Influenza vaccination is safe and effective in patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome.

The fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is considered to result from the exposure of a genetically susceptible individual to various triggers, such as physical trauma, stress, viral infections etc. A possible role of vaccination in FMS etiology has been suspected. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of influenza vaccination in FMS patients. Nineteen FMS patients underwent physical and dolorimetric examinations and answered the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), the widespread pain index (WPI) checklist and the symptoms severity scale (SSS), which are part of the 2010 diagnostic criteria. Thirty-eight healthy subjects were recruited as controls. All participants were vaccinated with the inactivated split virion influenza vaccine. Serum was collected for antibody titration. Six weeks after vaccination, sera were tested by hemagglutination (HI) against A/California (H1N1), A/Perth (H3N2) and B/Brisbane. Humoral response was defined as either a fourfold or greater increase in titer, or an increase from a non-protective baseline level of <1/40 to a level of 1/40. No severe vaccination reactions were observed. No significant change was observed between WPI, SSS and FIQ values before and after vaccination, indicating no worsening of FMS symptoms. Vaccine immunogenicity: Six weeks after vaccination, FMS patients showed a significant increase in geometric mean titers of HI antibody. The rates of sero-protection increased from 22.9% for H1N1 to 89.5% post-vaccination. A significant increase in HI antibody titers was also demonstrated among healthy controls. Influenza vaccination was both safe and effective in FMS patients. In view of these results, FMS patients should be encouraged to undergo influenza vaccination according to the standard WHO recommendations.

The use of ultrasound for the assessment of enthesitis in patients with spondyloarthritis.

Seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA) represents a group of diseases that share certain genetic, clinical, and radiographic features. Enthesitis, inflammation at the site of tendon insertion into the bone, involving both the axial and the peripheral joints, is an important sign of SpA. Clinical diagnosis of enthesitis, however, is neither sensitive nor specific; thus, the diagnosis of enthesitis often relies on typical abnormalities in imaging studies. Due to its low costs and availability, ultrasound is emerging as the preferred technique for detection of enthesitis for both clinical and research purposes. Ultrasonographic features of enthesitis include tendon hypoechogenicity and thickening, calcifications, bone erosions, and Doppler signal. Several semi-quantitative scoring systems have been developed to quantify ultrasonographic abnormalities of the entheses. These methods have been used for early diagnosis and classification of SpA as well as for monitoring response to treatment.

[Haemothorax revealing thoracic endometriosis]. / Hémothorax spontané révélant une endométriose pleurale.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic endometriosis (TE) is a rare disorder affecting women during their reproductive years. Manifestations of TE include pneumothorax and haemothorax. Treatment is based on surgical and hormonal therapy that aims at eradicating existing endometrial thoracic plaques and to prevent reseeding from pelvic endometriosis. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 36 year-old young woman presenting thoracic endometriosis revealed by a recurring spontaneous, large and isolated right haemothorax. Diagnosis, pathogeny and treatment are discussed. CONCLUSION: Thoracic endometriosis needs to be considered as a cause of haemothorax in women of childbearing age.

Effect of a calcium-enriched diet on the colonic epithelial hyperproliferation induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in rats on a low calcium and fat diet.

We examined whether hyperproliferation of colonic crypt epithelium during cancer induction by N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), in rats on a low fat and calcium diet could be reduced by added calcium p.o. From the age of 4 weeks, 104 male Sprague-Dawley rats received a low fat (3.5%), low calcium (0.05% calcium ion), and low vitamin D (0.4 IU/g) diet. Sixty-four also had calcium salts, derived from either calcium lactate or solubilized calcium carbonate, added to their drinking water; therefore their total calcium intake was about 1% of daily diet. At age 12 weeks the rats were divided into 4 treatment groups: 8 rats, not receiving added calcium, had rectal saline instillations weekly (saline control group) and were sacrificed after a further 28 weeks; 3 groups of 32 rats each received intrarectal MNNG (1.5 mg) weekly. One group, not receiving added calcium, was the MNNG control group; while the second group also received added calcium lactate, and the third group received calcium carbonate. Groups of 24 were sacrificed periodically until 28 weeks of treatment. Rats were sacrificed and epithelial proliferation was estimated, 1 week after the last intrarectal instillation, by in vivo labeling with tritiated thymidine and measuring the ratio of labeled to total colonic crypt epithelial cells. The mean labeling index of the MNNG treated and added calcium groups were significantly higher (8.7-9.5%) than that of the saline controls (2.8%) only at week 28; however, it was then still significantly less than that of the MNNG controls not having added calcium (17.9%). Hyperproliferation, during induction of colonic cancer by MNNG in rats on a low calcium diet, can be reduced by a calcium enriched diet even in the presence of a low fat intake.

