Effect of novel curcumin-encapsulated chitosan-bioglass drug on bone and skin repair after gamma radiation: experimental study on a Wistar rat model.

Radiation therapy contributes to a significant increase in bone osteoporosis and skin loss. Various natural health products might be beneficial to reduce bone and skin alterations. Curcumin (CUR) medicines derived from natural plants have played an important role in health care. This study aims at synthesizing and evaluating the performance therapy of CUR-encapsulated bioglass-chitosan (CUR-BG-CH). In vitro, the antioxidant assay was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free-radical (DPPH) scavenging and the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction. The CUR-BG-CH antimicrobial effects were tested in liquid media. In vivo, after rat (60) Co γ-radiation, the tissue wound-healing process was studied by grafting CUR and CUR-BG-CH in femoral condyle and dorsal skin rat tissue. The antioxidant studies indicated that CUR-BG-CH quenches free radicals more efficiently than unmodified CUR and had effective DPPH (91%) and superoxide anion (51%) radical scavenging activities. The CUR-BG-CH biomaterial exhibited an important antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The histomorphometric parameters showed amelioration in CUR-BG-CH-treated rats. An improved mechanical property was noticed (33.16 ± 5.0 HV) when compared with that of unmodified CUR group (23.15 ± 4.9 HV). A significant decrease in tumour necrosis factor-α cytokine production was noted in the CUR-BG-CH rats (90 pg/ml) as compared with that of unmodified CUR group (240 pg/ml). The total amount of hydroxyproline was significantly enhanced (33.5%) in CUR-BG-CH group as compared with that of control. Our findings suggested that CUR-BG-CH might have promising potential applications for wound healing.

Biological therapy of strontium-substituted bioglass for soft tissue wound-healing: responses to oxidative stress in ovariectomised rats.

New synthetic biomaterials are constantly being developed for wound repair and regeneration. Bioactive glasses (BG) containing strontium have shown successful applications in tissue engineering account of their biocompatibility and the positive biological effects after implantation. This study aimed to assess whether BG-Sr was accepted by the host tissue and to characterize oxidative stress biomarker and antioxidant enzyme profiles during muscle and skin healing. Wistar rats were divided into five groups (six animals per group): the group (I) was used as negative control (T), after ovariectomy, groups II, III, IV and V were used respectively as positive control (OVX), implanted tissue with BG (OVX-BG), BG-Sr (OVX-BG-Sr) and presented empty defects (OVX-NI). Soft tissues surrounding biomaterials were used to estimate superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Our results show that 60 days after operation, treatment of rats with BG-Sr significantly increased MDA concentration and caused an increase of SOD, CAT and GPx activities in both skin and muscular tissues. BG-Sr revealed maturation of myotubes followed a normal appearance of muscle regenerated with high density and mature capillary vessels. High wound recovery with complete re-epithelialization and regeneration of skin was observed. The results demonstrate that the protective action against reactive oxygen species (ROS) was clearly observed in soft tissue surrounding BG-Sr. Moreover, the potential use of BG-Sr rapidly restores the wound skin and muscle structural and functional properties. The BG advantages such as ion release might make BG-Sr an effective biomaterial choice for antioxidative activity.

[Amelanotic spitzoid melanoma of the digit: case report]. / Melanome spitzoide achromique du doigt: à propos d'une observation.

BACKGROUND: Melanomas of digit is rare, accounting for 1% of all cutaneous melanomas. We report a new case. AIM: Our purpose is to discuss the clinicopathological characteristics and the difficulties encountred in establishing diagnosis of this rare tumor. OBSERVATION: we report the case of a 25-years-old woman, who consulted for nodular and ulcerated lesion of the right index, located in the external face of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint. The nodule was biopsied and histopathologic exam concluded to spitzoid melanoma. The surgical margins were involved. The patient refused surgical recovery. She consulted 3 years later with axillary lymph nodes. A wide excision of the tumor with lymph node biopsy were made. Histological study concluded to a tumoral residu incompletely excided with lymph node metastases. Amputation of the second digit with dissection of the axillary lymph nodes was made. The surgical margins were tumor free. Lung metastases appeared with a follow up of two months. The patient died early after starting chemotherapy with Deticen. CONCLUSION: In our report, clinical presentation was misleading causing a diagnosis and therapeutic delay. Pathologically, all the histological types of melanoma were described in the digit except spitzoid melanoma.

