[Uncommon cervicobrachial neuralgia: about 17 cases]. / Les névralgies cervico-brachiales symptomatiques : Apropos de 17 cas.

BACKGROUND: Cervicobrachial neuralgia (CBN) is frequent in out patient clinic as well in general medicine as in rheumatology. Even though cervical disc degeneration and osteophytosis constitute the most frequent etiology of such a trouble, the practitioner must be aware of much more serious underlying cause. AIM: To investigate the epidemiology, clinical features, aetiologies and paraclinical characteristics of uncommon CBN. METHODS: Retrospective chart review about 17 cases of uncommon CBN among the 84 cases of CBN hospitalized at the rheumatology department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital during a 16-years-period [1990-2005]. RESULTS: There were 11 men and 6 women with a mean age of 63 years [33y-81y]. All patients presented a CBN since in average five months [2 months- 24 months]. Neck stiffness was noted in 60% of cases and a neurological impairment in 47% of cases. X-ray radiographs of cervical spine were normal in five cases. In the remaining cases, they showed lytic images (six cases), disk space narrowing with vertebral erosions (two cases) and vertebral fracture (three cases). Further investigations concluded that the CBN was due to a Pancoast'syndrome in five cases, an infectious spondylitis in three cases, cervical bone metastasis in two cases, a syringomyelia in two cases, a neuroma in one case, a thoracic outlet syndrome in one case and an erosive spondylarthropathy in a patient presenting chronic renal failure managed by hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: In comparison with common CBN, our patients presenting symptomatic CBN were characterised by an inflammatory and refractory pain. The more frequent recourse to modern imaging is justified.

[Monoarthritis of the elbow revealing an intraarticular osteoid osteoma]. / Monoarthrite du coude révélatrice d'un ostéome ostéoïde intra-articulaire.

BACKGROUND: Osteoid osteoma is one of the unusual causes of musculoskeletal pain. Its diagnosis is usually not difficult in classic diaphyseal localization. However, the diagnosis of juxta or intraarticular osteoid osteoma is challenging because of atypical clinical presentation responsible for long diagnosis delay. AIM: Report a new case. CASE REPORT: We report herein the case of a 22-year-old woman presenting an intraarticular osteoid osteoma of the elbow. Diagnosis has been established on imaging findings (MRI and CT-scan) after 10 months because of atypical clinical presentation as a chronic monoarthritis of the elbow. The picture of an osteoid osteoma of the lower extremity of the humerus associated to a synovitis and a joint effusion was suspected on MRI. It had been confirmed on CT-scan wich showed the nidus. Surgical removal of the tumor allowed pain relief and functional restoration in postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Regarding an unexplained chronic monoarthritis, the diagnosis of intraarticular osteoid osteoma should be evoked. CT-can remains the investigation of choice for identifying the nidus. Surgical exicision permits the relief of symptoms.

[Septic arthritis in the elderly: about 21 cases]. / Les arthrites septiques du sujet âgé: à propos de 21 cas.

BACKGROUND: Septic arthritis (SA) is a serious disease especially if occurring in elderly debilitated by frequent comorbidities and diminished immunity. AIM: The authors discuss diagnosis difficulties, prognosis and, therapeutic consequences of the occurrence of septic arthritis in elders. METHODS: It is a retrospective study about 21 cases of septic arthritis (SA) occurring in the elderly aged 65-year-old or more, hospitalized over a ten year period [1994-2005] at the department of Rheumatology of Charles Nicolle's Hospital of Tunis. RESULTS: Mean age was 70.8 years [65y-83y] with a sex-ratio of 1.1. A history of rheumatologic and/or systemic diseases was present in 62% of cases. Clinic presentation was atypical explaining the long mean diagnosis delay; 23 days for pyogenic SA, 9.3 months for tuberculous arthritis. The germ involved, isolated in 11 cases, was a Staphylococcus Aureus in most ones. Tuberculous arthritis represented 28.6% of cases. The outcome was favourable in 19 cases (90%) after antibiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Because of its seriousness, SA should be evocated in front of any articular inflammation occurring in elderly. Adequate management must be started as soon as possible.

[Adult onset Still's disease: about 11 cases]. / La maladie de still de l'adulte: à propos de 11 cas.

BACKGROUND: Adult onset Still's disease (AOS) is an inflammatory disorder which associates variable articular and systemic manifestations. Despite a better knowledge of its biological and clinical particularities; the pathogeny of this disease remains unknown. The aim of this study is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, biological and, outcome characteristics of AOS. METHODS: It is a retrospective study about 11 cases of AOS hospitalized over a 24-year-period (1982-2005) at The Rheumatology Department of Charles Nicolle's Hospital of Tunis. All patients responded to the Yamaguchi criteria. RESULTS: Mean age was 35.4 years [20y-70y] with a sex-ratio of 0.57. Fever and articular involvement were the most frequent signs. Cutaneous symptoms were present in 6 patients. Three of our patients developed destructive arthritis. Renal amyloidosis, a rare complication of AOS, has been noted in one case. CONCLUSION: AOS is an unfrequent disorder characterized by its diagnosis and treatment difficulties. Recent advances in immunotherapy may better the management of AOS.