OCT-Angiography of deep and superficial retinal vascular density changes in diabetes without diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To analyze the vascular density values (VD) in the superficial and the deep retinal network and in all perimacular sectors of diabetic eyes without clinical retinopathy, comparing them to that of healthy, nondiabetic control eyes. We investigated the factors that may influence these values. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including diabetics without diabetic retinopathy and healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent OCTA examination (RTVue-XR Avanti; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). The scanned area was 3×3mm and centered on the fovea. In the superficial and deep capillary plexus, we evaluated the total VD, parafoveal, temporal, nasal, superior and inferior sectors, as well as the superior and inferior hemi-sector VD. The sectors with the greatest area under the curve (AUC) were determined. We evaluated the correlation between certain risk factors and VD values. RESULTS: VD values in all sectors of the superficial capillary plexus layer and deep capillary plexus layer in the diabetic group were significantly lower than in the control group. Among all the parameters, the superficial total VD and superficial parafoveal VD had the greatest AUC (0.992 and 0.991 respectively). The sector with the greatest AUC was the temporal sector in both the SCP (0.990) and DCP (0.976). Age, creatinine clearance and hyperlipemia correlated with vascular density. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial and deep retinal VD are both decreased in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy. Our results suggest that OCTA might be a promising tool for diabetic retinopathy screening. Quantitative microvascular changes might precede clinical damage.

[Affective temperaments in drug addicts: A case-control study]. / Tempéraments affectifs des toxicomanes : étude cas-témoins.

INTRODUCTION: The study of affective temperaments is a dimensional approach to personality that would provide a better understanding of the emergence of psychopathological disorders including addictive behaviors. However, in the literature, there is a lack of studies focusing on the links between this type of disorder and affective temperaments. Our objectives were to study the distribution of the five known affective temperaments in a group of drug addicts compared to a control group, and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with emotional traits. METHODS: This was a case-control study carried out in the drug abuse prevention center "ATUPRET" of Sfax in Tunisia. It included 50 drug addicts, all male, and 50 healthy control subjects matched for age (P=0.22), marital status (P=0.28), socioeconomic level (P=0.36) and educational level (P=0.95). Sociodemographic data were collected through an interview for drug addicts hospitalized in this center while clinical data were collected from medical records. The TEMPS-A questionnaire, 110 questions validated Tunisian version, has been used to evaluate five affective temperaments. RESULTS: The average age of drug addicts was 32.98 years (19-59 years) and the average age at onset of drug use was 20.36 years (12-52 years). Among drug users, the highest mean scores were observed for hyperthymic temperament (13.68±4.20), followed by cyclothymic (13.14±4.89), anxious (11.32±6.00) and depressive (11.02±3.65) ones. The lowest mean score was for irritable temperament (10.14±3.95). All of these scores, except that of cyclothymic temperament, were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). The age of drug addicts was negatively correlated with cyclothymic (P=0.023) and irritable (P=0.035) temperament scores. These two temperaments were more dominant in the group of drug addicts with post-secondary education (P respectively 0.035 and 0.002). The age of onset of psychoactive substance use was negatively correlated with irritable temperament (r=-0.355, P=0.012). Cyclothymic temperament was correlated with alcohol dependence (P=0.03) and psychiatric comorbidity (P=0.01) among drug addicts. CONCLUSION: The present study provides support for the existence of temperamental dysregulation in drug-addicted patients. This result leads us to suggest that affective temperaments are implicated as a potential endophenotype and may represent a marker for the identification of persons vulnerable to drug use. These affective temperaments also appear to influence clinical features of drug addiction.

[Disseminated juvenile xanthogranuloma expressing protein S100]. / Xanthogranulomes juvéniles disséminés exprimant la protéine S100.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a form of self-healing non-Langerhans histiocytosis. We report a new case of disseminated JXG without visceral involvement but with positive immunostaining of the majority of histiocytes for protein S100. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 6-month-old male infant was admitted to our department in January 2010 for congenital nodular lesions of varying size, shape and appearance. The remainder of the dermatological and physical examination was unremarkable. The diagnosis of disseminated JXG, strongly suggested clinically, was confirmed by a skin biopsy. However, immunohistochemistry was confusing, with positivity for protein S100. The lesions regressed spontaneously. DISCUSSION: The aim of this case report is to highlight the lack of any forced association between alarming skin lesions of eruptive JXG and systemic involvement. The distinguishing feature of our case is the positive immunostaining for protein S100 in the histological section, which although rare in XJG, does not cast doubt on the diagnosis of non-Langerhans histiocytosis providing the clinical presentation is typical. Therapeutic abstention is the rule.

