Mondor's disease of the breast: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Mondor's disease of the breast (MDB) is a rare and benign disorder of the breast. It is characterized by thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the chest wall. Clinically, it manifests as a cord-like induration of the breast area. MDB resolves spontaneously without sequela. CASE PRESENTATION: We report cases of three Caucasian African patients aged 29, 40 and 34, respectively. One patient was under progestative contraception. All the patients had a cord-like induration on the chest wall. Ultrasonography was performed in all patients and was normal in two cases and showed a thrombotic vein in one case. All the patients had symptomatic treatment with total resolution of symptoms within 1 to 4 weeks. No relapse was observed. CONCLUSION: MDB is benign in most cases. However, it is not to be taken lightly, because it can be the manifestation of an underlying disease such as breast cancer. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings; ultrasonography can be helpful for the diagnosis. Treatment is based on analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Giant Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the abdomen and pelvis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma (DFS) is a rare malignant cutaneous neoplasm characterized by local aggressiveness, high risk of recurrence, and low metastatic potential. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old Tunisian man with recurrent abdominopelvic DFS for which he had undergone multiple excisions presented with an extensive DFS that invaded the external genitals. He underwent a large excision with emasculation and thin cutaneous graft of the abdominal wall and local skin flap in the pelvis. CONCLUSION: DFS is a rare yet recurrent skin tumor. Wide excision with free margins remains the cornerstone of treatment. We report a case of a giant DFS treated with wide excision and reconstructive surgery to cover the defect.

Is the systematic circumferential tumor cavity shaving a representative sample for the remaining mammary gland? About 75 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The conservative surgery is more and more indicated for breast cancer. However, we still fear local recurrence which is mostly due to residual tumors?. Several techniques have been used to minimize theses residual tumors; one of them is the systematic circumferential tumor cavity shaving (SCTCS). METHODS: We sampled 75 female patients who had conservative surgery with positive shaved margins in the anatomopathology examination and to whom a complementary treatment with mastectomy have been decided. RESULTS: The median age was 48 years old. The median tumor size was 23 mm. In the histological examination of the tumors, 93% were invasive ductal carcinoma associated in 50% of the cases to the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) where all the lumpectomies had clear margin. For the SCTCS, 62,2% were DCIS and in 17,6% of the cases were invasive ductal carcinoma. A complementary treatment with mastectomy was indicated to all the patients. A residual tumor was detected in the remaining mammary gland in 47,7% of the cases out of which 50% were DCIS. Local recurrence happened in three patients (4,6%) after a median of follow up of 36 months. The overall survival and the disease free survival at five years were respectively 83,6% and 75,5%. CONCLUSION: Standardized lumpectomy cavity shaving provides a backup to lumpectomy margins in conservative breast surgery but it can also be used as a sample for the remaining breast, helping to detect the residual tumor, and decreasing the rates of local recurrence after BCT.

[Why and how to perform an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block: A step-by-step approach]. / Le TAP block échoguidé pas à pas : pourquoi et comment le réaliser ?

Used in clinical practice as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen, the transversus abdominis plane block (TAP block) is a relative novel procedure in which local anaesthetic agents are injected into the anatomic neurofascial space between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscle. It allows a significantly prolonged duration of analgesia during the early postoperative stage in abdominal surgery. This regional anesthesia technique provides analgesia to the skin, muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and parietal peritoneum in order to decrease the incision-related pain. Thus, it reduces postoperative opiate requirements and opioids-related side effects (nausea, vomiting, delayed resumption of intestinal transit, drowsiness, respiratory depression, urine retention). Additionally, the TAP block appears particularly interesting when neuraxial techniques or opioids are contraindicated. Moreover, the ultrasound-guided procedure provides a significant success rate of this block and additionally avoids major complications. We describe our technique of ultrasound-guided TAP block and discuss its indications, contraindication and potential complications.

[Accuracy of ultrasound estimated fetal weight performed by residents at delivery day]. / Performance de l'estimation échographique du poids fœtal réalisée par les internes de spécialité le jour de l'accouchement.

