Neurological and Cardiovascular Complications Revealing Biermer's Disease: A Case Report.

Biermer's disease (BD) or pernicious anemia (PA) is an autoimmune atrophic gastritis characterized by the absence of intrinsic factor (IF) secretion, leading to malabsorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum. Its clinical manifestations are primarily hematological, with neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular manifestations being less common. We present the case of a patient with PA diagnosed based on neurological and cardiovascular complications. The patient, a 56-year-old man with no specific medical history, presented with an episode of melena without other associated digestive symptoms. He also complained of memory and gait disturbances. Clinical examination revealed a cerebellar ataxia with impaired proprioceptive and vibratory sensitivity, and a swollen and red right lower limb with a positive Homan sign. The blood count showed macrocytic anemia. Gastroscopy revealed flattened fundic folds resembling a fundus appearance, and histopathological examination confirmed fundic atrophic gastritis with pseudopyloric metaplasia and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Anti-intrinsic factor antibodies were positive, while anti-parietal cell antibodies were negative. Vitamin B12 levels were severely low, and vitamin B9 levels were normal. TSH and HbA1c levels were within normal ranges. The abdominal CT scan showed no abnormalities. Lower limb Doppler ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Cardiac evaluation revealed sinus bradycardia suggestive of secondary dysautonomia. Therapeutically, the patient was started on vitamin B12 supplementation and anticoagulant therapy for DVT, resulting in a good clinical and biological outcome.

Erythromelalgia Secondary to Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Alpha Therapy: A Report of Two Cases.

Erythromelalgia is a rare syndrome with a generally unknown etiology. Whether primary or secondary, this condition is characterized by paroxysmal episodes of erythema, pain, and heat in the extremities. We report two cases of erythromelalgia occurring after the initiation of treatment with infliximab. The first case involves a 38-year-old patient who had been followed since August 2022 for ileocolonic Crohn's disease classified as A2L3B3 according to the Montreal classification, which was resistant to treatment and required infliximab therapy. Two months after the first infusion of infliximab, the patient developed symptoms of erythromelalgia. After ruling out other potential causes through an etiological assessment and conducting a pharmacological investigation, infliximab was considered the most likely cause. Infliximab was discontinued, and symptomatic treatment was initiated, including vascular laser sessions. The patient showed significant clinical improvement. In the second case, a 16-year-old patient with ileocolonic Crohn's disease classified as A1L3B3 according to the Montreal classification was treated with ileocecal resection and received an infusion of infliximab. Sixteen days after the second infusion, she developed clinical symptoms of erythromelalgia. The etiological assessment was inconclusive. Due to a strong suspicion of erythromelalgia secondary to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor therapy, infliximab was replaced with ustekinumab. The patient also received symptomatic treatment, and her clinical condition improved, marked by the disappearance of pain.

A Rare Case of Tuberculosis Revealed by Acute Appendicitis: A Case Report.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis (TB) is the 13th cause of death worldwide and the second infectious killer after HIV. It is an endemic disease in Morocco. Isolated appendicular TB is an uncommon form of extrapulmonary TB. We report a case of a 26-year-old woman admitted for acute abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Physical examination and abdominal ultrasound confirmed appendicitis. Surgery was performed and revealed on histopathological examination of the resected appendix the diagnosis of tubercular appendicitis. The patient was initiated on the conventional antitubercular regimen for six months and would be followed up appropriately. This case report highlights the importance of histopathological examination of appendicectomy specimens in order to diagnose rare diseases such as primary TB of the appendix.

[Common variable immune deficiency complicated by amyloidosis: a case report]. / Le déficit immunitaire commun variable compliqué d'une amylose: à propos d'un cas.

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic immunodeficiency in adults, but it remains rare. It is characterized by its extremely heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum. We here report the case of a 39-year-old patient presenting with chronic diarrhoea with anal fistula. Laboratory tests showed inflammatory syndrome and malabsorption syndrome, hypogammaglobulinemia on serum protein electrophoresis, global hypogammaglobulinemia in weight-based assignments for immunoglobulin and a low level of lymphocytes in the analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations, thus confirming the diagnosis of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) complicated by systemic AA amyloidosis identified by amyloid deposits in the biopsies. This study highlights the importance of paying attention to common gastrointestinal symptoms of immune deficiency and to suspect it in patients with treatment-resistant symptoms.

