[Acute colonic diverticulitis : outcome according to general practice management prior to referral and criteria predictive of complications. A 10-year experience in a University Hospital]. / Diverticulite aiguë du colon : devenir en fonction de la prise en charge préalable en médecine générale et critères prédictifs de complications. Expérience sur 10 ans dans un C.H.U.

INTRODUCTION: Ambulatory treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis has been shown to be safe and effective by several recent studies. The aim of our study was to analyze the outcome of general practice management concerning the complications, the treatment modalities and the hospitalization duration during the first episode of acute diverticulitis. MATERIEL AND METHODS: A total of 176 medical files of patient presenting between January 2000 and December 2010 at the emergency department with a first episode of acute diverticulitis confirmed by an abdominal CT scan were analyzed. Among the 160 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 50 were referred by a general practitioner (GP). Data concerning admission modalities, clinical status, paraclinic investigations, complications, treatment and length of hospital stay were reviewed. RESULTS: The patients referred by the GP were significantly older (p ⟨ 0.001) and were hospitalized significantly longer (p = 0.034) than the patients consulting directly the emergency department. There was a significant correlation between the 2 variables (R = 0.406). Complications and treatment modalities did not differ between the two groups. Complicated diverticulitis was associated with rebound (p = 0.049), tenderness (p = 0.005) and a time interval between initial symptoms onset and admission to the emergency department superior to 4 days (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory management of acute diverticulitis by the GP does not affect the outcome of the patients after their hospital admission in term of complications and treatment modalities. Ambulatory treatment of acute diverticulitis is safe but hospitalization is indicated in case of poor clinical tolerance, presence of rebound, tenderness and duration of symptoms for more than 4 days.

INTRODUCTION: Le traitement ambulatoire des diverticulites non compliquées est efficace et recommandé dans plusieurs études. Le but de notre étude était d'analyser l'impact de la prise en charge en médecine générale sur les complications, les modalités de traitement et la durée d'hospitalisation lors d'un premier épisode de diverticulite. MATERIEL: 176 dossiers ont été analysés. Parmi les 160 patients retenus, 50 étaient adressés par un médecin traitant. Les critères d'inclusion étaient : admission via les urgences avec un premier épisode de diverticulite confirmé par au moins un CT scanner. Les données analysées étaient l'anamnèse, les paramètres cliniques et paracliniques, les complications, les traitements et la durée d'hospitalisation. RESULTATS: Les patients adressés par le médecin traitant ont une durée d'hospitalisation plus longue (p = 0,034) et sont plus âgés (p ⟨ 0,001) que ceux se présentant directement aux urgences avec une corrélation significative entre les 2 variables (R = 0,406). Aucune différence significative n'a été retrouvée en termes de complications et de modalités de traitement entre les deux groupes. Le rebond (p = 0,049), la défense (p = 0,005), et un délai entre le début des plaintes et l'admission aux urgences supérieures à 4 jours (p = 0,027) étaient les facteurs associés à une diverticulite compliquée. CONCLUSION: La prise en charge en médecine générale des diverticulites aiguës ne modifie pas le devenir des patients lors de leur admission à l'hôpital en termes de complications et de modalités de traitement. Le traitement ambulatoire des diverticulites simples est recommandé, mais en cas de mauvaise tolérance clinique, telle que la présence d'un rebond, d'une défense et des symptômes de plus de 4 jours, une hospitalisation est indiquée et justifiée.

[Furuncular myiasis: Case report of a cutaneous parasitosis usually considered as an abscess]. / La myiase furonculeuse: Cas clinique d'une parasitose cutanée souvent confondue avec un abcès.

Furuncular myiasis is a wel l established cutaneous parasitosis in tropical area. In Europe, most of cases have been described in patients returning from risk areas. We report a case of a 4-year old child with a furuncular lesion on his left thigh considered as an abscess and who was send to emergency department for surgical drainage.

La myiase furonculeuse est une parasitose cutanée bien connue dans les régions tropicales. En Europe, des cas rares ont été décrits chez des patients ayant séjourné dans les zones à risque. Nous rapportons le cas d'un enfant de 4 ans présentant un furoncle au niveau de la cuisse gauche considéré à tort comme un abcès et envoyé aux urgences pour drainage.

Penetrating cardiac injuries in Belgium: 20 years of experience in university hospitals in Brussels.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac wounds remain as highly lethal lesions in which their prognosis depends on the emergency management. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyse experiences of cardiac surgeons in different hospitals in Brussels and compare it with the findings in the literature. METHODS: From 1st January 1990 till 1st December 2010, all penetrating cardiac wounds in three Brussels hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Data recorded included clinical parameters, surgical constatation and outcome. RESULTS: A total of fourteen (12 male/2 female) patients sustained penetrating cardiac injuries. There were thirteen patients (93%) with stabs wounds and, one patient (7%) with gunshot wound. Wound locations are as follows: ten patients (71%) right ventricle, three patients (22%) the pericardium, and one patient (7%) the left ventricle. The hemodynamic status was unstable in nine patients (64%), in-extremis in two patients (14%) and stable in three patients (22%). The mean Abbreviate Injury Score was 4.6 and the mean New Injury Severity Score was 31. Thirteen patients (93%) had operations (11 sternotomie, 2 thoracotomies). Two patients required cardiopulmonary bypass. Three patients (22%) died. CONCLUSION: Penetrating cardiac wounds are relatively rare in Belgium, which is mainly due to stabs and with consequent mortality. The implementation of clear guidelines is necessary to improve survival.

Ascending aorta syphilitic aneurysm presenting as a dystrophic disease.

A 37-year-old female originating from Central Africa presented with cardiac failure, aortic insufficiency and aortic root dilatation of supposed dystrophic origin. Left coronary ostial dilatation and dense adhesions between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk at operation were the only unusual features. However, pathological examination evoked a syphilitic disease and serology confirmed luetic infection. The diagnosis and the therapeutic approach are discussed. Syphilitic aneurysms belong to the protohistory of vascular surgery, but, in the antibiotherapy era, tracking a syphilitic aneurysm is like fishing for coelacanth. When this pathology mimics a dystrophic aneurysm, diagnosis and therapeutic attitude becomes hazardous and justifies the present report.