Isocratic non-aqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of capsanthin and capsorubin in red peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), paprika and oleoresin.

A simple, rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method has been devised in order to separate and quantify the xanthophylls capsorubin and capasanthin present in red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits and preparations made from them (paprika and oleoresin). A reversed-phase isocratic non-aqueous system allows the separation of xanthophylls within a few minutes, with detection at 450 nm, using methyl red as internal standard to locate the various carotenoids and xanthophylls found in plant extracts. The selection of extraction solvents, mild saponification conditions, and chromatographic features is evaluated and discussed. The method is proposed for rapid screening of large plant populations, plant selection, as well as for paprika products and oleoresin, and also for nutrition and quality control studies.

Cervico-vaginal fistula and spontaneous mid-trimester abortion.

An unusual complication of spontaneous second trimester abortion which was unaided by external agents is presented. We found no similar case in the literature.

[Sonographic demonstration of pseudo-cholelithiasis after ceftriaxone].

The term biliary pseudolithiasis was coined by Schaad (1988) to describe the appearance of gallbladder sludge following treatment with ceftriaxone. After cessation of the drug the condition resolves, hence the term "pseudolithiasis." The third generation cephalosporin, cefatriaxone, is a very potent, broad spectrum antibiotic indicated in meningitis, osteomyelitis, pyelonephritis, Lyme disease and many other severe infectious diseases. Up to 46% of those receiving this antibiotic develop gallbladder sludge. Most are asymptomatic, but a small proportion may develop right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and even cholecystitis. Ultrasonography may demonstrate many, small, echogenic particles within the gallbladder, as well as larger echogenic foci casting acoustic shadows. However, it can not differentiate these pseudostones from real stones. There are reports of surgical intervention in such cases. 2 boys, aged 5 and 10 years, respectively, treated with ceftriaxone for meningitis are presented. Both developed symptoms during treatment and in both gallbladder sludge was identified by ultrasonography. In 1 intraluminal gallbladder findings were identical with the appearance of surgical stones. Follow-up ultrasonography after the drug was stopped showed no evidence of pseudostones in either case. Awareness of this phenomena might save many unnecessary operations.

[Ultrasound in suspected intussusception].

Intussusception is one of the main abdominal emergencies in children. Accuracy of clinical diagnosis is poor and in only 30-40% of cases is the clinical diagnosis of intussusception confirmed. Many unnecessary barium enemas are performed due to clinical misdiagnosis. Sonography can demonstrate intussusception, is widely available, easily performed, does not produce radiation and can be used to screen suspected cases. From 1991-1993, in 6 of 14 consecutive cases of clinically suspected intussusception the ultrasound examination was positive. In 4 of them barium enema revealed intussusception, which was reduced by the barium enema procedure. A child was sent for surgery because ultrasonography showed a duplication cyst which was considered the leading point for the bowel invagination. In the last case surgery for bowel obstruction revealed impacted stool misdiagnosed by ultrasound as an intussusception mass. In all the 8 cases in which ultrasound was negative, follow-up confirmed the absence of intussusception. The sensitivity of the ultrasound examination was 100% and the negative predictive value 100%. These results are not in accord with those of other authors. We find ultrasound a reliable imaging modality for the diagnosis of intussusception. It can identify leading points as well as other causes for the clinical presentation, including ovarian torsion or appendicitis.

[Timing of ultrasound examination in the detection of neonatal hydronephrosis].