[Gastrointestinal bleeding due to the expulsion of cyanoacrylate glue after endoscopic embolization of gastric varices: a case report]. / Hémorragie digestive par expulsion de colle biologique après obturation endoscopique de varice gastrique: à propos d'un cas.

Embolization of gastric varices with cyanoacrylate glue is the treatment of choice for digestive bleeding due to rupture of gastric varices. Gastrointestinal bleeding due to the expulsion of cyanoacrylate glue after gluing of gastric varices is a rare complication. We here report the case of a 65-year-old female patient on cirrhosis and decompensation treatment, undergoing cyanoacrylate glue of gastric varices 3 months before her admission for upper gastrointestinal bleeding; oesogastroduodenal fibroscopy objectified oesophageal varices grade 2 with ulcerated gastric varices and active bleeding due to the expulsion of cyanoacrylate glue. The patient received blood transfusion and sandostatin as well as cyanoacrylate gluing of GOV2 with no complications. Gastrointestinal bleeding after expulsion of cyanoacrylate glue is a serious complication of gluing. Few cases have been described in the literature that required, most often, endoscopic hemostasis.

[Autoimmune hepatitis following acute severe Epstein-Barr virus hepatitis]. / Hépatite auto-immune déclenchée après une hépatite aiguë grave à Epstein Barr virus.

Non-alphabetical hepatitis (Epstein Barr virus -EBV-, cytomegalovirus -CMV-, Herpes simplex virus -HSV-, varicella zoster virus -VZV-etc.) may be a mode of revelation of several underlying chronic liver diseases including autoimmune hepatitis (HAI). We report a peculiar case of acute EBV hepatitis, revealing type I autoimmune hepatitis confirmed by liver biopsy through puncture in a female patient on breast cancer treatment. The study involved a 29-year-old female patient on breast cancer treatment scheduled to receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, hospitalized for acute severe hepatitis (fever with jaundice, hypertransaminasemia (normal AST level 47 and normal ALT level 23 and prothrombin activity 25%). The test for viral hepatitis A, B, C, and E was negative and subhepatic veins were free on doppler. Non-alphabetical hepatitis was suspected based on fever with jaundice. Patient's assessment showed recent EBV infection diagnosed on the basis of the presence of anti-VAC IgM/G and anti-EBNA Ab IgG. The patient received acyclovir for 10 days. Progression was marked by ascites. The diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis was retained based on laboratory tests (gamma peak on serum protein electrophoresis and positive anti-nuclear antibodies) and histological examination. Clinical-biological remission was obtained with corticosteroid therapy. EBV infections should be investigated in immunocompromised patients with fever in the clinical course of acute hepatitis. Practitioners should also suspect it in patients with persistent cytolysis following an infectious episode in order to prevent the occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis, in particular in female patients, in a context of self-immunity and negative serological tests for alphabetical viral hepatitis.

[Krukenberg tumour: about 5 cases]. / Tumeur de Krukenberg: à propos de 5 cas.

Krukenberg tumours are rare, often bilateral ovarian malignant tumours secondary to muco-secreting gastric cancer, in 90% of cases. We collected data from patients' medical records over a period of 17years, between January 2002 and January 2019. These patients had Krukenberg tumors for which they were treated in the Department of Hepato-Gastro-Enterology at the Ibn Rochd Hospital University. The purpose of this retrospective, descriptive study was to update the current understanding of this type of neoplasm characterized by poor prognosis, in order to improve diagnostic performance and therapeutic treatment. The average age of our patients was 42 years, ranging between 25 and 61 years. Ascites was the most common manifestation and was reported in 80% of cases. Radiological assessment highlighted ovarian tumor of variable size and echo structure, unilateral in 60% of cases. Oeso-gastroduodenal fibroscopy showed gastric process in 4 patients. Surgical exploration and immunohistochemical examination of biopsic specimens resulted in the correct diagnosis of cancer of the transverse colon with massive locoregional extension and gastric infiltration in one case. The fifth patient underwent exploratory laparotomy which revealed metastatic colonic neoplasia. Radical surgery could be performed only in two patients, in the other two cases only biopsies were performed due to the late stage of the disease. One patient had profoundly altered general state and was at high-risk for anaesthetic, then surgical procedure could not be performed. Only two patients received postoperative chemotherapy. Fatal outcome was reported in 100% of cases. This study reconfirms the catastrophic prognosis of Krukenberg tumor based on its insidious evolution often leading to late diagnosis and to a clear misunderstanding of its etiopathogenesis. We conclude that the improvement of survival chances is based on systematic assessment of ovaries in patients with digestive neoplasia. Some authors also affirm that prophylactic ovariectomy should be performed in women older than 40 years who have undergone gastrointestinal cancer surgery.

