Echotomographic and serological population-based study of hydatidosis in central Tunisia.

A population-based echotomographic (ECT) and serological survey of hydatidosis was carried out in a high risk community located in Central Tunisia. 1434 subjects over 5 years of age (93.3% of the population in this age range) underwent an abdominal echotomography (ECT) and a serological test (ELISA with confirmation by counterelectrophoresis). The ECT prevalence rate was 3.5% and increased with age reaching 7.7% in the over 39 years age group. Most subjects (96.0%) had liver cyst(s). The serological prevalence rate was 2.9%. A strong agreement was found between ECT and serological results (Kappa test = 0.449). Taking ECT as a reference, the relative specificity and sensitivity of serology were 99.3 and 62.0 respectively. Most ECT positive seronegative subjects had calcified cysts. These results confirm the presence of highly endemic foci of hydatidosis in Central Tunisia, show a good agreement between serological and ECT results at a population level and demonstrate the high feasibility of ECT as a screening technique.

Myositis ossificans circumscripta of the knee improved by alendronate.

Myositis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) is a rare benign disorder characterized by heterotopic ossification of soft tissues. We report a case in a 21-year-old male who presented with knee pain after strenuous physical activity. Evidence of inflammation of the knee and a hard swelling in the subquadricipital area were the main physical findings. The initial plain radiographs showed a subpatellar soft tissue mass containing flocculent calcifications. Over the next 2 months, the calcific deposits organized into a calcified mass. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were nonspecific, with a mass within the vastus medialis muscle generating low signal on T1 images and high signal on T2 images, without postgadolinium enhancement. Computed tomography showed several calcific deposits arranged in a ring, strongly suggesting MOC. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen confirmed this diagnosis. Alendronate therapy given for 6 months was followed by marked clinical improvement, obviating the need for surgery.

[Superior caval syndrome caused by chronic mediastinitis in Behçet's disease]. / Syndrome cave supérieur par médiastinite chronique au cours d'une maladie de Behçet.

We report a case of Behçet disease complicated by superior vena cava syndrome secondary to extrinsic compression by mediastinal fibrosis. This association is not reported in literature. The habituel etiology of vena cava syndrome in Behçet disease is venous thrombosis. Radiological investigations of this syndrome are necessary to avoid an useless anticoagulant therapy.

[Sub-pleural lipoma: apropos of a case]. / Le lipome sous-pleural: à propos d'un cas.

Lipomas are rarely observed in a subpleural localization. Clinical signs are uncommon and most are an incidental discovery at x-ray. We report a case of an incidentally discovered lipoma in the subpleural area observed in a 56-year-old patient. Physical examination showed normal respiratory function. An extrapulmonary intrathoracic opacity situated in the right axillary area was observed on standard chest x-ray. Computed tomography established the diagnosis of a subpleural fatty mass. This case draws attention to this uncommon localization of lipomas and illustrates the contribution of computed tomography for diagnosis. The CT pattern allowed us to avoid transmural or surgical biopsy.

[Bilateral brown tumor of the jaw. Apropos of a case]. / Tumeur brune bilatérale des maxillaires. A propos d'un cas.

A 42 years old woman was seen October 1987 because of tumor on the left maxilla. Removal of the lesion and histologic examination conclude at myeloplaxe tumor. A second giant cell lesion appears in the right maxilla 2 years later. The diagnosis of brown tumor was confirmed by the discovery of a parathyroid adenoma. We discuss about this case diagnosis difficulty of brown tumor from the others giant cell lesions of the jaws.