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In Senegal, psychological violence remains a taboo subject insofar as it often arises in the closed circle of family life. It has a highly negative impact on the health of pregnant women. The objective of this work was to study the epidemiological profile of female victims of psychological violence before and after birth in the Sédhiou region.An observational, cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out from December 4, 2018 to April 4, 2019. The study population consisted of all the women received for postnatal consultation in one of the referral health structures in the Sédhiou region. Data were collected using a survey form and a questionnaire administered to the women having met the inclusion criteria. The data were entered using CS Pro software and subsequently analyzed using R 3.4.4 software.The mean age of the women was 25.4±7.8 (14-43 years). A total of 222 women (55.5 %) had suffered psychological violence during the prepartum period. Isolated psychological violence represented 44.3 % of the surveyed population, while psychological violence associated with sexual or physical violence represented 8.0 % and 5.4 % of the respondent population, respectively. The factors associated with psychological violence during the prepartum period were pursuit of a professional activity [ORaj=4.7 (1.3-17.0)], high educational status [ORaj=7.0 (4.2-11.5)] and performance of fewer than 3 antenatal consultations (ANC) [ORaj=2.2 (1.2-4.0)]. Maternal, fetal and neonatal complications were more frequent among victims of psychological violence (P0.05). During the postpartum period, 26.5 % of the women who had been victims of violence during the prepartum period mentioned the fact that the aggression had ceased. The other women continued to endure violence, which was even more intense among 2.5 %.Psychological violence among pregnant women has a negative impact on the health of the mother and the newborn. This state of affairs should induce health care providers to increase popular awareness of its detrimental effects. Communication efforts aimed at behavioral change will need to be combined during prenatal consultations with strengthened screening for violence, the objective being to achieve improved care.

To describe the process of establishing a reference center for gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) in Senegal and to report its main results so far. We describe the history and establishment of the center, which is based on the experience of the main international centers. The adaptations made to patient follow-up are detailed, while we follow FIGO and WHO diagnostic and management criteria. Finally, we report our main results. Between 2011 and 2017, 878 files were registered at the Center. More than half of the women had no histological confirmation of GTD (60.8 %). The diagnosis was then based on ultrasound images or macroscopic examination of molar vesicles. Spontaneous remission occurred in 64.5 % of the cases, while gestational trophoblastic neoplasia developed in 23.5 %. The FIGO criteria were slightly adapted for hCG monitoring. Methotrexate was the drug of choice in the low-risk group (97.8 %), while the EMACO protocol was financially difficult for nearly half of the high-risk group. The overall remission rate was 83 % and the specific lethality 11.6 %. Our center has demonstrated the efficiency of centralizing the management of GTDs. Difficulty in access to hCG and antimitotic drugs makes management difficult. However, we have introduced alternative solutions that we are working to improve.

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotypes circulating in Senegal among Drug User (DUs), using Dried Blood Spots (DBS) as RNA source for molecular assays. Heroin and/or cocaine users (n = 506) were recruited in Dakar from April to July 2011, using a Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method. DBS preparation consisted of five drops of whole blood from finger applied to a Whatman paper card. HCV infection was screened by the detection of anti-HCV antibodies, using a rapid immune-chromatographic test. HCV RNA was quantified on anti-HCV positive DBS, using the Abbott RealTime HCV® Genotyping was performed on DBS with detectable viral load with Versant® HCV Genotype 2.0 Assay (LiPA) and Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay®. Among the 506 participants, 120 were tested as positive for anti-HCV antibodies and their samples were analyzed for HCV RNA viral load and genotype. Out of the 120 DBS tested, HCV RNA was detected on 25 (20.8%). The median viral load was 15,058 IU/ml (ranging from 710 to 766,740 IU/ml). All positive DBS were suitable for the genotyping assay, that showed a predominance of genotype 1 (21/25) including 16 genotypes 1a and 5 genotypes 1b. HCV genotype 1 prevails in a DU population in Dakar. DBS could be useful for HCV RNA genotyping, but optimal storage conditions should required avoiding RNA impairment. Acknowledging this limitation, DBS could be a great interest for detecting and genotyping HCV viremic patients. J. Med. Virol. 89:484-488, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

To demonstrate the feasibility of copper IUD insertion following cesarean deliveries and assess its safety.This is a prospective pilot study at Pikine national hospital from February 15 to November 15, 2012. Were evaluated the efficacy, incidence and spectrum of complications and continuation rates.Fifty-nine subjects were enrolled and 46 received an IUD. The average age of patients was 28 years. No patient had previously used IUDs. Forty-four patients (97.5%) were returned to the first follow-up visit at the first month, 41 patients (89.1%) at the second visit and 39 patients (86.9%) at the third visit. The rate of lost sight was 8.7%. Pain and bleeding were reported rarely: 2.3% at the first month, 4.9% at the third month and 7.7% at the sixth month for the bleeding and 6.8% at the first month, 2.4% at the third month and 2% at the sixth month for pain. The rate of expulsion was 2.2%.The insertion of the IUD following cesarean delivery has an acceptable rate of expulsion and no increased rate of adverse effects. This technique should be popularized.

