How close is the axillary nerve to the inferior glenoid? A magnetic resonance study of normal and arthritic shoulders.

INTRODUCTION: Axillary nerve injury is a major complication of shoulder surgery during glenoid exposure. The aim of this study was to measure the mean distance between the inferior glenoid and the axillary nerve in healthy shoulders and then to compare this distance between osteoarthritic and rotator cuff deficient glenohumeral joints. METHODS: The magnetic resonance images of 50 patients with normal glenohumeral joints were reviewed. The infra-glenoid tubercle was determined as a fixed point and the distance to the axillary nerve was measured. Two separate assessors measured on the same sagittal sections. With a study power of 80%, the sample needed in each comparison group was 28 patients. Measurements were then performed on scans in patients with osteoarthritis and cuff tear arthropathy. The mean distance was compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean distance between the infra-glenoid tubercle and axillary nerve was 12mm (standard deviation, SD, 5.6mm) in normal shoulders, 10.6mm (SD 5.4mm) in shoulders with osteoarthritis and 9.7mm (SD 3.7mm) in those with cuff tear arthropathy. For this sample size of 50 patients with a confidence interval of 95%, the mean range is 12mm (95% CI 10.4-13.6). A comparison between normal shoulder and osteoarthritis showed a p-value of 0.3, and between normal and cuff tear arthropathy a p-value of 0.06. This was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The axillary nerve lies on average 12mm from the infra-glenoid tubercle. The presence of inferior osteophytes in glenohumeral osteoarthritis and the proximal migration of humeral head in cuff tear arthropathy does not seem to alter the course of the nerve significantly in relation to the inferior glenoid tubercle.

The plasma protein fibrinogen stabilizes clusters of red blood cells in microcapillary flows.

The supply of oxygen and nutrients and the disposal of metabolic waste in the organs depend strongly on how blood, especially red blood cells, flow through the microvascular network. Macromolecular plasma proteins such as fibrinogen cause red blood cells to form large aggregates, called rouleaux, which are usually assumed to be disaggregated in the circulation due to the shear forces present in bulk flow. This leads to the assumption that rouleaux formation is only relevant in the venule network and in arterioles at low shear rates or stasis. Thanks to an excellent agreement between combined experimental and numerical approaches, we show that despite the large shear rates present in microcapillaries, the presence of either fibrinogen or the synthetic polymer dextran leads to an enhanced formation of robust clusters of red blood cells, even at haematocrits as low as 1%. Robust aggregates are shown to exist in microcapillaries even for fibrinogen concentrations within the healthy physiological range. These persistent aggregates should strongly affect cell distribution and blood perfusion in the microvasculature, with putative implications for blood disorders even within apparently asymptomatic subjects.

Kappa casein gene polymorphism in local Tunisian goats.

The genetic polymorphism of the goat Kappa casein was investigated in Tunisian goats. Blood samples were collected from local goat breeds. Samples of genomic DNA were obtained from leukocytes of 175 dairy goats and regions of interest in the gene were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and then evaluated in agarose gel. For a better characterization of the single nucleotide polymorphism, a PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism was performed employing the endonuclease DNA amplification using 459 bp primers. The PCR products of primers (459 bp) digested by restriction enzyme Alw44I produced two fragments of 459 and 381 bp. The Kappa casein allelic variants in tested animals revealed different genotypes, two of them were homozygous: AA or BB, AC or BC and CC. Genotypic frequencies were 12.5, 60.5 and 27% for AA or BB, CC and AC or BC, respectively. Identification of different variants of the Kappa casein can be used for the improvement and conservation of Tunisian local goats.

[Ischemic colitis and hemophagocytosis complicating Kawasaki disease]. / Colite ischémique et syndrome d'hémophagocytose compliquant une maladie de Kawasaki.

UNLABELLED: Gastrointestinal manifestations of Kawasaki disease are usually limited to stomatitis, paralytic ileus, and hydrops of the gallbladder. We report a case of Kawasaki disease complicated with hemophagocytosis and ischemic colitis. CASE REPORT: A 5-year-old girl with Kawasaki disease presented with hemophagocytosis that responded to gamma-globulin therapy. On day 4 she had abdominal pain and diarrhea. CT scan showed features suggesting ischemic colitis. Symptoms resolved on total parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSION: Ischemic colitis and hemophagocytosis are potential severe complications of Kawasaki disease.

Group A streptococci in children with acute pharyngitis in Sousse, Tunisia.