UNLABELLED: Ultrasound fetal weight estimation (EFW) has become a routine practice in obstetrics with a major impact on obstetrical management. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimations performed by residents in obstetrics at the delivery day and to search parameters influencing this exam. METHODS: A prospective study performed in 299 patients at 37 weeks of gestation or more, during their delivery day. Ultrasound fetal weight estimations were performed by residents and compared to birth weights (BW). The estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated using the formula of Hadlock: Log10 EPF=1,335+0.0316 BIP+0,0457 PA+0,1623 LF-0,0034 PA LF. RESULTS: Mean absolute difference between EFW and BW was 200g [100-450]. Mean absolute percentage error was 5.71 % [2.7-11.37]. The proportion of the EFW within 10 % of BW was 69.6 %. There was a good correlation between EFW and BW (R=0.79). Obesity and fetal macrosomia had negatively influenced ultrasound performance. For the diagnosis of macrosomia, ultrasound has a sensibility of 38 % and a specificity of 99.59 %. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound fetal weight estimations performed by residents in the delivery room were as accurate as those performed by experimented sonographers. Thus, the predictive performance remains limited with a low sensitivity in the diagnosis of macrosomia.

[Diagnosis of fetal engagement by transperineal sonography: a preliminary Tunisian study]. / Diagnostic de l'engagement fœtal par l'échographie transpérinéale: étude préliminaire tunisienne.

INTRODUCTION: The assessment of fetal head engagement by digital examination is highly subjective even though this method remains the gold standard. Ultrasound could be a new way to specify the fetal head engagement with objective and reproductible measurements. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical data and the transperineal ultrasound results for the diagnosis of fetal head engagement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study on a series of 70 patients and compared the clinical assessment of fetal engagement to the ultrasound measurements. Ultrasound examination was performed in the delivery room. The probe was placed on the ano-vulvar area. The measure used was: distance perineum-external table of fetal head bone. RESULTS: The ultrasound measures of the distance [perineum-external table of fetal head bone] went from 13 to 75 mm; and the measures of the distance [perineum-succedaneum bump] went from 22 to 68 mm. We tried to retain a value threshold of the distance [perineum-external table of fetal head bone] above which the diagnosis of engagement would be countered. The threshold so proposed is of 55 mm with a positive predictive value in 98%, a sensibility in 87% and specificity in 93%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Transperineal ultrasound is a simple and easy method to define fetal head engagement by measuring the distance between perineum and fetal head. This new tool can be very useful in the delivery room when clinical examination is inconclusive hampered, for example, by the presence of a succedaneum bump.

Transplant professionals vary in the long-term medical risks they communicate to potential living kidney donors: an international survey.

BACKGROUND: Discussing long-term medical risks with potential living donors is a vital aspect of informed consent. We considered whether there are global practice variations in the information communicated to potential living kidney donors. METHODS: Transplant professionals participated in a survey to determine which long-term risks are communicated to potential living kidney donors. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed in person and by electronic mail. RESULTS: We surveyed 203 practitioners from 119 cities in 35 different countries. Sixty-three percent of participants were nephrologists, and 27% were surgeons. Risks of hypertension, proteinuria or kidney failure requiring dialysis were frequently discussed (usually over 80% of practitioners discussed each medical condition). However, many practitioners do not believe these risks are increased after donation, with surgeons being less convinced of long-term sequelae compared with nephrologists (P < 0.01). About 30% of practitioners discuss long-term risks of premature cardiovascular disease or death with potential donors. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant professionals vary in the long-term risks they communicate to potential donors. Improving consensus will enhance decision-making, and emphasize best practices which maintain good, long-term donor health.

[Cowden's disease: a new paediatric observation]. / La maladie de Cowden: une nouvelle observation pédiatrique.

We report on a paediatric observation of Cowden's disease in a 6-year-old child. Familial steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome was associated to papulous and papillomatous lesions of gingiva and oral mucosa, multiple hamartoma of the back and of upper limbs, facial dysmorphism and follicular thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer evolved favorably after surgical treatment, radioactive iodine and L-thyroxin supplementation. Nephrotic syndrome evolved to chronic renal insufficiency after 11 years. The early diagnosis of Cowden's disease, or multiple hamartoma syndrome, allows a careful monitoring of the patients who are facing the risk of cancer transformation, which is the principal complication of the condition.