Authors present 13 cases of spinal neurinomas and neurofibromas out of 418 non- pottic, non-traumatic medullary compression operated between 1965 and 1995. All cases were histologically documented. Neurinomas and neurofibromas represent 3.1% of all non pottic, non traumatic medullary compression and 12.8% of tumour medullary compression operated in our service. The illness started with radicular pains (6 cases) and spinal ache (5 cases) and most of the time, the medullary compression diagnosis is completed at the spasmodic paraplegia status. No patient has done any C.T. scan but in the other hand a myelography has been completed in all cases, resulting in the blockage of the contrast product which in 4 cases was of an epidural type, and in 2 cases of intra dural type. All patients were operated through a posterior approach, which ended in 10 cases to a total removal, and in 3 cases to a partial one. 7 extradural localizations were noticed and 3 neurinomas, 3 neurofibromas and 1 neurofibrosarcoma were histologically identified. A post operative follow-up was done on 11 patients and a satisfactory result was obtained on 6 of them. In 2 cases, the neurological status remained unchanged. In 2 cases a deterioration occurred and a patient with neurofibrosarcoma passed away.

This is the presentation of an adolescent's clinical case who tried to commit suicide with a fire arm during a depressive crisis. An emphasis is placed on the family interaction model and on a more global approach of the patient's personality. The authors underlined some of the problems raised by the diagnostic approach linked to the delirious syndrome, full of psychotic elements: themes of persecution, mystico-religious themes associated with impulsive escapade, all of them going with a depressive state. They gave also an important place to a pluridisciplanary treatment in those particular stages of crisis.

Penetrating spinal cord injuries (P.S.C.I.) are rarely described in Sub Saharian countries in spite of an increasing number of wars. To study epidemiology management and prognosis of P.S.C.I. in Senegal, population of 16 patients collected from Fann Hospital in Dakar has been studied. 9 cases were related on gunshot or shrapnel injuries and 6 were stab-wounded. 8 came from war practice and 7 from civilian practice. The point of entry was at the posterior or lateral part of the body and continuous leaking of cerebral spinal fluid from this point was founded only in one patient. Patients showed a clinical picture of a complete spinal cord section syndrome, 3 spinal cord hemisection Brown Sequard syndromes, 3 cauda equina syndromes and 1 monoradicular syndrome. Spinal X-rays or myelography may lead to an accurate evaluation of the extent of bone tissue destruction. Anatomical evaluation of roots and spinal cord lesions were more difficult when C.T. scan or R.M.I. is not available. Penetrating spinal cord injury with foreign body included or myelography stop or showing cauda equina syndrome should be operated on. 9 of our patients has benefited of spine surgical posterior approach (laminectomy). Immediate vital prognosis is good regarding the fact that visceral associated lesions were rare (2 cases). Functional recovery is fair only 46.6% of patients expressed partial or complete recovery. Prognosis factors such as injuring agent and initial neurological status has been discussed. Prognosis of penetrating spinal cord injuries could be improved by immediate and multidisciplinary management.

In sub-Saharan Africa, problems of access to relevant and high-quality facility-based statistics hinder the assessment of safe motherhood programs. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of data collected in referral hospitals in Mali and Senegal after the routine information system (RIS) was strengthened.This was a multicenter observational study conducted during the pre-intervention period of a randomized controlled trial (trial QUARITE). The RIS was strengthened based on technical, organizational and behavioral factors. We included all women who gave birth in the 46 referral hospitals from October 1, 2007 to October 30, 2008. The completeness, completion and accuracy rates were monitored every 3 months in each hospital. The cost of investment needed to strengthen the existing RIS was also determined.The mean completeness rate ranged from 94 to 97% depending on the study period. The completion and accuracy rates increased during the study period from 72% and 79% to 87% and 93%, respectively (significant differences). The average investment per hospital was less than 1% of state subsidies for public hospitals.Strengthening the existing information system has set up an economically and technologically appropriate system for monitoring maternal and perinatal health in Senegal and Mali. We encourage policy makers and researchers from countries with limited resources to invest in RIS to improve and monitor the performance of health systems.