[Traumatic hip dislocations in children]. / Les luxations traumatiques de la hanche chez l'enfant.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Traumatic hip dislocation is a rare event in children. Appropriate management remains a subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological, therapeutic features of this situation and the long-term outcome after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 15 traumatic hip dislocations collected over a period of 20 years in pediatric patients with at least two years follow-up. We searched for predisposing factors and factors affecting prognosis. RESULTS: The series included 11 boys and three girls, mean age eight years. Dislocation was posterior in 13 hips and anterior in two. Time to reduction was less than 3h in eight cases, 3-6h in five and greater than 6h in two. After reduction, traction was performed in nine children, for 20 days on average, followed in five cases by immobilization for 40 days on average. Five hips were immobilized directly after reduction. We identified two groups by age: group 1 with dislocations in children aged less than six years (seven children) were characterized by low-energy trauma. Dislocation was not associated with other lesions. Predisposing factors (overt ligament hyperlaxity, insufficient superolateral head cover, coax valga) were noted in six children. Reduction was simple. Later treatment consisted in immobilization with a pelvispedious cast for 30-45 days. Group 2 were dislocations in children aged over six years (seven children) victims of high-energy trauma. Associated injuries were frequent. Predisposing factors were not present. At mean 11 years follow-up, all hips are considered normal clinically. The radiograph was normal for 14 hips. In one case, there was a slight coax magna. In three patients, defective femoral head cover persisted. Coxa valga persisted in two patients. DISCUSSION: Traumatic dislocation of the hip joint is rare in very young children, but results from a minimally traumatic event. This suggests the presence of predisposing factors in this category of patients, particularly capsuloligamentary hyperlaxity. After reduction, immobilization can be recommended. Traumatic hip dislocations in children are different from the adult variety due to their rarity, the general absence of associated fractures, easy reduction and better prognosis. The epidemiological and therapeutic features in children older than six years are however similar to those in adults.

[Treatment of bone loss in limbs by bone transport]. / Traitement des pertes de substance osseuse des membres par transport osseux segmentaire.

INTRODUCTION: Ilizarov's segmental bone transport technique is one of the treatments of bone defects. The aim of our investigation was to identify which technical specific features could ensure the success of this surgical option and to analyze the various difficulties and complications inherent in this method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our analysis covered a series of nine patients - five males and four females with a mean age of 20 years old - all treated by bone transport between 1996 and 2003. Bone loss was secondary to a traumatism in five cases, to the excision of a tibial congenital pseudoarthrosis in three cases and to an osteomyelitis in one case. Bone defect was reported to be located in the tibial distal metaphysis in seven cases, in the tibial diaphysis in one case and in the distal femoral methaphysis in another case. In most cases, bone transport was performed as revision surgery after previous unsuccessful surgical attempts. The mean length of the bone defect was 4.1cm (range: 2 to 8 cm). A shortening of the limb - ranging 1 to 6 cm - was associated with bone loss in six cases. The average follow-up period was 28 months (range 10 to 96 months). RESULTS: The reported difficulties and technical incidents encountered with this method included one incomplete corticotomy, one distraction which was performed in the wrong direction, and one case of cutaneous invagination and axial deviation of the lower limb. At the end of the distraction phase, union was achieved in all cases. At the end of transport, six patients required supplemental bone grafting of the docking site to improve healing. The average size of bone formation was 4.5 cm (range: 3 to 8 cm). The mean distraction index was 14 days per centimeter. The mean time between external fixation and healing was nine months for eight patients. The mean external fixation index was 57 days per centimeter. No infection at the non-union and distraction site was reported. An axial deviation was observed in four cases. Bony reconstruction was excellent in three cases, good in four cases and fair in two cases. All patients could return to normal activity at the end of the treatment. Functional outcomes were excellent in one case and good in eight cases. DISCUSSION: Ilizarov's segmental bone transport technique is a reliable option for the treatment of bone defects that other surgical procedures failed to manage. However, the different technical difficulties and complications inherent in this method require the need for a meticulous planning, adapted to each surgical case.