[Determination of anti-transglutaminase antibodies in the diagnosis of coeliac disease in children: results of a five year prospective study]. / Dosage des anticorps anti-transglutaminase dans le diagnostic de la maladie coeliaque de l'enfant: résultats d'une étude prospective sur cinq ans.

AIM: To evaluate the interest of IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase in the diagnosis of children coeliac disease compared with anti-endomysium and anti-gliadin antibodies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy children with coeliac disease (mean age: 5 years and 8 months) and 99 disease controls (mean age: 4 years and 5 months). IgA anti-transglutaminase were tested by ELISA using a human recombinant tissue transglutaminase. IgA anti-endomysium were detected by indirect immunofluorescence on monkey oesophagus. RESULTS: The middle rate of IgA anti-transglutaminase was 101.06 units in patients and only 0.47 unit in controls. IgA anti-transglutaminase and IgA anti-endomysium were in agreement in 98.8% of cases; only two cases were discordant (+/- and -/+). Globally, the two markers had the same sensitivity (90%), specificity (98%), negative (93.2%) and positive (96.9%) predictive values. For anti-gliadin antibodies, the IgG were more sensitive (88.6%) and the IgA more specific (93.9%). CONCLUSION: IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase can be used instead of IgA anti-endomysium as a serological marker of screening and diagnosis of coeliac disease in children after 3 years.

[Mucopolysaccharidoses in children. Experience of a general pediatric service. 11 cases]. / Les mucopolysaccharidoses de l'enfant. Expérience d'un service de pédiatrie générale. A propos de 11 cas.

The mucopolysaccharidosis are hereditary diseases. The neurological attack constitutes the principal factor of gravity of these affections. We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 12 years (1988-1999) in the pediatric department of Sfax University Hospital. This study allowed us to observe 11 cases of mucopolysaccharidosis confirmed by an enzymatic proportioning, with 3 cases of Hurler disease (IH), 3 cases of the disease of sanfilippo, (two II A and one III B), 3 cases of the disease of Morquio A (type IVA) and 2 cases of the disease of Maroteaux Lamy (type VI). A sex ratio of 1.75. The parents were cousins in 90% of the cases. The age of revelation ranged between 6 months to 4 years. The clinical examination has found a staturo-pondral delay in 81.8% of the cases, a craniofacial dysmorphy in 100%, deformations of the rachis in 63.6% of the cases, a psychomotor regression in 54.5% of the cases, a medullary compression in 18% of the cases, hepatosplenomegaly in 36.4%, and corneal opacities in 45.4% of the cases. The therapeutic treatment was limited to the symptomatic measures with genetic consulting and antenatal diagnosis.

[Death of one fetus in multiple pregnancies during the second and third trimesters. Maternal-fetal complications]. / Mort in utero d'un foetus dans les grossesses multiples au cours du 2ème et 3ème trimestre. Complications materno-foetales.

The authors report 7 cases of death of one foetus during multiples pregnancies in 107 pregnancies during the second and the third quarter. The rate is 6.54%. Five cases are complicated by toxaemia which increased the caesarean rate. The placenta is monochorial in 4 cases. The hemostasis check up shows a drop of fibrinogen and the rate of thrombin, which normalised after delivery. One patient developed in septicaemia after caesarean delivery. Concerning the surviving foetus: 5 of them had en intra uterine under development, 2 of them were premature and one developed an encephalopathy.

[Subcapsular liver hematoma. Two case reports and review of the literature]. / Hématome sous capsulaire du foie. A propos de deux cas et revue de la littérature.

The authors report two cases of complicated toxaemia by subcapsular haematoma of liver in the gynaecology obstetrics ward of the Mongi Slim university hospital in Marsa, Tunisia during six years. The diagnostic was made after delivery in all cases. Evolution was been favourable only in one case, the other is complicated by superinfection which required surgical draining. The literature review determiner the poor prognosis of the subcapsular haematoma of the liver.