[Angiomyolipoma of the psoas: a case report and literature review]

The psoas major muscle is one of the three muscle chiefs of the ilio-psoas muscle. The pathological processes concerning it are dominated by tumor lesions which are mostly malignant. The diagnostic approach is based on the clinic and the abdomino-pelvic scanner. If necessary, it will make it possible to direct a puncture and / or a biopsy. We report the observation of a 33-year-old patient admitted to the Bouaké University Hospital presenting with a mass in the left iliac fossa and an intermittent claudication of chronic evolution in whom the diagnosis of a psoas tumor was diagnosedthrough the abdomino-pelvic scanner and the pathology concluded to an angiomyolipoma.

[Radiologic aspects of traumatic lesions of the cervico-occipital junction]

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic lesions of cervical spine are common, but those of the cervico-occipital junction are less frequent but more serious.

PURPOSE

Evaluate the radiological aspects of cervico occipital Junction traumatisms.

METHODS

It is a retrospective study of 32 files of cervico occipital junction traumatisms, collected from January 1995 to December 2004. Imaging methods used were: conventional radiography and computed tomography.

RESULTS

Cervico occipital junction traumatisms were less common. They account for 12.7% of cervical spine traumatisms and 0.64% of the admissions. Patients mean age was of 36 years with a male predominance of 81%. Main etiologies were public highway accidents (66%), falls (7%), sports accidents (6%). Bone lesions were most frequent, dominated by fractures of the axis (58%), followed by those of the atlas (24%) and of the occipital bone (5%). Dislocations were observed in 10 patients. Basilar print was observed in two patients who deceased. Polytrauma was observed in 34% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Cervico occipital junction traumatisms are severe and uncommon in hospitals because of their high lethality. CT is most effective for analyzing lesions.

[Appearance on X-ray and computed tomography of femoral head necrosis in patients with sickle cell disease]

The aim of this study was to describe X-ray and computed tomography signs and to estimate the severity of femoral head necrosis in patients with sickle cell disease. We studied two groups of patients with sickle cell disease (group A: 14 patients with no hip pain and group B: 34 patients with hip pain) over 17 months. Each patient underwent hip X-ray (lying face-down) and CT scan. None of the patients in group A presented hip lesions whereas we detected 42 necrotic femoral head lesions by standard X ray and 51 by CT scan. The lesions were frequently bilateral (82.14%) and were more frequent in young patients (from 11 to 30 years old). Their progression was faster in patients with the SS genotype. No significant difference was observed according to type of hemoglobin. All patients with sickle cell disease presenting with hip pain should undergo CT scan to check for femoral head necrosis.

[Ultrasound aspects of abdominal involvement in adults with HIV infections in the Ivory Coast: apropos of 146 cases]

Over a six-month period, 146 grade IV AIDS patients (HIV-1 and HIV-2) systematically underwent abdominal ultrasound examination. All abdominal organs were investigated in the search for lesions. Many lesions were detected. Pathological lesions were most frequent in the nodes (17.2%), hyperechogenic liver tissue (16.5%) and kidneys (13.7%). Lesions in the liver, gall bladder and spleen were less frequent. In most cases, the lesions were not specific to AIDS. However, systemic abdominal ultrasound scans for AIDS patients would be of value because such lesions are present.

[Contribution of computed tomography in the diagnosis of symptomatic epilepsy]

The aim of this retrospective study was to document the various causes of epilepsy determined by computed tomography (CT). We studied 205 CT scans carried out in patients with symptomatic epilepsy. We identified 52 (25.36%) pathological causes: 18 cases (34.62%) of infectious lesions, predominantly toxoplasmosis, 9 cases (17.30%) of tumors, 9 cases (17.30%) of vascular lesions and 8 cases (15.39%) of post-traumatic and atrophic lesions. CT is of great value in the diagnosis of epilepsy, not only in the assessment of the disease, but also for identifying the lesion responsible for the seizures, which may be treatable. It is advisable to carry out a CT scan for any patient presenting with symptomatic epilepsy.

[Intra-abdominal small round-cell desmoplastic tumor: ultrasonographic and computed tomographic aspects. Apropos of a case]

We report a case of small round-cell desmoplastic tumor located in the abdomen. We describe the ultrasound and CT features of this uncommon tumor with poor prognosis.

[Radiographic aspects osteoarticular complications in Buruli ulcers]

The authors examine radiographic aspects of osteo-articular and soft tissue lesions on the basis of 30 files of in-patients suffering from Buruli ulcers. They specify the chronology and precociousness of certain signs: soft tissue lesions, bone demineralization, periostal apposition two months after the beginning of signs, and later osteolysis and joint complications. These lesions are not specific and occur contiguously to soft tissue lesions. The authors specify the part of secondary-infection germs in the appearance of bone lesions.

[A case of asplenia in a sickle cell homozygote SS patient]

One case of total splenic atrophy is reported in a patient with SS homozygous sickle-cell disease presenting no related malformation, thus recalling the IVEMARK syndrome. An abdominal echography and computed tomography are indispensable in order to confirm the absence of the anatomic spleen; this makes for a better follow-up of sickle-cell disease.

[Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal malformations in utero: apropos of 30 cases]

This study assess the incidence of fetal malformations and the contribution of ultrasound scans to their diagnosis in utero. We reviewed the files of 1,960 pregnant women of whom 30 (1.53%) had malformed fetuses. Ultrasound scanning detected 29 of these cases and failed to detect only one case (an arterial canal malformation). Neurological malformations, particularly hydrocephalus and anencephaly, were most common (12 cases), followed by urinary tract abnormalities (hydronephrosis and renal polycystosis). Other malformations, such as those of the digestive tract, thorax and face, occurred less frequently. Ultrasound scans can be used to decide whether the pregnancy should be continued and what postnatal treatment should be given.

[Giant lithiasic diverticulum of the urethra. Apropos of a case]

In the following observation, the authors report one case of lithiasegenic diverticulum. Etiologies (congenital or acquired), complications and principal radiological diagnosis methods are reviewed.