[Boerhaave syndrome and pregnancy. A case report and review of the literature]

The syndrome of Boerhaave is a rare affection, corresponding to a spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus, the prognosis of which depends on the precocity of cares. Clinically, it is characterized by a set of three: efforts of vomitings, thoracic pain and subcutaneous emphysema. We report the first case of spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus in a 3-month pregnant woman, further to incoercible vomiting. The excellent clinical tolerance of the patient has allowed a medical care with strict monitoring, parenteral food and adapted antibiotic therapy. The surgery as a matter of urgency, usually indicated in this pathology, was not realized in this context of pregnancy. The obstetric and neonatal future was favorable. We discuss the diagnostic difficulties, the modalities of cares as well as the prognosis of such a pathology.

Actinomycose disséminée

INTRODUCTION

We report the case of a patient suffering from disseminated actinomycosis.

CASE REPORT

A fifty-two year old man, who was both a heavy smoker and an alcoholic, was admitted to hospital with confusion associated with a pseudo-tumoral right upper lobe pneumonia. Brain computed tomography was normal on the day of admission but when repeated fifteen days later four lesions were seen with appearances suspicious of metastatic malignant disease. The isolation of Actinomyces odontolyticus in the bronchoalveolar lavage culture and the absence of evidence for neoplastic disease despite extensive investigation led to a diagnosis of disseminated actinomycosis with pulmonary and cerebral involvement. The patient's clinical condition improved with antibiotic therapy. The disseminated form of this infection as well as presentation with multifocal brain abscesses is rare.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of actinomycosis is problematic because it is an uncommon infection and microbiological identification is often difficult and delayed. It should be considered when clinical presentation suggests malignant disease but there is no histological confirmation.

[Herpes simplex and Geotrichum candidum pneumonia in a patient with moderate renal failure]

Viral or fungal pneumonia generally occurs in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of hypoxic pneumonia unresponsive to broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in a patient whose only risk factor for immunodeficiency was mild silent renal failure. The causal association between Herpes simplex and Geotrichum candidum was retained on the basis of endobronchial samples and the favorable course after institution of specific treatment. It is thus useful to consider these pathogens in patients with lung infection in order to institute specific treatment.