[A specific plain X-ray in the diagnosis of elongated styloid apophysis in the Ivory Cost]. / Intérêt du profil oblique menton dégagé dans le diagnostic des apophyses styloïdes allongées en Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVES: To appreciate the value of a simple radiographic incidence and its effectiveness for the search and the measurement of elongated styloid apophysis (ESA) and to recommend it in the routine search of ESA in practice. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This prospective study was realized over a period of 3 years. It involved the study of ESA from conventional radiographic imaging; the face low incidence in comparison with an experimental incidence, the oblique profile chin lift (OPCL). 101 patients presenting with stylalgia were investigated. RESULTS: Out of the 101 patients, the low face cliché found 49 ESA having an average length of 5 cm. The OPCL allowed to identify 63 ESA, 54 of which were bilateral and 9 unilateral. It also helped identify other associated abnormalities: otitis media (5 cases), dental pathologies (4 cases), dental condensing osteitis (2 cases). The comparative analysis demonstrated a better efficiency of the OPCL in comparison to the standard incidence: the LOW FACE (Roc curve). The OPCL allowed the exposure in one incidence the styloid process and to better appreciate the lower and superior borders of the styloid process giving a better estimate of its measurements. CONCLUSION: It appears from this study that the experimental incidence, the OPCL presents a real interest in the investigation of the ESA but also in the study of the soft tissues of the pharynx, the cervical spine, and the temporo-mastoid region. It also allows the detection of other.

[Spondylodiscitis in Côte d'Ivoire: findings of computed tomography scan in 18 cases]. / Spondylodiscites en Côte d'Ivoire: aspects tomodensitométriques de 18 observations.

The aim of this study was to document computed tomography (CT) scan findings and nosological characteristics in patients managed for spondylodiscitis in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. This retrospective study was carried out over a two-year period (January 2006 to December 2007). A total of 18 cases of spondylodiscitis assessed in the radiology department of Yopougon Teaching Hospital in Abidjan were included. Mean patient age was 39.4 years. Seven patients (38.9%) had positive HIV serology. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was the main causative agent of spondylodiscitis accounting for 94.4% of cases. Only one case (5.6%) of pyogenic spondylodiscitis (staphylococcus aureus) was observed. The upper back was the preferential location (55.6%) of spondylodiscitis. Both discs and vertebral bodies were involved in all cases. Associated manifestations included balance impairment (dorsal kyphosis) (11.2%), soft tissue abscess (44.4%), vertebral compression (11.2%), epiduritis (16.7%), and medullar compression (16.7%). This study shows that CT scan not only plays a decisive role in early positive diagnosis of spondylodiscitis but also contributes to therapy by guiding biopsy to obtain samples necessary to identify the causal germ and assess disco-vertebral involvement. Findings also show that most cases of spondylodiscitis in Abidjan are related to tuberculosis and located in the upper back.