Dopaminergic dysregulation syndrome associated with Othello’s syndrome in a patient with Parkinson’s disease: about a clinical case

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its pharmacological treatment can be associated with a long list of neuropsychiatric complications.

Objectives

The aim of our case report is to investigate through a case analysis the possible association of dopaminergic dysregulation syndrome and Othello syndrome

Methods

we carried out a case analysis and a review of the literature by searching the PubMed database

Results

Case report We present the case of a 43-year-old man suffering from early PD since the age of 16, started on levodopa since the age of 19.

Since 2 years, the patient has resorted to a considerable increase in the doses of levodopa up to 2500 mg / day, the evolution was marked by the installation of disabling dyskinesias and by a change in his behavior and mood.

He was then hospitalized in psychiatry following aggressive behavior towards his wife. The admission examination found a patient who was motor unstable with an interpretative delirium of jealousy and persecution.

The diagnosis of Othello syndrome associated with SDD was retained.

Our therapeutic strategy has been to put the patient on quetiapine, reduce the doses of levodopa, add a dopamine agonist and involve psychoeducation of the patient and his family. Evolution has been marked by the reduction of delusions of jealousy.

Conclusions

This case reports a rare case of delirium of jealousy induced by the misuse of dopaminergic drugs in a patient with PD in its early form. These complications can have catastrophic consequences for the patient. Researching and recognizing these psychiatric manifestations should help avoid devastating consequences.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Satisfaction of the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that has a significant impact on quality of life satisfaction in patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of socio-demographic factors and psychotic symptoms on quality of life satisfaction in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

Participants were outpatients of Hedi chaker University Hospital Center in sfax, Tunisia, recruited between January and July of 2019, diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. A Demographic questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and The Quality of life satisfaction and enjoyment Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) were administered in this study.

Results

50 patients were included in this study with an average age 40,80 ±9,7. The majority of patients were single (72%), unemployed (60%), without medical heredity (80%) and living with their families (92%). The average score of the positive symptom scale (PANS) was 17.46 (SD = 9.1), the negative symptom scale (PANS) was 12.35 (SD = 7.4) and the psychopathological scale (PANS) was of 27.83 (SD = 14.7). the higher the score of the positive symptom scales (p <10-3) the negative scale score (p <0.002) and the psychopathological scale (p <0.001) was high, more the quality of life satisfaction score has been altered.

Conclusions

Improving the quality of life satisfaction of these patients through these different parameters could be a goal of care complementary to the objectives of traditional care.

Effect of childhood trauma on patients with schizophrenia

Introduction

Recent research shows that exposure to trauma, such as child abuse, may result in a heightened risk of developing schizophrenia and worsening of positive symptoms in schizophrenic patient.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine the relation between childhood abuse and psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

Participants were outpatients of Hedi chaker University Hospital Center in sfax, Tunisia, recruited between January and July of 2019, diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were administered in this study to evaluate respectively childhood trauma and psychotic symptoms

Results

44 patients were included in this study with an average age 39,81 ±9,7. The rate of emotional abuse was 15.9%, physical abuse 31.8%, sexual abuse 15.8%, emotional neglect 6.8% and physical neglect 18.2%. PANS positive score (r=0,59 ; p< 10^-3 ), PANS negative score (r=0,55 ; p< 10^-3 ) and PANS psychopathology score(r =0,45, p<0,002) were higher in patients who had a history of childhood trauma in comparison with those who did not report experiencing this.

Conclusions

This study confirms that a history of Childhood trauma may have a serious impact in patients with schizophrenia.

[Incidence and risk factors of depression after a first coronary acute syndrome: A prospective study among 110 patients]

AIM

The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence of post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) depression and to identify predictive factors for the onset of this disorder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective, multicentric study across four cardiology departments, during the period from June to December 2018. A depressive symptom screening was performed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, in-hospital (T0) and on average 42.1±7.9 days after hospital discharge (T1).

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were enrolled with an average age of 57±8.1 years. Sex ratio was 3.78. The incidences of depressive symptomatology at T0 and T1 were respectively 19.1% and 6.2%. Mean and cumulative incidences of depressive symptomatology were respectively 12.7% and 25.5%. According to the univariate analysis, drinking alcohol, overweight and anxiety were associated with the incidence of depressive symptomatology after SCA at T0. In binary logistic regression, drinking alcohol was the independent predictor of the incidence of depression after ACS at T0 with an odds ratio of 4.680 and CI of 95% [1.449; 15,107]; P=0.01. In univariate analysis, drinking alcohol, high risk of hospital mortality, according to the GRACE score, and non performing coronary angiography were statistically associated with the overall incidence of depressive symptomatology.

CONCLUSION

Depression screening must be a part of the evaluation of the ACS. A repeated evaluation of depression is also recommended.

