Faecal contamination of echinoderms: first report of heavy Escherichia coli loading of sea urchins from a natural growing area.

UNLABELLED: Although little evidence existed to support that view, European countries and in particular France, have regarded echinoderms, including sea urchins, as low risk in terms of feacal contamination. It is hypothesized that the sea urchins mode of feeding, which is based on grazing and differs from bivalve molluscs, would prevent it from concentrating high levels of Escherichia coli. Here, we monitored E. coli levels in sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) and in filter-feeder mussels (Mytillus galloprovincialis), collected concurrently from the same natural area over a 1-year period to verify this assumption. Sea urchins were collected on the seafloor, whereas mussels were collected from the water column at a depth of 4 m. Our results showed heavy bacterial loading of sea urchins in a natural growing environment. Moreover, we highlighted that E. coli contamination of sea urchins could, in certain conditions, be higher than those detected in filter-feeding mussels collected at the same location. Finally, the results showed a significant correlation between rainfall and E. coli concentrations in sea urchins, suggesting that the bacterial safety of sea urchin could be linked to the quality of the surrounding water. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The European regulation requires competent authorities to monitor the sanitary status of shellfish, including live echinoderms, through faecal indicator organisms. In the French Mediterranean, sea urchin production is significant. Until now, as no data showed significant E. coli contamination levels, no monitoring programs focused on this species. This study demonstrates that sea urchins are more vulnerable to faecal contamination than previously hypothesized, especially during heavy rainfall. In consequence, the European authority general approach to microbiological management of shellfish should be applied to sea urchins.

[COV IMPACT: Stress exposure analysis among hospital staff in 2 hospitals in France during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / COV IMPACT : analyse des différents facteurs de stress du personnel hospitalier dans 2 centres hospitaliers en France lors de la pandémie COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has swept through our hospitals which have had to adapt as a matter of urgency. We are aware that a health crisis of this magnitude is likely to generate mental disorders particularly affecting exposed healthcare workers. Being so brutal and global, this one-of the kind pandemic has been impacting the staff in their professional sphere but also within their private circle. The COV IMPACT study is an early assessment survey conducted for 2 weeks in May 2020, of the perception by all hospital workers of the changes induced in their professional activity by the pandemic. The study was carried out by a survey sent to the hospital staff of Béziers and Montfermeil. The readjusted working conditions were source of increased physical fatigue for 62 % of the respondents. Moral exhaustion was reported by 36 %. It was related to the stress of contracting the infection (72 %) but above all of transmitting it to relatives (89 %) with a broad perception of a vital risk (41 %). This stress affected all socio-professional categories (CSP) and was independent of exposure to COVID. Change in organisation, lack of information and protective gear and equipment were major factors of insecurity at the start of the epidemic. Work on supportive measures is necessary. It should focus on the spread of information, particularly towards the youngest, as well as bringing more psychological support and a larger amount of medical equipment, beyond healthcare workers and the COVID sectors.

Atrial natriuretic factor in chronic obstructive lung disease with pulmonary hypertension. Physiological correlates and response to peptide infusion.

To investigate the physiological role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in patients with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), we infused synthetic alpha-human ANF in seven such patients, and investigated the physiological correlates to circulating peptide levels in 24 patients with COLD. ANF infusion, at incremental rates of 0.01, 0.03, and 0.1 micrograms/kg.min, increased basal plasma immunoreactive (ir) ANF (136 +/- 38 pg/ml) by 3-, 10-, and 26-fold, respectively, and reduced pulmonary artery pressure (from 33 +/- 3 to 25 +/- 2 mmHg, P less than 0.001) and systemic arterial pressure (from 88 +/- 4 to 79 +/- 4 mmHg, P less than 0.001) in a dose-related fashion. Cardiac index increased by 13.5% (P less than 0.01) while heart rate was unchanged. Cardiac filling pressures decreased at 0.1 micrograms/kg.min ANF. Pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance fell by 37% (P less than 0.001) and 19% (P less than 0.001), respectively. Arterial oxygenation was impaired during ANF infusion, suggesting partial reversal of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Plasma renin activity remained unchanged but aldosterone fell by 44% (P less than 0.01). The levels of plasma irANF in 24 patients correlated directly with the degree of hemoconcentration (r = 0.67, P less than 0.001), respiratory acidosis (r = -0.65, P less than 0.001), and pulmonary hypertension (r = 0.52, P less than 0.01). The results suggest that ANF may serve as a potent pulmonary vasodilator involved in the circulatory homeostasis of patients with COLD.

