Blood donation in Morocco: a 20-year retrospective study of blood collection in the Rabat blood centre.

OBJECTIVES: We trace the history of blood donors and the recruitment strategies developed between 1988 and 2008 in the regional blood transfusion centre of Rabat. Beside, we draw a distribution map of the blood donors' population in Morocco during the year 2008. BACKGROUND: Limited resource countries face considerable obstacles to ensuring a safe blood supply and safe blood transfusions. Many countries used and some of them still depend on replacement blood donors. METHODS: Data published in this article had been collected from the CRTS of Rabat archives and reports. Data from all the 16 regional blood transfusion centres were collected from the report annually presented by the different regions. RESULTS: We found that during the 20 years period studied, the number of blood units collected by Rabat recorded many fluctuations. In the mean time, many measures were taken to promote the recruitment of voluntary blood donors. The proportion of these later jumped from 16·55% in 1988 to reach almost 80% in 2008. Beside, the whole country's blood collection map for the year 2008 showed that 190 504 of whole blood units were collected. This means that there are only six donations per 1000 people. CONCLUSION: This is the first study conducted in Morocco that provided detailed information on ongoing trends in blood donor profiles. The creation and development of new mobile drive units and maintaining them over time was the key to increase the collection of blood units from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

[Renal cancer in adults. Review of 68 cases]. / Cancer du rein de l'adulte. A propos de 68 cas.

The authors report a series of 68 cases of renal cancer observed over a 9-year period. Patients consisted of 33 women (49%) and 35 men (51%), with a mean age of 53 years (range: 23-85 years). The clinical features were polymorphic, dominated by loin pain (44%), haematuria (37%), a lumbar mass (19%), alteration of the general state (7%). The diagnosis was established by ultrasonography in 59 patients and CT-scan in 63 patients. The mean tumour diameter was 11 cm (4-22 cm) and two cases presented bilateral tumours. The time to diagnosis ranged from 1 month to 7 years. Staging reflected the advanced stage of the cancer. Treatment was surgical for 58 patients (58%). A lumbar incision was performed, in 40% of cases. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 82%, and partial nephrectomy was performed in 3% of patients. Histological examination of the specimen showed renal cell carcinoma in 75% of cases. The lymph nodes removed were invaded in 20% of cases. The mean follow-up was 29 months (6 to 84 months), normal at one year for 44 patients (86%) and at 5 years for 16 patients (31%). Tumour recurrence in the renal compartment was observed in 2 patients (4%). Asynchronous metastases occurred in 11 patients (21.5%) after 21 months. (range: 12-48 months). The overall 5-year survival was 100% T1, 69% T2 and 50% T3.

[Desmoid tumor of the mesentery secondary to colectomy. An exceptional cause of ureteric obstruction]. / Tumeur desmoïde du mésentère secondaire à une colectomie. Une cause exceptionnelle d'obstruction urétérale.

Desmoid tumours are rare lesions with a local invasive potential and a risk of recurrence, considered to be benign due to the absence of metastases. They are classified as fibromatoses and may be associated with Gardner's syndrome. The authors report an unusual case, in a 33-year-old woman, of a desmoid tumour invading the right ureter with upper tract dilatation. Etiologic factors (traumatic, hormonal, auto-immune...) are discussed, together with the treatment of choice to lower the risk of recurrence.