[Results of surgical treatment of congenital convex pes valgus (10 non-idiopathic feet)]. / Résultats du traitement chirurgical du pied convexe congénital.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Congenital pes valgus is a rare and complex deformity of the foot raising serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The purpose of our work was to present the surgical procedures used in our series and to analyze outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten feet presenting congenital convex valgus treated surgically over a six-year period using the same operative technique were reviewed at minimum five years follow-up. Idiopathic deformities were excluded from this series. Deformities were secondary to arthrogryposis in five feet, a multiple malformative syndrome in four and diastematomyelia in one. The surgical technique used two approaches: a posteromedial incision to release the dorsal flexors, disinsert the tibialis posterior, open the talonavicular joint, release the Achilles tendon and release the posterior tibiotalar capsule; a lateral incision to lengthen the fibular tendons and perform an osteotomy of the anterior process of the calcaneum. A talonavicular pin and a calcaneocuboid pin maintained the correction. The tibialis posterior tendon was reinserted on the anterior aspect of the talonavicular capsule after incision of the dislocation chamber. RESULTS: Outcome was considered good in five cases and fair in five. Outcome was fair in the arthrogyrposis feet. Undercorrection was observed in two feet and valgus flatfoot in three. Talar necrosis occurred in one foot and navicular necrosis in two. DISCUSSION: Simultaneous correction of the different anomalies observed in the congenital convex foot was achieved in this series. The anatomic and functional results were satisfactory. We recommend avoiding overly extensive release in order to decrease the risk of talar and navicular necrosis. It is also important to check the reduction radiographically during the operation. Patients should use an orthesis several months postoperatively to avoid recurrence.

[Vitamin C+sodium bicarbonate versus sodium bicarbonate alone in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy]. / Vitamine C+sérum bicarbonaté versus sérum bicarbonaté seul dans la prévention de la néphropathie induite par les produits de contraste.

INTRODUCTION: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common and severe complication in interventional cardiology. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in two accelerated hydration protocols: the first one by the serum bicarbonate and the second combining the serum bicarbonate and oral vitamin C. METHODS: This is a multicenter prospective, randomized study conducted between October 2012 and May 2013, including 160 patients. RESULTS: The mean age of our study population was 60.8±9.3 years (36-83 years). The two study groups were comparable in terms of cardiovascular risk factors, concomitant medication, and baseline serum creatinine. The CIN incidence was 6.3% in the vitamin C group and 10% in the control group (P=0.38). No significant difference was observed in terms of CIN incidence between the different subgroups analyzed. CONCLUSION: According to our study, ascorbic acid administered orally as part of an accelerated hydration protocol does not reduce the incidence of CIN.

[Syphilitic aortic aneurysm. A case report]. / Anévrysme aortique d'origine syphilitique. A propos d'un cas]

The incidence of tertiary syphilis has declined in recent years owing to the early recognition of the disease and use of antibiotics. As a result, syphilitic aortic aneurysms are rarely encountered nowadays. We report the case of a 65 years old man, who was admitted to our hospital in June 2004 for dyspnea, cough and chest discomfort. On physical examination, blood pressure was 130/80 mmHg with no significant laterality, pulse rate was 70 per minute and there was a decrease of breath sounds over the right lung. Laboratory findings revealed a slight elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Serological studies for syphilis showed a positive venereal disease laboratory test (VDRL) at 1/32 and a positive Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test (TPHA) at 1/2560. The chest radiography showed a right para cardiac opacity measuring 16 x 12 cm. Fiber optic bronchoscopy showed an extrinsic compression of the right upper lobar bronchus. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and 16 multidetector-row spiral computed aortography showed a huge partially thrombosed saccular aneurysm of the ascending aorta measuring 132 mm in diameter. The circulating lumen measured 53 mm in its largest diameter. This aneurysm involved the innominate artery. There was no other arterial involvement. The patient was given a three week course of intravenous penicillin followed by a successful surgical procedure in September 2004 with ascending aortic replacement and innominate artery reimplantation. This case illustrates well a formerly common, but now extremely rare disease.

[The role of B type natriuretic peptide in the assessment of post myocardial infarction prognosis]. / Place du BNP dans l'evaluation du pronostic au décours de l'infarctus du myocarde.

Recently cardiac peptides have received close attention as cardiovascular markers. Brain (B type) natriuretic peptide is a neurohormone synthesized predominantly in ventricular myocardium. Previous studies have shown that this hormone can provide prognostic information in patients with myocardial infarction. The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of plasma levels of BNP on prediction of left ventricular ejection fraction and remodelling and major cardiac events after myocardial infarction.