[Acute exacerbations of COPD admitted to hospital: predictive factors of 3 year mortality]. / Exacerbations aiguës de BPCO hospitalisées: facteurs prédictifs de mortalité à trois ans.

INTRODUCTION: COPD is a disease whose gravity is underestimated by doctors and patients. The development of acute exacerbations (AE) accelerates the progression of the disease and leads to increased financial costs, notably on account of hospitalisation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational prospective study will be undertaken based on a cohort of consecutive patients hospitalised in departments of respiratory medicine in general hospitals. The main objective is to study the factors predictive of mortality at 3 years after one admission for AE. The secondary objectives are to describe the characteristics of the AE on arrival and 3 months after discharge from hospital. A register will be set up and a questionnaire will be completed for each patient, consisting of items concerning COPD, the AE and the condition of the patient and his treatments 3 months after discharge. The level of mortality at 3 years and the predictive factors will be calculated from the data in the register. EXPECTED RESULTS: Identification the characteristics of the AE and determination of a predictive score for mortality should allow optimisation of the management of patients suffering from COPD.

Management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Guidelines from the Société de pneumologie de langue française (summary).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the chronic respiratory disease with the most important burden on public health in terms of morbidity, mortality and health costs. For patients, COPD is a major source of disability because of dyspnea, restriction in daily activities, exacerbation, risk of chronic respiratory failure and extra-respiratory systemic organ disorders. The previous French Language Respiratory Society (SPLF) guidelines on COPD exacerbations were published in 2003. Using the GRADE methodology, the present document reviews the current knowledge on COPD exacerbation through 4 specific outlines: (1) epidemiology, (2) clinical evaluation, (3) therapeutic management and (4) prevention. Specific aspects of outpatients and inpatients care are discussed, especially regarding assessment of exacerbation severity and pharmacological approach.

[Cohort KBP-2000-CPHG: Evaluation of factors influencing survival in lung cancer]. / Cohorte KBP-2000-CPHG: évaluation des facteurs pronostiques de la survie du cancer bronchique primitif à 2 et 5 ans.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer continues to have a poor prognosis despite some therapeutic advances. BACKGROUND: The last fifteen years has seen a dramatic increase in the incidence of lung cancer in women and an increased proportion of adenocarcinomas in both sexes. A study of overall survival as a function of gender and other prognostic factors has been established using the cohort of patients from the study KBP-2000-CPHG. METHODS: KBP-2000-CPHG is an epidemiological study carried out throughout the year 2000 looking at histologically confirmed primary lung cancers managed in general hospitals. 5,667 patients have been included. The study of survival looks at 2 and 5-year outcomes. The date and cause of death are recorded for each patient. In the absence of these data the date of the last contact is noted. If this is less than 4 months the patient is considered to be alive. If more than four months have elapsed a graduated strategy for establishing vital status is pursued which involves reviewing records from various different sources. RESULTS AWAITED: A preliminary review of the data was undertaken between September 2004 and March 2005 which obtained data on 5 567 patients. The analysis of survival according to sex and other forecast prognostic factors is underway.

[Characteristics of mild asthma: clinical signs and medication use. Position statement of the Mild Asthma Working Group (174)]. / Caractéristiques de l'asthme léger: signes cliniques et traitements médicamenteux. Le point de vue du Groupe de Travail sur l'Asthme Léger.