Nosocomial Infection (NI) is also observed in healthcare facilities in non-Western countries. The purpose of this report is to describe the findings of a survey undertaken to evaluate hygiene procedures implemented at the "Hopital Principal" in Dakar, Senegal and to assess perception and awareness of nosocomial risk among the hospital staff. A total of 264 healthcare workers were interviewed. Mean age was 39 years (range, 18-60) and the sex ratio was 1.3 (150 men/114 women). Sixty (22.7%) had university degrees, 106 (40.2%) had secondary school diplomas, 50 (18.9%) had attended middle school, and 13 (4.9%) had no schooling. Analysis of interview data showed that 56.1% (157/264) defined NI as infection acquired at the hospital but that only 9.8% (n=26) knew that a minimum 48-hour delay was necessary to distinguish nosocomial from community acquired infection. While understanding about NI was correlated with education level, data showed that 1 out of 3 physicians (13/39) failed to give the exact definition. Hand contact was cited as the second route of transmission. Isolation precautions were understood by 22.7% of personnel (60/264). Systematic handwashing was reported by 363% (96/264) but observation demonstrated that it was not performed properly regardless of the category of personnel. Care protocols were understood by 54.6% of persons interviewed (144/264). A hygiene-training course had been attended by 52.2% (n=138). Two thirds of the staff (69.7%: 54/264) was able to identify the hygiene nurse. Ninety-eight health care providers (37.1%) were familiar with the CLIN (Comités de Lutte contre les Infections Nosocomiales).

In this paper, one case of syndrome of caudal suppression associated with a syndrome of Klippel Feil is discussed. It concerned a 14 years old boy, born form a diabetic mother with congenital abnormalities such as: urinary incontinence, facial dysmorphia, a short neck, an arachnodactylia, a lumbar kyphosis, a permanent flexion of the knee, a kalipe cavus, the spine, a partial agenesis of the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae a total agenesis of the fifth and sacrum; This syndrome is infrequent and the pathophysiological mechanisms are still under discussion and no therapeutic strategy is proposed. This case offers an opportunity to the authors to make review of the medical literature on this subject. They emphasized on the interest to look for a vertebro-medullary malformation every time a child comes to us with walking problem or enuresia, this fact should be enforced when mother is diabetic.

From 1975 to 1995, 335 patients were operated for hydrocephalus in neurosurgical clinic of CHU Fann, and got ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. 3 cases of patients presenting an uncommon complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt: abdominal pseudo cyst, are reported and discussed. The digestive symptoms are the first to manifest themselves for a period of time, then confusing with other forms of abdominal cysts. The suggested treatment is to remove the shunt from the peritoneal cavity and perform a ventriculo-atrial shunt, then to proceed to a laparotomy, drain the fluid and resect the cyst wall. The results are excellent.

The objective of this work was to describe the clinical and therapeutical aspects of pathology of the peritoneo-vaginal process. We have performed a retrospective study including 160 patients operated between January 1990 up to December 1996. Mean age at diagnosis was 8 years, ranged from 1 month to 13 years old. All patients were male. The abnormality was located in the right side in 60% of cases and was bilateral in 6.7% of cases. The main clinical features were scrotal mass (81%) and scrotal pain (13.46%). The diagnosis was made at birth only in 20% of cases. A maldescended testis was associated in 7.5% of cases. A groin incision have been used in 91.25% of patients. The average hospital stay after surgery was 1 day. Thus, the pathology of the peritoneo-vaginal process is common and apparently banal. Need for treatment through a groin incision owing to the possibility of associated maldescended testis.

This is a contribution to the survey on psychiatric disorders of puerperality. We are particularly interested in the clinical signs and the ethiopathogenical facts of psychiatric disorders of the post-partum which appear-in our point of view-to be the main point on which we could probably act to reduce the effect of the disease. It is a retrospective survey going from January, 1st 1992 to December, 31st 1996. Here are included all the female patients whose age is more than 15, hospitalised during survey period and who presented a mental pathology linked with puerperality in accordance with diagnosis criterions of World Health Organization. In 1 627 hospitalisations, there were 658 women among whom 52 presented puerperality psychical disorders, that's meaning 7.9% of the female patients hospitalised in psychiatry, with an average age of 24.5 years. Concerning the classification of the diseases, the acute delirious psychosis and the depressive disorders are more important with respectively 56% and 19% of the sample. 92% of the women gave birth by the vaginal normal way and 61.5% presented disorders in the first week following their delivery. The married women are 94%. Concerning their occupations, 98% are house keepers. 52% are primiparas and 48% are multiparas. Psychical disorders of puerperality are frequent in Dakar. Acute psychosis and mood disorders are the main clinical aspects. The management of the future mother to her new roles by health education and prenatal check-ups in health centers by skilled and appropriate personnal is necessary.

