Development of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to evaluate the diagnosis announcement of chronic neurological disease by residents in neurology.

BACKGROUND: There is little consensus on how to make a diagnosis announcement of severe chronic disease in neurology. Other medical specialties, such as oncology, have developed assessment methods similar to the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to address this issue. Here we report the implementation of an OSCE focused on the diagnosis announcement of chronic disease in neurology by residents. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and validity in routine practice of an OSCE combined with a theoretical course focused on diagnosis announcement in neurology. METHOD: Eighteen neurology residents were prospectively included between 2019 and 2022. First, they answered a questionnaire on their previous level of training in diagnosis announcement. Second, in a practical session with a simulated patient, they made a 15-min diagnosis announcement and then had 5mins of immediate feedback with an expert observer, present in the room. The OSCE consisted of 4 different stations, with standardized scenarios dedicated to the announcement of multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Third, in a theory session, expert observers covered the essential theoretical points. All residents and expert observers completed an evaluation of the "practical session" and the "theory session". RESULTS: Residents estimated their previous level of diagnosis announcement training at 3.1/5. The most feared announcements were AD and ALS. The "practical session" was rated at a mean of 4.1/5 by the residents and 4.8/5 by the expert observers, and the "theory session" at a mean of 4.7/5 by the residents and 5/5 by the expert observers. After the OSCEs, 11 residents felt more confident about making an announcement. CONCLUSION: This study has shown a benefit of using an OSCE to learn how to make a diagnosis announcement of severe chronic disease in neurology. OSCEs could be used in many departments in routine practice and seem adapted to residents.

[Identification of factors associated with performance in objective structured clinical examination in Rouen medical school]. / Identification des facteurs associés à la réussite aux examens cliniques objectifs et structurés dans la faculté de médecine de Rouen.

CONTEXT: Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) became a national exam at the end of medical studies in France. The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors for success at OSCEs. METHODS: Aurvey query after the OSCEs was completed by fifth-year medicine students at Rouen Uuniversity.. Data on continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Data on quantitative variables were compared using the Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-nine students, i.e., 98.7 % of the students, responded to the query. The median (IQR 25-75) OSCE score was 13.6/20 (12.5-14.2). Students' personal factors significantly associated with a higher OSCE performance were female sex (median score of 13.7 versus 13.4; P=0.03) and good health during the clerkship (median score of 13.6 versus 12.6; P=0.02). A higher OSCE performance was associated with an increased number (≥6)  of medicine clerkships (median score of 13.8 versus 13.3; P=0.02) and a decreased number (<3) of surgery clerkships (median score of 13.7 versus 12.9; P=0.009). There was no correlation between the OSCE score and medical school performance (Spearman's correlation, r=0.24). CONCLUSION: Homogenization of student's clerkships, assistance to students with health problems seem to be teaching approaches to promote success at OSCEs.

Ovarian fibromatosis and sotos syndrome with a new genetic mutation.

BACKGROUND: Sotos syndrome is one the most common overgrowth conditions, after Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. As with other overgrowth syndromes, Sotos syndrome can be associated with an increased risk of tumors. CASE: We describe a young girl with Sotos syndrome and ovarian fibromatosis with a new mutation not reported before in the literature. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Development of ovarian tumor in Sotos syndrome has been poorly documented. Ovarian fibromatosis is a very rare non neoplastic disease. Management is guided by the benignity of the lesion and consists of surgical excision of the fibroma.

[Continent cystostomy: monocentric experience]. / Cystostomies continentes : expérience monocentrique.

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility, the efficiency, the results of continent cystostomy in adult population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients who underwent a continent cystostomy between 1987 and 2011. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent a continent cystostomy (13 men and 30 women). The mean age at surgery was 53.4±14.6years. The mean BMI was 25kg/m(2). No death in relation with the cystostomy was reported. Thirty-two patients had a neurological pathology (74.4%), 11 a pathology other than neurological (25.6%). A retention bladder was reported for 12 patients (27.9%), 17 (39.5%) were incontinent, and 14 (32.6%) had a mixed symptomatology. All patients had urodynamics and an evaluation of the urinary tract. Nineteen appendicovesicostomy were made, 15 double Monti-procedure, six simple Monti-procedure, three channels were made of an association of ileon and appendix. Seventeen patients underwent an augmentation cystoplasty in combination with the continent catheterizable conduit. The mean follow-up was 47.6±29months. Continence was achieved in 37 patients (86%), two patients underwent a Bricker. Stomal stenosis occurred in eight patients (18.6%), with a median time of 16.1±20.4 months. Leakage occurred after bladder neck closure for two patients (4.6%). Clean intermittent catheterization were performed by 30 patients, catheterization by a care giver for four patients, seven did not use their stomy because of the evolution of their causal pathology, or because of an intercurrent pathology. No difference between the channels (Mitrofanoff versus Monti) was reported. CONCLUSION: Continent catherizable cystostomy were a feasible method of continent urinary diversion in an adult population. This study demonstrated their feasibility in an adult population and their long-term efficiency with a mean follow-up of 47.6months and 127months for one of them. With a rate of continence upper than 80%, it was an effective technique of urinary diversion associated with intermittent catheterization.

