[The size of the bile duct by echograph. A study]. / Étude par échographie des dimensions du conduit cholédoque.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this work was to determine the size of the bile duct by echograph. The frequent injuries of the bile duct in various pathologies in particular infection, made of it a very investigated organ especially by echograph. Its size can be modified by various pathologies. So it is of interest to know about its normal size. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Sixty normal subjects, among which 29 women, were examined by echograph in the university hospital of the Point G. They were voluntary subjects with an empty stomach for 12 hours. Three different sonographers successively performed this examination according to the same protocol with an Aloka SSD 1700 device type and a Kontron Medical/Imagic Maestro. These devices were provided with a convex probe of 3.5-megahertz multifrequency and with a linear probe of 7.5-megahertz. The subjects were in dorsal position. Reference points for the display of the bile duct were the liver, the gallbladder and the pancreas. The limits of the bile duct were marked by the cursor of the echograph. The transverse diameter (in mm) of the bile duct was measured in its origin and in its ending. No subject of the sample was obese enough to hamper the visibility of the gall-bladder and the bile duct and no subject had histories of cholecystectomy. Data analysis was made using the software Ear information version 6. The difference between variables was considered as significant when P<0,05. RESULTS: Forty subjects out of 60 were between 20 and 39 years old. The transverse diameter of the bile duct was measured 38 times (63.3%) in its origin and 50 times (83.3%) in its ending. The failure of visibility of the proximal segment was 37.7% and the failure of visibility of the distal segment of the bile duct was 17.7%. The average transverse diameter of the bile duct in its origin was 2.61.4 mm; extremes were 2 and 5 mm. The average transverse diameter of the bile duct in its ending was 3.10.7 mm; extremes were 2 and 5 mm. The transverse diameter of the bile duct in its origin of the subjects was contained between 3 and 4 mm in 80% of the cases. The transverse diameter of the bile duct in its ending of the subjects was contained between 3 and 4 mm in 40% of the cases. The difference was very significant between the diameter of the bile duct in its origin and in its ending (P<10(-6)). CONCLUSION: The distal segment of the bile duct was seen more accurately than the proximal segment by echograph. The diameter of the bile duct in its ending was significantly superior to that of the bile duct in its origin.

African genetic admixture is associated with body composition and fat distribution in a cross-sectional study of children.

OBJECTIVE: Although differences in body composition parameters among African American (AA), Hispanic American (HA) and European American (EA) children are well documented, the factors underlying these differences are not completely understood. Environmental and genetic contributors have been evaluated as contributors to observed differences. This study evaluated the extent to which African or European ancestral genetic background influenced body composition and fat distribution in 301 peripubertal AA (n = 107), HA (n = 79) and EA (n = 115) children aged 7-12. DESIGN: Estimates of African admixture (AFADM) and European admixture (EUADM) were obtained for every subject using 142 ancestry informative DNA markers. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography scanning were used to determine body composition and abdominal fat distribution, respectively. Multiple regression models were conducted to evaluate the contribution of admixture estimates to body composition and fat distribution. RESULTS: Greater AFADM was associated with lower fat mass (P = 0.0163), lower total abdominal adipose tissue (P = 0.0006), lower intra-abdominal adipose tissue (P = 0.0035), lower subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (P = 0.0115) and higher bone mineral content (BMC) (P = 0.0253), after adjusting for socio-economic status, sex, age, height, race/ethnicity and pubertal status. Greater EUADM was associated with lower lean mass (LM) (P = 0.0056). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that ancestral genetic background contributes to racial/ethnic differences in body composition above and beyond the effects of racial/ethnic classification and suggest a genetic contribution to total body fat accumulation, abdominal adiposity, LM and BMC.

[Contribution of ultrasound in the diagnosis of the complications of intramuscular injection in children]. / Apport de l'echographie dans le diagnostic des complications de l'injection intramusculaire chez l'enfant.

During a prospective study conducted at the rehabilitation Center of the physically handicapped persons and at the mother-child Hospital in Bamako, the authors report 50 cases of neuromuscular complications of the quinine intramuscular injection in the child. The scan revealed muscular calcifications in 37 cases (740%), abscesses, in 7 cases (14%) and muscular inflammations in 6 cases (12%). Xray of the affected limb was not systematic: it has been performed in four children in the case of a subjacent bone involment. It showed calcifications in two cases. If muscular abscess is easily diagnosed by clinical exam it is not the case for calcifications. The scan allows to set up a precise mapping of the muscular lesions, to determine their type and size. It also helps the clinicians in their therapeutic attitude. Medical treatment associated with rehabilitation has been carried out in 40 patients (80%) and surgery in 10 patients (20%).