A 1-year prospective study in 2 paediatric outpatient clinics in Sousse, Tunisia, aimed to determine the presence of group A streptococci in acute pharyngitis cases and carriers, and the distribution of the serotypes and biotypes. Group A streptococci were found in 9.0% of throat swabs from 155 controls and 17.7% from 474 patients (P < 0.05). Of 43 strains isolated from patients and submitted for typing, 15 different types were identified, the most common being M75 (14 strains; 32.5%), M9 (6 strains; 14.0%), M76 (5 strains; 11.6%) and M12 (4 strains; 9.3%). Three strains were non-typeable (7.0%). Biotyping of the strains showed 3 predominant biotypes: biotype 3 (n = 14), biotype 2 (n = 11), and biotype 1 (n = 7).

[Aicardi syndrome with favorable outcome]. / Syndrome d'Aicardi d'évolution favorable.

BACKGROUND: Aicardi syndrome is usually associated with a very poor outcome. CASE REPORT: We report a particular case of Aicardi syndrome characterised by a partial agenesis of the corpus callosum associated with an arachnoidal interhemispheric cystic formation, and by a complete control of epilepsy and a favorable outcome regarding visual and psychomotor performances. CONCLUSION: A better prognosis could be expected in Aicardi syndrome when spasms occur lately and are not preceded by partial seizures, when agenesis of corpus callosum is partial and especially when chorioretinal lacunae are small, isolated, few and spare the macula.

[Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome revealing type II glycogenosis]. / Myocardiopathie hypertrophique familiale associée à un syndrome de Wolf-Parkinson-White révélant une glycogénose type II.

UNLABELLED: Symptoms of the late infantile form of type II glycogen storage disease are mainly due to functional impairment of skeletal muscle. Cardiac muscle can be involved in the late stage of the disease. CASE REPORT: We report the cases of two siblings seven and 12 years old with type II glycogen storage disease. The initial symptoms were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome. CONCLUSION: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be the form of presentation of the late infantile form of type II glycogen storage disease. The risk of sudden death is high.

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome presenting as complicated Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

A child showing signs of Henoch-Schönlein purpura developed a right tibiofibular vascular thrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibody tests were positive for both lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies. This suggests that an antiphospholipid syndrome should be considered in cases of Henoch-Schönlein purpura and antiphospholipid antibodies should be measured to determine whether prophylactic antithrombotic measures are needed to prevent thrombotic manifestations.

Kawasaki disease with predominant central nervous system involvement.

A 4-year-old female was hospitalized with clinical and electroencephalographic evidence of acute encephalopathy. Five days later the classic signs of Kawasaki disease appeared. The neurologic outcome in this female was poor despite early treatment with immunoglobulin. Like many other vasculitidies, Kawasaki disease can have predominant neurologic symptoms as the initial presentation and during the subsequent evolution of the condition.

Infantile status epilepticus in Tunisia. Clinical, etiological and prognostic aspects.

This retrospective study includes 139 infants (74 girls and 65 boys) treated for status epilepticus at two University hospitals in Tunisia between 1990 and 1997. Their mean age was 11 months. The majority of seizures were generalized (74%) and lasted between 30 minutes and 1 hour (70%). The cause of status epilepticus was classified as acute symptomatic in 56, febrile in 57, remote symptomatic in nine, progressive neurologic in 10 and idiopathic in seven. Overall mortality was 15.8% and neurological sequelae were identified in 36% of the cases during the mean follow-up time of 3.5 years. The incidence of significant sequelae was a function of aetiology (especially acute symptomatic causes) and age (under 1 year of age). We conclude that the most frequent causes of infantile status epilepticus in Tunisia were fever and acute symptomatic causes. Status epilepticus among infants is an important public health problem, with significant associated mortality and morbidity. Management of status epilepticus can be improved by more rapid access to appropriate medical care.

[Guillain-Barre syndrome in children. Report of 39 cases]. / Syndrome de Guillain-Barré chez l'enfant. Etude de 39 observations.

The authors report a retrospective study of 39 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children. Including 23 boys and 16 girls. The mean age was 4 years (14 months to 10 years). A history of infection preceded the polyradiculoneuritis in 75% of cases. The mean duration of extensive phase and of the maximum paralysis was 10 days. A severe respiratory involvement was observed in 9 children and cranial nerve paralysis in 8 children. An early raised cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration was found in 95%. Electrodiagnostic studies, performed in 37 patients, showed nerve conduction velocity slowing in all cases. 28 children (73%) recovered clinically, 8 patients (20%) had residual deficits and 3 patients (7%) died.