[Appendicular cystadenocarcinoma with cutaneous fistula]. / Cystadénocarcinome appendiculaire fistulisé à la peau.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous metastasis of colorectal cancer is rare. We report a case of fistular lesions of the buttocks revealing a mixed tumour of the appendix involving mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumour. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old woman was admitted for four skin fistulae of the right buttock present for 6 years. Histological examination of skin biopsy specimens identified infiltration of the dermis by metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma while colonoscopy showed a caecal tumour measuring 4 cm. Surgical excision was performed involving right hemicolectomy, evacuation of retroperitoneal mucin collection and excision of fistulae. Histopathological examination of surgical specimen confirmed mixed tumour consisting of perforated mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumour of the appendix. Recurrence of the fistular lesions was seen. The patient was hospitalized several times for surgical drainage of mucin. She died one year later. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous metastasis of colorectal cancer is an uncommon event that usually occurs after identification of the primary tumour and generally indicates advanced-stage disease and an ominous prognosis. This case is particular and underlines the need to rule out a metastatic origin of cutaneous fistulae, even in patients otherwise apparently in good health.

[Impetigo herpetiformis (two cases)]. / L'impétigo herpétiforme (deux cas).

UNLABELLED: The hepetiformis impetigo is a pustulosis dermatosis. It is rare and specific to pregnancy. It can menace the prognostic of the mother and the child. This entity is actually considered as a pustulor psoriasis. We report two cases. CASES REPORTS: Two patients, respectively, aged 24 and 21, presented erythematous, pustular and extensive plaques for which the diagnosis of hepetiformis impetigo was clinically and histologically posed. For the first patient, the lesions appeared in the two pregnancies and were more severe and foetal repercussions (oligoamnios and hypotrophy) during the second pregnancy. For the second patient, the pregnancy was complicated with premature interruption of the membrane, giving birth to a deed fetus and causing an aggravation of the cutaneous lesions. The treatment was oral steroid followed by acitretin for the first patient, however, for the second patient; the treatment was by local steroid associated with UVB during the pregnancy. Then, acitrétine was used and was efficient. CONCLUSION: Our two cases show the importance of gynaecological control in order to avoid complications which can be sometimes fatal. They also show the importance of local steroid associated with UVB which constitute another therapeutic alternative in the treatment of hepetiformis impetigo.

[Sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia: a clinical and histological study]. / Forme sporotrichoïde de leishmaniose cutanée en Tunisie: étude clinique et histologique.

BACKGROUND: The sporotrichoid variety of cutaneous leishmaniasis is defined by the presence of dermal and hypodermal nodules along the lymphatic stream, and remote from the primary inoculation lesions. This clinical form is usually considered rare. The aim of our study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, histological and evolutionary particularities of sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis in the south of Tunisia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a systematic study of all cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis from the south of Tunisia diagnosed in our hospital in 2002, sporotrichoid forms were diagnosed on the basis of clinical criteria. In all cases of sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis, the principal clinical characters were systematically specified. Cutaneous biopsies of subcutaneous nodules were performed in six cases. RESULTS: Of 102 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, 19 presented sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis, that is, a frequency of 19%. Between two and 20 painless subcutaneous nodules were arranged in linear strings on the upper leg in 79% of cases. Time to appearance varied between 12 days and one year after the primary lesions. Fourteen appeared without any preliminary treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis and five appeared after Glucantime infiltration in the primary lesions. Biopsies of the nodules showed an inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and histiocytes. This infiltrate was particularly dense and rich in plasmocytes at the level of the deep dermis. The biopsies were deep enough to involve the hypoderm in one case and the same type of infiltrate was noted at the level of interlobular septa. A small number amastigotes was seen in one deep biopsy sample. Outcome was favourable in all cases under treatment. CONCLUSION: Sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis appears to be common in the south of Tunisia, were cutaneous leishmaniasis is dominant because of Leishmania major. It is not associated with a poor prognosis.

[Anatomo-clinical features of an erysipeloid form of cutaneous leismaniasis in Tunisia]. / Particularités anatomo-cliniques d'une forme érysipéloïde de leishmaniose cutanée en Tunisie.

The erysipeloid form of cutaneous leishmaniasis is considered as an unusual and rare clinical presentation in Tunisia. Our prospective study on 4 observations, aimed at examining the clinical, histological and progressive features of the "erysipeloid" form of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Our patients were 3 females and one male more than 62 years old. Their cutaneous leishmaniasis was clinically characterised by an infiltrated and extensive plaque which was localised on the face covering the nose and cheeks looking like erysipelas. The treatment was intramuscular meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) in three cases and metronidazole in one case. A regression without scar was noticed in all the cases. On the histological examination, we observed an intense epidermic and constant hyperplasia with presence of amastigotes in 3 cases. Our study shows the lesional polymorphism of the old word cutaneous leishmaniasis in our region. The "erysipeloid" form of cutaneous leishmaniasis is a rare clinical presentation which generally affects women. If the clinical aspect is very meaningful, the histological aspect is meaningful but not specific.

