Choanal atresia: Diagnosis and management

Objective: Choanal atresia (CA) is a rare congenital malformation caused by the obliteration of the posterior choanae by an atretic plate. The aim of our study is to describe the diagnosis and management modalities of CA and to determine the factors associated with recurrence. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study based on the medical records of patients with CA managed in our department in the period between 2002 and 2021. We studied the clinical features and management modalities of each patient. For patients who developed a recurrence, we determined the factors associated with recurrence based on a bivariate analysis. Results: We studied the medical records of 26 patients with either a bilateral (n=8) or a unilateral (n=16) form of CA. The median age at surgery was two days for bilateral forms and 5 years and 4 months for unilateral forms. At computed tomography scan, CA was mixed (n=20), bony (n=4) or membranous (n=2). All patients underwent intranasal endoscopic surgical treatment using cold instruments alone in membranous forms and combined to the drilling of the atretic plate in bony and mixed forms. The surgical management included the resection of the posterior part of the vomer bone and the placement of nasal stents in 10 and 16 patients respectively. We recorded 6 cases of recurrence requiring a surgical re-intervention. The presence of associated cranio-facial malformations was the only factor associated with recurrence (p=0,001). Conclusion: Choanal atresia diagnosis was based on nasal endoscopy and CT scan. Surgical treatment using transnasal endoscopic approach was an effective and safe technique. Associated local malformations was a factor associated with re-stenosis

Predicting the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism: Impact and therapeutic consequences of inherited thrombophilia.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, thrombophilia testing in patients with venous thrombo-embolism has increased tremendously. However, the role of inherited thrombophilie in prediction the risk of recurrence remains controversial. Consequently, it is still unclear whether thrombophilia testing influences decisions regarding duration of anticoagulation in clinical practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact if inherited thrombophilia on venous thrombosis treatment decisions and on predicting the risk of recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study (January 2011-Decembre 2016) including 131 patients with confirmed venous thrombo-embolism referred to the hematology laboratory from the internal medicine department for inherited thrombophilia screening was carried out. RESULTS: The mean age patients was 39.4 years and the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.61. Inherited thrombophilia was confirmed in 27.5% of patients. A long term anticoagulation was decided in 46.9% of patients with thrombophilia. There was no significant difference in the duration of anticoagulation between patients with or without thrombophilia. Thrombosis recurrence was recorded in 16 (17%) patients. The 24 years cumulative incidence of recurrence was 19% in patients with thrombophilia and 17% in those without (plog Rank= 0.6). Inherited thrombophilia was not associated with increased risk of recurrence after treatment withdrawal (Hazard ratio=1.31 IC (0.47-3.63); P=0.6). CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, inherited thrombophilia did not influence anticoagulation duration and was not associated with a higher venous thrombosis risk of recurrence. It seems to be less relevant for decision making than presumed.

Addition of magnesium sulfate to bupivacaine improves analgesic efficacy after tonsillectomy: A randomized trial and a CONSORT analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to compare the wound infiltration (peritonsillar fossa) of magnesium sulphate combined with bupivacaine, bupivacaine alone and saline solution on post-tonsillectomy pain in children. The accessory objectives were to evaluate the effect of magnesium sulphate infiltration on prevention of laryngospasm and occurrence of nausea/vomiting. METHODS: This study is a prospective; double blinded and randomized clinical trial. Seventy-five children undergoing tonsillectomy were enrolled. Patients were randomized into three groups using closed envelop technique. Group 1 (N=24) received saline solution (NaCl), group 2 (N=25) received 0.25% bupivacaine (1mg/kg) and group 3 received magnesium sulphate (5mg/kg) and 0.25% bupivacaine (1mg/kg) after tonsillectomy using three-point technique. Pain was evaluated using mCHEOPS scale. The occurrence of laryngospasm, nausea and vomiting was monitored. RESULTS: The mCHEOPS scores of the group 3 were significantly lower than those of the group 2 and 1 (P<0.001). Time to first analgesic administration was longer for the group 3 than for the groups 2 and 1 (P<0.001). The mean consumption of additional analgesic drugs was lower for the group 3 than the other groups (P<0.001). There were no episodes of laryngospasm in the group 3 in comparison with the other groups. The difference of the incidence of nausea and vomiting was not statistically significant (P=0.628). CONCLUSION: The adjunction of magnesium sulphate to bupivacaine proved to provide more efficient pain control than bupivacaine alone. However, the small number of participants and the absence of sampling at the P level of 0.005 do not allow to conclude with absolute certainty.

