Search

Acute leukemias are rare disease in the neonatal period. They occur preferentially in newborns with trisomy 21. They often manifest as hepatosplenomegaly, extra-hematopoietic involvement and hyperleukocytosis. Blueberry Muffin Baby syndrome is observed in the neonatal period. Neonatal acute myeloïd leukemia (AML) is more common than acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). Despite treatment, neonatal acute leukemias have a poor prognosis with a low percentage of overall survival. We report a case of neonatal AML on a ground of trisomy 21 revealed by a Blueberry Muffin Baby syndrome.

Macrophagic activation syndrome (SAM) or Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a clinical-biological entity of non-specific proliferation and activation of macrophages of the reticulohistiocytic system, with phagocytosis of the figurative elements of blood. It is a rare pathology combining non-specific clinical and biological signs and images of hemophagocytosis. It can be primary or acquired secondary to an infection, an autoimmune or neoplastic disease. While T or NK lymphomas are the classic causes of reactive SAM and its association with Hodgkin lymphoma is exceptional. This is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency given the risk of development towards a fatal multivisceral failure due to an absence of appropriate support. This is a report of a case of SAM revealing a case of Hodgkin lymphoma in a 35-year-old patient.

Lipoma is the most common of soft tissue tumours. It rarely occurs in the head and neck. Patients with fast-growing large sized lesion (> 10cm) should be suspected to have a cancer. We here report the case of a patient presenting with unusual cervical lipoma (size: approximately 46cm), diagnosed based on imaging tests, including computed tomography (CT) scan. Patient´s management was based on surgery., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d´intérêts., (Copyright: Mohammed Elakhiri et al.)

Hemophagocytic syndrome is a rare disease with a severe prognosis. Infections are a classic cause of hemophagocytic syndrome. Hemophagocytic syndromes secondary to HIV are rare, and those that reveal HIV infection are even rarer. Observation: we report the case of a 60-year-old man admitted to the emergency room of the Avicenna military hospital for consciousness disorder in a feverish context. We found laboratory abnormalities including pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia and hepatic cytolysis. Hemophagocytosis was present confirming the diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome. Viral serologies are requested including that of HIV which came back positive. Conclusion: HIV and hemophagocytic syndrome give non-specific signs common to both pathologies, hence the underdiagnosis of their association.

Competing Interests: Les auteurs déclarent n’avoir aucun lien d’intérêts.

Competing Interests: Les auteurs déclarent n’avoir aucun lien d’intérêts.

Macrophage activation syndrome is a state of hyper-inflammation that results from increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, responsible of the inappropriate activation and proliferation of cells from the lymphohistiocyte lineage. It associates clinical signs, biological abnormalities and images of haemophagocytosis. It is a rare but serious attack, that can be "primary" or "secondary" to an infection, neoplasia, or autoimmune disease. Cancer etiology by solid tumor is exceptional. We report here a case of MAS that revealed a colon carcinoma with medullary metastasis in a 62 years old patient. MAS can complicate or reveal a solid tumor in only 1.6% of cases, especially when there is spinal metastasis. This association has rarely been reported in the literature, and only in isolated cases. Moreover, in our patient reports the metastases of colon cancer are located in the bone, which is less frequent than liver and lung metastases. MAS is a serious pathology with high mortality, associated with inappropriate activation of the immune system. Etiological treatment is necessary and may be sufficient.

Streptococcus intermedius is considered as a commensal of the oropharynx, but can be a source of serious infections. We report a case of cerebral abscess in a young man of 18 years, who was admitted to the emergency room for consciousness disorder, and whose cerebral CT showed a frontal mass evoking the diagnosis of abscess. Diagnosis was confirmed by bacteriological examination of puncture fluid which was in favor of Streptococcus intermedius abscess.

Psoas abscess is a rare infection, difficult to diagnose, which can be primary or secondary, it is often caused by a bacterial micro-organism (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli), and in rare cases by a fungal micro-organism (Candida). We report an exceptional case of Candida tropicalis psoas abscess in a 52-year-old man with no history of pathology who had inflammatory lower back pain with fever and general deterioration. The biological assessment showed a renal insufficiency and a biological inflammatory syndrome, a computed tomography made in urgency was in favor of a psoas abscess. The bacteriological study of percutaneous drainage product allowed to isolate Candida tropicalis.

