Paralysies faciales périphériques d'origine choléstéatomateuse : diagnostic et traitement

But :discuter les modalités diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des paralysies faciales périphériques d'origine choléstéatomateuse.Matériel et méthodes :étude rétrospective sur une période de 20 ans (1994- 2013). Mille quatre cent vinght trois patients ont été opérés pour otite moyenne choléstéatomateuse. Sept cas compliqués d'une paralysie faciale périphérique ont fait l'objet de ce travail.Résultats :L'incidence de la paralysie faciale était de 0,5%. La paralysie faciale était d'installation brutale chez quatre patients et progressive dans trois cas. Elle était partielle dans cinq cas et complète chez deux patients. En per opératoire, le canal facial était intact dans 4 cas. La matrice de cholésteatome était disséquée sans ouverture de la gaine du nerf dénudé et en respectant le canal facial indemne. L'évolution était favorable dans les cas où le canal facial était intact. Conclusion : La paralysie faciale d'origine choléstéatomateuse est une urgence chirurgicale. Plusieurs facteurs conditionnent le pronostic, dominés par l'intégrité du canal facial osseux

Prise en charge chirurgicale des mucocèles naso-sinusiennes

Introduction : Les mucocèles nasosinusiennes sont des pseudo-tumeurs d'allure kystique, relativement rares. Malgré leur bénignité, elles ont une tendance expansive et destructrice. Buts : Proposer une stratégie thérapeutique appropriée des mucocèles naso-sinuisennes.Matériel et Méthodes : Etude rétrospective portant sur 43 patients opérés entre 1992 et 2012. Résultats :Il s'agit de 27 hommes et de 16 femmes. L'âge moyen était de 47 ans. Des antécédents de traumatisme crânio-facial, de chirurgie nasosinusienne ou du massif facial ont été retrouvés respectivement dans 16.27%, 25.58% et 9,3% des cas. Les localisations éthmoïdo-frontales étaient les plus fréquentes (14 cas). Les voies endoscopique endonasale, mixte ou externe ont été utilisées dans 30, 4 et 9 cas. Conclusion : La voie endoscopique endonasale est actuellement la voie de référence pour le traitement des mucocèles. La voie externe garde certaines indications. La marsupialisation est le traitement de choix permettant le respect de la physiologie sinusienn

Facteurs prédictifs de l'atteinte ganglionnaire dans les carcinomes papillaires de la thyroïde

Objectifs:Le but de notre étude était de spécifier le profil de l'atteinte ganglionnaire en cas de carcinomes papillaire de la thyroïde et de déterminer les facteurs prédictifs de l'atteinte ganglionnaire.Méthodes: Etude rétrospective portant sur 39 patients pris en charge pour un cancer papillaire de la thyroïde durant la période entre 2012 et 2014.Résultats: L'âge moyen de nos patients était de 42,4 ans. Le sex-ratio était de 0,13. Tous nos patients ont été opérés d'une thyroïdectomie totale associée à un curage ganglionnaire central. Un curage fonctionnel unilatéral a été pratiqué chez cinq patients. Le secteur ganglionnaire central était envahi dans dix cas et le secteur latéral l'était dans quatre cas. Après analyse des critères épidémiologiques, cliniques et anatomopathologiques, nous avons établi une corrélation significative entre les stades avancés de latumeur (T3, T4) et l'envahissement ganglionnaire central. Aucun des facteurs étudiés n'a été corrélé à l'atteinte du secteur ganglion naire latéral.Conclusions: L'atteinte ganglionnaire au cours du carcinome papillaire de la thyroïde est non négligeable affectant surtout le secteur central. Le curage central bilatéral revêt une grande importance et doit être de réalisation systématique

