The results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstrution by bone--patellar tendon--bone technique. A series of 40 cases

We reviewed retrospectively 40 patients treated surgically for rupture of anterior cruciate ligament. The technique used was arthroscopy bone patellar tendon reconstruction. The mean age of patients was 27 years. The operative delay was 27.2 months in average. Functional and anatomic result was evaluated with a mean follow up of 24 months. 80% of patients were classified IKDC A or B. Sports activity was resumed after 6.6 months in average. Results depented meniscus lesions and operative delay. Reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament with bone patellar tendon bone is a reliable technique. Operative delay should be as short as possible to prevent meniscus lesion and aggravation of laxity.     

Effect of triple antiretroviral therapy on Tunisian AIDS profile: study of 139 cases

We report a retrospective study to estimate highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) effect in 139 HIV infected patients. Four criteria are studied: prevalence of opportunistic infections, CD4 cell count evolution, viral load progression and mortality. Gastrointestinal side effects are the most common clinical adverse reaction (61.1 percent), and hematological side effects are the most common biological adverse reaction (61.2 percent). During the 22.8 months (3 months to 6 years) follow-up average period, CD4 cell counts remained above 500 per cubic millimeter in only 25.8 percent of cases, while 63.5 percent of patients had a viral load below 400 copies per milliliter. During the study on patients receiving HAART, opportunistic infections appeared in 17.3 percent of cases (24 cases) and mortality in 6.4 percent of cases.     

Estimation of Ochratoxin A in human blood of healthy Tunisian population

Human exposure to Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been investigated in many Mediterranean countries, where OTA was found with a higher frequency in foodstuffs and blood samples. The aim of this study was to assess OTA concentrations in human blood serum in Tunisia and to evaluate the impact of several factors (age, origin, sex) on these prevalence reference values. One hundred and seven blood serum samples from healthy subjects were analyzed using a solid-phase extraction linked to a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. OTA values ranged from 0 to 3.43 ng/mL with a mean value of 0.49±0.67 ng/mL. OTA levels were higher in the Sahal group. Our results reflect OTA concentration previously detected for human blood in Tunisia. Origin, but not age and sex, may affect the OTA reference values.     

Cutaneous lupus profundus]

The objective of this studies is to review clinical and laboratory features of lupus panniculitis. The authors report 3 cases of lupus profundus from a group of 70 lupus erythematosus. In both cases the lupus panniculitis presented as subcutaneous infiltrated and indurated nodules. The diagnosis was confirmed on clinical, histological and therapeutic data. The evolution is slow and is characterised by regression of the inflammatory lesions with treatment by antimalarial drugs. The lupus panniculitis has generally a favorable prognosis.     

Thyroglobulin: usefulness and limits in monitoring patients with thyroid carcinoma

The aim of this study was to assess the role of thyroglobulin in monitoring patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively sudied thirty patients who had total thyroidectomy and had been followed beteween 1999 and 2004 in nuclear medicine department. They have had iodine 131 whole body scans, repeated determination of thyroglobulin, thyreostimulin and thyroglobulin antibodies. RESULTS: One hundred twelve samples of thyroglobulin were done. In post surgical period thyroglobulin was ranging from 0.3 to 600 ng/ml. In 38 months follow up 4 patients (11.4%) had shown reccurent disease. Thyroglobulin sensitivity was 75%. One patient had diffuse lung metastases with high thyroglobulin level 600 ng/ml wich decreased after iodine 131 therapy. CONCLUSION: Serum thyroglobulin is the differentiated thyroid carcinoma marker of choice nevertheless one should establish the level of thyroid stimulation and seek for the antithyroglobulin antibodies.