[Imaging evaluation of renal function: principles and limitations]. / Mesure de la performance rénale en imagerie: principes et limites.

The kidney performs multiple functions. Glomerular filtration is the most studied of these functions. In clinical practice, the surgical indication for patients with unilateral uropathy is frequently based on the split renal function as demonstrated by scintigraphy. MRI is not yet validated as a technique but nonetheless offers an interesting non-radiating alternative to achieve both morphological and functional renal evaluation. Recent pulse sequences such as diffusion, arterial spin labeling, and blood oxygenation dependent imaging may also provide additional information. CT and US remain of limited value for the evaluation of renal function.

[Sonography with color and pulsed Doppler in fetal pulmonary malformations]. / Apport de l'échographie avec Doppler couleur et pulsé dans les malformations pulmonaires du foetus.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the advantages of color Doppler and pulsed Doppler in the diagnosis and prognosis of fetal pulmonary malformations. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This retrospective study of 24 fetuses explored pulmonary malformations using sonography. A classification into four groups was made based on the presence of cysts and the echogenicity of the lesion, then analysis of video recordings including Doppler with an interpretation chart: afferent vessel, color chart, spectrum shape (afferent vessel and within the malformation) to determine the contribution of Doppler within each group. RESULTS: Four lesions were avascular: bronchogenic cysts (three cases), subphrenic sequestration (one case). The other lesions were vascularized and color Doppler determined the source of vascularization feeding the malformation: branches of the pulmonary artery in 13 cases (eight cases of cystic adenomatoid disease, two cases of atresia, and three airway obstacles) or the aorta in seven cases (pulmonary sequestrations) with pulmonary venous return, six cases (intralobular sequestrations), or systemic venous return, one case (extralobular sequestration). The pulsed Doppler recording in the malformation (six cases) completed the color Doppler examination by showing the different spectrum shapes according to the aortic or pulmonary source of flow. The color chart matched in three cases (normal pulmonary segmentation) and was heterogeneous in eight cases (parenchymatous dysplasia). Furthermore, perfusion intensity was correlated with lesion progression. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler and pulsed Doppler provided a more precise diagnosis of these malformations and seems to contribute prognostic information.

Secondary localisation of an intra-thoracic benign mesenchymoma in the fossa poplitea: a rare paediatric case.

Thymomas are tumours that rarely occur in children, are almost invariably benign, and are usually discovered incidentally in the anterior mediastinum on chest X-rays. Whereas in adults these tumours are often associated with myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune diseases, this occurrence is very rare in the paediatric population. Multiple localisation and/or extra-thoracic recurrence of thymomas in children also appears to be exceptional with no reported cases in the English literature. We report one rare paediatric case.

[Management of meconium peritonitis: a remarkable case of idiopathic meconium peritonitis diagnosed antenatally]. / Prise en charge de la péritonite méconiale: à propos d'un cas singulier de péritonite méconiale idiopathique à révélation anténatale.

Meconium peritonitis is an inflammatory peritonitis induced by meconium extruding into the peritoneal cavity through a perforation of the fetal intestine. Antenatal diagnosis is possible. Prognosis depends on the pathology having caused perforation. This is often unknown. The objectives of this article are to analyze the contribution of antenatal investigations to estimating neonatal prognosis of meconium peritonitis, and to define optimal management. We describe a case of meconium peritonitis diagnosed in utero with particularly severe ultrasound presentation suggesting a potentially lethal course for the neonate. An eutrophic infant was delivered vaginally after preliminary aspiration of the meconium ascites. The neonate presented with a very distended abdomen and responded well to neonatal resuscitation. Laparotomy exploration confirmed the diagnosis of meconium peritonitis. No cause was identified. No obvious perforation was found. The postsurgery period was uneventful. At later follow-up the infant was doing well, free of further problems notably of any digestive disorder. Antenatal ultrasound features suggestive of severe meconium peritonitis are distended fetal bowel loops, huge cystic masses, major meconium ascites, and polyhydramnios. These neonates have a high risk of obstruction and intestinal perforation. Intestinal resection is frequently required. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary more often in these neonates with a higher risk of fatal outcome due to respiratory distress syndrome or surgery complications. Prognosis remains good after antenatal diagnosis for neonates free of cystic fibrosis, providing delivery takes place in a center with adequate technical facilities.