[Validity and reliability of Spinal Mouse to assess lumbar flexion]. / Validité et reproductibilité du Spinal Mouse pour l'étude de la mobilité en flexion du rachis lombaire.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Spinal Mouse model to assess lumbar spine flexion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the validity study, patients with low-back pain underwent radiography to produce 2 lateral radiographs, first from the neutral position, and then with full trunk flexion. The correlation between mobility as assessed by radiography and the Spinal Mouse were evaluated by use of Spearman's correlation coefficient (SCC) for segmental mobility (L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1) and global mobility (L1-L5 and L1-S1). Reliability was studied in healthy volunteers by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: A total of 20 patients (8 women) aged 41.6+/-8.6 (range 24-63), were included in the validity study. The SCC between radiography and Spinal Mouse measures were 0.55; 0.64; 0.69; 0.54; 0.19; 0.7; and 0.86 for flexion mobility of the L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1, L1-L5 and L1-S1, respectively. A total of 45 subjects aged 24.2+/-3.7 (range 20-29) were included for the reliability study. For intrarater reliability, the ICC was 0.84; 0.89; 0.96; 0.97; 0.63; 0.95 and 0.83 for the L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1, L5-S1, L1-L5 and L1-S1, respectively. For interrater reliability, the ICC was 0.75; 0.81; 0.79; 0.60; 0.83; 0.85, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Spinal Mouse has acceptable metrological properties to assess segmental and global lumbar mobility during trunk flexion. Its metrological properties are not acceptable to assess mobility of L5-S1.

[Septic dislocation of the hip secondary to BCG vaccination]. / Luxation septique de la hanche secondaire à la vaccination par le BCG.

We report a case of septic dislocation of the hip in an eight-month-old infant secondary to BCG vaccination. The usual treatment of septic arthritis with surgical drainage and broad spectrum antibiotics was unsuccessful. Cure was achieved after institution of an anti-tuberculosis treatment and a second surgical drainage. This rare complication of BCG vaccination can develop several months after administration of the vaccine. Diagnosis is often difficult to establish due to the minimal clinical and non-specific clinical expression. Early radiological signs are also non-specific. Identification of the causal agent can be most difficult. Certain diagnosis is generally achieved after biopsy and pathology examination. Despite the attenuated virulence of the vaccine, anti-tuberculosis treatment is indispensable to achieve cure. Surgery drainage alone is insufficient.

[Osteoid osteoma of the olecranon]. / Ostéome ostéoïde de l'olécrane.

We report a case of osteoid osteoma of the olecranon which developed in the greater sigmoid cavity. The patient was a 22-year-old male who complained of arthritic-like symptoms limited to the elbow joint and progressing for three years. Rheumatoid arthritis then tuberculosis were entertained as possible diagnoses. The diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was not established until the disease had progressed for three years and had already become stiff due to epiphyseal remodeling. Resection of the nidus only alleviate pain and joint motion was not improved.

[Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children]. / Les lésions nerveuses dans les fractures supra-condyliennes de l'humérus chez l'enfant.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The most frequent type of elbow fracture in children is by far the supracondylar fracture. This type of fracture also raises the greatest risk of nerve injury. We wanted to study the clinical and prognostic features of nerve injuries in children presen-ting supracondylar fractures of the humerus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the files of 55 children with nerve lesions identified among 1 180 files on supracondylar fractures in children. Most presented Lagrange and Ribault stage IV fractures. Nerve injuries involved the radial nerve (n=28), medial nerve (n=20), and ulnar nerve (n=7). The nerve injury was diagnosed before treatment in 32 children, and after treatment in 23. When nerve injury was identified before treatment, closed reduction had been used for eleven fractures and open reduction for 21. Nerve injury identified after treatment was found in eleven fractures after closed reduction and in 12 fractures after open reduction. RESULTS: When nerve injury was recognized at the initial examination, spontaneous nerve recovery was achieved in all cases, irrespective of the treatment modality, within a maximum of four months. When nerve injury was recognized after treatment, spontaneous nerve recovery was obtained in twenty cases. Time to recovery was longer. The three other cases required nerve exploration with neurolysis for two and a nerve graft for one. DISCUSSION: Nerve injury discovered after treatment is either caused by or aggravated by the treatment. Prognosis is less favorable than for injuries discovered at the initial examination. This highlights the importance of carefully searching for nerve deficit, even partial deficiency, in all children presenting a supracondylar fracture of the humerus. It also emphasizes the importance of care in obtaining bone reduction if the initial examination did not reveal any nerve deficit.