[Cerebromeningeal tuberculosis: 15 pediatric cases]. / Tuberculose cérébroméningée: à propos de 15 cas pédiatriques.

Fifteen patients (9 girls and 6 boys) with different forms of cerebromeningeal tuberculosis (meningitis: 13 cases, tuberculoma: 2 cases) was reported. Their mean age was 6 years (4 months to 14 years). The initial diagnosis was difficult. Half patients had meningism, abnormal mental state and defects signs. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocyte count was > 20/mm3, protein > 1 g/l (66%) and glucose < 2.2 mmol/l (80%). BK was isolated in 7 patients. Five patients (33%) died. Major neurological sequelae developed in 5 patients and 5 patients completely recovered. Factors predicting fatal outcome and permanent sequelae were: diagnosis delay, altered level of consciousness, hypotrophy and low glucose level in CSF.

[Intense hemosiderin deposits in a case of self-healing congenital histiocytosis]. / Dépôts hémosidériniques importants au cours d'une histiocytose congénitale auto-involutive.

BACKGROUND: Congenital self healing histiocytosis, described for the first time in 1973 by Hashimoto and Pritzker, is characterized by multiple violaceous brown cutaneous papulonodules present at birth and disappearing spontaneously in 2 to 4 months. There are classically no systemic manifestations and the prognosis is always good. We present a case, particular by the intensity of hemosiderinic deposits. CASE-REPORT: The patient was a 2-month-old female infant. Physical examination at birth revealed a healthy-appearing full-term newborn, with five skin lesions: firm violaceous-reddish pigmented papules and nodules distributed over the head (scalp and forehead), right ear, right forearm and the flexural aspect of the left thigh. There was no hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy, and the patient's general condition was excellent. Histologic examination confirm the diagnosis by showing a dense polymorphous infiltrate composed of histiocytes associated with giant cells and erythrocytes extravasation. Perls stain was strongly positive. Staining with S100 Protein was positive. Outcome was good with involution of all lesions with atrophic and pigmented scars. DISCUSSION: The patient's excellent general condition, the absence of visceral locations and the spontaneous self healing allows us to classify this form as a benign self healing congenital histiocytosis. This patient presented intensely hemosiderinic deposits giving the lesions a strongly pigmented aspect.

[Acute rhabdomyolysis disclosing polymyositis in children]. / Rhabdomyolyse aiguë révélatrice d'une polymyosite chez l'enfant.

UNLABELLED: Traumatic and non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis have been mostly reported in adults. Polymyositis rarely leads to rhabdomyolysis. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 13-year-old girl with rhabdomyolysis. Full recovery was observed after symptomatic treatment. Nine months later she developed polymyositis. CONCLUSION: Long-term follow-up is necessary for rhabdomyolysis, even in those cases with an isolated occurrence caused by viral infection.

[Cardiovascular risk in schoolchildren in rural Sousse, Tunisia]. / Risque cardiovasculaire chez l'enfant en milieu scolaire rural à Sousse, Tunisie.

There is no data available on the cardiovascular risk of children under 18 years of age in Tunisia, although it is well known that these risk factors present themselves in childhood. The authors performed an epidemiological study based on a representative sample of 793 schoolchildren in the rural region of Sousse, in Tunisia, to determine the incidence of the following risk factors: hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and other lipid disorders, obesity and smoking. The main results show that the prevalence of hypertension is 11.2% with no statistically significant difference between the sexes. The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (2.9%), of hyper-LDL cholesterolaemia (0.6%) and hypertriglyceridaemia (1%) were comparable in boys and girls. Obesity (BMI > 30) was observed in 1.8% of the study population and was as common in girls (1.7%) as in boys (1.9%). Smoking was recorded in 4% of the study population and was commoner in boys (7.3%) than in girls (1.2%). This cardiovascular risk profile is encouraging and efforts should be made to maintain these levels until adulthood. This data will form the basis of a regional programme for the promotion of cardiovascular health in schools.

[Syndrome of inappropriate macrophage activation associated with infantile visceral leishmaniasis]. / Syndrome d'activation inapropriee des macrophages associe à une leishmaniose viscerale infantile.

Hemophagocytosis has already been in cases of visceral leishmaniasis and thus may complicate search for diagnosis. We report a case of hemophagocytosis in a 20 month-old boy presenting with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia and coagulopathy. An initial diagnosis of kala-azar was refuted because of absence of biological inflammatory syndrome and negativity of bone-marrow aspiration. Specific serology for visceral leishmaniasis become positive. The boy was given stibogluconate for 21 days; he improves gradually with complete remission.