OBJECTIVE: To update on the state of knowledge in mild asthma (intermittent and persistent mild asthma, according to the GINA classification) review the literature, and the position statement of the French Mild Asthma Working Group. METHODS: The French Mild Asthma Working Group (11 lung specialists, 4 paediatricians, 1 pharmacologist, and 1 general practitioner) selected, analysed, and summarised the literature on the descriptive epidemiology, physiopathology, clinical signs, and management of mild asthma. The position of the working group on the descriptive epidemiology (causal factors excluded) and the nature of the bronchial inflammation has been presented in a previous article. The present article focuses on the clinical features of mild asthma and the use of medication for it. RESULTS: Mild asthma was more frequent, more symptomatic, and less well controlled in children than in adults. Its generally benign evolution may in some (<10%) cases be complicated by severe episodes. Patients with mild persistent asthma require controller medication every day: permanent low-dose inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy is the reference foundation treatment for persistent mild asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings should help clinicians and guide them in their approach to managing this condition.

[Characteristics of mild asthma: descriptive epidemiology and nature of bronchial inflammation. Position of the Mild Asthma Working Group]. / Caractéristiques de l'asthme léger: épidémiologie descriptive et nature de l'inflammation bronchique.

INTRODUCTION: Update on the state of knowledge in the mild asthma (intermittent and persistent mild asthma, according to the GINA classification) literature, and position of a French Mild Asthma Working Group. STATE OF THE ART: The French Mild Asthma Working Group (11 lung specialists, 4 paediatricians, 1 pharmacologist, and 1 general practitioner) selected, analysed, and summarised the literature on the epidemiology, physiopathology, clinical signs, and management of mild asthma. The present article shows the position of the working group on mild asthma descriptive epidemiology (causal factors excluded) and the nature of the bronchial inflammation. Clinical signs and medicinal treatments will be presented in a second article. PERSPECTIVES: Between 50% and 75% of asthma patients, depending on the study, present mild asthma. Childhood-to-adulthood cohort monitoring found severity to be unchanged over developmental time. Its generally benign evolution may in some (<10%) cases be complicated by severe episodes. Inflammation and airway-wall remodelling were always found, although of variable intensity, and non-specific (except for absence of infiltration by polymorphonuclear neutrophils). Corticosteroid therapy by inhalation reduces bronchial inflammation, but with little impact on airway-wall remodelling. CONCLUSION: The present findings should help clinicians in identifying and understanding mild asthma.

[Is the asthmatic patient competent to manage his disease? A study of 280 patients in Seine-Saint-Denis, France]. / L'asthmatique est-il compétent pour gérer sa maladie ? Étude de 280 patients en Seine-Saint-Denis, France.

INTRODUCTION: The correct use of medication and the ability to assess the severity of the disease and to react appropriately in the case of exacerbation are essential objectives in the management of asthma patients. This study, conducted in a school of asthma in Seine-Saint-Denis, aims to measure the influence of socio-demographic and clinical factors, before any educational process, on these four security skills. METHODS: A prospective observational study concerning 280 consecutive patients managed between 2008 and 2011 (70 % women, mean age: 44 years [14-85 years]; deprivation: 48 %; born abroad: 39 %, low level of education: 23 %). The initial educational diagnosis was compared with the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: In relation to asthma control, social characteristics (unemployment, deprivation), geographic or ethnic origin and educational level significantly influence the command of all or some of the security skills. In medical terms, a period of evolution of the disease of less than 10 years, outpatient follow-up without specialized monitoring and the absence of recent exacerbations also appear as predictors of inappropriate conduct in the management of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests new priority targets for therapeutic education in asthma.

Pulmonary function after transverse or midline incision in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease.

Atelectasis and bronchopneumonia occur frequently in patients undergoing aorto-iliac reconstructive surgery. Transverse (T) incisions in upper abdominal surgery are thought to be followed by fewer pulmonary complications than midline incisions (M) but reports remain controversial. We studied the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications and lung dysfunction after T and M incisions for aorto-iliac surgery in 13 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 13 control patients with normal lungs (C). For all subjects, we evaluated (1) postoperative clinical or radiological pulmonary events; (2) preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 (D2), 5 (D5), 9 (D9) and 12 (D12) - the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), vital capacity (VC), alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (AaPO2), and (3) convenience for the surgeon. Operatively, aortic exposure was excellent with both incisions. Bronchopneumonia occurred only after M in five patients (1 C, 4 COPD). In contrast with the control patients in whom no difference was found between T and M incisions, the FEV1 of COPD patients was significantly less impaired with T than with M incisions (p less than 0.005 on D2 and p less than 0.05 on D5). VC decreased similarly with both incisions on D2 but on D5 the improvement was less with M (p less than 0.005). Changes in AaPO2 were more marked on D2 and D5 for the COPD patients with M incisions. We conclude that (1) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, laparotomy with a transverse incision was associated with better postoperative lung function and fewer pulmonary complications; (2) in patients without pulmonary disease, midline and transverse incisions were equivalent.