[Arthrogryposis: clinical manifestations and management]. / L'arthrogrypose : manifestations cliniques et prise en charge.

INTRODUCTION: Arthrogryposis is a condition existing at birth, seen in different diseases that have in common the existence of multiple joint stiffness. The clinical presentation is diversified and the functional prognosis depends on the etiology, which makes therapeutic options different from one case to another. The objective of this study was to describe clinical manifestations observed in arthrogrypotic patients and show the different therapeutic methods and functional results. METHODS: This was a retrospective study over a period of 12 years from 2000 to 2012, based on clinical examinations of 23 patients with arthrogryposis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 6.6 years. The four limbs were involved in 19 cases and only the lower limbs in four cases. The etiology was amyoplasia in nine patients, distal arthrogryposis in three, peripheral neuropathy in two, and muscular atrophy in one infantile patient. Foot deformities were observed in 22 cases, with 25 talipes equinovarus deformities (clubfoot), six convex feet, and five valgus feet. The Ponseti method was applied in 12 clubfeet with recurrence in eight cases. The other clubfeet had functional treatment and necessitated surgical release in 11 cases. Deformation of the knee was seen in 15 patients, flessum in 16 knees, restriction of flexion in eight cases, genu recurvatum in three, stiffness in extension in two, and agenesis of the patella in one case. Surgical treatment was carried out in only one case. Other cases of deformity of the knee were treated by rehabilitation with slight improvement. Deformation of the hip was seen in 15 patients, with 16 hips dislocated and four hips in flessum. The dislocation of the hip was treated orthopaedically in two cases and surgically in six cases, with reduction in all cases but persistence of stiffness. Involvement of the shoulders was observed in eight cases, the elbow in seven cases, the wrist in ten cases, and the fingers in 16 cases. The treatment was based on physical therapy and orthotics in all cases, and improvement was better in the wrist and fingers. CONCLUSION: Arthrogryposis has different clinical presentations. Successful treatment is not constant. Multidisciplinary care is necessary and should be early and continued in order to gain the maximum autonomy and facilitate patients' social integration.

[Isolated traumatic anterior dislocation of the radial head]. / La luxation traumatique antérieure isolée de la tête radiale à propos de 2 cas.

The authors report 2 cases of isolated traumatic anterior dislocation of the radial head in children. In the first case, with an acute dislocation, closed reduction followed by plaster cast immobilisation for one month gave a good result. In the second case, the dislocation was also traumatic in origin but had remained unreduced for 5 years. Arthrography of the elbow showed the head to be intracapsular. The authors believe that a neocapsule forms in cases of old unreduced dislocation and arthrography is therefore of little help to differentiate a long standing traumatic dislocation from a congenital dislocation. Based on their experience and on the literature, the authors propose closed reduction followed by immobilisation as a treatment for acute dislocation; old unreduced dislocations cannot be reduced by manipulation and with the exception of very symptomatic cases, the authors prefer to avoid open reduction, which carries a risk of joint stiffness.

[Extra-abdominal desmoid tumors: 7-year outcome after surgical treatment in 12 patients]. / Tumeurs desmoïdes extra-abdominales: résultats du traitement chirurgical. Douze cas avec un recul moyen de 7 ans.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to report the clinical course and outcome in 12 patients with extra-abdominal desmoid tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective series included 12 patients with extra-abdominal desmoid tumors treated between 1987 and 1996. Female gender predominated (8/12) and age ranged from 4 months to 60 years. The tumors were identified in the thoracic wall (n=2), the upper limb (n=4), and the lower limb (n=6) with a bony localization in the upper femoral metaphysis. Magnetic resonance imaging was highly contributive to the search for extension. Surgical treatment was given in all cases. All patients were living at last follow-up. RESULTS: Complete resection was achieved in three patients and incomplete resection in nine. Mean follow-up was seven years. There was one case of sarcomatous transformation and nine cases of recurrence. Mean time to recurrence was one year (range 6 months-4 years). Two tumors, in the forearm and the leg, did not recur. Secondary surgery was not attempted in four patients whose clinical situation has remained stable after recurrence. A second resection was performed for recurrence in four other patients who then remained recurrence-free to last follow-up. One tumor recurred three times after surgical resection. Functional outcome was good in nine patients. DISCUSSION: The poorly limited nature of extra-abdominal desmoid tumors makes resection a difficult task, particularly when located in the girdles or the most proximal part of the limbs. Wide first-intention surgical resection is recommended but mutilation must be avoided due to the benign nature of the tumor, its slow progression, and the possibility of regression or stability after recurrence. Nevertheless, surgical treatment of recurrent tumors is difficult and often insufficient, compromising functional outcome. Complementary treatment (radiotherapy) has been advocated for better control tumor growth.