Paranasal sinus osteomas: Diagnosis and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoma is the most common benign tumor of the nose and paranasal sinuses. It is a slow-growing bony tumor, often asymptomatic, occurring mainly in frontal and ethmoid sinuses. Theories regarding the origin of osteomas are still discussed. The aims of the study were to describe diagnosis circumstances in our series and to set out our respective indications for open and endoscopic approaches in the treatment of nasosinusal osteomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on the files of all the patients treated for a paranasal sinus osteoma in our department between 1990 and 2013. Diagnosis circumstances and kind of treatment were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The files of 45 patients (mean age: 49.2; sex-ratio: 1.19) could be collected. The most common symptom was headache found in all patients. The most common location was the frontal sinus (30 cases). Thirty-nine open procedures were performed. Four osteomas were removed under endoscopic assistance. In one case, a combined approach has been used. Overall complication rate was 11.1%. Symptoms improved in all patients. Two recurrences were observed. DISCUSSION: Surgical indications in paranasal sinus osteomas are theorically well codified. However, approaches remain controversial. In our experience, the preferred approach was the open one. Endoscopic techniques, when indicated, are more challenging and need sophisticated instrumentation and a long learning curve.

[Management of ocular and orbital complications in acute sinusitis]. / Prise en charge des complications oculo-orbitaires des sinusites aiguës.

PURPOSE: Describe the clinical presentations of orbital complications of acute sinusitis and discuss therapeutic approaches. METHODS: Retrospective study of 29 cases of acute sinusitis with orbital extension hospitalized over a period of 12years (2000 to 2012). RESULTS: There were 23 men and 6 women. The mean age was 15.75years. The average time until consultation was 7.68 days. Sinusitis was ethmoido-maxillary in 20 cases, ethmoidal in 6 cases, and frontal in 3 cases. Orbital extension was grouped according to the Chandler classification: stage I (3 cases), stage II (3 cases), stage III (15 cases), stage IV (8 cases). Antibiotic therapy was prescribed in all cases. Surgery was performed in 22 cases. Bacterial cultures revealed streptococcus (2 cases), aspergillus fumigatus (1 case) and were negative in 8 cases. The outcome was favorable in 27 cases. In two cases, the outcome was unfavorable with associated intracranial complications. DISCUSSION: Oculoorbital extension of acute sinusitis is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Paranasal sinus CT is essential to confirm orbital extension and identify the causative sinus. Intravenous antibiotic therapy is the main treatment. The roles of corticosteroid and heparin therapy remain controversial. Surgery is indicated in the case of abscess or high visual risk. Endoscopic endonasal surgery appears to have a double role, in diagnosis and treatment.

[Clinical aspects of brain metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma]. / Aspects anatomocliniques des métastases cérébrales des carcinomes nasopharyngés.

Metastasis to the central nervous system, either through a hematogenous route or through the cerebrospinal fluid, is extremely rare in nasopharynx cancer. We aim to expose clinical aspects, therapeutic features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with brain metastases. We retrospectively reviewed the medical history of about 420 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated during 17 years at the university hospital of Sfax (Tunisia). Among them, three patients had brain metastasis. We excluded patients with direct extension to the brain. Tumours of the nasopharynx were locally advanced. The first patient had brain metastases at the initial diagnosis. The two other patients had brain metastases at 10 and 16 months during the follow-up. Ocular signs were the symptoms. Lesions were unique in two patients. Synchronous bone metastases were recorded in the three cases. All patients had whole brain radiation therapy and palliative chemotherapy. All patients had a progression of the disease and died. Brain metastases in nasopharynx cancer represent a rare event. Prognosis is poor, depending on age, surgical excision and synchronous metastases. Survival does not exceed 6 months.

[Orbital complications of sinusitis]. / Les complications orbitaires des sinusites.

PURPOSE: Orbital complications of sinusitis are rare but serious, with potential functional and even fatal consequences. The purpose of this work is to study the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical features of the orbital complications of sinusitis, as well as the various treatment modalities and clinical course. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the results of a retrospective study of 34 cases of orbital complications of sinusitis, collected between 1998 and 2009. RESULTS: Mean age was 19 years 3 months, with a clear male predominance. No predisposing factors were found. All patients presented with periorbital edema. In addition to periorbital edema, ophthalmological examination also revealed: proptosis in 19 patients, decreased visual acuity in eight patients and ocular motility disturbances in 10 patients. All patients underwent emergent facial CT, two patients underwent orbital ultrasound, and one underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Initial treatment was based on empiric intravenous antibiotic therapy. Orbital drainage was performed in 20 patients. Sinus drainage was performed in 16 patients (14 cases during the acute phase) with a middle meatotomy in all cases. The initial response was favorable in 97.5% of cases. One patient had a recurrence. Mean follow-up was 11 months. CONCLUSION: Orbital complications of sinusitis are a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Imaging helps guide management. Directed treatment and early management can improve mortality and morbidity.