to study the particularities of the bladder lithiasis in our countries. This was a retrospective study of 94 cases (62 men and 32 women) of bladder lithiasis over a period of 13 years. The lithogenic factors; clinic, paraclinic and therapeutic aspects have been studied. Morphoconstitutional analysis has been carded out in collaboration with Cristal Laboratory (St Cloud hospital center in France).mean age was 24.2+/-20.7 years old. The principals mains of consultation were: dysuria (n =36), mictionnal pain (n = 28), hematuria (n = 15). Facilitating factors have been found in 27% of cases. In 10 cases, there was an association bladdder lithiasis and bladdder-vaginal fistula. Radiologic test was dominated by intraveinous urographic (53.19 of cases). The metabolic test showed hypercalcemia and cristalluria in 2 cases. In 7,45 % of cases, we have founding a renal failure. An urinary tract infection have been noticed in 42 % of cases. Open surgery has been the main treatement (96 %) associating in 15 % of cases the treatement of an uropathy. In one case the bladder lithiasis weighed 1120 g. The morphologic and spectrophotometric analysis of the lithiasis have been achieved in 13 % of cases showing the predominance of struvite.the bladder lithiasis is still common in our countries; it could be good for us to access endoorporeals and extracorporeals therapeutic equipements in orderto reduce the indications of open surgery.

The purpose of this study was to analyze self-destructive behavior in adolescents in Senegal. Based on four case reports the authors stress the central importance of family breakdown in the process leading to this behavior as opposed to the first descriptions implicating an offense against the honor of the group. The vulnerability of teenagers in the absence of structural initiation is also advanced. Systematic intervention may be recommended in such cases.

The investigation of this outbreak took place in Niakhar (IRD project study area), a rural area located 150 km East of Dakar. Covering 30 villages, with a population of about 30,000 inhabitants, the area has been under demographic and epidemiological surveillance. In 1999, the surveillance allowed 973 cases of shigellosis to be recorded out of 1,751 cases of dysenteric diarrhoeas. The outbreak reached a peak during the raining season (73% of the cases in September and October). All the villages and all age groups were concerned. The attack rate in the population was 3%. During the same period, 22 deaths were attributed to shigellosis, leading to a lethality of 2.3%. Children under five were the most affected. The bacteriological examination isolated S. flexneri in 72% of 12 stools samples and S. dysenteriae A1 (SD1) in 14%. All serotypes were resistant to ampicillin and susceptible to quinolones. Susceptibility to cotrimoxazole was unconstant. Apart from the usual factors involved in the spread of diarrhoeas, the main reason evoked to explain the duration of the epidemic has been the lack of adequate emergency antibiotherapy treatment. Quinolones, recommended by the health authorities, could not be provided by health services. The identification of the SD1 serotype confirmed its involvement in the outbreak of shigellosis. The exact role of S. flexneri in shigellosis epidemics should be further studied.

Tea drinking after meals is a traditional practice in Senegal where more than 80% of the population from 15 to 60 years old drink tea. According to the tradition, in one session, each tea consumer has to drink 3 cups of decocted tea. The content of a cup is about 30 ml of liquid. Some people drink tea three times daily, that is to say after each meal. Tea plant is rich in fluoride. To determine the effective intake of the Senegalese population from this source, we measured the fluoride concentration not only for each component of the prepared tea but also for each cup of prepared tea. For this study, we used the two main kinds of tea existing locally. The analyses have been done at Rochester, NY Eastman Dental Center, Oral Biology Dept Fluoride Laboratory using the Taves Microdiffusion Method and the fluoride Ion Specific Electrode. The results so that the mean total fluoride concentration of each cup, from the first to the third one, is: 4.0 mg F-/L, 7.436 mg F-/L and 1.230 mg F-/L. It means that on an average in one session, a Senegalese tea consumer has a daily fluoride intake of 1.139 mg F-/L when taking in count the total fluoride and drinking only 90 ml of tea. If we consider the ionic fluoride the amount of daily ingested fluoride for someone who takes only 3 tea-pots of 30 ml each, is 0.830 mg. To conclude, we state that this traditional practice may have a caries preventive effect. Further studies will be grateful for that practice when setting up a caries preventive program in our country. We will also be careful in extending that practice to children less than 8 years old because it might cause dental fluorosis as in Senegal the optimal dose of fluoride is 0.8 mg F-/L.

