[Neurological complications of chronic alcoholism: study of 42 observations in Guinea]

Neurologic disorders related to chronic alcoholism in traditional areas of Guinea are frequent, but reports about them are rare. We conducted the first study in Guinea on this subject and retrospectively collected 42 cases of neurologic manifestations related to alcoholism over a 7-year period. The standard findings of the literature were confirmed in our population: peak frequency after the age of 40 years (82.8%) and clear male overrepresentation (M/F sex ratio: 13/1). All the standard signs and symptoms are reported, with a clear predominance of alcoholic polyneuropathy and hepatic encephalopathy. The study of nutritional status by both body mass index (BMI) and the Detsky criteria showed that these patients were severely malnourished. The brain MRI was a crucial contribution for diagnosing the standard central nervous system complications of alcoholism: Gayet Wernicke encephalopathy, Marchiafava-Bignami disease, Korsakoff syndrome, central pontine myelinolysis, and cerebellar degeneration.

[Neurological disorders related to vitamin B12 deficiency in prisons in Guinea: a 22-case study]

Neurological disorders related to vitamin B12 deficiency are common in prisons of tropical Africa. We collected 22 cases (20 men and 2 women). They all showed vitamin B12 deficiency associated with neurological signs that were represented by sclerosis combined with bone marrow (n = 9), peripheral neuropathy (n = 6), cerebellar syndrome (n = 2), a pyramidal syndrome of the lower limbs (n = 4) and optic neuropathy (n = 1). Laboratory tests showed a mean hemoglobin concentration of 7.2 ± 1.5 g/dl, mean 104 ± 28 fl, macrocytic anemia in 10 patients. Biermer's disease was identified in 9 patients, 3 patients showed the syndrome of non dissociation of vitamin B12, a gastrectomy in 2 patients and no etiology was identified in 8 patients.

[Anatomical radiology of the descending colon in the left pararenal space: about 1084 cases]

AIMS

Due to the severity of colonic injuries and their frequency on the left side, we study relationships between the left kidney and the descending colon to identify subjects at risk of colonic perforation during percutaneous surgery of the left kidney.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Over a period of 3 years we exploited abdominal CT scans for 1084 patients in both sexes without any visceral or parietal lesions. We studied the situation and relationships of the lumbar part of the descending colon in the left pararenal space using a conventional grid technique.

RESULTS

The preferential site of the colon in both sexes was laterorenal in 55.8% of cases. We also found the descending colon in a posterolateral situation in 21.1% of cases, and in an anterolateral situation in 14.8% of cases. In women, the posterolateral situation was twice more common than in men, but we did not observe any post-renal situation. Laterorenal and posterolateral situations were the most frequent in patients less than 50 years; while beyond this age 70.1% of subjects had a laterorenal type.

CONCLUSION

Sex and age affect topographic variations of the lumbar part of the descending colon in the left pararenal space. Although they are rare or aberrant, some locations exist and should not be ignored by the operator. These locations are risk factors of colonic lesion during percutaneous approach of the left kidney.

[Retroperitoneal emphysematous abscess]

The authors report a case of emphysematous psoas abscess. The patient, a 55 year-old man, was insulinorequerant diabetic. He presented with abdominal pain and diabetic ketoacidosis. The diagnosis was made by CT-scan. No portal of entry was found. The evolution was fatal before surgery in spite of probabilistic antibiotherapy.

[Exercise-induced dyspnea and hilar enlargement]

We report the case of a 46-year-old man with an uneventful history who was hospitalized for suspected pulmonary embolism. The chest x-ray did not reveal any parenchymatous anomaly but disclosed pseudo-tumoral enlargement of the pulmonary arteries. There was no right ventricular overload at cardiac echography and the pulmonary arterial pressure was normal. Helicoidal angioscan demonstrated aneurismal dilatation of the both pulmonary arteries, complicated by a thrombus on the right. Outcome was favorable with anticoagulation. After ruling out acquired aneurysm, the diagnosis retained was idiopathic aneurysm of the pulmonary arteries.

[CT imaging and fourth branchial pouch fistula in adults]

We report two cases of fourth branchial pouch in adult. This rare and little-known pathology is indeed responsible for suppurative thyroiditis and left lower cervical abscess recurring in spite of antibiotic treatment and incision-drainage. CT scan using, iv contrast, air as a agent contrast with Valsalva test, shows air in the thyroid and perithyroid soft tissue infection, proving communication between the pyriform fossa and the thyroid. Bubble of air behind the left thyroid alar in the sinus track is the best argument for diagnosis. Hypopharyngoscopy shows the mucous opening of the bottom at the pyriform sinus.