Laryngocele à propos de 9 cas

La laryngocele est une pathologie rare. elle est definit par la dilatation progressive du saccule larynge. Le diagnostic est suspecte par l'examen clinique; sa prise en charge est encore discutee. nous rapportons une etude retrospective portant sur 9 patients ayant ete suivis et traites pour une laryngocele. La serie a ete colligee sur une periode de 14 ans; allant de 1998 a 2011. Six de nos patients avaient une laryngocele externe; deux patients avaient une laryngocele mixte et un patient avait une laryngocele interne. Une surinfection a ete notee chez trois patients realisant ainsi le tableau de pyolaryngocele. Tous les patients ont eu un examen clinique complet comportant un examen OrL et cervico-facial ainsi qu'un examen larynge au nasofibroscope. La tomodensitometrie cervicale a ete realisee de facon systematique. Huit de nos malades ont ete abordes par voie cervicale permettant une exerese complete du sac. Le recul moyen etait de 38 mois sans recidive. Toute laryngocele decouverte; doit etre traitee afin d'eviter les complications essentiellement locales pouvant mettre en jeu le pronostic vital. Les modalites therapeutiques dependent du type de la laryngocele

An extensive hemimelic polyostotic fibrous dysplasia: a case report.

We report a new case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (FD). A 26-year-old woman was referred to our department complaining of pain in her left arm. She had suffered for tow fractures in left leg and arm previously. Plain radiographs showed osteolytics lesions at the left humerus and radius. Histological examination of the surgical specimens showed FD. She has beneficed with zoledronic acid perfusion.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: five cases and a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective study, we describe our experience in the diagnosis and management of rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM), a rapidly lethal fungal infection. METHODOLOGY: Between 1997 and 2007, five patients hospitalized for suspicion of RCM. Computed tomography was performed in all cases, and diagnosis was confirmed after anatomopathological or mycological examination. All patients underwent medical and surgical treatment. Follow-up was clinical and radiological with a mean period of 17 months. RESULTS: All patients were diabetic. Exophthalmia, rhinorrhea, and ophthalmoplegia were the most frequent symptoms observed. One patient had loss of visual acuity and another exhibited peripheral facial palsy. One patient had extensive hemifacial cutaneous necrosis. Nasal endoscopy revealed black necrotic lesions in one case, and another patient had a tumefaction localised in the left middle meatus. Necrotic lesions were most often found in the orbit, the maxillary and the ethmoidal sinuses on computed tomography (four cases for each site). One patient had thrombophlebitis of the cavernous sinus, and another had an intracranial extension. All patients were administered ordinary insulin and intravenous amphotericin B. Surgical debridement of the nasal cavity and the involved sinuses was performed through lateral rhinotomy (four cases) or endoscopy (one case). Unilateral orbital exenteration was associated in two cases. Progression was favourable in four cases; one patient died from sepsis despite aggressive treatment. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis is crucial for the management of RCM. Treatment of underlying disorders, use of intravenous amphotericin B, and aggressive surgical intervention are key in reducing morbidity and mortality rates.

Assessing human genetic diversity in Tunisian Berber populations by Alu insertion polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: The most recent Alu insertions reveal different series of characteristics such as stability that make them particularly suitable genetic markers for human biological studies. AIM: Six human-specific Alu insertion polymorphisms were typed in two Tunisian Berber populations with the aim of analysing the genetic diversity of these two communities and the genetic relationships between this region of North Africa and other populations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven Berbers from Sejnane and 33 from Takrouna were sampled. Alu insertion polymorphism was analysed using PCR with loci specific primers. RESULTS: A similar level of gene diversity was detected in Sejnane and Takrouna populations. PC results revealed genetic affinities between these two populations and some Eurasian populations (Germany, Genova and Syria). In contrast, there is a differentiation between these two Berber communities and North African and Iberian populations. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the heterogeneity of Berbers in North Africa, which suggests their diverse origins. In the case of Sejnane and Takrouna populations, these results are in line with an ancient Euro Mediterranean background that has already been studied by archaeologists, particularly for the population of Sejnane.