[Prenatally detected multicystic renal dysplasia and associated anomalies of the genito-urinary tract]. / Dysplasie rénale multikystique de diagnostic anténatal et anomalies associées de l'appareil génito-urinaire.

PURPOSE: To analyze the prevalence of genitourinary malformations associated with multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK). PATIENTS: and method: A retrospective analysis of medical and imaging records of 54 neonates who had the prenatal diagnosis of MCDK was carried out. All infants had the following examinations during their first month of life: ultrasound, voiding cystourethrography and intravenous urography. Genital and urinary abnormalities were recorded. RESULTS: Vesicoureteric reflux was present ipsilaterally in 17% cases, on the opposite side in 31% cases. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction was found on the opposite side in 7% cases. Four cases of megaureters, one child with ureteric duplication, 3 boys with posterior urethral valves, 1 with reflux into the ejaculatory duct, one case of megacystis with reflux and one child with ureterocele were identified. Genital anomalies were: 2 cases of seminal vesicle cysts, one case of absent testis, 5 children with inguinal hernia, one boy with incomplete foreskin and one with hypospadias. CONCLUSION: Embryology may explain the highest prevalence of genito-urinary abnormalities on both sides in neonates with MCDK. Hence, a prompt clinical and uroradiological evaluation in these patients with a single functional kidney should be performed.

[Vesicoureteric reflux and functional voiding dysfunction in children]. / Reflux vésico urétéral et troubles mictionnels fonctionnels chez l'enfant.

PURPOSE: To analyze the efficacy of the different treatments of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) associated with reflex bladder sphincter dyssynergia (RBSD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 33 children (28 girls) aged 4 to 12 years presenting reflex bladder sphincter dyssynergia and vesicoureteric reflux have been reviewed. The most common clinical symptom was urinary tract infection. Voiding dysfunction included: dysuria, urinary leak, enuresia, urgency, constipation. In most cases, vesicoureteric reflux was low grade (grade 1, n=9; grade 2, n=18; grade 3, n=6) and bilateral (n=18). Three types of treatments have been utilized: reimplantation, reeducation, medical treatment (diet, antibio-prophylaxis, anti-cholinergics). RESULTS: Eleven children (2 with a solitary kidney) underwent early reimplantation which was effective on vesicoureteric reflux but 6 of them had post-operative voiding dysfunction and 5 had a new episode of urinary infection. Six had reeducation first then they underwent reimplantation. Sixteen children had an exclusive medical treatment (13 with reeducation). In 9 children vesicoureteric reflux disappeared (one child still complains of voiding dysfunction). In 7, voiding dysfunction improved but vesicoureteric reflux is still present. CONCLUSION: The management of vesicoureteric reflux associated with reflex bladder sphincter dyssynergia is complex. Surgery should certainly not be the initial treatment. However, it can remain useful if one wishes to get complete resolution of reflux.

Anaerobic treatment of condensates: trial at a kraft pulp and paper mill.

The Domtar Papers pulp and paper mill in Windsor, Quebec, Canada, investigated the potential for anaerobic treatment of contaminated kraft mill condensates. The objectives of this project were to assess the technical feasibility of replacing the steam stripper with anaerobic treatment, to provide basic information for the design of an anaerobic treatment process for condensates, and to provide information on treated condensate quality for eventual reuse. The project involved extensive chemical characterization of condensates, followed by treatability tests. The tests included laboratory bench-scale tests and on-site pilot testing using direct feed from the process. Characterization showed that the organic content of the condensates was essentially methanol, as expected, but that foul evaporator condensates had high sulfide contents. It was found that undiluted foul condensates at the Windsor mill are toxic to the anaerobic biomass because of these high concentrations of sulfides. Treatment of combined condensates is possible at an approximate volumetric loading of 10 to 12 g/L.d chemical oxygen demand (COD) with good production of biogas (0.35 L/g of COD removed) and excellent methanol removal (better than 95%). The biogas produced is of excellent fuel quality with close to 90% methane, but with a high sulfide content (close to 4%).

