Neurovascular complications following carotid body paraganglioma resection.

OBJECTIVE: The present consecutive case series reports our experience in the management of carotid body paraganglioma and aims to assess whether the Shamblin classification or tumor size are predictive of early and late postoperative neurovascular complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 54 carotid body tumor resections in 49 patients, between 1980 and 2011. Data comprised early (<1month) and late (18 months) postoperative neurovascular complications. RESULTS: Early postoperative complications occurred in 31 cases, including 30 cases of cranial nerve deficit (56%). Cranial nerve deficit occurred in 83% of Shamblin III carotid body paragangliomas and was associated with significantly larger mean tumor size (4±1.4cm versus 2.9±1.3cm; P<0.01). Shamblin III tumor and tumor size>3.2cm emerged as predictive factors for early postoperative peripheral neurological complications. Eight patients (17%) showed no cranial nerve deficit recovery, even after 18 months' follow-up; no predictive factors could be identified for this. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment in carotid body paraganglioma, with low vascular morbidity. However, early postoperative nerve deficit remains frequent (56%), although mostly temporary, with 17% definitive sequelae at 18 months. Tumor size and Shamblin classification are predictive of early neurovascular complications.

[Congenital dacryocystocele: Surgical treatment or routine follow-up?]. / Dacryocystocèles congénitales : traitement chirurgical ou simple surveillance ?

INTRODUCTION: Congenital dacryocystoceles are rare and often misunderstood pathologies. Their treatment varies and consists in simple follow-up, lacrimal catheterization or endoscopic surgical drainage, depending on medical teams. The aim of our study was to discuss the place of endoscopic drainage in the treatment of congenital dacryocystocele. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review on 18 cases of congenital dacryocystoceles taken in charge in a tertiary care center between 2009 and 2012. RESULTS: Thirteen newborns, including five bilateral cases, were taken in charge. The average age was 14.6 days. Six newborns presented with an acute dacryocystitis at the time of diagnosis. No respiratory complications were observed. Spontaneous drainage of the dacryocystocele was observed in 38.8% of the cases, occurring at 22 days of life on average. Endonasal endoscopic drainage was performed in 66.6% of the cases. No recurrence or complication was observed after surgery. After spontaneous drainage, one recurrence was observed. The mean follow-up period of these patients was 8.8 months. DISCUSSION: Spontaneous drainage is common. Conservative management may therefore be considered in absence of infection. In case of infection and/or persistence of dacryocystocele after 4 weeks of life, endonasal surgical drainage should be considered. Imaging of the facial structure should be performed before any surgical treatment.

[Ferjol's asthenia syndrome. Apropos of a case]. / Le syndrome de l'asthénie de Ferjol. A propos d'une observation.

The authors report a case of Ferjol's asthenia (hypochromic anaemia due to deliberately induced bleeding) occurring in the post-partum period in a young primiparous woman. After describing their hesitations about the diagnosis, they briefly review this curious syndrome.