The aim of this study was to analyze problems posed by adult renal malignant tumors both in the diagnostical and therapeutical viewpoints. We have performed a retrospective study including 48 cases of confirmed renal cancer. Have been included adult patients who presented a cancer of the kidney operated or not. Studied parameters were age, sex, clinical signs, complementary explorations i.e. biology, renal ultrasonography, IVU, Computerized tomography, the operative indication and the prognosis. We have used Robson's staging to classify our patients. The average age was 51 years with extremes of 18 and 83 years. However 60% of them were less than 50 years. Adenocarcinoma was the main histological form encountered. It has been found in 93% of cases. The flank mass has been the mode of discovery in 70.8% of cases. The classic symptomatic triad associating hematuria, pain and the renal mass has been found in 20.8% of cases. Ultrasonography and Intravenous urography (IVU) have allowed to pose the diagnosis in 93.75% of cases. Patients were often referred very late with an average delay of consultation of 14 month. So, 25% of them presented with metastasis at the moment of the diagnosis. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 60% of cases. 40% of patients have not been operated due to the advanced evolution of the tumor. The global mortality to 1 year was estimated at 38%. We conclude that renal malignant tumors in the adulthood, in our practice, presents some particularities. Indeed, patients are referred late when clinical symptoms are sufficiently evocative to suspect the diagnosis. At these advanced stages, there is no curative therapeutic. So, a precocious diagnosis is necessary in order to propose to patients radical nephrectomy which remains the only efficient therapeutical procedure of the localized renal cancer in the adulthood.

Adolescence is a period of change where the person is seeking an identity. This period is characterized by an early sexuality with early pregnancies and risky deliveries. The objectives of our study are to show the epidemiologic aspects of adolescent pregnancy and to identify its obstetrical factors. It is a prospective study held in one year, from August 1st 1991 to July 31 1992 including all pregnant adolescents and those coming for delivery at the Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic at the University teaching hospital Le Dantec. The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is 3.7% and 84% are primiparous. The non-educated represent 65% and 55% are married. Early sexuality and early pregnancy are mostly seen among Pulars. The complications during pregnancy are toxemia and its accidents (17.6%), premature rupture of membrane (4.4%) and anemia (2.5%). Adolescent who had not received prenatal care represent 11% and 38% had not received enough care. Normal delivery happened in 67.5% and the C-section represented 7.5%. 3% of the adolescents had done unsafe abortion. No maternal death was observed. 89.1% live births were reported, however, 18.4% needed intensive care. Because of the obstetric and neonatal problems, early pregnancy should be prevented through a active collaboration of divers partners.

A total of 343 HIV-1-positive samples obtained between June 1996 and March 1999 was genetically characterized in the envelope region by HMA and/or sequencing. The env subtype distribution was as follows: 290 (84.6%) A, 22 (6.5%) B, 16 (4.7%) C, 8 (2.5%) D, 1 (0.03%) E, 1 (0.03%) F1, 4 (1.2%) G, and 1 (0.03%) H. For 77 samples the p24 region from the gag gene was also sequenced, and for 9 (11.6%) the subtypes between env and gag were different. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed the predominance of AG-IBNG-like viruses among gag and env subtype A sequences. HMA is relatively simple and requires less sophisticated technical facilities compared with sequencing, and in Senegal 323 (94.2%) of the 343 samples could be identified by this technique. However, in the actual configuration of the assay, discrimination between the recombinant AG-IBNG-like recombinant viruses, which are predominant in Senegal, and the nonrecombinant subtype A viruses is not possible.

This work was done at the Psychiatry Service of CHU of Fann in Dakar during the year 1994. It is a transversal study made by inquiry on the basis of a questionnaire centered on the clinical description and the starting factors in a population of 1025 adult-patients, received on external consultation. It enabled its authors to realize that hysteria was the second cause of consultation after schizophrenias. The starting factors of troubles are mainly conflicts (disturbance of inter-personal relationship) in 49.6% of the cases, and difficulties of daily life, causing annoyance and stress. On the clinical level, polymorphism of the hysterical signs has been found out as much in the level of paroxysmal signs, as in the level of lasting signs. The frequency of big Charcot attacks, often considered as unusual, has been observed in this study in 10% of the patients. Moreover, on the level of the personality structure, only 103 patients have been identified (i.e. 85.1%) to have shown a hysterical personality type.