[Ultrasound for initial evaluation of post-traumatic renal lesions in children]. / Les ultrasons dans l'exploration initiale des lésions rénales post-traumatiques de l'enfant.

PURPOSE: To describe the findings and limitations of color doppler ultrasound (CDUS) compared to enhanced CT in the evaluation of pediatric renal trauma and to determine the indications for first line imaging work up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 17 children (9 girls) aged 3 to 18 years were shown to have one or multiple post-traumatic renal lesions. All renal lesions were unilateral. All children presented with hematuria (microscopic (n=8), gross (n=7), not specified (n=2)). 16 had CDUS and enhanced CT (gold standard). A 13-year old girl had been imaged by both CDUS and IVU. RESULTS: No correlation between the degree of hematuria and the severity of renal lesion could be found. Final diagnosis was: fracture with uro-hematoma (n=6), contusion (n=5), pedicular lesion (n=2), clotted ureter (n=1), intra cystic hemorrhage (n=1), subcapsular hematoma (n=1), urinoma with no evidence of fracture (n=1), extra-urinary lesion (n=7). In four cases, CDUS was abnormal but the diagnosis of fracture had not been made. In 3 cases, a uro-hematoma was present and CDUS misdiagnosed a pedicular lesion. CONCLUSION: Imaging strategy should not rely on the type of hematuria. Presence of a urinoma alters the sensitivity of CDUS. When performed in ideal conditions, a comprehensive normal CDUS examination is probably sufficient to exclude a major renal injury.

The Mitrofanoff procedure: 20 years later.

PURPOSE: We review our initial cases of continent cystostomy to assess long-term functional results and complications after a minimum of 15 years of followup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1976 and 1984, 23 continent cystostomies were performed on 15 boys and 8 girls with neuropathic bladders. Mean patient age at surgery was 8 years and 4 months (range 3 to 16) and mean followup was 20 years (range 15 to 23). The neurological lesions were due to 21 myelomeningocele (2 associated with an imperforated anus in 21 cases), spinal neuroblastoma in 1 and complex genitourinary malformation associated with an imperforated anus in 1. Closure of the bladder neck was performed in 21 cases (16 during the same procedure, 5 secondarily) and 2 did not undergo this procedure. The appendix was used as the catheterizable conduit in 20 cases, 1 ureter in 2 and a bladder tube in 1. Bladder augmentation was performed during the same procedure in 2 cases and at a later stage in 8. Five patients presented with unilateral or bilateral secondary vesicoureteral reflux. RESULTS: One death occurred after conversion to cutaneous diversion due to a postoperative infection leading to a ventriculoperitoneal valve infection. The remaining 22 patients were followed every 6 to 12 months. No metabolic disorder, secondary malignancy or spontaneous bladder perforation was noted. Bilateral upper tract deterioration was found in 10 cases leading to secondary bladder augmentation by enterocystoplasty in 6 and creation of noncontinent diversion in 4. Leakage occurred after bladder neck closure in 5 patients. Bladder stones were found in 5 patients (2 had prior bladder augmentation). Complications related to the conduit included stomal stenosis or persistent leakage in 11 cases, which required surgical revision and/or repeated dilations and 1 noncontinent diversion after revision failure. Five patients presented with intestinal occlusion due to volvulus in 3 and adhesion in 2. We noted that after 10 years of followup complications were rare and concerned mostly the catheterizable conduit. Therefore, 16 patients had a good and stable result while 6 have noncontinent diversion. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complications has a tendency to decrease with time. The results obtained in this series may appear less satisfactory than those of more recent series, which may be due to the fact that these oldest continent cystostomies correspond to acquisition of experience of this novel approach, and to a period when the concept of low pressure reservoir was not yet established and bladder augmentations were not routinely performed. Since 1984 no continent cystostomy performed at our institution was converted into a noncontinent diversion. This series with long followup demonstrates that continent cystostomy is a procedure with lasting efficiency.

