[Congenital absence of the patella: two cases reported]. / Absence congenitale de rotules: à propos de deux cas.

OBJECTIVES: To remind a rare disease, To emphasize the importance of patellar agenesis because it's a calling sign, To insist on the necessity to know child bony growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reported observations of two negro-african children's, one female and one male, who were both 7-years-old. They were referred for troubles of the walk, knee pains for the male, and for the female frequent falls and hypotonia. We have noted previous history of second degree familial consanguinity and paternal grandfather's ungueal anomalies for the female. RESULTS: For the female, examination showed ligamentary hyperlaxity, anterior flattening and lateral dimple of the knee, so varied skeletal defects. Skeletal radiographies displayed absence of the patella, "console like" aspect of the superior tibial metaphysis. At the male, examination is normal. Standard radiographies showed semilunar opacities and tomodensitometry showed presence of a tissular formation who looks like the patella. Aplasia of the patellar apparatus is evocated for the female, even though for the male, the diagnosis of hypoplasia seems more probable. CONCLUSION: Absence of patella is rare. It can be transient and patellar nucleus appears lately. It can be permanent and in this case, it is isolated whether associated with other osseous malformations. Interest of such observations is in its rarity and its functional impact related to the biomechanical importance of the patella.

[Infantile cortical hyperostosis: case report]. / Hyperostose Corticale Infantile : a propos d'un cas.

Infantile cortical hyperostosis (ICH) or Caffey-Silverman disease is affection that attained skeleton most frequently flat bones, contiguous fasciae and muscles. We reported the case of a 3 months old female infant of Mauritanian origin, referred for recurrent osteitis of the left clavicle. The present complaints are incessant snivelling and functional disability of the left upper limb. Examination showed clavicular and mandibular swelling, without fever. Biological check-up showed inflammatory signs. Radiographies showed cortical thickening of the left clavicle and mandible. Interest of such an observation is in the rarity of this affection, its originality as for the striking age limitation, in the disconcerting but suggestive symptomatology, at least in the classical sites and in the possibility of its antenatal diagnosis.