[Parotid mucormycosis: A new case and review of the literature]. / Mucormycose parotidienne : une nouvelle observation et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Mucormycosis is a rare, devastating, fungal infection, which disproportionately affects non-controlled diabetic patients, notably during ketoacidosis. The authors report the case of cervical mucormycoses with a particularly favorable evolution in diabetic woman. REPORT: A 54-year-old woman, type 2 diabetic, had presented a left lateral cervical mass. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination. She was treated with Amphotericin B with favorable evolution. CONCLUSION: The mucormycose is a rare infection. The treatment is medical and surgical. The prognosis is severe with an overall mortality rate of 40%.

Influence of airflow rate and substrate nature on heterogeneous struvite precipitation.

In wastewater treatment plants a hard scale consisting of struvite crystals can be formed, in pipes and recirculation pumps, during anaerobic digestion of wastewater. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of airflow rate and substrate nature on nucleation type, induction period and supersaturation coefficient during struvite precipitation. A crystallization reactor similar to that designed for calcium carbonate precipitation was used. The pH of synthetic wastewater solution was increased by air bubbling. Experimental results indicated that the airflow increased heterogeneous precipitation of struvite. The susceptibility to scale formation was more important on polyamide and polyvinyl chloride than on stainless steel. In all cases, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy showed that the precipitated solid phase was solely struvite. No difference in crystal morphology was observed. However, at similar experimental conditions, the particle size of struvite was higher for stainless-steel material than that for plastic materials.

Struvite precipitation by the dissolved CO2 degasification technique: impact of the airflow rate and pH.

In the present work, struvite precipitation was provoked by the dissolved CO(2) degasification technique where precipitation occurred following the degassing of the CO(2) by atmospheric air. The impact of the airflow rate and initial solution pH on struvite precipitation were assessed. For initial solution pH<6.5, no precipitation was observed. For initial solution pH>6.5, the phosphorus removal through struvite precipitation could be improved by increasing the airflow rate up to 25 L min(-1), or by increasing the initial pH for higher airflow rates. Compared to traditional techniques of struvite precipitation such as stirring and aeration, the dissolved CO(2) degasification technique is promising since a high amount of phosphorus (approximately 78%) could be removed at relatively short experiment time.

L'otite seromuqueuse de l'enfant

L'OSM est la cause la plus frequente de surdite acquise de l'enfance. Environ 90des enfants presentent au moins un episode d'OSM avant l'age de 6 ans avec une frequence maximale a l'age de 2 ans. Le developpement de l'OSM peut etre explique par la defaillance d'autres barrieres protectrices (systeme mucociliaire; systeme immunitaire; trompe auditive) qui n'assurent plus de resistance aux bacteries. Le meilleur moyen diagnostic actuel de l'OSM est l'otoscopie pneumatique qui a une sensibilite de 94et une specificite de 80. La tympanometrie sert surtout a documenter l'OSM et a suivre l'evolution. Le traitement de l'OSM ne peut etre envisage que si un benefice persistant et cliniquement significatif est assure par rapport a l'evolution spontanee. Aucun traitement medical n'a fait la preuve de son efficacite. Le traitement deconges- tionnant nasal et les antihistaminiques n'ont montre aucune superiorite par rapport au placebo. Ailleurs; l'indication chirurgicale (ATT) depend de la perte auditive; des symptomes associes; des facteurs de risque au developpement; et de la prevision anticipee du temps de resolution de l'epanchement. Malgre son diagnostic relativement aise; la strategie therapeutique etant controversee. Le traitement n'est justifie que lorsque l'OSM est chronique. L'ATT demeure l'unique traitement efficace. La prevention des causes de l'inflammation est primordiale mais s'avere difficile. Nous nous proposons de resumer les avancees actuelles en epidemiologie; pathogenie; diagnostic et dans la prise en charge de l'OSM

[Skeletal fluorosis: a case report]. / Fluorose osseuse: à propos d'un cas.