Epididymitis in children: is further investigation necessary after the first episode?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of investigating underlying urinary tract pathology after the first episode of acute epididymitis in children with no prior urological history, and also to assess the possible predictive factors of urological disease at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: Children with acute epididymitis were studied retrospectively over a period of 8 years. Diagnosis was made either using ultrasonography or surgical exploration. Renal ultrasonography and voiding cystourethrography were performed 1 month after epididymitis. RESULTS: These tests were carried out in 38 children who revealed 7 anomalies (18%). Only 1 patient received further surgery : endoscopic treatment of a ureterocele. We also studied 3 predictive factors: age <2 years; recurrence, and urine bacteria. None could be associated with the presence of urinary tract pathology. CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that, when there is no previous urological anomaly and absence of bacteriuria, routine screening for epididymitis should be carried out following the second episode.

[Intestinal volvulus after enterocystoplasty: report of three cases in children]. / Volvulus intestinal après entérocystoplastie: à propos de trois cas chez l'enfant.

Enterocystoplasty complications related to the presence of intestinal mucous presence in the bladder are well known and well reported in the literature. Mechanical problems in the intestinal tract due to using gut for bladder augmentation are not as well recognised. We analyzed three cases of children treated by ileocystoplasty who presented an intestinal volvulus in two cases and a cecal volvulus in one case around the vascular pedicle of the intestinal patch used for bladder augmentation.

Temporary high diversion for posterior urethral valves.

PURPOSE: Temporary high diversion for posterior urethral valves remains controversial. Even in the most severe cases some physicians deny the efficacy of this treatment. They assert that high diversion does not change the outcome of kidney function and has an iatrogenic, deleterious effect on the bladder. We believe that these 2 assertions may be inaccurate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 17 of 120 boys with posterior urethral valves who underwent temporary high diversion via Sober-en-T ureterostomy. This procedure immediately decompresses the upper urinary tract and leaves the bladder functional. Mean duration of diversion was 13 months. Bladder function results were good and diversion clearly had no deleterious effect. However, our series was too small to conclude with certainty that renal function improved due to diversion and not to valve resection only. Rapid improvement in creatinine was noted in all cases after diversion. RESULTS: In this study we reviewed opposing opinions. It appears clearly evident that physicians who believe that ureterostomy creates a valve bladder are considering only loop diversion, which temporarily defunctionalizes the bladder. On the contrary, Sober-en-T diversion preserves bladder cycling. In addition, those who report poor kidney function after high diversion fail to mention that this procedure is usually performed only in the most severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: For severe cases of posterior urethral valves one should not hesitate to create temporary high diversion, which may possibly improve renal function. Sober-en-T ureterostomy does not damage the bladder.

Enterocystoplasty complications in children. A study of 30 cases.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Bladder augmentation for small vesical capacity represents an important aid to these patients, but the appearance of complications is not rare. We analysed the complications of the enterocystoplasty techniques used in our Department. METHODS: From 1983 to 1997 sixteen girls and fourteen boys were treated. We performed 28 bladder augmentations (in 13 cases using small bowel, in one case using ileum and caecum and in 14 cases using sigmoid colon) and 2 bladder substitutions (in one case with ileum and sigmoid colon and in the second using a colonic segment). RESULTS: Twelve children present recurrent urinary infections. In five children bladder stones were formed (among them a case of familial cystinuria-lysinuria). Two children presented intestinal volvulus and another one a caecal volvulus. In two children a perforation of the augmented bladder was treated operatively. An 11-years-old child presented severe electrolyte disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: The complications presented in our patients confirm the view that they are associated with intestinal mucosa in the bladder and our study proves, once more, the current necessity to seek alternative tissues for bladder augmentation.

Post-traumatic arterial priapism in the child: a study of four cases.

The authors report four cases of arterial priapism in the child, a rare condition since only 13 cases are described in the literature. High-flow priapism follows perineal or penile injury with damage to a cavernosal artery and formation of an arteriosinusoidal fistula. The onset may be immediate but more often occurs after a few days. Arterial priapism is painless, as the corpora cavernosa are less tumescent in the anterior third of the penis. The clinical appearance and circumstances of onset suggest the diagnosis. Doppler ultrasound is the complementary investigation of choice, confirming and localising the fistula. Various methods of treatment have been proposed. Injections of alphastimulant seem ineffective in most cases and are not without danger. Surgery, which is potentially damaging, has been used only in the adult. Most authors propose embolising with resorbable material the artery which feeds the fistula. However, priapism may resolve spontaneously in less than three weeks, as occurred in our cases, without recurrence or subsequent erectile dysfunction. We thus consider the condition may initially be managed by observation alone, with recourse to embolisation if priapism does not resolve after a period of time which however remains to be defined.