Hyperthyroidism includes several diseases characterized by high level of circulating thyroid hormones. Thyroidectomy is one of the main treatment options. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, evolutionary features of patients who had undergone surgery for hyperthyroidism in the ENT Department at the Avicenne Military Hospital in Marrakech. Data were collected from medical records of 60 patients. There was a female predominance and the average age was 52 years. Clinical manifestations were dominated by thyrotoxicosis in all patients. Clinical examination allowed the identification of 47 cases of toxic or pretoxic multiheteronodular goitre (78.33% of cases), 5 cases of Graves disease (8.33% of cases) and 8 cases of toxic adenoma (13.33% of cases). All patients underwent medical preparation. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 50 patients (83.33%) and loboisthmectomy in 10 patients (16.33%). Postoperative complications were: transient laryngeal paralysis in one case (1.6%), transient hypoparathyroidism in nine cases (15%), definitive hypoparathyroidism in one case (1.6%) and compressive hematoma in one case (1.6% of cases). Surgical treatment of bleeding and adherent toxic goiters should be performed by an experienced surgeon who must remain vigilant to minimize morbidity mainly caused by laryngeal paralysis and hypoparathyroidism., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts.

Morocco is an endemic area for both hydatid cyst and tuberculosis (TB). The co-occurrence of these two diseases in lung is unusual, especially when localized in the same area. We describe the case of a patient with pulmonary hydatid cyst associated with tuberculosis infection where the diagnosis was unknown prior to surgery because TB tests were negative. The surgical resection was very difficult because of inflammation in the surrounding tissue and its fragility. However, the postoperative course was uneventful. The goal of this case report is to keep in mind that such co-infection is possible especially in endemic countries., (Copyright © 2018 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Ischemic stroke are estimated at 80% of all strokes. Embolism of cardiac origin accounts for around 20% of them. The aim of our study is to report the contribution of cardiovascular investigations performed as a routine during the evaluation of patients with ischemic stroke., Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of ischemic stroke cases collated in Cardiology department of the military hospital of Marrakech between January 2010 and December 2014. All our patients have systematically ECG, transthoracic echocardiography and Echo-Doppler ultrasound of the neck vessels while the transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography and Holter ECG was performed in some indications., Results: Two hundred and thirty patients were collected. The average age of patients was 66.3±12.5years with a male predominance in 64.2%. Eighty-five percent of patients had at least three cardiovascular risk factors. Hypertension (60.8%), diabetics (41.7%) and tobacco (33.3%). Cardiovascular history was noted in 30% of cases with 10% of dilated cardiomyopathy and 9.2% of ischemic stroke. Cardiovascular explorations led to the diagnosis of heart disease embolism in 32% and atherosclerosis of the neck vessels in 16%. The TEE performed in 8% of cases showed an emboligenic cause in 42% of them., Conclusion: Cardiovascular explorations remain indispensable in the workup of all ischemic strokes even if their therapeutic effect is modest. The lacunar infarct out first at 34% followed by 32% of cardio embolic causes and atheroma of the neck vessels in approximately 16%., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the more frequent mesenchymal tumor in children and in adolescents. It accounts for 60 -70% of mesenchymal tumors and approximately 5% of all solid tumors occurring at these ages. Almost half of rhabdomyosarcomas occur in the head and the neck. We report the case of a 20-year old patient with a new histological, aggressive temporo-parietal rhabdomyosarcoma.

