[Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the thyroid]. / Histiocytose langerhansienne de la thyroïde.

Langerhans histiocytosis is a disease with a very diverse clinical spectrum and a very varied prognosis. The thyroid localization is relatively rare, and raises diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Diagnosis often requires recourse to clinical, radiological and pathological confrontation. Combined medical and surgical treatment is indicated and requires close multidisciplinary cooperation. On the basis of a new observation and data in the literature, we present a progress report on the clinical and therapeutic options preferred by various authors.

[Desmoid tumor of the parotid gland]. / Tumeur desmoïde de la glande parotide.

INTRODUCTION: Desmoid tumor is a benign microscopic tumor that belongs to the group of the deep fibromatosis. It usually arises from facial or musculoaponeurotic structures in the abdomen but rarely is located in the head or neck. Locally, it is characterized by a massive invasion with strong potential for recurrence. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old woman was hospitalized for a swelling of the left parotid gland region which had progressed for eight years. Physical examination revealed a tumor in the parotid gland, which was hard and adherent deeply, measuring 4 cm/3 cm and sensitive to palpation; without satellite nodes nor facial paralysis. The treatment consisted in a superficial parotidectomy. Pathology was in favor of a desmoid tumor. After an 18-month follow-up, the patient is healthy without any sign of recurrence. DISCUSSION: Desmoid tumors are deep fibromatosis characterized by their slow growth and especially by considerable infiltration of the adjacent structures but without potential for metastasis. Although very rare, the cervical localizations are especially aggressive. This clinical case illustrates the clinical features of this rare affection and offers matter for discussion of therapeutic difficulties.

[Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the parotid gland]. / Carcinome neuroendocrine de la parotide.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine carcinomas are rarely observed in the parotid gland. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old woman with an uneventful history was hospitalised for a tumor in the left parotid gland which had progressed for 8 months. The clinical manifestations and the radiological findings were in favour of a malignant process involving the parotid gland. Search for local and regional extension was considered to be negative. The surgical procedure was very difficult but enabled conservative resection of the tumor by total parotidectomy. Pathology results were in favour of a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the parotid gland. External radiotherapy was proposed, but interrupted by the patient after having received 40 Gy. After a 13 month follow-up, the patient was in good general condition without any sign of relapse or metastasis. CONCLUSION: Parotid neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare but need to be individualized owing to their poor prognosis with frequent occurrence of hepatic and pulmonary metastasis.

[Tuberculosis of the parotid gland]. / Tuberculose de la glande parotide.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to emphasize the difficulties of diagnosing parotid gland tuberculosis because of its non specific symptoms and to incite the physician to seek it more frequently. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Six cases of parotid gland tuberculosis were diagnosed within a 4-year period and included in a retrospective study. RESULTS: There were two men and four women, mean age 45 years. Four patients underwent superficial parotidectomy with frozen section analysis which enabled us to rectify the diagnosis. Medical treatment was based on a 6-month course of bactericidal chemotherapy. Outcome was favorable in all the cases with nine months average follow. DISCUSSION: Symptoms of parotid gland are misleading, pathologic findings are of increasing importance for diagnosis, which with the new serology techniques may improve further.

[Thyroid tuberculosis]. / Tuberculose thyroïdienne.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to emphasize the difficulties of diagnosing thyroid tuberculosis because of its non specific symptoms and to encourage physicians to seek it more frequently. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six cases of thyroid tuberculosis diagnosed within a 3-year period were included in a retrospective study. RESULTS: There were two men and four women, mean age 45 years. Four patients underwent lobo-isthmectomy with frozen section analysis which enabled us to rectify the diagnosis. Medical treatment was based on a 6-month course of bactericidal chemotherapy. Outcome was favorable in all the cases with 17 months average follow up. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of thyroid tuberculosis are misleading, pathologic findings are of increasing importance for diagnosis, which with the new serology techniques may improve further.

[Actinomycosis of the middle ear: case report]. / Actinomycose de l'oreille moyenne: à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Actinomycosis of the middle ear are rare and often atypical and remain ignored for a long time. This delayed the diagnosis and obscured the forecast of the disease. AIM OF STUDY: Our objective is to give a progress report on this affection in the light of a new observation and data of the literature. CLINICAL CASE: 58 year old patient who consults of a left chronic otitis media with a posterior perforation. A CT scan had shown a filling of the middle ear in favour of a cholesteatoma. A tympano-mastoidectomy was realized and the histological examination of the product of excision had sowed that it acts of an actinomycosis of the middle ear. The treatment consisted of penicillin for 5 months. The continuations are good after 14 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The actinomycosis of the middle ear must be known to evoke the diagnosis in various clinical circumstances. Its diagnosis makes it possible to adopt an adapted and non aggressive therapeutic attitude, avoiding heavy surgical gestures, sources of complications or after-effects. The antibiotherapy containing penicillin is the essential element, either separately, or in complement of gestures of surgical drainage.

[Benign cementoblastoma. Apropos of a case and review of the literature]. / Le cémentoblastome bénin. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

The cementoblastoma is a rare benign tumor of odontogen origin that interests the roots of the teeth especially the lower molars. The evolution is often silent, the radiological exam is not specific, the diagnosis of certainty is histological. The surgical treatment assures the recovery without aftermath. The authors report a case of cementoblastoma at a patient of 37 years for which he has benefited of a resection by vestibular way and debate diagnosis and therapeutic modes of this affection.

Widespread immunoreactivity of presenilin in neurons of normal and Alzheimer's disease brains: double-labeling immunohistochemical study.

The immunolocalization of presenilin in human brain was studied using two antibodies raised against different portions of presenilin 1 (S182) protein. A granular staining was found in the cytoplasm of neurons in cortical layers III and V. One of the antibodies, also reactive to presenilin 2 (E5-1) protein, additionally stained dendrites and axons. This was seen in normal brains as well as in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease. Less prominent immunolabeling was noted in some senile plaques. No relationship to neurofibrillary tangles was found in double-labeling experiments combined with anti-paired helical filament-tau antibody (AT8). The widespread expression of presenilin in normal brain suggests a physiological role of the protein.