Neuropathie périphérique avec atteinte du système nerveux autonome au cours d’une dermatomyosite

A peripheral neuropathy occurs rarely during the course of an inflammatory myopathy. Once the classical aetiologies of peripheral neuropathies are ruled out, the diagnosis of neuromyositis can be accepted. We report a patient with dermatomyositis who presented a peripheral neuropathy revealed by dysautonomia. The presence of associated vasculitis led us to consider that this constituted the mechanism of the neurological involvement.     

Neuropathie périphérique sous voriconazole au cours d’une aspergillose pulmonaire cavitaire chronique

Chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis requires a first-line prolonged treatment with itraconazole or voriconazole. We report a 71-year-old immunocompetent man with polyarteritis and history of multiple lung surgery procedures, who developed a peripheral axonal neuropathy 1 month after voriconazole therapy was started for a chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis. After discontinuation of the treatment and a switch to posaconazole, the neuropathy partly improved. Three other cases of peripheral neuropathy with voriconazole have been already published, all reversible after voriconazole discontinuation.     

Angioplastie périphérique par voie radiale

Radial access for coronary intervention has gained popularity due to a low rate of access site bleeding complications and the possibility for early discharge. The preferential access site for peripheral intervention remains femoral, via antegrade or retrograde puncture. Not all peripheral lesions are suitable for transradial intervention due to the distance between the access site and the lesion location. This technique requires a precise strategy planning and knowledge of the available devices. We describe accessible sites from radial approach and the techniques to be used.     

Chirurgie de l’obésité et ses complications

Bariatric surgery (gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, bilio-pancreatic diversion) is the most efficient long-term treatment concerning weight loss, comorbidities and quality of life improvement, and mortality reduction for massive obesity and complicated obesity. These benefits need to be compared to immediate and late adverse events. The adverse events involve operative risk, surgical, nutritional, and sometimes psychological events. This review describes the various surgical techniques and their complications. Then, it discusses the modalities to prepare, follow-up and take care of these surgical patients to improve the results and avoid the complications.     

Paralysie du nerf récurrent au cours d’une maladie de Lyme : à propos de deux observations

Introduction

Neuroborreliosis can be a difficult diagnosis which requires epidemiologic, clinical and biologic arguments.

Case reports

We report two patients who presented with a recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy with positive Lyme serology and favorable outcome after antibiotic therapy. In one case, a lymphocytic meningitis with intrathecal production of specific antibodies was evidenced.

Conclusion

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is an uncommon manifestation of neuroborreliosis. Lyme serology is an important tool when neurologic disorder occurs because of an atypical course of Lyme disease.     

Encéphalopathie de Gayet-Wernicke après sleeve gastrectomie pour obésité morbide

Introduction

Bariatric restrictive interventions, as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric banding can cause metabolic complications, especially when vomiting is present, such as thiamine deficiency that can lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Case report

A 31-year-old man with a 47 kg/m² body mass index presented with Wernicke's encephalopathy, with ophtalmoplegia, nystagmus, ataxia and confusion, followed by a Korsakoff syndrome, occurring two months after a sleeve gastrectomy. MRI showed hyperintense signals on T2 and FLAIR image in both thalamus, periaqueducal area and mamillary bodies.

Conclusion

A close clinical and biological monitoring is required in the first year after surgery, especially if vomiting occurs. Early diagnostic and treatment are needed to avoid severe sequelae.     

Polyradiculonévrite aiguë révélant un lupus érythémateux systémique : une présentation inhabituelle d’évolution fatale

Introduction

Neurological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus are common and numerous. They mainly involve the central nervous system, peripheral involvement being rare. Acute polyradiculoneuropathy is very uncommon.

Case report

We report a 44-year-old man, who presented with acute polyradiculoneuropathy revealing systemic lupus erythematosus. Outcome was fatal despite treatment with corticosteroids and immunoglobulin.

Conclusion

Acute polyradiculoneuropathy is a very rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus and can compromise functional and life prognosis. Early diagnosis and management are crucial.     

Neuropathie axonale révélant un lymphome pleural primitif sur séquelles de collapsothérapie

Peripheral neuropathy is a rare presenting feature of malignant lymphoma, and commonly associated with diagnostic delay. We report a patient with axonal neuropathy revealing primary pleural lymphoma as a late outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis. A 72-year-old-man with a past medical history of pulmonary tuberculosis presented with a 5-month history of axonal neuropathy. The patient complained of chest pain, altered general status. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed pleural tumour invading the chest wall and CT-guided pleural biopsy revealed a B-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy was not started in consideration of the poor performance status of the patient. Despite corticosteroids, the peripheral neuropathy worsened and the patient died 2 months after the diagnosis of lymphoma. To our knowledge, no previous case of peripheral neuropathy revealing pleural lymphoma has been reported. The diagnosis of lymphoma must be entertained in the presence of peripheral neuropathy of unknown aetiology. Neuropathy associated to lymphoma results from various mechanisms and is characterised by clinical polymorphism. Their prognosis depends on the mechanism of the neuropathy and the severity of the lymphoma.     

Paralysie périodique thyréotoxique hypokaliémique : quatre observations et revue de la littérature

Purpose

Periodic thyrotoxic hypokalemic paralysis (TPP) is a neuromuscular complication of hyperthyroidism. It is more common in young Asian males than in Caucasian and African patients. We report four new cases and review the literature.

Case reports

Four consecutive patients were diagnosed with TPP. They were all men with a median age of 34.5 years at presentation. Two patients originated from the Philippines, one was African and one was Caucasian ethnic background. They all presented with a paresis or flaccid paralysis, without respiratory failure. Previous similar episodes in their past medical history, the presence of profound hypokalemia (mean serum potassium level of 2 mmol/L) and the presence of clinical and biological signs of hyperthyroidism led to the diagnosis of TPP. All four patients were diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Outcome was favourable in all four patients with the symptomatic treatment of TPP and treatment of Graves’ disease.

Conclusion

TPP is a severe condition, due to a dysfunction of the Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase pump. Initial management relies on β-blocker treatment and careful potassium supplementation. Then, medical or surgical etiological treatment of the thyrotoxicosis is essential to prevent a recurrence. The disease is probably underdiagnosed: it must be suspected when a profound hypokaliema resolves very quickly (< 12 hours); hyperthyroidism should always be included in the differential diagnosis of a paresis associated with hypokalemia.     

Facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire chez les travailleurs postés d’une centrale de production d’électricité au centre tunisien

The purpose of the study

The aim of the present study was to investigate relationship between shift work and the cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was included 330 subjects worked in a company of electricity production in the Centre of Tunisia. The collection of data was based on a questionnaire, a clinical exam and biomarkers.

Results

A total of 290 workers was participated in our study (128 shift workers and 162 daytime workers). A raised prevalence but not statistically significant of some factors of cardiovascular risks was found in the shift workers: obesity (25.8 % versus 17.9 %), smoking (44.5 % versus 39.5 %), impaired fasting glucose (11.7 % versus 9.9 %), hypertriglyceridemia (28.1 % versus 25.9 %) and hypercholesterolemia (14.8 % versus 12.4 %). Whereas the prevalence of the alcohol consumption (25.8 % versus 16.0 %) was significantly higher in the shift workers (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The high prevalence of the cardiovascular risk factors, observed in our shift workers, justify the adoption of measures to protect this category of workers.