Les surdites brusques idiopathiques facteurs pronostiques / Sudden idiopathic deafness prognostic factors

Les surdités brusques idiopathiques (SBI) constituent l'un des sujets les plus débattus en otologie. Plusieurs problèmes d'ordre physiopathologiques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques restent non résolus. But : Identifier les facteurs pronostiques, cliniques et audiométriques de récupération auditive après traitement d'une SBI. Malades : Etude rétrospective portée sur 27 malades (29 cas de SBI) traités dans le service d'ORL et chirurgie cervicofaciale du CHU Habib Bourguiba Sfax durant la période comprise entre les années 1990 et 2005. Méthodes : C'est une étude statistique recherchant une corrélation significative entre certains facteurs cliniques et audiométriques et la récupération auditive. Les facteurs étudiés étaient : l'âge, l'aspect de la courbe audiométrique, la perte auditive initiale et le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique. Résultats : L'âge inférieur à 50 ans, la courbe ascendante et la perte auditive inférieure à 70 dB étaient les facteurs de meilleur pronostic. Le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique semble avoir peu de rôle dans la récupération auditive. Discussion : La majorité des auteurs ont signalé que l'âge jeune, les surdités légères ou moyennes, la courbe ascendante et la précocité de la prise en charge sont associés à un meilleur pronostic. Nos résultats rejoignent ceux de Tran Ba Huy qui ne trouve pas de corrélation entre le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique et le pronostic de récupération auditive.

The international normalized ratio (INR): What reagent, what instrument? The assessment of the agreement between INR values according to different reagent/instrument combinations.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The international normalized ratio (INR) is widely used to monitor patients on vitamin K antagonists. This study aimed to assess the agreement of INR values obtained with different thromboplastin/instrument combinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: International normalized ratio was determined on plasmas from 330 patients undergoing antivitamin K treatment (with acenocoumarol), using two calibration methods and four reagent/instrument combinations: Both Neoplastine CI and Neoplastine CI Plus on STA-R instrument from Diagnostica STAGO, Asnières, France; and both Thromborel S and Innovin on SYSMEX 2100i instrument from Siemens Health Care Diagnostics, Marbung, Germany. The agreement analysis was done using the Bland-Altman plot and the Cohen Kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The mean of the differences between the INR values and the limits of agreement were -0.07 [-0.51 to 0.38] for the Neoplastine CI plus and Neoplastine CI reagents, -0.08 [-1.18 to 1.03] for the Thromborel S and Innovin reagents when the INR was calculated, -0.1 [-1.15 to 0.95] for the Thromborel S and Innovin reagents when the INR was directly calibrated and -0.1 [-0.7 to 0.5] for the Neoplastine CI plus and Thromborel S. Cohen's kappa coefficients were 0.94, 0.76, 0.85 and 0.82, respectively. NEW FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: The agreement between the four reagent/instrument combinations was high enough to classify patients as inefficaciously or efficaciously anticoagulated. The data interpretation should always be related to the clinical purpose.

The evaluation of the relevance of thrombin generation and procoagulant activity in thrombotic risk assessment in BCR-ABL-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm patients.

INTRODUCTION: It has been recently suggested that microparticles (MP) play a role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications. This study aimed to assess the contribution of procoagulant activity expressed by circulating MP in thrombotic events in MPN patients. METHODS: Seventy-four MPN patients were enrolled in a trans-sectional study. The MP procoagulant activity was measured using two assays: (i) the thrombin generation (TG) assay used in different conditions with the addition of both tissue factor (TF) and phospholipids (PL) and with the addition of TF or PL alone and (ii) the PROCOAG-PPL assay. RESULTS: The mean age was 62 (26 men and 48 women). The prevalence of thrombotic events was 28%. When comparing patients with thrombosis to those without, age, sex, MPN type, cardiovascular risk factors, and history of thrombosis were not significantly associated with thrombosis. The JAK2 V617F mutation was significantly associated with thrombotic events (90% vs 67%; P=.04). Results from the TG assay and the PROCOAG-PPL assays did not demonstrate a significant association between the MP procoagulant activity and thrombotic events. CONCLUSION: The MP procoagulant activity did not predict thrombosis in MPN patients. The contribution of TG assay in the assessment of the thrombotic risk is still in debate.