The effects of experimentally manipulated social status on acute eating behavior: A randomized, crossover pilot study.

Both subjective and objectively measured social status has been associated with multiple health outcomes, including weight status, but the mechanism for this relationship remains unclear. Experimental studies may help identify the causal mechanisms underlying low social standing as a pathway for obesity. Our objective was to investigate the effects of experimentally manipulated social status on ad libitum acute dietary intakes and stress-related outcomes as potential mechanisms relating social status and weight. This was a pilot feasibility, randomized, crossover study in Hispanic young adults (n=9; age 19-25; 67% female; BMI ≥18.5 and ≤30kg/m(2)). At visit 1, participants consumed a standardized breakfast and were randomized to a high social status position (HIGH) or low social status position (LOW) in a rigged game of Monopoly™. The rules for the game differed substantially in terms of degree of 'privilege' depending on randomization to HIGH or LOW. Following Monopoly™, participants were given an ad libitum buffet meal and energy intakes (kcal) were estimated by pre- and post-weighing foods consumed. Stress-related markers were measured at baseline, after the game of Monopoly™, and after lunch. Visit 2 used the same standardized protocol; however, participants were exposed to the opposite social status condition. When compared to HIGH, participants in LOW consumed 130 more calories (p=0.07) and a significantly higher proportion of their daily calorie needs in the ad libitum buffet meal (39% in LOW versus 31% in HIGH; p=0.04). In LOW, participants reported decreased feelings of pride and powerfulness following Monopoly™ (p=0.05) and after their lunch meal (p=0.08). Relative to HIGH, participants in LOW demonstrated higher heart rates following Monopoly™ (p=0.06), but this relationship was not significant once lunch was consumed (p=0.31). Our pilot data suggest a possible causal relationship between experimentally manipulated low social status and increased acute energy intakes in Hispanic young adults, potentially influenced by decreased feelings of pride and powerfulness. Increased energy intake over time, resulting in positive energy balance, could contribute to increased risk for obesity, which could partially explain the observed relationship between low social standing and higher weight. Larger and longitudinal studies in a diverse sample need to be conducted to confirm findings, increase generalizability, and assess whether this relationship persists over time.

[Value of computer tomography in the managment of brain injuries]. / Apport de la tomodensitométrie dans la prise en charge des traumatismes cranio-encéphauques: expérience de L'Hopital de Bamako.

The purpose of this prospective study conducted from January 2001 to December 2001 was to ascertain the value of computer tomography for evaluation of brain injuries. Computer tomography was performed using a Toshiba X VID system with contiguous 5 mm axial sections through the posterior fossa and 10 mm contiguous axial sections through the subtentorial region without contrast injection. A total of 107 patients with brain injuries were enrolled over the one-year study period. These patients accounted for 0.8% of all admissions to surgical emergency unit of Gabriel Toure Hospital in Bamako, Mali. The predominant age group for brain injuries was the 20- to 29-year-old group (35 cases). The male-to-female sex ratio was 5:1. Vehicular accident was the most frequent cause of brain injury (76 cases). Trauma was severe in 48 patients with a Glasgow score less than 8. Coma occurred immediately after injury in 90 cases. Ventricular hemorrhage led to coma in 100% of cases whereas brain hemorrhage and hematoma led to coma in 93.3% and 83.3% of cases respectively. Treatment was medical in 99 cases and neurosurgical in 8. The mortality rate was 34% and the morbidity rate (permanent sequels) was 36%. Computer tomography is a valuable tool for therapeutic decision-making in medico-surgical emergencies involving brain injuries.

[Epidemiological aspects of stroke in CT-scan department of the Point-G Hospital in Bamako, Mali]. / Aspects epidémiologiques des accidents vasculaires cérébraux dans le service de tomodensitométrie a L'Hopital du Point G.

The purpose of this prospective study conducted between January 2000 and December 2001 was to identify tomodensitometric aspects of stroke. The relationship between lesion type (hemorrhagic, ischemic, and transient ischemic) and prognosis was assessed. Axial sections were made through the posterior fossa (5 mm at 5mm intervals) and subtentorial region (10 mm at 10 mm intervals). The Virchow plan was used as the reference for sections. The chi square test was used to evaluate the correlation between lesion type and prognosis. A total of 159 stroke patients with a mean age of 44.5 years were enrolled during the study period. There were 90 men (56.6%) and 69 women (43.3%). In 118 patients (74.2%), CT scans showed cerebral abnormalities including ischemic lesions in 71 (44.6%) and hemorrhagic lesions in 47 (29.6%). Overall mortality was 45.7% (54/118). Hemorrhagic lesions were fatal in 51.1% (24/47) of cases and ischemic lesions in 35.2% (25/71). Transitory ischemic accidents were fatal in 0.12% of cases (5/41). This study demonstrates that CT scan is an important tool for stroke management by identifying the type and location of lesions.