Effects of hypocalcemia on diaphragmatic strength generation.

We studied the effects of hypocalcemia on diaphragmatic force and diaphragm blood flow (Qdi) in 12 anesthetized dogs. The diaphragm was electrically stimulated with intramuscular electrodes surgically implanted in the ventral surface of each hemidiaphragm. The transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) during supramaximal (50 V) 2-s stimulations applied over a frequency range of 10-100 Hz was measured with balloon catheters during tracheal occlusion at functional residual capacity. A catheter was placed via the femoral vein into the left inferior phrenic vein, and Qdi was measured by timed volume collections of left inferior venous effluent. A catheter was introduced in a femoral artery to monitor blood pressure (BP). In five additional dogs, the force generated by the sartorius muscle during electrical stimulation was also studied concomitantly to diaphragmatic force. The animals were mechanically ventilated throughout the experiment, and the arterial blood gases and pH were maintained constant. Hypocalcemia was induced by a continuous infusion of EGTA (70 mg X kg-1 X h-1), which led to a progressive decrease (P less than 0.0001) of ionized calcium plasmatic level from 2.21 +/- 0.4 meq/1 during control to 1.69 +/- 0.06, 1.25 +/- 0.5, and 1.07 +/- 0.5 meq/1 after 30, 60, and 120 min, respectively. Hypocalcemia decreased progressively Pdi, which amounted to 84 +/- 3 (P less than 0.001) and 98 +/- 2% of control values for the low frequencies (10 and 20 Hz) and the high frequencies (50 and 100 Hz), respectively, after 30 min of EGTA infusion and to 74 +/- 5 and 79 +/- 6% for the low and high frequencies, respectively, after 120 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Subtotal laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy for supraglottic carcinoma: review of 61 cases.

BACKGROUND: Subtotal laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy is a functional laryngectomy suitable for treatment of supraglottic carcinomas. This procedure consists of resection of the thyroid cartilage, the paraglottic space, the epiglottis, and the entire pre-epiglottic space. The cricoid cartilage, the hyoid bone, and at least one arytenoid cartilage are spared. METHODS: Between 1973 and 1990, we used subtotal laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy to treat 61 successive patients with supraglottic carcinomas. The data were collected by a review of patient records. The cancers were stages T1 (2), T2 (41), T3 (14), and T4 (4), according to the 1979 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging criteria. RESULTS: No patient died postoperatively. Forty-nine (80%) were able to eat normally before the 28th day. A follow-up analysis showed survival rates of 83% at 3 years and 79% at 5 years. CONCLUSION: We propose subtotal laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy for the surgical treatment of supraglottic carcinomas extending to the true vocal cord, the ventricle, and the posterior third of the false vocal cord.

Subtotal laryngectomy with crico-hyoido-epiglotto-pexy for the treatment of extended glottic carcinomas.

