Temporomandibular joint: morphology and signal intensity characteristics of the disk at MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been used in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) primarily to define the disk position. This report examines altered morphology and signal intensity characteristics of the TMJ disk as they relate to the severity of internal derangement. Two hundred sixteen joints in 133 patients with a history of such derangement. were imaged with MR. Disk position, signal intensity, morphology, and the presence of osteoarthritis were determined for each joint. The normal disk was not anteriorly displaced and had a normal "bow-tie" shape. A grade 1 disk was anteriorly displaced and had a normal shape; a grade 2 disk was anteriorly displaced and had an abnormal shape. Forty (19%) joints were considered normal; none of these exhibited osteoarthritis. One hundred thirty-nine (64%) joints were grade 1; osteoarthritis was found in 17%. Thirty-seven (17%) were grade 2; osteoarthritis was found in 95%. All forty normal joints had high or intermediate signal intensity in the disk. Osteoarthritic joints had a higher percentage of disks with diminished intensity (P less than .0001). Severe or untreated osteoarthritis is known to be a complication of TMJ internal derangements; hence this grading system seems to correlate with the severity of internal derangement.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility and frequency of occurrence of clinical blood isolates in Sfax-Tunisia (1993-1998)

Antimicrobial susceptibility and frequency of occurrence of clinical blood isolates in Sfax-Tunisia (1993-1998). The choice of antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of bacteremia is often empirical and based on the knowledge of susceptibility profiles of the most common bacteria causing such infections. This study determines the bacterial etiology of bacteremic episodes and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns recorded at a teaching hospital, from January 1993 to December 1998. We collected 2979 strains responsible for bacteremia. Gram negative bacteria were predominant (60%). The organisms recovered most frequently were Staphylococcus aureus (18.9%), Escherichia coli (14.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.6%). The incidence of resistance to methicillin were 17.4% for Staphylococcus aureus and 26.8% for coagulase negative Staphylococcus. No resistance to glycopeptides was observed among the enterococci and staphylococci studied. 27.7% of enterobacteriaceae were resistant to third generation cephalosporins. Imipenem was the most active agent against gram negative bacteria. To carry out a surveillance of bacteremic episodes occurring at every hospital, it is necessary to provide valuable information which should be the basis for effective empiric therapy.     

Candida glabrata perinephric abscess. A case report

We report a case of Candida glabrata perinephric abscess in a patient with diabetes mellitus who recently underwent ureteropelvic surgery for lithiasic urinary tract obstruction. Surgical drainage and amphotericin B treatment led to resolution of the infection. C. glabrata urinary infection has become more prevalent over the last decade in immunocompromised patients. Drainage is indicated for development of a fungal abscess in the perinephric area. Most authors recommend administration of an antifungal adjuvant treatment.     

Skeletal phenotype/genotype in progressive pseudorheumatoid chondrodysplasia

Clinical Rheumatology - Axial and extra-axial deceleration in function and progressive joint pain with subsequent development of antalgic gait associated with swellings, and stiffness of the joints...     

Lésions kystiques cérébrales : Pensez au kyste hydatique

Background. Hydatidosis is an endemic parasitosis in Tunisia that affect mostly the liver and the lung. Brain involvment is rare. Aim. To focus on diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutive characteristics of cerebral hydatidosis. Methods. We report all cases of cerebral hydatidosis seen in the infectious diseases and neurosurgery departments between January 2013 and June 2020. Results. Six cases of intracranial hydatid cyst were reported. The male to female ratio was 3:3. Age ranged from 3 to 60 years with a median age of 20,5 years. All patients lived in rural areas. The clinical symptomatology was progressive in 4 cases. It was dominated by headache (all cases). Brain imaging confirmed the diagnosis in all cases. The hydatid cyst was solitary and supratentorial in 3 cases. All the patients were operated. Albendazole was prescribed immediately after surgery, for 6 months in 5 cases and for 3 years in the case of disseminated hydatidosis. The outcome was favorable without recurrence in all patients with an average follow-up of 3,5 ± 0,5 years. Conclusion. Hydatid cyst of the brain is characterized by the severity of the neurological signs, the mandatory use of surgery because of life threatening and the excellent outcomes.     

Cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index values in 9-year-old rural Norwegian children

Aim: To describe cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) values in a representative population of 9-year-old Norwegian children in two rural communities and compare present values with previous findings.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty-nine 9-year-old children were invited, and 256 participated in this study. Maximal oxygen uptake was directly measured during a continuous progressive treadmill protocol. Body mass and height were also measured.
Results: The mean ± SD relative maximal oxygen uptake was 52.8 ± 6.5 for boys and 46.9 ± 7.2 mL/kg/min for girls. Eight percent of the boys and 16.8% of the girls were classified as overweight, and 1.6% of the boys and 6.9% of the girls as obese. Mean age, body mass, height and Ponderal index were not significantly different between sexes. Girls had a higher BMI than boys (p = 0.05).
Conclusion: Compared to earlier Norwegian studies, children's BMI values seem to have increased substantially. This increase is most pronounced in girls. When assessing these differences using the PI, this increase is less marked. Comparing maximal oxygen uptake data with that in earlier Nordic studies, there is no evidence that fitness has declined among 9-year olds. However, the limitations of the few earlier studies make reliable comparisons difficult.