on traditional methods. Educational authorities have to train students to improve their internet skills.

Congenital chylothorax.

Although pleural effusion is a rare cause of respiratory distress in newborns, being familiar with this disease is very important because of the generally favorable prognosis when the diagnosis is done early and therapy is prompt. We report a case of a full-term baby diagnosed with respiratory distress after 1 week of life. An X-ray of his chest showed a left pleural effusion. Moreover, a thoracentesis combined with a biochemical study of the pleural fluid confirmed the diagnosis of chylothorax. In our case, the conservative therapy was successful. The baby was followed up for a period of 6 months, with no evidence of recurrence. We have concluded, therefore, that conservative management should be the first line of treatment in chylothorax cases. If it does not work, a surgical approach might be considered.

Tracheobronchial rhinoscleroma.

Rhinoscleroma is a chronic infectious disease caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. It initially involves the nasal cavity and can occasionally extend to the rest of the upper respiratory tract. We report a case of rhinoscleroma involving both the larynx and the tracheobronchial tree, presenting with recurrent respiratory infection.