Imagerie des pathologies vasculaires spécifiques

[Takayasu arteritis in southern Tunisia: a study of 29 patients]

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the clinical, laboratory, and radiological features and course of Takayasu arteritis in Tunisia.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 29 patients with Takayasu arteritis between 1996 and 2006 who met the criteria for inclusion proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

RESULTS

The file review identified 25 women and 4 men, with a mean age at diagnosis of 35.4 years (range: 18-65 years). Our series included 93% with involvement of the aortic arch and its branches, while only 24% involved renal arteries and 21% the abdominal aorta. We had no case with cardiac or pulmonary involvement. In all, 67.7% had type I disease, 10.7% type IIb, 3.6% type IV and 25% type V. Hypertension was recorded in 38%. No tuberculosis was observed. In all, 22 patients (75.8%) had glucocorticoid treatment, and 5 (17.2%) needed immunosuppressive therapy. Two patients with renal artery stenosis had endoluminal angioplasty and four patients (13.7%) required surgical intervention. Our patients were followed for a mean period of 80 months. Disease remained stable in 18 patients (64.2%).

CONCLUSION

The clinical manifestations, angiographic data and course of our patients were similar to those in other reported series. We found no relation between Takayasu arteritis and tuberculosis.

[Hemoptysis revealing a pulmonary arterial aneurysm on Behçet disease in children: role of computed tomography]

Behçet's disease is a systemic condition whose discovery during hemoptysis on a pulmonary artery aneurysm is rare, especially in children. Through the case of a 11-year-old boy, the authors emphasize the importance of imaging in diagnosis of this disease, whose progression can be fatal if hemoptysis is violent.

[Thoracic involvement in Behçet's vasculitis]

Thoracic involvement of Behcet's disease is unusual but serious. It is related to the well known vascular tropism of the disease. It may involve the superior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, aorta and subclavian vessels. Imaging is useful for diagnosis and assess the degree of thoracic involvement. CT scan and MRI are obviously more accurate than angiography. The spectrum of thoracic manifestations of the disease is presented based on a review of 22 cases.

[Ganglion cyst rupture in the retro-femoral fat: a report of two cases]

Ganglion cysts are ubiquitous cystic lesions without synovial wall and inconstant communication with the articular cavity. The later must nonetheless always be carefully looked for. We report two cases of ganglion cyst rupture in the retrofemoral fat simulating phlebitis with thigh cellulitis. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been previously reported in the literature. Familiarity with this entity ensures adequate medical diagnosis and management, avoiding unnecessary imaging and laboratory work-up and inappropriate use of anticoagulant and antibiotic.