[Ultrasonography in the diagnostic approach of septic arthritis]. / L'échographie dans l'approache diagnostique des arthrites septiques.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Septic arthritis is frequent in Tunisia and is responsible for orthopedic sequela. The purpose of this study was to establish the indication and the viability of ultrasound scanning in the early diagnosis of septic arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 82 patients were explored by ultrasonography for suspected septic arthritis. Mean age was 7 years (range 2 months to 37 years). All sonographic studies were performed using a 7.5 MHZ transducer. 52 patients were surgically treated or had joint aspiration. Only 39 patients had septic arthritis. The hip and the knee were the most frequent localisation (respectively 20 and 12 cases). RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that the ultrasound scanning in the diagnosis of joint effusion had a sensitivity of 93.4 per cent and a specificity of 100 per cent. Matter floating within the joint effusion was noted in 50 per cent of septic arthritis. These changes were not found in other arthritis. The thickness of synovialis and joint capsule was not specific of septic arthritis. In hip septic arthritis (51 per cent of localisation) the mean width of the anterior synovial recess was 11.7 mm (5-20 mm). In the asymptomatic opposite hip, the mean width was 3.6 mm (2.6-5 mm). Cortical irregularities had suggested osteomyelitis of femoral neck in osteoarthritis of the hip in 4 cases. Subperiosteal abscess of the femoral neck was directly visualized in another patient. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our expense highlights that sonography may be a useful tool in the management of patient with suspect septic arthritis. Sonography allows early diagnosis of joint effusion with high accuracy. Hyperechoic or mixed aspects of the fluid joint suggest septic origin.

[Giant-cell tumor of the patella with lung metastases: a case report]. / Tumeur à cellules géantes de la rotule avec métastases pulmonaires: à propos d'un cas.

Giant-cell tumors are an infrequent clinical, radiological, and pathological entity observed in 5% of primary bone tumors. They generally occur at the epiphysis of long bones, particularly in the knee area but patellar localization seems very rare. Despite their perfectly benign histological aspect, giant-cell tumors may be aggressive, leading to local recurrence or even distant metastasis to the lung. We report a case of benign giant-cell tumor of the patella with lung metastasis observed in a 23-year-old woman. The aggressive radiological image was suggestive of chondrosarcoma. Histologically the differential diagnosis with chondroblastoma was difficult. The tumor and lung metastasis were treated by surgical resection. Four years later there has been no recurrence. We present the anatomic and clinical aspects of giant-cell tumor of the bone together with the diagnostic approach and the clinical course.

[Hydatid pulmonary embolism. Two case reports]. / Embolies pulmonaires hydatiques. A propos de deux cas.

Hydatid pulmonary embolism is an uncommon condition resulting from the rupture of a hydatid heart cyst or the opening of a visceral hydatid cyst (often in the liver) into the venous circulation. We report two cases of hydatid pulmonary embolism following rupture of a hydatic cyst in the right ventricle. One case progressed to chronic cor pulmonale. We examine the pathophysiological mechanisms as well as the clinical, therapeutic and evolutive aspects.

[Serratia marcescens osteomyelitis as the first manifestation of chronic granulomatous disease]. / Granulomatose septique chronique révélée par une ostéomyélite à Serratia marcescens.

Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare, primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a defect in oxidative metabolism in phagocytes and recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. We report a case in a 2-month-old infant admitted with metacarpic osteomyelitis due to Serratia marcescens. Chronic granulomatous disease is rare but must be considered in cases of uncommon or atypical infection.