The fractures of the distal quarter of the leg are characterized by fracture line located at the level of the lower quarter of the tibia, according to Gerard and Evrard definition [1]. They are serious and pose problems for consolidation, immobilization and stability. We here describe our experience in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Avicenne Military Hospital, Marrakech. We report 30 cases of closed fractures of the lower quarter of the leg treated with centro-medullary nailing over a period of 10 years (January 2001-December 2010). Locked nailing was performed in 80% of cases and simple nailing was performed in the other cases. The average age of patients was 36 years. There was a clear male predominance (27 men, 3 women). The average time for consolidation was 17 weeks and functional outcomes were satisfactory. A single case of infection occurred 6 months after surgery (3.3%) and no other complication was reported. Malunion was detected in 30% of patients. Our epidemiological data and results were almost identical to those in the literature. Angular results were significantly lower than those obtained with the series of plates. By contrast, data on infections called for caution and some nails produced excellent angular results when nail fixation was stable. In the light of these results, codified indications for locked centro-medullary nailing should be extended to the fractures of the lower quarter of the leg, provided that stable fixation using double screw distal locking and primary osteosynthesis of distal fibula fractures are performed.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare benign proliferation of synovial joints, serous bursa, tendinous sheaths of unknown etiopathogeny. We here report 20 cases of PVNS of the knee recorded at the Avicenne Military Hospital, Marrakech over a period of 9 years, from January 2000 to December 2009. This study aimed to identify the specific features of this lesion and to examine its anatomoclinic and prognostic aspects. Annual incidence was 2.2 cases per year: 15 men and 5 women. The average age was 32.5 years. It occurred in the right-hand in 55%, 18 patients had monoarticular presentation of the disease while 1 patient had biarticular presentation of the disease. 80% of cases had pain and swelling, palpable mass was detected in 1 case, meniscal syndrome in 1 case, monoseptic arthritis in 3 cases while popliteal cyst in 2 cases. 14 cases (70%) had diffuse involvement, 6 cases had localized involvement. MRI was evocative in 3 patients out of 5; 2 patients underwent diagnostic arthroscopy. Diagnosis was based on anatomo-pathological examination. Treatment was based on subtotal synovectomy in 15 cases and on tumor excision in patients with localized involvement. 2 cases with osteocartilaginous destruction underwent arthroplasty. Patients' evolution was marked by 2 diffuse recurrences after a mean follow-up of 3-7 years. 3 patients had stiffness associated with quadriceps atrophy, therefore arthrolysis was performed. One case of histologically confirmed PVNS had proved to be a monophasic synovial sarcoma invading the bone 5 months after total synovectomy. Hence, the indication for amputation.

Glomus tumors are rare and benign. They originate from the neuromyoarterial glomus body. Digital glomus tumors are a well-known condition in hand surgery. On the contrary, there is a lack of knowledge with regard to extradigital glomus tumor resulting in diagnostic and therapeutic errors. We here report a new case of glomus tumor of the thigh. Our literature review aims to focus attention on these uncommon locations.

Imported malaria is being seen with increasing frequency in non-endemic areas. Severe forms represent 10% of cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. In Morocco, more than 50 cases of malaria occur each year, 83% of which with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. All patients with severe malaria admitted to the Intensive Care Unit during the period between 1 November 2009 and 31 December 2015 were enrolled in our study. The main epidemiological data, the reasons for admission, the management and the outcomes of patients were studied. Thirteen patients were included in our study. The average age was 31 years. All patients had been living in sub-Saharan Africa and had no immunity to malaria. Chemoprophylaxis was adequate in 33% of cases. The mean time between symptom onset and treatment initiation was six days. Mean initial parasitemia was 12%. The main reasons for ICU admission included coma (15%), convulsion (07%), respiratory distress 07%), prostration (07%), renal failure (07%), shock associated with jaundice and acidosis (07%) and kidney failure associated with coma (07%). All patients were treated with intravenous quinine loading dose. Mortality rate was 23%. The causes of death were multi-system organ failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Mortality associated with severe malaria remains high. The adequacy of chemoprophylaxis associated with early diagnosis and treatment would significantly improve the prognosis of this parasitic infection., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d’intérêts.

The main debate regarding humerus fractures focuses on their therapeutic indications because any type of orthopedic or surgical stabilization finds unconditional and sometimes vehement defenders. We conducted a retrospective study of 80 patients treated initially with Hackethal's technique of intramedullary bundle nailing in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at Avicenne Military Hospital between January 2000 and January 2012. The fractures were classified according to AO classification and Hackethal classification (modified by De La Caffinière). Functional assessment was based on the modified Stewart and Hundley classification. We got 60 very good outcomes, 6 good outcomes, 2 quite good outcomes and 2 poor outcomes. The two cases with poor outcomes had pseudarthrosis. We noted no iatrogenic radial nerve palsy, infection or pin migration. The average time for union was 9 weeks and 6 days. This is a reliable, easy to perform and low cost technique, which provides a good stabilization of the fracture site, allowing early mobilization with excellent functional outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflits d’intérêts Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d’intérêt.

