A huge abdominal mass revealing a depressive syndrome.

Trichobezoar is a rare condition that occurs mostly in young women with psychiatric disorders such as trichotillomania and trichophagia. We report the case of a giant gastric trichobezoar in a 21-year-old woman who presented with chronic abdominal pain, vomiting and weight loss. Abdominal examination revealed a large epigastric mass. Endoscopic and imaging findings were highly suggestive of a gastric trichobezoar. Surgical extraction of the huge hair mass was successfully performed through an open gastrotomy. Postoperatively, history of a neglected chronic depression with suicidal ideation was diagnosed. Consequently, the patient was referred to the psychiatric department for mental healthcare, to prevent trichobezoar recurrences.

Colorectal juvenile polyposis in an adult with ulcerative colitis.

Juvenile polyposis is a rare disorder. We report an unusual case of juvenile polyposis in a 22-yr-old woman with ulcerative colitis, apparently one of the first cases reported in the literature.

Delayed repair for traumatic abdominal wall hernia: is it safe?

Abdominal wall hernias after trauma have been recognized for more than a century, with the first case reported as occurring after a fall. Traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWHs) after blunt trauma are uncommon. The timing of definitive repair, early or delayed, is not clear. We report a case on TAWH and mesenteric avulsion, highlighting the reasons for immediate or delayed repair. A single case study can hardly be considered as a basis for profound changes in the management of post traumatic hernias. However, damage to all layers of the abdominal wall indicates high-energy trauma. In such cases, the damage is not, in all probability, limited to the integumentary system. For the moment, the timing of surgery in any TAWH should be considered differently according to the trauma, the wall defect, clinical and radiological findings, associated injuries, and the clinical status of the patient.

[Aneurysm of the coeliac trunk. A case report]. / Anévrysme du tronc coeliaque. A propos d'un cas.

Aneurysm of the coeliac artery is a rare vascular problem. The most serious clinical complication of coeliac artery aneurysm is rupture. Because of this, surgery is traditionally recommended. This paper presents a case of a coeliac artery aneurysm treated by open surgery.

[Peritoneal hydatid cysts. Apropos of 12 cases]. / L'hydatidose péritonéale. A propos de 12 cas.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to report on 12 cases of peritoneal hydatidosis observed in the same hospital from 1989 to 1998. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four men and 8 women (mean age: 37 years) were included in the study. Four of them had been operated on for liver hydatidosis, 3 to 9 years before. The peritoneal hydatidosis was asymptomatic (n = 2), revealed by pain and/or fever (n = 9) and by hydatid peritonitis (n = 1). Diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography in seven cases out of 10. Preoperative treatment with albendazole was given to one patient only during 1 month. All patients were operated on. Peritoneal cysts, with different locations, were secondary in 11 patients. Nine patients had concomitant liver hydatidosis and two concomitant retroperitoneal hydatidosis. Hydatid cysts were usually sterilized with oxygen water and treated by resection of the protruding dome. Postoperative treatment with albendazole was given to five patients. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in five patients: intestinal occlusion, abscess in a residual cavity, purulent fistulas, biliary fistulas with a favorable issue. With a mean 38-month follow-up, all patients were alive, with only one recurrence in a liver hydatid cyst. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal hydatidosis was secondary in 11 out of 12 patients. Diagnosis was performed with ultrasonography in seven out of 10 patients. All patients were operated on. With a mean follow-up of 38 months, only one recurrence has been observed.

[Acute pancreatitis in the post-partum period. Apropos of 3 cases]. / Les pancréatites aiguës du post-partum. A propos de trois cas.

Acute pancreatitis and pregnancy is a rare and serious combination that poses difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Three cases of acute pancreatitis occurred in the post-partum period. Based on these cases and a literature review, we analyzed the different aspects of this interesting association. Biliary origin is particularly evident. Acute pancreatitis after delivery is a serious problem compared to other forms of acute pancreatitis. Late diagnosis caused by circumstances of happening contribute to the severity at least partially.