[Fatal poisoning caused by African viper's bite (Echis carinatus)]. / Envenimation mortelle par une morsure de vipère africaine (Echis carinatus).

The case is reported of a 44-year-old European who was bitten on the foot in Djibouti, probably by an African viper. Unusually, there wasn't any pain, nor any cardiovascular collapse nor any local swelling. An oedema of the lower limb started the day afterwards. Two days after the bite, the patient presented a generalized haemorrhagic syndrome, which led to his admission. There was a consumption of fibrinogen and prothrombin, without any decrease in the platelet count. Heparin was started (100 IU.kg-1.day-1), as well as fluid replacement (albumin, fresh frozen plasma, packed red cells). This allowed him to be transferred to France, where he arrived in anuria, with hyperpyrexia, and severe lower limb oedema and a haemorrhagic syndrome. There was a major extensive retroperitoneal haematoma spreading to the perineum. The four limbs were ischaemic. The patient's condition continued to worsen, developing hypoxic pulmonary oedema. He died on the seventh day after the bite, during a session of haemodialysis, from cardiovascular failure resistant to all the usual drugs. The principles of anti-venom therapy are recalled. Indeed, this should be started early enough and relies on large amounts of serum (greater than 50 ml).

[Tropical myositis]. / Les myosites tropicales.

Tropical pyomyositis (TP) is a microbial infection involving one or more skeletal muscles that rapidly leads to abscess. The most common infectious agent is Staphylococcus aureus. Since muscle tissue is highly resistant to infection, occurrence of TP is contingent upon one or more compromising factors such as trauma, skin lesions, parasitosis, or malnutrition. HIV infection is currently a major factor in the occurrence of TP. While Staphylococcus aureus accounts for 80% of cases, other microbial agents have been identified including gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. TP is endemic in intertropical zones of Africa and Latin America and in island areas of the Pacific Ocean. However a growing number of non-tropical cases have been reported in association with AIDS. The most frequent presentation is single-muscle involvement in the thighs, calves, and buttocks. The symptomatic phase or suppurative phase is almost always associated with hyperthermia. The infected muscle indurates prior to development of characteristic fluctuance. Hemocultures are seldom positive but needle aspiration may confirm diagnosis. Ultrasound imaging can allow early detection. Severe sepsis or cardiovascular, renal, or pleuropulmonary complications are observed in 10% of cases. Treatment is antibiotic therapy with penicillin M and surgical drainage or needle puncture of abscess cavities. Prognosis is generally favorable even in HIV-infected patients.

[Thrombosis of the superior vena cava in Behcet's disease. Apropos of a case associated with chylothorax]. / Les thromboses de la veine cave supérieure au cours de la maladie de Behcet. A propos d'un cas associé à un chylothorax.

The authors report a case of superior vena cava thrombosis associated to a chylothorax during Behcet's disease. This thrombosis was revealed during an evolutive phase by dyspnea and a superior vena cava syndrome. Its course was favourable under a medical treatment associating: pleural drainage, parenteral feeding, corticotherapy and heparin therapy. Then the authors review the bibliography and recall the frequency, pathogenesis, clinic and treatment of this unusual complication of the Touraine's aphthosis. Such a complication appears paradoxically to present a favourable course.

[Anorectal tuberculosis disclosed by hemorrhoidal thrombosis]. / Tuberculose ano-rectale révelée par une thrombose hemorroïdaire.

The authors report on a case of anorectal tuberculosis. Revealed by an hemorroïdal thrombosis with febrile symptoma and purulent discharge, its macroscopic aspect was the one of anal mucous membrane ulceration, irregular with elevated border. The diagnosis was confirmed by anatomopathologic exam. The course was favourable under specific treatment. Etiologic investigation did not show any other localisation. Then, present aspects of anorectal tuberculosis are discussed, as well as possible relationships with hemorroïdal disease and its complications, particularly the fissural ones.