An integrated multimedia campaign featuring family planning messages saturated the 900,000-person city of Bamako, Mali, for three months during the spring of 1993. With traditional theater and music, family planning messages were repeatedly broadcast on radio and television that conveyed information about modern contraceptive methods, the need for male sexual responsibility, the health and economic advantages of family planning, the need for communication between spouses, and that Islam, the predominant faith of Mali, does not oppose family planning. A separate sample pretest-post-test quasi-experimental research design was used to evaluate the effects of the campaign and exposure to specific messages on changes in contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practice. Results indicate a high level of exposure to and agreement with the messages. A dramatic drop was found in the proportion of men and women who believe that Islam opposes family planning. Logistic regression results indicate that contraceptive knowledge and use and more favorable attitudes toward family planning are positively associated with intensity of exposure to the project interventions, after controlling for relevant variables.According to the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Mali in 1987 and 1995-96, the current use of any form of contraception among currently married Malian women increased from 5% to 7% during the period between the 2 surveys. Family planning messages were disseminated throughout Bamako through radio and television for 3 months in a spring 1993 information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign. With traditional theater and music, family planning messages were repeatedly broadcast on radio and television to convey information about modern contraceptive methods, the need for male sexual responsibility, the health and economic advantages of family planning, the need for spouses to communicate with each other, and that Islam, the predominant religious faith of Mali, does not oppose family planning. Impact evaluation found a high level of exposure to and agreement with the campaign messages. The campaign also led to a dramatic decline in the proportion of men and women who believe that Islam opposes family planning. Logistic regression results indicate that contraceptive knowledge and use and more favorable attitudes toward family planning are positively associated with the intensity of exposure to the project interventions, after controlling for relevant variables.

The objective of this study was to report the epidemiological profile of erectile dysfunction in a population of diabetic men.This was a prospective study including 431 diabetic patients seen in the outpatients department. 69 of these patients suffered from erectile dysfunction. A control group of 138 patients was randomly selected according to age from among the remaining 362 patients. Each patient was submitted to complete clinical examination. The medical and surgical history, particularly vascular, neurological, endocrine and urological, was recorded. The patient's smoking and drinking habits and treatment with any antidiabetic or other drugs were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed according to the case-control method. The limit of significance was p0.05.The overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 16%. This rate is lower than those reported in the literature. Among the various risk factors, only complications of diabetes, especially neurological complications, were clearly correlated with the risk of erectile dysfunction (p = 0.0004). Similarly, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increased with the duration of diabetes (p = 0.049).The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients often appears to be overestimated in the literature. Methodological biases would explain the marked variation of reported prevalence rates. In contrast, our study confirms previous reports that neurological factors play a predominant role.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a classic but uncommon entity in African women about which there is little etiologic understanding. From January 1990 to March 1996 a series of 30 cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy was collected at the Principal Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. Peripartum cardiomyopathy was defined as the occurrence of cardiac insufficiency in a woman with no previous history of heart disease, during the period between the second and twentieth weeks after delivery confirmed by ultrasound evidence of dilated cardiomyopathy. The overall incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy during the study period was 30 out of 1200 deliveries. The mean age of the women in the study was 34 years and mean parity was 5.2. In 13.3% of cases births involved twins. There were no predisposing socio-economic or climatic factors. The clinical picture was severe cardiac failure in 80.3% of cases and left ventricular insufficiency in 16.6%. In all cases ultrasound findings were typical of dilated cardiomyopathy. Serum selenium and vitamin B1 levels were normal. Measurements of T CD4 and CD8 in eight patients were normal. Conversion enzyme inhibitors were administered to twenty patients. Complete remission was achieved in 14 patients, three patients died, and thirteen patients presented ultrasonic evidence of persistent dilated cardiomyopathy. One patient relapsed after a subsequent delivery. These findings are in agreement with previous reports concerning the clinical and prognostic features of peripartum cardiomyopathy in Africa.

From a psychiatric consultation of women, the authors have tried to bring up the psychosocial aspects being very much influenced by the cultural context. They have discovered two profiles of these sort of women, they are either, married women under the stress of uncontrolled child-birth and are very much influenced by local tradition or are women being at a turning points of their life; adolescence, premenopause, and menopause. The authors have a well demonstrated the primordial role they take as natural (helpers) aids when a member of the family gives evidence of mental disorder.

Formerly known as a dreadful calamity for industrialized countries, drug abuse now seems to have spread all over the world. In Senegal, it has been very difficult to gather reliable statistics on its extensiveness. To better define the problem in Senegal, UNESCO has launched an epidemiological study on young people drug abuse and alcoholism in schools and elsewhere. The authors analyse the results of this study and draw the following conclusions: all types of drug use are linked to religious practice, drug use by young people is due to curiosity or their ignorance of drug drawbacks and their lack of education, school, family, religious education and social repression play an important role in the fight against drug use.

The management of posterior urethral injuries is still a matter of controversies. Some authors recommend a primary or delayed emergency repair procedure, while others prefer late repair. The analysis of our series of fifteen cases showed that when patients are treated by delayed emergency operation, the results are usually good. However, when repair is performed later, results are less satisfactory, and the rate of impotence is higher. We conclude that delayed emergency repair operation is the procedure of choice in the management of ruptured posterior urethra.

