[Role of magnetic resonance imaging in preoperative assessement of hilar cholangiocarcinoma]. / Rôle de l'imagerie par résonance magnétique dans l'exploration des cholangiocarcinomes hilaires.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a non-invasive imaging, highly performant in detecting and locating biliary stenosis and in predicting its malignancy. The combination of two and three-dimensional MRI sequences is recommended to assess a biliary obstacle. Cholangiopathies are the main differential diagnosis of cholangiocarcinomas. In addition to bile duct abnormalities beyond the stenosis, the predictive signs of malignancy are: asymmetric irregular luminal narrowing (longer than 3mm and thicker than 13mm), abrupt discontinuation of stenosis, and enhancement superior to that of the adjacent hepatic parenchyma during arterial and portal acquisitions. Diffusion sequences improve the sensitivity of biliary stenosis detection. Moreover, restriction of diffusion is useful for distinguishing malignant from benign stenosis. Combining Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, late LAVA and diffusion sequences improves the sensitivity of detection of a possible biliary extension without significant specificity. MRI with gadolinium chelate injection is efficient in assessing vascular extension of cholangiocarcinomas. However its accuracy remains lower than that of Ct-scan. To assess hepatic, lymphatic and peritoneal extensions of cholangiocarcinomas, it is fundamental to combine diffusion and dynamic MRI sequences.

Hydatid Cyst of the Spleen: Tunisian Series of 21 Cases.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Splenic involvement is rare even in endemic areas. The aim of this study is to specify epidemiologic features, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic modalities of this uncommon entity. This is a retrospective study of 21 patients operated on for a splenic hydatid cyst between January 1996 and December 2011. The mean age was 43.8 years (range 15-72 years). Sixteen patients (76.2 %) had symptoms related to a splenic location of hydatid disease. While splenic hydatid disease was solitary in 8 patients (38.1 %), other locations were present in 13 patients (61.9 %), mainly in the liver. Most splenic cysts were type I (39.3 %) or III (42.8 %). Nine patients (42.8 %) underwent resection of the protruding dome with one postoperative complication (suppuration of residual cavity). Total and partial splenectomies were performed in nine and three patients, respectively, without any complication. No death was noted. After a mean follow-up period of 36 months (range 2-108 months), no recurrence was observed. Splenic hydatid cyst is a rare location. The diagnostic is usually easy, based on serology and imaging. The surgery is the mainstay of treatment. The type of surgical procedure depends on size, number, and location of the cyst. Total splenectomy is more effective but may have high morbidity and mortality and must be reserved to specific situations. Conservative procedure is safer but could increase the rate of recurrence and postoperative collection. Puncture aspiration injection reaspiration could be proposed for small cyst in inoperable patients.

[Surgical complications of colostomies]. / Les complications chirurgicales des colostomies.

BACKGROUND: The colostomy may be terminal or lateral, temporary or permanent. It may have psychological, medical or surgical complications. AIM: reporting the incidence of surgical complications of colostomies, their therapeutic management and trying to identify risk factors for their occurrence. METHODS: A retrospective study for a period of 5 years in general surgery department, Habib Bourguiba hospital, Sfax, including all patients operated with confection of a colostomy. Were then studied patients reoperated for stoma complication. RESULTS: Among the 268 patients who have had a colostomy, 19 patients (7%) developed surgical stoma complications. They had a mean age of 59 years, a sex ratio of 5.3 and a 1-ASA score in 42% of cases. It was a prolapse in 9 cases (reconfection of the colostomy: 6 cases, restoration of digestive continuity: 3 cases), a necrosis in 5 cases (reconfection of the colostomy), a plicature in 2 cases (reconfection of the colostomy) a peristomal abscess in 2 cases (reconfection of the colostomy: 1 case, restoration of digestive continuity: 1 case) and a strangulated parastomal hernia in 1 case (herniorrhaphy). The elective incision and the perineal disease were risk factors for the occurrence of prolapse stomial. CONCLUSION: Surgical complications of colostomies remain a rare event. Prolapse is the most common complication, and it is mainly related to elective approach. Reoperation is often required especially in cases of early complications, with usually uneventful postoperative course.

[The lithiasic acute cholecystitis: laparoscopic treatment (About 106 cases)]. / La cholécystite aigue lithiasique: traitment laparoscopique (a propos de 106 cas).

AIM: To assess the feasibility and the advantages of the coelioscopy in the treatment of the acute cholecystitis. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2001, 106 laparoscopic cholecystectomies for acute cholecystitis have been collected. The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis has been confirmed for all cases by the pathologic exam. RESULTS: These 106 cases represent 12.4% of the set of the laparoscopic cholecystectomies practiced during the same period of survey. They are 78 women and 28 men. The mean age was 51.7 years. Eight patients (7.6%) presented an elevated operative risk (ASA III). The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis has been kept before operation in 45.3% of the cases. Major or minor intraoperative incidents have been observed in 18.9% of the cases. The rate of conversion was 17%. The reasons are dominated by the difficulties of dissection in 10 cases (55.5%) and hemorragea in 6 cases. The research of the predictive factors of conversion found 5 factors, the hyperleucocytosis, the operative delay superior to 72 hours, the adhesions around the gallbladder, the gangrenous gallbladder and the pediculitis. The post operative mortality was nul. The morbidity rate was 12.3%. Among the 13 patients who had postoperative complications, 8 were after conversion. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is an effective and good alternative with acceptable morbidity that should decrease with learning curve.

[Breast cancer in men]. / Cancer du sein chez l'homme.

Breast cancer in men is rare and most often occurs at or after the age of 60 years. Prognosis is poor when it is discovered at a late stage, as it often is in men, although it should be easier to detect because men have so little breast tissue. The causal mechanism appears to depend on hormone metabolism abnormalities related to elevated estrogen or prolactin levels. A family history of breast cancer is found in 5-10% of cases. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma accounts for most cases (70-90%) of male breast cancers. In situ but not invasive carcinoma is exclusively ductal and accounts for 7% of cases. Spread to lymph nodes is observed in 50-75% of cases. Immunohistochemical analysis shows that tumors are positive for progesterone and estrogen receptors more frequently in men than women. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination, ultrasonography, and mammography. Aspiration cytology often makes it possible to confirm the malignancy. Excisional biopsy with an immediate intraoperative pathology examination confirms malignancy and makes wider excision possible during the same procedure. A modified radical mastectomy with removal of some lymph nodes (Patey's mastectomy) is the standard basic treatment. Locoregional radiotherapy is very often indicated. Hormone therapy is also a first-line treatment. Chemotherapy is reserved for young men with substantial lymph node invasion and negative for hormonal receptors. The prognosis of breast cancer in men remains uncertain because of the frequently late diagnosis, unpredictable course, and high potential for metastasis.