[Parathyromatosis: An uncommon cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism]. / Parathyromatose : une cause rare d'hyperparathyroïdie récidivante.

INTRODUCTION: Parathyromatosis is a rare cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism. It results from hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue scattered throughout the thyroid bed region. CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old man with a history of parathyroidectomy, presented 18 years later with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgical exploration identified a single parathyroid gland. The act was completed by a central compartment dissection and ipsilateral lobectomy. The patient was free of recurrence after a one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Parathyromatosis a rare cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Its management is challenging. Extensive surgery is required with clearance of the central neck compartment and homolateral lobectomy. Medical therapy could be used to decrease parathormone level in recurrent parathyromatosis.

[The syndrome of increased upper airways resistance: What are the clinical features and diagnostic procedures?]. / Syndrome de haute résistance des voies aériennes supérieures: quelles approches cliniques et quelles procédures diagnostiques?

The upper airway resistance syndrome "UARS" is a poorly defined entity, often described as a moderate variant of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. It is associated with respiratory effort-related arousal, absence of obstructive sleep apnea, and absence of significant desaturation. It is a relatively common condition that predominantly affects non-obese young adults, with no predominance in either sex. The degree of upper airway collapsibility during sleep of patients with UARS is intermediate between that of normal subjects and that of patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea syndrome. Craniofacial and palatal abnormalities are often noted. Patients frequently complain of a functional somatic syndrome, especially daytime sleepiness and chronic fatigue. Polysomnography with esophageal pressure measurements remains the gold standard diagnostic test. The absence of any neurological abnormality gives UARS a good prognosis and it is potentially reversible if treated early. However, some studies suggest that untreated UARS has an increased risk of arterial hypertension. It can also evolve into obstructive sleep apnea.

[Surgery of pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland]. / Chirurgie de l'adénome pléomorphe de la parotide.

INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the parotid gland. It has a tendency of recurrence and malignant transformation. The surgical excision of this lesion continues to be the subject of a major debate. In this study, we discuss optimal surgical options for pleomorphic adenoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of 82 patients who underwent surgery. RESULTS: The tumor was localized in the superficial lobe in 81.7% of cases. Tumors of the deep lobe were removed by total parotidectomy. Those of the superficial lobe underwent partial exofacial parotidectomy (7 cases), exofacial parotidectomy (44 cases), or total parotidectomy (16 cases). Transitory facial paralysis was higher after total parotidectomy. Only one patient developed a recurrence, his tumor showed capsule infiltration. DISCUSSION: Conventional or partial superficial parotidectomy may be a good compromise with fewer complications and low incidence of recurrence.

[Idiopathic facial paralysis in children]. / Paralysie faciale idiopathique de l'enfant.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic facial palsy is the most common cause of facial nerve palsy in children. Controversy exists regarding treatment options. The objectives of this study were to review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of idiopathic facial palsy in children to suggest appropriate treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on children with a diagnosis of idiopathic facial palsy from 2007 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases (13 males, 24 females) with a mean age of 13.9 years were included in this analysis. The mean duration between onset of Bell's palsy and consultation was 3 days. Of these patients, 78.3% had moderately severe (grade IV) or severe paralysis (grade V on the House and Brackmann grading). Twenty-seven patients were treated in an outpatient context, three patients were hospitalized, and seven patients were treated as outpatients and subsequently hospitalized. All patients received corticosteroids. Eight of them also received antiviral treatment. The complete recovery rate was 94.6% (35/37). The duration of complete recovery was 7.4 weeks. DISCUSSION: Children with idiopathic facial palsy have a very good prognosis. The complete recovery rate exceeds 90%. However, controversy exists regarding treatment options. High-quality studies have been conducted on adult populations. Medical treatment based on corticosteroids alone or combined with antiviral treatment is certainly effective in improving facial function outcomes in adults. In children, the recommendation for prescription of steroids and antiviral drugs based on adult treatment appears to be justified. CONCLUSION: Randomized controlled trials in the pediatric population are recommended to define a strategy for management of idiopathic facial paralysis.

[Low-grade adenocarcinoma of nasal cavities: a case report]. / Adénocarcinome de bas grade des fosses nasales : à propos d'un cas.