The results and complications of the treatment of hypospadias were studied in relation to the two pedicle foreskin mucosal flap techniques described successively by Duckett, "single surface" and "double surface". 91 urethroplasties were performed: 58 "single surface" and 33 "double surface" Duckett urethroplasties. The children were operated between the ages of 18 months and 16 years with a mean age of 4 years. 75% of children had a good result on long-term follow-up. In the case of major complications, essentially fistula, distal necrosis àf the urethra or stricture, a single reoperation increased the percentage of good results to almost 98% for the entire series. However, when the two procedures were compared, a good result was obtained immediately in 81% of cases for the "single surface" operation versus 66% for the "double surface" operation. The fistula rate was 27.2% with the "double surface" flap versus 13.7% with the "single surface" flap and the distal stricture rate was 15.1% with the "double surface" flap versus 3.4% with the "single surface" flap. In the light of these results, Duckett's "double surface" procedure has been abandoned in favour of the "single surface" flap.

Severe complications of urethral stricture, acute peri-urethral phlegmon can be localized or diffuse. They are characterized by polymicrobial infections. The mortality rates about 7% is the privilege of diffuses forms. The treatment associates medical and surgical procedures, and consists in polyantibiotherapy and excision of suppurative lesions. From a series of 155 cases we analyse the pathogenical, clinical and therapeutical aspects.

Injuries to the ureter and the bladder are common complications in female pelvic surgery. Unfortunately, they remain often unrecognized per operatively. Intravenous pyelography and renal ultrasonography are very efficient for post operative diagnosis. The indications of nephrectomy have became rare because of the efficacity of the procedures of plastic and reconstructive urological surgery.

Obstetrical vesico-vaginal fistulas are still very common in developing countries, because of to the difficulties of medical facilities. From a series of 123 cases recorded during 6 years, we analyse their epidemiological, anatomo-clinical, and therapeutic aspects. A simplified classification is purposed.

Fourteen pediatric cases of posterior urethral valves in patients aged 6 months to 14 years (with four infants and ten older children) are reported. The main symptoms were vesical, including dysuria, acute urinary retention and dribbling. One patient presented with diarrhea, vomiting and dribbling. Urethral valves were looked for as part of the evaluation for urinary lithiasis in one patient, and in another urinary lithiasis developed following the diagnosis of urethral valves. In half the cases, onset of symptoms occurred within one year of birth. Urethrocystography allowed to evidence the valves and to evaluate repercussions on the bladder including hyperplasia (7 cases) and diverticula (2 cases). The intravenous urogram disclosed bilateral ureterohydronephrosis in eight cases. Pathogens recovered from the urine included Klebsiella (3 patients), Pseudomonas (4 patients), Proteus (one patient), and E. coli (one patient). Most patients were treated by catheter lamination under antimicrobial therapy. Two patients died from renal failure. Results were considered satisfactory in nine cases with follow-ups ranging from 1 month to 4 years. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Early diagnosis is essential and management should rely mainly on endoscopic resection which reduces the length of the hospital stay and the risk of infection.

Undescended testis is a common congenital abnormality. The main complications are infertility and venue of malignant testicular tumor. If early orchiopexy can prevent infertility, it remains a high risk of venue of a malignant tumor. So, the best technique of orchiopexy is that which allows an easy clinical follow-up of the undescended testis after surgical treatment, and doesn't involv the hematoseminal barrier. From the analysis of fourty cases of scrotal pouch orchiopexy and a review of the literature, it appears that this procedure is efficient and gives more than 90% of good results.

Fourteen cases of spinal meningiomas were reviewed. There were 5 males and 9 females, with an average age of 40 years who underwent surgical treatment at the Neurosurgical Division of Dakar University Teaching Hospital. The thoracic spine was involved in 10 cases. The location of the tumor in the spinal canal was epidural in 6 cases and subdural in 8 cases. 7 patients (50%) had marked improvement or stabilization: 4 patients died and in 3 cases, a recurrence was noted. The authors emphasize diagnostic difficulties encountered in the epidural forms.

The authors report five cases of mycetomas with an original localization, cranio-encephalic and vertebro medullary. Four times it concerned a dorsal or cervical mycetoma with deep enlargement responsible for compression of the spinal cord. In the 5th case, scalp infection reached the dura mater. All patients have got histopathological diagnosis. Therapeutic difficulties are evocated about these singular localizations in a pathology for which greater amputation stands as the rule.