We first described subtotal laryngectomy with crico-hyoido-epiglotto-pexy in 1974. This procedure is a modification of Majer's operation and results in the complete resection of the intact thyroid cartilage. The epiglottic petiole, the false cords, the true cords, and one arytenoid are also excised, along with the paraglottic space. The pharynx is closed by suturing the cricoid to the epiglottis and the hyoid bone. The neoglottis is occluded during deglutition by the epiglottis and the base of tongue, which come into contact with the remaining arytenoid. Postoperative hospitalization lasts approximately 3 weeks, and patients have a strong but deep voice. Between 1972 and 1985, we treated 104 patients with stage T2 and T3 lesions of the glottis using this method. A retrospective analysis showed that the overall survival rate of patients was 86% at 3 years and 75% at 5 years. Five patients experienced local recurrence. Seven patients had recurrences in the neck, and eight developed second primaries. Thirteen patients were lost to follow-up or developed intercurrent disease. Patients with T3NO lesions were treated with unilateral prophylactic neck dissection, and positive nodes were found in 23% of cases. We believe that the high proportion of positive nodes justifies routine prophylactic neck dissection in these patients. Because our operation is associated with good local control (5% recurrence rate), we propose that, for the treatment of extended glottic cancers, it replace transcartilaginous procedures that are associated with much higher recurrence rates.

Cricohyoidoepiglottopexy for glottic carcinoma with fixation or impaired motion of the true vocal cord: 5-year oncologic results with 112 patients.

The medical charts and operative files of 112 patients (combined inception cohort) with well to moderately differentiated invasive glottic squamous cell carcinoma presenting fixation (22) or impaired motion (90) of the true vocal cord (TVC) consecutively treated with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) at our institutions from 1972 to 1989 were retrospectively reviewed. A minimum 5-year follow-up was always achieved. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year actuarial survival, local recurrence, nodal recurrence, distant metastasis, and metachronous second primary tumor estimate for the entire group of patients were 84.7%, 5.4%, 6.4%, 1.2%, and 10.8%, respectively. The 5-year absolute and cause-specific survival rates were 85.5% and 94.1% for patients with fixation of the TVC and 81.3% and 96% for patients with impaired motion of the TVC. The 5-year actuarial local control rates for patients with fixation or impaired motion of the TVC were 95.4% and 94.4%, respectively. Local recurrence was statistically more likely in patients with positive margins (p = .007). Nodal recurrence was statistically more likely in patients with local recurrence (p = .005). Permanent tracheostomy related to postoperative laryngeal stenosis was requested in 2 patients. Aspiration-related completion total laryngectomy and/or permanent gastrostomy were never requested. Overall, local control and laryngeal preservation were achieved in 97.3%, and 95.5% of patients, respectively. At our institutions, the change from the conservative treatment modalities of radiotherapy and vertical partial laryngectomy to CHEP has brought about an increase in long-term survival, local control, and laryngeal preservation rates when compared to historical controls using vertical partial laryngectomy or radiotherapy.

Equally efficacious asthma management with budesonide 800 micrograms administered by Turbuhaler or with beclomethasone dipropionate > or = 1500 micrograms given through a pressurized metered-dose inhaler with spacer. The French Budesonide Trial Group.

To avoid the side effects associated with long-term administration of high doses of inhaled glucocorticosteroids, they should be used at the lowest effective dose. This study compared the clinical efficacy of budesonide given via a dry-powder, inspiratory flow-driven device (Turbuhaler), at a daily dose of 800 micrograms, with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 1500 to 2000 micrograms given via pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) with spacer to adults requiring the latter dose of BDP to control their asthma. The study was performed as a 2-week run-in, 8-week open, randomized, multicenter, parallel-group design. Adult asthmatics with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second 55% or more of predicted normal and receiving BDP 1500 to 2000 micrograms daily entered the study. After a 2-week run-in, one group continued with BDP and the other was switched to budesonide through the Turbuhaler. After 8 weeks, morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) had increased by 5.9 L/min from a mean of 390 L/min in the budesonide group and by 1.9 L/min from a mean of 402 L/min in the BDP group. No clinically or statistically significant differences between groups were evident with regard to the change in this primary variable. Similarly, only small changes in evening PEF and secondary variables of lung function were seen, with no statistically significant difference between groups. The authors concluded that both treatments were equivalent in managing asthma in adult patients with stable asthma.

High-frequency ventilation in newborn lambs after intra-uterine creation of diaphragmatic hernia.

Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) die, because their lungs are hypoplastic and their pulmonary vascular resistance remains elevated after birth. In human newborns, it is difficult to appreciate the benefit of new therapeutic approaches, because the pathological findings are not uniform, the disease is rare and the clinical criteria for poor prognosis with conventional therapy are uncertain. To study the benefit of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) the use of Tolazoline in CDH, we created a diaphragmatic defect in sheep fetuses at 0.6 gestation and studied full-term newborns after a caesarian section. A sternotomy was performed to place catheters and flow probes on the aorta and pulmonary artery and to clamp the ductus arteriosus and the left pulmonary artery. Twins were used as control, and the CDH lambs were either ventilated with conventional ventilation (CV) or HFV. 23 ewes were operated upon with a 22% abortion rate and 31 newborn lambs (10 controls and 21 CDH) were studied. A complete gasometric and hemodynamic study was performed in 23 lambs (7 controls, 8 CDH with CV and 8 CDH with HFV). Clinical and pathological findings of the lambs with CDH were very similar to severe CDH in humans with bilateral lung hypoplasia, severe respiratory distress, high pulmonary vascular resistance and severe hypoxemia. HFV dramatically improved CO2 elimination, allowed less aggressive ventilation, and was associated with higher flows and lower systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance. However, HFV did not improve oxygenation leaving the newborn with severe hypoxemia associated with massive intrapulmonary foramen ovale shunting from right to left.

Surgical treatment of angiofibromas of the nasopharynx--34 cases.

Between 1966 and 1987 we have treated 34 angiofibromas. The patients were between 9 to 28 years of age (average 16.5 years). The tumour extension was determined formerly by tomography and angiography, but these two methods have been replaced by angioscanning, which give the best results. Nineteen patients were classified stage I, fourteen stage II and one stage III. The surgical approach was transmaxillary in most cases. After tumour resection, two local recurrences were seen and a second operation was necessary to achieve a definitive cure in these patients.

[Neurinoma of the foramen laceratum (author's transl)]. / Les neurinomes du trou déchiré postérieur.

The clinical diagnosis of acoustic neuroma was suggested by the cochleovestibular symptomatology in a young woman who, was found indeed to have a neurinoma of the foramen laceratum. Such masquerading symptoms and signs are frequently reported (in one quarter of the cases) in these tumors, and probably partly explain their rarity, only 59 cases having been described. Tomography of the base of the skull appears as the main investigation leading to a correct diagnosis.

[Is endoscopy of the respiratory-digestive tract under general anesthesia useful in the screening for cancer of the superior respiratory-digestive tract synchronous with lung cancer?]. / L'endoscopie des voies aéro-digestives sous anesthésie générale est-elle utile au dépistage des cancers des voies aéro-digestives supérieures synchrones des cancers bronchiques?

The frequency of lung cancers associated with synchronous head and neck malignancies can be evaluated between 1.5 to 2%. The purpose of our work was to determine if complete endoscopic head and neck examination performed under general anesthesia was superior than clinical head and neck examination for the diagnosis of these synchronous additional tumors. From july 1991 to august 1992, we realised a prospective study on 58 consecutive patients suffering from pulmonary removable lung cancers. All the patients had a clinical head and neck examination during the preoperative period. Immediately before thoracotomy a complete endoscopy of head and neck aerian and digestive tract was performed. During this last examination 18 new macroscopical lesions were discovered in 13 patients: benign lesions (n = 17), oral cavity and laryngeal dysplasia (n = 1). The one gingivolingual sulcus carcinoma, already discovered by the clinical examination, was confirmed. This study suggests that complete head and neck endoscopy is not superior than clinical examination for the diagnosis of synchronous malignancies before lung cancers removal.

[Sphenoidal aspergillosis in a seed-shop keeper]. / Aspergillose sphénoïdale chez une grainetière.

Human infections due to Aspergillosis Fungi are unusual and occur preferentially in defenseless patients. Nonetheless, our patient, a seed-shop owner, was not immuno-depressed and became infected by inhaling or chewing the seeds. Moreover, the aspergillosis was situated in the sphenoidal sinus, which is extremely unusual. In fact, the initial pseudo tumoral and misleading appearance justified a surgical biopsy which revealed a black "truffle" suggestive of aspergillosis and was confirmed by anatomo-pathology.