[Clinical polymorphism of cutaneous leishmaniasis in centre and south of Tunisia]. / Polymorphisme clinique de la leishmaniose cutanée du centre et sud tunisien.

The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an affection which is quite well known in Tunisia. The zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major by far the more frequent, is endemo-epidemic in the centre and south of the country. It is characterized by clinical polymorphism. The aim of our study is to precise the different clinical aspects of the CL in our region through a prospective study of 102 cases. The average age was 37.8 years old (from 4 to 78 years old) with a slight female predominance. All of our cases lived or stayed in an endemic zone. Various clinical forms were noted in our series. The ulcerated and crusted form was predominant: 54,9% of the cases, the lupoid form was noted in 15.7% of the cases and the sporotrichoid form was observed in 18.6% of the cases. Other rare forms were noted (papular erysipeloid, verrucous, vegetant, erythematous, ulcerated, necrotic and linear) were noted in 25.5% of the cases. Our series is characterized by the multiplicity of clinical forms. Besides, the classical form (ulcerated and crusted form), other clinical form can be individualised: lupoid, loco regional spreading (sporotrichoid form, satellite papules). Some atypical forms can be found which are due to variation of host immune responses and to the strain of the parasites involved.

[Discoid lupus erythematosus with eyelid involvement. A series of nine patients]. / Lupus érythémateux discoïde et paupière. Une série de 9 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that usually affects the sun-exposed skin. Palpebral involvement occurs uncommonly. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The goal of our study was to present the clinical and therapeutic features of a series of nine patients with discoid lupus erythematosus with eyelid involvement. RESULTS: Lesions of discoid lupus were more frequent in the lower eyelids (seven cases). The palpebral location was the only manifestation of the disease in a 34-year-old woman. In the other cases, cutaneous lesions of typical discoid lupus were noted. Seven patients responded to therapy with antimalarial drugs associated with local corticosteroids and photoprotection. DISCUSSION: Eyelid lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus are rare. Involvement of the lower eyelids is more common. It is important to diagnose discoid lupus of the eyelids because misdiagnosis (isolated form) can delay treatment and cause deformities. The treatment is systemic antimalarial drugs, which have an excellent clinical response.

[Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in childhood: a case report]. / Lupus érythémateux subaigu de l'enfant: à propos d'un cas.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is extremely rare in childhood. We report the case of a 7 year-old girl who presented annular erythematous infiltrated lesions on sun exposed areas since the age of 2 months. Histopathologic examination showed orthohyperkeratosis, epidermal atrophy, widespread hydropic degeneration of epidermal basal cell layer, and a dermal lymphohistiocytic infiltrate. The lupus band test was negative. The immunological investigations (antinuclear antibodies) were negative. Treatment with antimalarials, topical steroids and sun protection allowed clearance of the cutaneous lesions. Lesions relapsed after antimalarials discontinuation and sun exposure. Four years later, at the age of 11, the antinuclear antibodies became positive. The diagnosis of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is based on the clinical aspect of lesions, topography, histological finding, evolution and immunological profile of the patient.

[Biermer disease disclosed by mucous ulcerations]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Ulcérations muqueuses révélatrices d'une anémie de Biermer.

Pernicious anemia rarely induces mucous membranes lesions, wich, exceptionally reveal the disease. We report a case of a 64-year-old man who presented a clinical history of recurrent painful ulcerations of the buccal, genital and ocular muosa. He also had peripheral sensory nerve impairement of the legs. The diagnosis of pernicious anemia was made after a 19 year course. Cobalamin supplementation induced an improvement of the mucous membrane lesions and of the anemia, but recurence occurred each time the treatment was stopped. Our observation is particular by the multiple mucous membrane involvement revealing pernicious anemia and by the ocular lesions which had never been previously reported.

[Necrobiosis lipoidica - 3 case reports]. / La nécrobiose lipoïdique: à propos de trois observations.

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare degenerative disease mostly seen on the legs. The association to diabetes mellitus is usual. We report three patients with necrobiosis lipoidica located on the extremities, 2 of them were already treated for diabetes. Necrobiosis lipoidica has distinctive clinical and histological appearances. The lesions appear as well circumscribed, erythematous plaques, with a depressed centre. Some of these lesions may progress to ulcers. The legs are commonly involved. Angiopathy leading to thrombosis of the cutaneous vessels has been implicated in its pathogeny. There is no specific therapy for this disease Topical and/or intralesional corticosteroids are the most widely used treatment.