[An ileo-caecal foreign body mimicking a Crohn disease: case report]. / Corps étranger iléo-caecal mimant une maladie de Crohn: rapport de cas.

Foreign-body ingestion is a common cause of admission to the Division of Gastroenterology. However foreign-body lodged in the ileocecal region is very rare. This study aims to report the exceptional case of a patient with a foreign body lodged in the ileocecal region revealed by sub-occlusive syndromes. The study involved a patient aged 22 years with no particular past medical history, presenting with König's syndrome evolving in a context of alteration of the general state. Anatomopathological examination of surgical ileocecal specimen performed after inconclusive endoscopy, histologic examination of the biopsies and scannography, showed ileocecal thickening due to infammatory response to a foreign body. In the absence of anamnestic data, ileocecal foreign body poses a real problem of differential diagnosis including inflammatory, infectious and tumoral diseases of the ileocecal junction. The presence of a foreign body may be revealed by occlusive complications or perforations, hence the essential role of imaging. Endoscopy always plays a central diagnostic and therapeutic role in the management of ingested foreign bodies, thus reducing surgical morbidity (although it is sometimes unavoidable). Anatomopathological study shows foreign body granuloma. Cases of foreign body lodged in the ileocecal region have been rarely reported. Now they should be suspected in patients with any symptom, including ileocecal junction disorders, in order to avoid side effects and complications due to heavy treatments.

[Common variable immune deficiency lately revealed by gastrointestinal problems: about a case]. / Le déficit immunitaire commun variable à révélation tardive par des manifestations digestives: à propos d'un cas.

Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) is rare. It is a constitutional deficit of humoral immunity characterized by recurrent bacterial infections and by increased frequency of tumors, autoimmune or granulomatous diseases. Gastrointestinal manifestations are very variable and sometimes reveal common variable immune deficiency. We report the case of a 31-year old patient with a history of childhood recurrent respiratory infections complicated by bronchiectasis and with a 3-year history of recurrent glairy diarrhea. Etiological balance was in favor of CVID with autoimmune manifestation (vitiligo). Patient's treatment was based on monthly immunoglobulin (Ig) infusions with favorable outcome at 2-year follow-up.

[Gastric trichobezoar: about a case]. / Trichobézoard gastrique: à propos d'un cas.

Trichobezoar is rare, most often asymptomatic condition which can be easily diagnosed using oesogastroduodenal fibroscopy. Treatment is usually based on surgery. We here report the case of a 16-year old girl who underwent gastric trichobezoar extraction via gastrotomy, without complications. The patient even underwent psychiatric treatment.

Hepatic primary neuroendocrine carcinoma: about a new case.

We report a new case of Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma admitted in our hospital and revealed in 53 years man by epigastric pain and flush syndrome. A liver biopsy with immunohistochemical study confirmed the original location of a neuroendocrine carcinoma. After 12 cures of Chemotherapy and a follow up of 12 months, the patient is still in complete remission.

Risk factors for liver fibrosis among human immunodeficiency virus monoinfected patients using the FIB4 index in Morocco.

AIM: To study the prevalence and risk factors of significant hepatic fibrosis in Moroccan human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) monoinfected patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV monoinfected patients (negative for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody). Clinical and laboratory data were collected from the data base of the Infectious Diseases Unit in Ibn Rochd Hospital Center [age, gender, duration of HIV infection, CD4 T lymphocyte count, HIV viral load, glycemia and current or prior use of antiretroviral and antiretroviral therapy (ART) duration]. The primary outcome was a FIB4 score > 1.45. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent risk factors for FIB4 > 1.45. RESULTS: A FIB4 score > 1.45 was identified in 96 among 619 (15.5%). HIV monoinfected patients followed up between September 1990 and September 2012. Multivariate analysis showed that only a viral load > 75 (OR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.36-3.67), CD4 > 200 cells/mm(3) (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.21-0.72) and age at FIB4 index calculation (OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 1.07-1.13) were independently associated with the occurrence of FIB4 index (> 1.45). Gender, duration of HIV infection, glycemia, use of antiretroviral therapy and ART duration were not associated with significant fibrosis by FIB4. CONCLUSION: FIB4 score > 1.45 was found in 15.5% of Moroccan HIV monoinfected patients. Age, HIV viremia > 75 copies/mL and CD4 count > 200 cells/mm(3) are associated with liver fibrosis. Further studies are needed to explore mechanisms for fibrosis in HIV monoinfected patients.

