[Surgical treatment of acral melanoma: a report of eight cases]. / Traitement chirurgical du mélanome acral: à propos de huit cas.

Acral melanoma represents 3 to 15% of all cutaneous melanoma. In Morocco, this location is predominant. Through our study, we intend to analyze the therapeutic aspects of acral melanoma, while focusing on the epidemiological, clinical, pathological and prognostic profile of acral melanoma cases listed in osteoarticular surgery department of the CHU Hassan II of Fez in the period from January 2009 to December 2012. The mean age of the patients was 63 years, with slight predominance of women. The most commonly involved location was plantar region (including the heel) and pigmented color was the most common. The concept of micro trauma was found in almost half of our patients. Plantar localization was the most commun lesion. Inguinal lymph nodes attended three patients and one patient had deep lymph nodes. Only one of them had a lymphadenectomy. Nodular melanoma os the most found histological type in our study with a Breslow thickness of 8.5mm on average, and Clark level IV is found in the majority of cases. Excision of the tumour was performed in all patients. It was estimated wide in all cases. Five patients received reparative surgery consisting of flap coverage. This study has proved a high incidence of poor prognostic factors clinically and histologically.

Functional outcome of midclavicular fracture fixation utilising a reconstruction plate.

BACKGROUND: Clavicular fractures are common injuries. The aim of this study is to present results of surgical treatment of midclavicular fracture managed with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with superior reconstruction plating. This study involved 34 patients, with mean age of 31 years, with completely displaced midclavicular fractures, 28 on the right and 6 on the left, stabilized by contoured plate. One patient developed an early wound infection, which was successfully managed by surgical debridement. The average time of union was 14 weeks, with one case of nonunion. The average constant score was 95.33 with SD 3.4 in one year follow up. Plate fixation of completely displaced midshaft clavicular fracture provides stable fixation and improves the functional outcome. KEY WORDS: Clavicle fracture, Open reduction and internal fixation, conservative treatment, surgical treatment.

[Anterior traumatic axial disruption of the middle carpal joint. Case report with literature review]. / Séparation traumatique axiale de la médiocarpienne à déplacement palmaire. À propos d'un cas avec revue de la littérature.

We report a case of traumatic axial disruption of the radial mid carpal joint. This unusual type of scaphotrapezo-trapezoïdal dislocation occurred after falling from a height. We performed open reduction and wire fixation. At 12months follow-up, functional outcome was satisfactory with good muscle strength (clamping force, grip strength and pinch grip: 90% compared to the opposite side) and good range of motion was preserved. Work was resumed at the tenth week. Radial midcarpal disruption is uncommon. It includes the separation of the trapezium, trapezoïdal, first and second and third metacarpal bones from the remaining wrist. This pattern of carpal derangement has not been previously described in the literature. Mechanism of the injury and treatment are discussed.

[Efficacy of first-line radiation for non-resectable carotid paraganglioma]. / Efficacité de la radiothérapie en première intention d'un paragangliome carotidien non résécable.

BACKGROUND: Carotid paragangliomas are rare. Surgical resection is the primary treatment. However, when surgery is impossible, radiation therapy is an alternative potentially enabling local control with less morbidity. We report a case of good local control of an unresectable paraganglioma after external beam radiation. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old-woman, had a 4-year history of right facial palsy associated with pulsatile tinnitus, episodic ear bleeding and ipsilateral hearing loss. Physical examination revealed a retro-mandibular and sub-mastoid pulsatile mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large carotid paraganglioma involving the temporal bone. Since surgical resection was impossible, our patient was given external beam radiation therapy at a dose of 60 Gy. At 12 months follow-up, local control was good without significant toxicity. CONCLUSION: External beam radiation therapy seems to be a good alternative therapy for local control of carotid paragangliomas if surgical resection is impossible.

[Rupture of a popliteal artery pseudo-aneurysm revealing a tibial osteochondroma: case report and review of the literature]. / Rupture d'un faux anévrisme de l'artère poplitée révélant une exostose du tibia : à propos d'un cas et revue de littérature.

Osteochondroma constitutes the most frequent bone tumor. It is exceptionally responsible for vascular complications from which pseudo-aneurysms constitute the most frequent entity. We report the case of a 20-year-old patient who presented with acute pain of the left knee following a sports' accident. Vascular ultrasonography showed the rupture of a false aneurysm of the popliteal artery. An arteriography confirmed the diagnosis by showing contrast leakage at the level of the below-knee popliteal artery projecting over an osteochondroma. Surgery was undertaken to close the aneurysm an insert a venous graft. The procedure was completed by excision of the bone tumor. Vascular complications of osteochondroma are rare but should be considered in young patients with a false aneurysm of the popliteal artery. Surgery is required for the treatment of false aneurysms on exostosis.

[Multiple tuberculous aortic aneurysms in a child. A case report]. / Multiples anévrismes aortiques d'origine tuberculeuse chez un enfant. A propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous aortic aneurysms are rarely seen. Their major complication is unforeseeable and lethal aneurysmal rupture. We report an exceptional case of multiple tuberculous aortic aneurysms in a child. CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain. She reported a history of fever, night sweats and weight loss. Physical examination showed a pulsatile mass over the umbilicus. Thoracoabdominal angio-NMR revealed multiple pseudoaneurysms of the thoracic and abdominal aorta. The patient underwent elective laparotomy, resection of the abdominal aortic and in situ prosthetic repair with an aortic graft. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. The histopathologic examination of the aortic wall and para-aortic lymph nodes showed evident features of tuberculosis. Antituberculous chemotherapy was initiated. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous aortic aneurysms are rarely seen. Their major complication is rupture. Surgery must not be delayed just like antitubercular therapy.

[Giant aneurysm of the splenic artery. Case report and review of the literature]. / Anévrisme géant de l'artère splénique. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Giant splenic artery aneurysm is exceptional. We report a case and review the literature to ascertain the characteristic epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of this condition. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old man was admitted for epigastric pain. Physical examination found an epigastric pulsatile mass. A contrast computed scan of the abdomen revealed a 10-cm thrombosed aneurysm of the splenic artery. An abdominal aortography, including selective celiac angiography, confirmed the presence of a 10-cm aneurysm originating from the medial third of the splenic artery. The patient underwent open surgical repair. The proximal and the distal splenic artery were ligated from within the aneurysm. The postoperative period was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Giant aneurysm of the splenic artery is a rare clinical entity. These aneurysms differ from usual splenic artery aneurysms in several ways involving the predominant gender, localization on the splenic artery, clinical presentation, and treatment.