[Thrombocytopenia purpura, myositis and cytolitic hepatitis: a rare association linked with atorvastatin]. / Purpura thrombopenique, myosite et hepatite cytolytique : une association rare d'incidents lies a l'atorvastatine.

Statins are generally well tolerated molecules. However, some cases have seen potentially lifethreatening consequences. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman with high blood pressure who was treating hypercholesterolemia by atorvastatin. Two weeks after beginning this new treatment, the patient developed muscular weakness in all four limbs with myalgias; and a purpura in the upper limbs and abdomen. A biological study revealed the presence of severe thrombocytopenia, myolysis and cytolytic hepatitis. Stopping the atorvastatin intake resulted in an improved situation within twenty days. This suggests that the medical anomalies found in the patient were drug-induced. The literature confirms the rarity of this association. The severity of some side effects of statins should remain in the minds of medicine prescribers.

Les statines sont des molécules généralement bien tolérées. Des accidents pouvant mettre en jeu le pronostic vital peuvent survenir avec leur utilisation. Nous rapportons l'observation d'une patiente de 70 ans hypertendue, chez qui l'on a découvert une hypercholestérolémie traitée par atorvastatine. Deux semaines après ce nouveau traitement sont apparus une faiblesse musculaire des quatre membres avec des myalgies; et un purpura aux membres supérieurs et à l'abdomen. La biologie révélait une thrombopénie sévère, une myolyse et une hépatite cytolytique. L'arrêt de l'atorvastatine a permis une évolution favorable en vingt jours. Cela suggère l'origine médicamenteuse des anomalies constatées. Les données de la littérature confirment la rareté de cette association. La gravité de certains effets secondaires des statines doivent rester à l'esprit des médecins prescripteurs.

[Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and right atrium: a rare complication of an amebic liver abscess in Dakar, Senegal]. / Thrombose de la veine cave inférieure et de l'oreillette droite : complication rare d'un abcès amibien du foie à Dakar (Sénégal).

The liver is the most common site of extra-intestinal amebiasis. Amebic liver abscesses can be complicated by rupture, migration to adjacent organs or, more rarely, vascular thrombosis. The purpose of this report is to describe the case of a 52-year-old Senegalese man hospitalized for painful hepatomegaly associated with asymmetric bilateral pulmonary consolidation and fever. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large abscess in the left lobe of the liver with a non-obstructive thrombus extending from the inferior vena cava to the right atrium. Doppler cardiac ultrasound depicted extensive right atrial thrombus formation. Chest radiography showed opacities in both lungs. Sputum smear tests for tuberculosis were negative, but amebic serology was positive. Treatment consisted of a combination of antibiotics (metronidazole/amoxicillin/clavulanic acid), curative heparin therapy, and abscess drainage. Complications during treatment included thrombosis of the right chambers of the heart and a suspected pulmonary embolism. Outcome was favorable and the thrombi disappeared. The available literature confirms the rarity of this complication, which can have severe consequences due to embolism.

[Ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus: 73 cases in Dakar]. / Acidocetose Chez Le Sujet Diabetique De Type 1 : A Propos De 73 Cas Colliges A Dakar.

INTRODUCTION: The follow-up of diabetes mellitus in children and teenagers remains a challenge. Ketoacidosis is the most frequent acute metabolic complication and is of bad prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate etiologicals factors of decompensation and evolutions in type 1 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a transversal and prospective study from January 2009 to October 2010. All type 1 diabetic patients hospitalized for ketoacidosis had been included. For every patient, we have studied the epidemiologicals, etiologicals and clinicals factors as well as the outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence was to 55.3 % among all ketoacidosis. Sex-ratio (Men/Women) was 0.78, mean age to 25.73 years and mean duration of diabetes was 3.9 years. Ketoacidosis was inaugural in 26 % of cases. Except Kussmaul dyspnea, prevailed digestives symptoms (87.6 %). Coma was noted in 82.1 % among whom 54.7 % had no previous diabetic follow-up. A decompensation factor was found in 93.1 % of which an infection (78 %) or stop insulin (53.42 %). Prevailing infectious sites were urogenitals (24.6 %), respiratories (20.5 %). The outcome was fatal in 6.8 % of the cases. It was about 24.3 years middle-aged, 1,6 year diabetes mellitus mean duration, without regular follow-up in 80 % of the cases. Other associated factors were coma stage 2 or 3 (80%), infection (60 %), hypokalemia (40 %). CONCLUSION: Ketoacidosis is frequent in type 1 diabetic patients and has a bad prognosis. Infection and stop insulin are major factors of decompensation. Its prévention requires an adapted therapeutic education associated to a regular follow-up of patients.