Low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinomas are uncommon and recently described entities. Its histologic diagnosis is challenging. This tumour is characterized by a tendency to local invasion, and rare distant metastases. Well treated, the prognosis is excellent. We describe a case of low-grade nasal cavity adenocarcinoma and discuss the anatomoclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of this malignant tumour. A 54-year-old female patient presented with a 10 years history of right-sided nasal obstruction and recurrent epistaxis. On examination the patient had a large, firm mass in the right nasal cavity. Endoscopic sinonasal surgery was performed. The lesion was found to originate from the posteriolateral wall of the right nasal cavity. Histopathology analysis identified a low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinoma. Upon follow-up 4 years after surgery, the patient exhibited no clinical evidence of recurrence. Low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinomas are poorly defined neoplasms, accounting for 4 to 20% of all sinonasal malignancies. The nasal cavity is the most frequently involved site. Low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinomas pose a diagnostic challenge for the pathologist because they must be distinguished from benign tumours, especially adenomas. The primary treatment of sinonasal adenocarcinoma is complete surgical excision.

Evaluation de la surdite professionnelle dans un departement du sud tunisien

Objectif: La surdite professionnelle (SP) est une atteinte auditive acquise due a une exposition excessive au bruit au travail. Elle represente une cause frequente des surdites de l'adulte. Le but de notre travail est de rapporter les caracteristiques epidemiologiques; cliniques et audiometriques des patients presentant une SP. Methode : Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective concernant 200 patients presentant une SP declaree dans le gouvernorat de Sfax durant la periode (1990-2007). Un interrogatoire; un examen ORL complet ainsi qu'une audiometrie tonale ont ete realises pour tous les malades. Nous avons etudie l'incidence annuelle; l'age; le sexe; le secteur d'activite ainsi que les donnees audiometriques de ces patients. Une etude analytique univariee a recherche une correlation entre la perte auditive moyenne (PAM); l'age; la duree d'exposition au bruit et le secteur d'activite. Resultats : Une predominance masculine a ete notee (99). La moyenne d'age etait de 46 ans. Les secteurs d'activite les plus incrimines etaient la metallurgie (27;5); la menuiserie (10) et le secteur automobile (6). 26;5 des patients rapportaient des acouphenes et 3;5 se plaignaient de troubles de l'equilibre. La surdite professionnelle etait perceptionnelle; bilaterale et symetrique dans 93 des cas. L'analyse statistique univariee n'a pas objective de correlation entre la PAM; l'age; la duree d'exposition au bruit et le secteur d'activite. Conclusion : A notre connaissance; il s'agit de la premiere etude publiee rapportant les caracteristiques de la SP chez des travailleurs dans le sud Tunisien. Cette etude montre le manque de sensibilisation du public vis-a-vis de l'importance de la preservation de l'audition du bruit. Elle met en evidence aussi le manque d'outils de prevention; leur inefficacite voire les deux

Localisation nasosinusienne des tumeurs plasmocytaires

Introduction : Les tumeurs plasmocytaires representent 3 a 4 des tumeurs des cavites naso-sinusiennes. Elles necessitent un bilan diagnostique specifique et une prise en charge adequate. Nous nous proposons d'etudier les particularites diagnostiques et therapeutiques des plasmocytomes naso-sinusiens. Materiel et methodes : Notre etude est retrospective comportant 5 cas de plasmocytomes naso-sinusiens confirmes histologiquement. Resultats : Il s'agit de 3 hommes et 2 femmes ages de 32 a 77 ans. Le plasmocytome avait une localisation sphenoidale dans un cas; nasale dans 2 cas; ethmoido-nasale dans un cas et naso-maxillaire dans le cas restant. Il s'agissait d'un myelome multiple dans un cas. Trois patients ont eu une radiotherapie. Celle-ci etait associee a une chimiotherapie dans le cas du myelome multiple et a une exerese chirurgicale dans les 2 autres cas La chirurgie a ete seule dans un cas. La chimiotherapie exclusive a ete proposee dans un cas de plasmocytome localement avance mais le patient a ete perdu de vue. Pour les patients suivis; une seule recidive a ete notee a 18 mois. Conclusion : La presentation clinique des plasmocytomes nasosinusiens est aspecifique. Le diagnostic est confirme par l'histologie. Le pronostic est domine par la presence ou non d'un myelome multiple et par la taille tumorale. Un suivi prolonge est necessaire