The authors report 80 cases of collected cranio-encephalic suppurations observed in the Neuro Surgical Unit of the University Teaching Hospital of Dakar from 1969 til 1990. 13 cases were necropsy discoveries and 67 cas that were operated consisted of 55 abscesses of the brain and 25 extra-cerebral empyemas. 56 patients were under 20 years of age with an obvious prevalence of male patients. The collected cranio-encephalic suppuration complicated head trauma in 22 cases and was consecutive to an otorhinolaryngeal infection in 10 cases. The typical clinical aspect of progressive installation associated an intracranial hypertension, motor deficit of one side of the body and an epileptic crisis. A brutal beginning was not an exception in 16 cases. This is often in subdural empyemas. Concerning neuroradiology, cerebral angiography still constitutes our method of choice of investigation; echography can only be performed in infants with permeable fontanela, or during post operative surveillance, using the lacuna created by the craniotomy as an acoustic window. Simple puncture and drainage of the cerebral abscess of the classical cutting away in bloc and the utilisation of echography have considerably contributed for the amelioration of post-operative results.

Authors report three observations of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia, Tumor-like on two: senegalese female patients, 16 years and 37 years old, and a young senegalese man, 24 Years old. The mean age is about 25.5 years and oestro progestative intake has bean noted once. Diagnosis of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia was difficult and has been done twice after surgical intervention for chronic cholecystitis and blood peritonitis. The only complication reported, has been a rupture of nodular, causing the death of a patient. This benign tumor that never degenerates, does not need any particular treatment unless a stopping of oral contraception.

314 alimentary tract cancers were discovered in 219 black males and 95 black females at the occasion of 18.000 endoscopies (high or low) performed during the 5 past years at the Principal Hospital (Dakar-Senegal). Mean age of the patients was 50, gastric cancer (170 cases) was the most frequent localization, then rectocolonic one (71 cases) and oesophageal one (61 cases). The more frequent utilization of endoscopy and may be a modification of diet in urban milieu might explain such a high frequency of discovery of alimentary tract cancers in Dakar.

The report covers 27 cases of neuro-surgical exophthalmia treated at Dakar U.H.C. between 1970 and 1987. Unilateral forms are the most common (25 cases), usually discovered at the bulging stage. Exploration was undertaken by the usual means of X-ray without contrast, echography, arteriography, and fractioned, gaseous encephalography employed together in varying degrees. The main etiologies are tumours (70%), largely benign, and specific and non-specific inflammation (18.5%). Surgery was prescribed in 18 cases, including 11 orbitotomies--8 frontal and 3 fronto-temporal. Malformation syndromes, and above all very advanced pathologies challenged surgical skill in 9 of the cases. Generally speaking, post operational results are favourable, but 3 deaths are reported and one relapse. Tomodensitometry, modern anaesthetic and revival techniques, and the important collaboration between the ophthalmologist and the neuro-surgeon are all factors in successfully mastering neuro-surgical protrusions.

314 bowel cancers were discovered in 219 men and 95 women of negroid race in the course of 18,000 upper and lower endoscopies taken over the past 5 years at Dakar's Main Hospital. The average age of the sick persons is 50 years. Gastric cancer (170 cases) is the most frequent, followed by recto-colic cancer (71 cases) and oesophagian cancer (61 cases). The use of endoscopy and perhaps dietetic changes in the urban area, explain the large number of bowel cancers discovered in Dakar.

57 polyps were discovered during 1,500 low endoscopies, and 24 of them were adenoma. In the same period of time, 26 proctocolitic adenocarcinomas were found. Adenomatous polyps appear to be 5 times less frequent in Senegal than in industrialized countries and frequency of colitic cancer should be of the same frequency, that is far less negligible. Even if proctocolitic cancer does not set up any Public Health problems one could envisage systematic screening of polyadenoma in every patient aged more than 40. Proctosigmoid being the seat of most adenoma, fibrosigmoidoscopy appears well adapted to this kind of screening because it does not require any preparation, it is easy to perform and well accepted.

Ultrasonographicaly guided fine needle aspiration of liver was performed in 84 patients having a confirmed HCC. This technics utilizes a CHIBA type fine needle, after blood coagulation tests have been checked. Out of 84 fine needle aspirations performed: 64 were positive (76,2%), 9 negative (10,7%), 11 (13,19%) were questionable (6) or nonanalysable (5). It is ascertained that the sensibility of this technics is over 75%. It should be possible to improve it by repeating such an exam in previously negative patients. The causes of failure are discussed. Tolerance of the technics is good. It is attraumatic, and of very easily performance. No accident, no mishap was noted.

Frequency of cranio-encephalic traumatisms in Senegal raises rapidly, mostly as a consequence of the development of motor circulation (54 p. 100 of the cases). Main features observed in other countries are recalled as well as the relation between high mortality and polytraumatisms. Original aspects are related to the conditions prevailing in developing countries, poor public health facilities, delays for transportation and emergency cares. Consequently many fatal cases are not recorded.