[Ultrasonographic aspects of urinary schistosomiasis in children of the Dogon plateau and the Niger office; impact of praziquantel treatment]. / Aspects échographiques de la schistosomose urinaire chez les enfants du plateau Dogon et de l'office du Niger, impact du traitement par le praziquantel.

Urinary bilharziasis is a parasitic infection responsible for vesical, urethral and renal lesions. The authors demonstrate the importance of ambulatory echography on a large scale and describe various echographic lesions. Vesical attacks occurred in 27% of the wall irregularity, 44% of the masses and polyps. Pyelic and urethral abnormalities occurred in 16.6% and 29.9% of cases respectively at the baseline in 1991. These prevalence rates decreased after seven years, in 1998. The authors discuss the utility of chemotherapy with praziquantel and the necessity of a periodical mass treatment in the areas with high bilharziasis endemicity in Mali.

[Portal vein: echographic anatomy]. / Veine porte: anatomie échographique.

The principal descriptions of the portal vein are mainly on the results of the dissections of the corpses. The aim of the work was to determine the usual sizes of the portal vein on the alive subject by echography. From the same machine, 3 ultrasonographers studied the anatomy of the portal vein of the volunteers according to a standardized methodology. The study was about 60 old people from 11 to 82 years old, whom 31 were males (51.7%) and 29 females (48.3%). The transverse diameter of the portal vein, originally varied between 8 and 10 mms un 57.9% of cases. The average was 9.05 mms +/- 2.82 and the extremes varied from 5 to 16 mm. The transverse diameter of the portal vein, at the end varied between 8 and 10 mms. The average was 9.16 mms +/- 2.58 and the extremes varied between 6 and 16 mms. In 29.8% of cases, the length of the portal vein was between 61 and 70 mms and in 8.8% between 81 and 100 mms. The average was 58.0 +/- 22.3 mms. Before its entry into the liver, the portal vein is divided into 3 branches in 2 cases (3.3%). The study showed a significant change of the length of the portal vein according the age and sex.

[Using CT to diagnose brain tumors at the Point G Hospital in Mali]. / Apports de la tomodensitometie dans la prise en charge des tumeurs cerebrales a l'Hopital du Point G (Mali).

The authors report 27 cases of cerebral tumours in 22 men and 5 women age 1 to 81. Clinical symptoms were dominated by cranial hypertension (59.3%), focal motor impairment involving cranial nerves (51.9%.) and seizures due to epilepsy (44.4%). The main tumors detected with CT scan include glyoma (.5 cases), craniopharyngioma (3 cases), adenoma (3 cases), medulloblastoma (3 cases), and metastasis (3 cases). The supra tentoriel was predominant (76.9%). Neurosurgery was performed in 6 patients and 21 cases received medical treatment. We fund 13 cases of death. In conclasion, cerebral tumours are very severe pathologies because of the high mortality associated with. CT scan has contributed to diagnose the lesions, show their topography and to determinte the histological nature. Neurosurgery is necessary for the treatment of these lesions.

[Imaging of pediatric urinary tract malformations: a series of 32 cases]. / Imagerie des malformations congenitales de l'appareil urinaire de l'enfant: a propos de 32 cas.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of pediatric malformative uropathies and to point out the radiological aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Exploratory studies of 32 cases of malformative uropathies were assessed between January 1998 to June 1999 in the Radiology Departement of Gabriel Touré Hospital of Bamako. Patients aged from 3 days to 15 years underwent sonographic and radiological examinations. RESULTS: The sex ratio was 4 males to 1 female. The main findings were: prune belly syndrome (6 cases), posterior urethral valves (13 cases), bladder exstrophy (3 cases), renal ectopy (6 cases), ureterocele (1 case), hypospadias (1 case), megauretere (1 case) and pyelo-ureteral junction syndrome (1 case). Radiological signs were mainly related to hydronephrosis and bladder lesions. CONCLUSION: Malformations of the urinary tract are frequent in daily practice. Imaging plays a key role in the assessment and diagnosis.