Les tumeurs myofibroblastiques inflammatoires cervico-faciales

Objectifs : Confronter les signes cliniques et paracliniques de cette entite a celle des cancers et etudier ses modalites therapeutiques. Materiel et methodes : Etude retrospective portant sur huit cas de tumeurs myofibroblastiques inflammatoires cervico-faciales. Resultats : L'age moyen etait de 37 ans sans predominance de sexe. Le siege de la pseudotumeur etait thyroidien dans un cas; ganglionnaire dans deux cas; les parties molles cervicales dans un cas; larynge dans un cas; nasosinusien dans un cas; orbito-sinusienne dans 1 cas et du cavum dans un cas. Le traitement etait chirurgical dans 6 cas. Une corticotherapie a ete instauree dans 4 cas dont 2 en post operatoire. L'evolution; apres un recul moyen de 21 mois; etait marquee par la survenue de recidive dans 2 cas; une poursuite evolutive dans 1 cas et l'apparition d'autres localisations renales et retro peritoneale chez une patiente. Discussion : Les tumeurs myofibroblastiques inflammatoires sont rares. De caractere benin; ces tumeurs presentent generalement des caracteristiques cliniques d'agressivite avec un pouvoir lytique mimant une tumeur maligne. L'atteinte des voies aerodigestives superieures se voit dans 11 des tumeurs extrapulmonaires. Le diagnostic preoperatoire est difficile. L'exerese aussi large que possible de la tumeur est generalement preconisee. L'association d'une corticotherapie est indiquee chez des patients demeurant symptomatiques

Primary mucinous carcinoma of the thyroid gland: case report with review of the literature.

Primary mucinous thyroid carcinoma (PMTC) are extremely rare lesions that are histologically indistinguishable from mucinous carcinoma of other sites. We describe the clinicopathological, histological and immunohistochemical features of this rare tumour with a review of the literature. We describe a case of thyroid tumour, in 56-year-old Tunisian man, composed of small nests and sheets of malignant epithelial cells associated with extensive extracellular mucin that entrapped the follicular parenchyma of thyroid. Thyroglobulin and thyroid-specific-transcription factor 1 (TTFl) were focally positive. Follow-up did not reveal another neoplasm at other sites. Based on these features, we classified this tumour as PMTC. Mucinous carcinoma of the thyroid gland can be a cause of pitfall in differential diagnosis. For correct diagnosis, complete clinical history, restricted histological criteria and immunohistochemical panel are necessary.

Carcinome verruqueux du larynx : Diagnostic et traitement

Introduction : Les carcinomes verruqueux du larynx sont des tumeurs rares. Ils posent des problemes diagnostics et therapeutiques. Le but de notre travail est de detailler les difficultes diagnostiques et therapeutiques du carcinome verruqueux du larynx. Patients et methodes : Treize malades ont ete traite d'un carcinomes verruqueux du larynx entre 1992et 2007. Resultats : Une chirurgie a ete pratiquee pour dix patients dont 7 ont eu un curage ganglionnaire. Deux patients etaient traites par radiotherapie exclusive et un autre par radio chimiotherapie concomitante. L'evolution etait bonne sans recidive ni metastases chez tous les patients qui ont ete traites chirurgicalement avec un recul moyen de 37 mois. Conclusion : Le carcinome verruqueux du larynx est une forme rare; de bas grade et bien differenciee du carcinome epidermoide. Il s'agit d'une tumeur a croissance lente et localement agressive dont le traitement de choix est l'exerese chirurgicale en marges saines

[Bronchoscopy for foreign body inhalation in the pediatric population: lessons learned from 223 cases]. / Bronchoscopie pour inhalation de corps étrangers chez l'enfant : à propos de 223cas.