Echocardiography as a guide for patent ductus arteriosus ibuprofen treatment and efficacy prediction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate echocardiography criteria in predicting the response to ibuprofen treatment. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of preterm infants untreated or treated with ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus. SETTING: Three academic neonatal intensive care units. PATIENTS: Two hundred fifty-two preterm infants of 27-31 wks gestation. INTERVENTIONS: Ibuprofen treatment within the first 5 days of life was indicated when at least two out of four conventional echocardiography criteria were observed: ductal diameter >2 mm, left-right ductal shunt maximum velocity <2 m/sec, mean flow velocity in left pulmonary artery >0.4 m/sec, and end-diastolic flow velocity in left pulmonary artery >0.2 m/sec. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the infants analyzed, 135 had a closed ductus at an average age of 1.9 ± 0.9 days, and 43 had an open ductus but <2 predefined criteria. Seventy-four infants (29%) received ibuprofen on day 2.2 ± 1.1. Sixteen infants failed ibuprofen and nine had to undergo surgical ligation. The left-right ductal shunt maximum velocity criterion had the best negative predictive value for treatment response, while the ductal diameter criterion had the best positive predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography may be a useful tool to help patent ductus arteriosus management. A combined use of ductal diameter and left-right ductal shunt maximum velocity criteria allows a more accurate prediction of the response of infants with patent ductus arteriosus to ibuprofen treatment.

[Experiment of self blood pressure measurement at home in haemodialysis patients in a hospital unit]. / Expérience de l'automesure tensionnelle à domicile chez des patients hémodialysés dans une unité hospitalière.

We analyzed, by home blood pressure (BP) self-measurement and conventional predialytic measurement of BP, a cohort of haemodialysis patients in two hospital units between 2008 and 2010. All patients who already own a BP self-measurement device were included in this study. BP was recorded by the two methods for one week. The number of patients with a validated self-measurement device was 69 of 350 (21%) and 60 patients were included in analyses. These patients were divided into 23 (38%) permanent uncontrolled hypertensive (elevated BP at home and in hospital), 13 (22%) masked hypertensive (normal BP in hospital and elevated at home), eight (13%) white coat hypertensive (elevated BP in hospital and normal at home), and 16 (27%) permanent controlled normotensive (normal BP in hospital and at home). Patient compliance with all the self BP measurements was 95%. We did not find in this cohort the factors associated with masked hypertension in the general population such as being male, smoking and high body mass index. These results obtained in an in-hospital dialysis unit should be extrapolated with caution to all haemodialysis patients. However it is, to our knowledge, the first study on home BP self-measurement published in patients undergoing haemodialysis in France. A significant proportion of patients have masked hypertension. This should alert clinicians because of the poor cardiovascular prognosis associated with masked hypertension.

[Primary anorectal melanoma]. / Mélanome anorectal primitif.

OBJECTIVE: To specify the clinical and therapeutic aspects of anorectal melanoma. METHODS: Nine cases of malignant anorectal melanoma were managed in the department of gastroenterology of the Ibn Rochd university hospital in Casablanca between 1984 and 2002. RESULTS: There were 5 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 61 years. Clinical symptoms were dominated by rectal bleeding (7 cases) and rectal syndrome (5 cases). The tumor was blackish in 4 cases. Extension staging showed metastases in the liver in one patient and in the bones in another. One patient had undergone abdominoperineal resection, two transanal tumor resection, and in one patient radiotherapy was applied. Five patients refused any treatment. The outcome was marked by remission in 2 cases with an event free survival respectively of 10 and 21 months. Three patients died because of visceral metastases. Four patients were lost to follow-up. DISCUSSION: The prognosis of anorectal melanoma is frightening because of late diagnosis and high malignancy potential. Treatment is based essentially on surgery.