The diagnosis of fetal hydronephrosis requires that there be ultrasound follow-up during the neonatal period. In most cases the dilatation of the renal collecting system regresses and no further diagnostic work-up is needed. A persistently dilated collecting system might be the result of obstruction, in which case surgical intervention should be considered. The ultrasound examination is the key factor in deciding whether to proceed with invasive procedures (cystography, intravenous pyelography or renal isotopic scan) or to stop urological investigation. The case presented emphasizes the importance of the timing of the first ultrasonographic study after birth. Ultrasound examination performed within the first 48 hours can lead to false negative results.

[Intraoperative hepatic ultrasound, and surgical decision making].

Surgical resection of liver metastases might improve patient survival. Their number, location and relation to the intrahepatic blood vessels are of great importance in deciding whether to operate, the kind of operation (such as lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection) and the surgical approach. Preoperative imaging modalities, including US, CT, MRI, isotope-scanning and sometimes portal angiography, are not sensitive enough to diagnose many liver lesions. Also, in many cases they do not give an absolute answer regarding the exact segmental location of the lesion and its relations to the major blood vessels. Intraoperative ultrasound is sensitive enough to detect most liver lesions, to locate them by liver segment, and to define their relationship to the hepatic vasculature.

[Percutaneous drainage of splenic abscesses under ultrasound].

A splenic abscess is considered life-threatening. Traditionally the treatment of choice has been splenectomy, which has relatively high morbidity and mortality and results in increased susceptibility to infection. Percutaneous drainage can be an alternative treatment for splenic abscesses and might avoid splenectomy. 2 cases of splenic abscess are presented: 1 had typhoid fever and the other had had a left hemicolectomy. In both cases external aspiration was performed twice and a catheter was left in the drained cavity after the second aspiration. There was no clinical improvement in the patient with typhoid fever and splenectomy had to be performed. In the other drainage was followed by marked regression of symptoms. We suggest that percutaneous drainage can be safely used for splenic abscesses. Splenectomy should be reserved for those in whom drainage does not lead to improvement.

[Sonographic imaging of Ascaris lumbricoides].

The round worm, Ascaris lumbricoides, is one of the largest of the parasites that infest the human bowel. The worms usually develop in the jejunum and can reach several thousand in number, causing bowel obstruction, volvulus, intussusception, appendicitis and even bowel perforation with penetration into the peritoneal cavity. They tend to invade the bile and pancreatic ducts and may cause acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis. Ascaris lumbricoides can be detected by sonography. This imaging modality can be helpful in diagnosing the presence of the worms and in evaluating response to treatment. We present an 18-month-old girl in whom bowel worms were detected by sonography.

[Trichobezoars].

Trichobezoars are accumulations of hair casts in the stomach associated with trichophagia. The typical patient is an adolescent female who presents with alopecia and an upper abdominal mass which on moving can cause intermittent gastric outlet obstruction. Only a minority of patients have severe psychiatric disorders. When hair strands extend from the main mass in the stomach, all along the small bowel and reaching the cecum, the condition is termed the Rapunzel syndrome. In about 5% of patients there are separate hair masses in the stomach. The clinical presentation includes abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight-loss, vomiting, loose stools, pancreatitis, jaundice, anemia and hypoalbuminemia. These signs and symptoms raise the suspicion of malignancy. Complications of bezoars include ulcers, perforation of the bowel, obstruction and intussusception. Diagnosis can be established either by barium swallow or by CT scan. Ultrasound might suggest the diagnosis, but sonographic features are definitely not pathognomonic. Treatment is surgical, as endoscopic removal is usually unsuccessful. We present 2 children in whom trichobezoars were found.

[The fate of gallstones dropped during laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the procedure of choice for removing symptomatic, stone-containing gallbladders. It is estimated that in 30-40% of these operations stone(s) spill into the peritoneal cavity. It was assumed that these "dropped stones" are harmless and are dissolved and absorbed spontaneously. We present a 70-year-old woman in whom such a stone, dropped during laparoscopy, led to formation of an intraperitoneal abscess.