Sweet syndrome associated with acute myelogenous leukemia. Atypical form simulating facial erysipelas.

A case of Sweet syndrome in a patient with an acute myelomonocytic leukemia is reported. It is an unusual case simulating a facial erysipela. This case illustrates the difficulty in differentiating infection from Sweet syndrome in an immunocompromised patient. The negative cultures, ineffective antibiotics, and histopathologic examination results allowed the onset of corticosteroid therapy. The phagocytic function of the neutrophils studied by chemoluminescence was normal in the patient. The physiopathology of Sweet syndrome is discussed, in particular the role of cytokines in the accumulation of granulocytes.

[Echocardiographic aspects of multiple myxoma in Carney's syndrome]. / Aspects échocardiographiques des myxomes multiples dans le cas d'un syndrome de Carney.

In Carney's syndrome, the association of cardiac myxomas, spotty pigmentation and endocrine over activity, the myxomas are usually multiple and have atypical locations. The authors report a case in which an accurate diagnosis of these multiple myxomas was made by transoesophageal echocardiography, although transthoracic echocardiography had missed the diagnosis.

[Maternal mortality in 1983. A propos of our experiences at Saint-Antoine]. / La mortalité maternelle en 1983. A propos de notre expérience à Saint-Antoine.

The maternal mortality rate is approximately 3 per 10,000 in France. This figure is not insignificant and merits further consideration. Mortality has decreased at intervals over the course of history, depending upon certain factors such as maternal age, ethnic origin, the country in which the delivery takes place, economic conditions, the delivery setting, etc. The statistic of 1 death per 10,000 live births has been obtained by several countries and is difficult to ameliorate. Certain sudden, unexpected deaths will continue to occur despite adequate care and irrespective of whether or not they are due to a prior disease process. By studying the frequency and etiologies of these deaths, a recurring set of circumstances can often be identified, the caesarian section being of foremost importance. The mortality rate, then, appears to be a good indication of the quality of care delivered by a country or by an obstetrical department.