Lithopedion as a factor in post-traumatic intestinal perforation.

Lithopedion is a rare condition secondary to retention and calcification of an unrecognized intra-abdominal (usually ectopic) pregnancy after a fetal death, which occurred after three months of gestation. It accounts for 1.5%-2% of cases of ectopic pregnancy. We report the case of a 72-year-old nulligravida woman who died about 72 h after being kicked in the abdomen during a fight. At autopsy, an intra-abdominal calcified fetus, acute generalized peritonitis, and ileal perforation were observed. The estimated gestational age of the fetus was 37 weeks (based on femur length) and the lithopedion had a weight of 750 g and a size of 15 × 12 × 9 cm. The age of menopause and the duration of retention are not known. This is the first case of this entity identified in Senegal.

[Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in Senegal: an autopsy series of 116 african patients at Aristide Le Dantec Hospital (Dakar-Senegal)]. / Athérosclérose aortique et coronarienne au Sénégal : à propos d'une série autopsique de 116 patients d'origine africaine au CHNU Aristide Le Dantec (Dakar-Sénégal).

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of atherosclerosis (aortic and coronary lesions) in Senegalese people, to determine main risks factors and morphological patterns. METHODS: A prospective autopsy study was conducted in the pathology department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital (Dakar-Senegal) where 116 specimens aged over 5 years old were studied. RESULTS: Autopsy study of 116 Senegalese specimens for atherosclerotic lesions revealed aortic lesions in 100 cases (86%), aortic and coronary lesions both in 48 cases. There were 88 men versus 12 women. The median age was 37.1 years comprised 5 to 77 years old. Hypertensive, smoking and abdominal obesity were detected respectively in 5 cases, 37 cases and 33 cases. In aortic vessel, the main lesions detected were severe fibrous plaques detected in 40 cases. In coronary arteries, fibrous plaques were detected in 18 cases, severe fibrous plaques in 17 cases. CONCLUSION: Our study in Senegalese population showed existence of atherosclerotic lesions. These lesions were more responsible for complications as myocardial infarction.