The authors report a case of skeletal fluorosis described in a 60 years old man living in south-west Tunisian. The main clinical sign is a severe functional legs disability. Radiographic examination has shown a diffused osteocondensation, with cervical spine degenerative discopathy, a pelvis bilateral osteoarthritis and an interosseous membrane ossification of forearms and legs. The skeletal fluorosis diagnosis has been confirmed by high serum and urinary fluoride levels.

Prise en charge de l'hyperparathyroide primaire : a propos de 25 cas et revue de la litterature

Objectif : Les auteurs rapportent leur experience dans la prise en charge de l'hyperparathyroidie primaire (HPTP) et comparent leurs resultats par rapport aux donnees de la litterature en discutant les avantages potentiels des differentes techniques chirurgicales. Materiel et methodes : Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective a propos de 25 patients colli-ges sur 8 ans (1998-2005). Tous les patients ont beneficie d'une echographie cervicale; d'un bilan renal et d'un dosage de la calcemie et de la parathormonemie (PTH). Une TDM cervicale a ete pratiquee dans 8 cas et une IRM dans 3 cas. Une scintigraphie a la tetrofosmine a ete realisee dans 10 cas; et a double isotope (thallium 201-technetium 99) dans 2 cas. Une cervicotomie avec exploration bilaterale systematique des 2 loges thyroidiennes a ete pratiquee dans tous les cas. En postoperatoire; la surveillance a ete clinique et biologique avec un recul moyen de 22 mois. Resultats : La calcemie etait elevee chez 23 patients et la PTH dans tous les cas. L'echographie a detecte une hypertrophie d'une glande parathyroide chez 14 patients (56) et de 2 glandes chez 1 seul patient. La TDM cervicale a permis de localiser la lesion dans 5 cas. L'IRM etait normale dans les 3 cas ou elle a ete pratiquee. La scintigraphie a montre une hyperfixation dans 8 cas. Une exerese d'adenomes a ete pratiquee dans 92 et une parathyroidectomie subtotale dans 8 des cas. Le taux de guerison etait de 88 apres premiere intervention. Une reprise chirurgicale avec exerese d'adenome a ete pratiquee chez 2 patients (8). Par ailleurs aucune complication n'a ete notee en postopera-toire. Conclusion : La chirurgie parathyroidienne classique donne de bons resultats avec des taux de guerison eleves et un taux de morbidite global faible. Ces resultats sont comparables avec ceux de la litterature. La chirurgie mini-invasive donne des resultats semblables mais impose des imperatifs techniques; une imagerie performante et des patients rigoureusement selectionnes

Mitochondrial DNA heterogeneity in Tunisian Berbers.

Berbers live in groups scattered across North Africa whose origins and genetic relationships with their neighbours are not well established. The first hypervariable segment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region was sequenced in a total of 155 individuals from three Tunisian Berber groups and compared to other North Africans. The mtDNA lineages found belong to a common set of mtDNA haplogroups already described in North Africa. Besides the autochthonous North African U6 haplogroup, a group of L3 lineages characterized by the transition at position 16041 seems to be restricted to North Africans, suggesting that an expansion of this group of lineages took place around 10500 years ago in North Africa, and spread to neighbouring populations. Principal components and the coordinate analyses show that some Berber groups (the Tuareg, the Mozabite, and the Chenini-Douiret) are outliers within the North African genetic landscape. This outlier position is consistent with an isolation process followed by genetic drift in haplotype frequencies, and with the high heterogeneity displayed by Berbers compared to Arab samples as shown in the AMOVA. Despite this Berber heterogeneity, no significant differences were found between Berber and Arab samples, suggesting that the Arabization was mainly a cultural process rather than a demographic replacement.