INTRODUCTION: Inhalation of foreign body in children is a serious accident that may compromise the vital prognosis of the child. The diagnostic was difficult in the absence of a recognizable penetration syndrome. Bronchoscopy is still recommended as the appropriate diagnostic and treatment of foreign bodies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the diagnostic and the treatment result of bronchoscopy and discuss its indications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] A retrospective study analyzing data related to 223 children undergoing bronchoscopy due to suspicion of foreign body aspiration over a period of 10 years (2000-2009). The average age of the children was 29 months (range: one month-13 years). Approximately, two thirds of these patients were boys. The penetration syndrome was reported in 79.8% of cases. RESULTS: During bronchoscopy, the foreign body was confirmed only in 57.4%. Foreign bodies were found in the bronchus in 79.7% of cases. Among the foreign bodies, 78.1% were of vegetal origin. The average time of stay of the foreign body was of 16.1 days. Penetration syndrome and abnormal physical exam were the most sensitive parameters (79.7% and 82.8%, respectively) but with low specificity (24.2% and 35.8%, respectively). The combination of clinical and radiological signs suggestive of foreign body was the most specific sign (74.7%). Similarly, we found a statistically significant correlation between positive bronchoscopy and simultaneous suggestive clinical and radiological signs (P=0.03). The multivariate study showed that predictors factors of positivity of the bronchoscopy were: abnormal physical exam (P=0.016), abnormal radiological exam (P=0.003) and type of indication (P=0.005). DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of laryngotracheobronchial foreign body recures an array of arguments. It is suspected on the clinical interview specially penetration syndrome and on the clinical and radiological presentation. Any suspicion should lead to a bronchoscopy.

Primary sinonasal meningioma.

INTRODUCTION: Primary meningiomas of the sinonasal tract are rare tumors. Their positive diagnosis is difficult to establish. From one case observation, we report the clinical features, the diagnosis difficulties and the therapeutic modalities of primary meningioma of the sinonasal tract. CASE REPORT: A seventeen-year-old girl consulted for a left unilateral nasal obstruction with progressive evolution without episodes of epistaxis, smell disorder or headaches over a year. Physical examination revealed a grayish polypoid tumor in the left nasal fossa. CT scan evidenced an isodense lesion of the left nasal fossa slightly enhanced pushing back the lateral nasal wall without invasion or intracranial connection. Biopsy was in favour of an inverted papilloma. The tumor was resected via endoscopic approach. Pathological examination established the diagnosis of meningothelial menigioma. The prognosis was favourable without recurrence after a six-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The positive diagnosis of primary sinonasal meningioma is difficult to establish because of their infrequent occurrence in this ectopic site and of their non-specific clinical appearance. The final diagnosis rests on the histological examination. Immunohistochemical studies are helpful to establish the accurate diagnosis. Imaging confirms the primitive nature of these tumors. Prognosis is excellent after complete surgical extirpation without the necessity of adjuvant therapy.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis by protein C activated resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Jugular vein thrombosis is mainly due to infectious, neoplastic and iatrogenic causes. Activated protein C (APC) resistance is an exceptional cause of jugular vein thrombosis. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old woman consulted for left lateral neck swelling present for two weeks. Neck ultrasound revealed left internal jugular vein thrombosis, which was confirmed by contrast CT. The rest of the examination, including routine clotting assessment and inflammatory work-up, was normal. Further investigations demonstrated APC resistance with Factor V Leiden mutation. Treatment consisted of oral anticoagulants with a good outcome. DISCUSSION: APC resistance is a recently identified and relatively frequent cause of thrombophilia, mostly due to Factor V Leiden mutation. APC resistance is responsible for 20% to 50% of all thrombotic events. The laboratory diagnosis is based on two tests: a phenotypic test based on APTT with and without APC and a genotypic test based on detection of a Factor V Leiden mutation. CONCLUSION: Screening for APC resistance and Factor V Leiden mutation is now part of the aetiological work-up of thromboses, particularly in subjects younger than 50. Treatment is based on oral anticoagulants.

[Post-radiation mucocele in two patients treated for nasopharyngeal cancer]. / Mucocèle après radiothérapie chez deux patients traités pour cancer du nasopharynx.

A 30-year-old woman, with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which was treated by radiotherapy nine years previously, presented with occasional diplopia and recent headaches. A nasopharyngeal biopsy showed no recurrence. The imaging revealed a sphenoidal sinus mucocele. Endoscopic marsupialization of the mucocele allowed clinical improvement. A 56-year-old woman presented, five years after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, with a fronto-orbital mass. CT-scan revealed a fronto-ethmoidal mucocele. Nasopharyngeal biopsy showed tumour recurrence. Marsupialization of mucocele was performed. Recurrence of the carcinoma was treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Sphenoidal sinus mucocele developing after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma has rarely been reported. CT scan and MRI are useful tools in making the diagnosis. Biopsy is required to diagnose recurrence or associated radio-induced tumor. Endoscopic approach gives good results.