Iridoschisis is a rare degenerative disease in which the anterior iris stroma spontaneously cleaves from the posterior layer. The anterior leaflet then disintegrates into fibrils floating in the aqueous humor We report the case of a 70 year-old woman who presented with progressive visual acuity loss. Biomicroscopic examination showed a progressive senile cataract with isolated bilateral iridoschisis. The common causes of acquired iris atrophy (herpes, pigment dispersion, trauma …) were eliminated. During follow-up, atrophy evolved by the multiplication of atrophy of both sides. Ocular tonicity and the visual field remained within the normal range The diagnosis of this entity is important since its frequent association with glaucoma imposes its detection and long-term monitoring., Competing Interests: Conflits d’intérêts Les auteurs déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts.

Salivary gland tumor pathology is complex and poses a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. A good analysis of predictive factors for malignancy in parotid tumors seems currently necessary for better therapeutic planning. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors for malignancy in parotid tumors through a retrospective study of 76 cases of parotid tumor treated in a service of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico Facial Surgery of Avicenne military hospital of Marrakech between January 2000 and December 2012. The study involved 40 women and 36 men. The average age was 44 years for benign tumours whereas it was 50 years for malignant tumours. The median of consultation time was 24 months for benign tumors and 16 month for malignant tumours. Swelling in the area of the parotid was always a patient detecting sign. Malignancy is clinically suspected based on pain, facial paralysis, surface structure and deeper structure fixity and on the presence of adenopathy. MRI has become the methodology of choice for evaluating parotid tumors due to its good diagnostic value in the assessment of benignity and malignancy. Fine needle aspiration biopsy has no value unless it is positive. Explorative parotidectomy with extemporaneous anatomopathological examination remains the key to positive diagnosis. Parotid benign tumors represent the most frequent entity (80%) and pleomorphic adenoma remains the predominant histologic type (61%). With regard to malignant tumors, they are rare, mainly dominated by mucoepidermoid carcinomas (6,5%). Surgical treatment is the first choice and it is often associated with lymph node dissection and radiation therapy for malignant tumors. Facial paralysis is the most common complication of parotid surgery.

Thyroid nodules are very common and less than 10% of them are malignant. They pose a serious diagnostic and therapeutic problem with respect to their benign or malignant nature. The study of some clinical and paraclinical factors for presumed malignancy makes it possible to codify appropriate therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of malignancy in nodular goiters and to compare our results with those reported in the literature. This retrospective study consisted of 500 cases of nodular goiter operated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat or ENT) and Head and Neck Surgery at Avicenne military hospital in Marrakech between 2006 and 2012. The percentage of cancers was 6,8%. The average age of our patients was 46 years, with a sex-ratio of 5 (F/H). The hard nature of the nodule was present in 94,4% of the cases of cancer by palpation; irregular boundaries were present in 64.70% of the cases of cancer. Three nodules were fixed and malignant. Cervical lymphadenopathy were observed in 8 patients, 7 of which had cancer. Ultrasound examination showed hypoechoic appearance in 61,8% of the malignant nodules, with smooth-edges in 88,24% of the cases. Intranodular vascularization was found in 35,3% of the cases of cancers, with microcalcifications in 55,9% of the cases. Perinodular hypoechoic halo was incomplete in 73,5% of the cases of cancer. Our patients were euthyroid in 84,6% of the cases. Predictors of malignancy in nodular goiters were present in our first clinical study: patients over the age of 60 years, hard consistency of nodule, fixity, irregular and poorly defined character by palpation, as well as presence of cervical adenopathy on examination; and echographic features: hypoechoic character, smooth-edges, presence of microcalcifications and visualization of intranodular vascularization with or without peri-nodular vascularization. Although some of these factors are highly predictive of malignancy, only final histology provides certainty of diagnosis. Clinicians should base their clinical practice and patient management on a body of clinical arguments.

Unlabelled: Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy has been the major advance in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, especially Crohn's disease. But there is a higher risk of infections, especially tuberculosis (TB), in patients treated with anti-TNFα. The authors report a case of disseminated tuberculosis with the following features: pulmonary tuberculosis, left supra clavicular cervical and meditational lymphadenopathy, bilateral pleural effusion, peritoneal and splenic involvement. This disseminated tuberculosis was observed in a 39-year-old woman who was treated by infliximab for refractory Crohn's disease. The evolution with antituberculosis drugs was fatal, the death of the patient was due to hepatic encephalitis., Conclusion: The physicians should always be aware in the use of TNF-alpha blockers according to guidelines. Its recommended to realize a complete pretherapeutic assessment and it is necessary to follow-up the patients to detect possible reactivation of latent tuberculosis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)