The predictor of mortality outcome in adult patients with Ebola virus disease during the 2014-2015 outbreak in Guinea

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of any demographic and clinical factors with mortality outcome among adult patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea. This retrospective observational study analyzed medical records of laboratory confirmed EVD adult patients during the 2014-2015 EVD outbreak in Guinea. The associations between any demographic or clinical variables and mortality outcome of EVD were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Of 2,310 EVD adult patients included for analysis, the overall case fatality rate was 68.1%. Univariate analyses identified factors possibly associated with mortality outcome, including patient age (p < 0.001), history of visiting or close contact with a suspected or confirmed EVD patient (p = 0.035), and seven clinical symptoms on admission, i.e., fever (p = 0.003), hiccups (p < 0.001), vomiting (p = 0.003), diarrhea (p < 0.001), cough (p = 0.001), sore throat (p = 0.016), and unexplained bleeding (p = 0.021). The multivariate analysis showed that patient age was independently associated with mortality outcome of EVD (OR = 1.06; 95%CI = 1.03-1.09; p < 0.001), while none the of clinical symptoms on admission were significantly associated with the mortality outcome. Our analysis indicates that older age was the only independent factor associated with death among EVD adult patients in Guinea. This suggests that older EVD patients should receive intensive medical care and be carefully monitored.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia: results of the iso-enzymatic characterization of 71 strains

Three clinico-epidemiological forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) exist in Tunisia: zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL; epidemic in the centre and the south-west); sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis (SCL; found in the north); and chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CCL; originally described from Tataouine, in the south-east). As few isolates of Leishmania from Tunisian cases of CL have been typed, isolates were collected, using NNN medium, from 71 such cases. Most (59) of the cases investigated came from the north of the country, including 16 from Sidi Bourouis, where there was an epidemic outbreak of SCL in early 2001; the other 12 cases were natives of the centre or south of the country. The 71 strains were then characterized, at the Centre National de Référence des Leishmania, in Montpellier, France, by iso-enzyme analysis. This revealed four zymodemes: two of L. infantum and one each of L. major and L. killicki. The MON-1 zymodeme of L. infantum, which is more usually associated with visceral leishmaniasis, was recovered from seven of the cases, including six natives of Sidi Bourouis. The MON-24 zymodeme of this species, which appears to be responsible for the SCL, was isolated from 48 cases, all of whom lived in the north of the country. Another 15 cases (nine from the centre, four from the north, and two from the south-east of the country) were found to be harbouring L. major MON-25, the zymodeme usually causing ZCL. Only a single isolate of L. killicki was made; this was of the MON-8 zymodeme responsible for the CCL, and came from a native of Gafsa, in the south-west. Six of the cases investigated (five infected with L. infantum MON-24 and one with L. major MON-25) showed involvement of their nasal and labial mucosae. These results increase the number of strains typed from Tunisian cases of CL more than four-fold, and should help to elucidate the geographical distribution and epidemiology of the various forms of the disease.

[Cervico-facial traumatic injuries at the Donka national hospital of the teaching hospital of Conakry]

The Cervico-Facial Traumatic Injuries (CFTI) can entrain complications and serious aesthetic and functional sequella. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of CFTI, to describe the clinical forms and to evaluate the treatment. It was a prospective study conducted from February to July 2010 in the National Donka hospital of the Teaching Hospital of Conakry. The study concerned 265 patients, who benefited a treatment and reevaluated. The young adults aged between 21-30 years were the most affected (38.49%). 74.34 % were men and 25.66 % were females with a sex ratio of 2.9. Road accident was the etiology of injuries in 70.57% of cases. Clinically, the lesions were dominated by the wounds type II (49.05 %) followed by the wounds type I (48.30 %) and 2,65 % of wounds was type III. The treatment was medical and surgical. Evolution was considered favorable in 82.13 % of cases and disfavorable in 17.85 % of cases.

[Transient pustular eruption in neonates]

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is a common, benign, but little known dermatosis in newborns. Diagnosis of transient neonatal pustular melanosis is made clinically, by the presence of vesiculopustular and pigmented macular skin lesions. This benign spontaneously regressive dermatosis should be distinguished from several serious infectious neonatal diseases. We report a case of transient neonatal pustular melanosis and discuss the nosologic problems and differential diagnosis of this entity.

[Macrocystic lymphatic lymphangioma (cystic lymphangioma) of the upper extremity: a case report]

We report on a case of macrocystic lymphatic malformation of the forearm. A male infant, without any medical history, was followed up in our department since the age of 7 months because of a subcutaneous, soft, painless mass of the left forearm. Ultrasonography and the magnetic reasonance imaging (MRI) were evocative of a macrocystic lymphatic malformation. Five sessions of sclerotherapy led to the reduction of the size of the mass but another axillary tumor appeared afterwards. A surgical excision, unfortunately incomplete, was performed rapidly followed by a recurrence of the macrocystic lymphatic malformation. Macrocystic lymphatic malformations are localized in the neck in 75% and axilla in 20% of the cases. Involvement of the upper extremity and particularly the forearm is very rare. MRI is useful for the diagnosis and the definition of tumor limits. The treatment is usually challenging because of their location and rough delimitation.

[Erythema nodosum: profile in a Tunisian teaching hospital]

BACKGROUND

Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most frequent acute nodular hypodermatitis. Etiologies of EN are varied although a similar clinical presentation. The aim of our study is to establish epidemio-clinical characteristics of EN in 103 patients.

METHODS

(62 in care (january 1980-december 2005) and 41 consultants (january 1991-december 2005) were seen on the dermatology unit of the Rabta hospital. We have only included patients that had done: blood count, chest X-Ray, ASLO, tuberculin intradermoreaction, transaminase, inflammation marker.

RESULTS

We had 86 women and 17 men with a mean age of 36,5 years. Lesions were located in lower limbs in 88 cases. The main etiologies were: post streptococcal infections (42 cases), tuberculosis (8 cases), Crohn disease (8 cases), Behçet disease (7 cases) and sarcoidosis (5 cases). EN was idiopathic in 23 patients. The most common provoking agent of EN varies from a country to another and even in the same country from a study to another. In Tunisia, post streptococcal infections and Behçet disease still frequent etiologies for EN, sarcoidosis and inflammatory colites are more and more found unlike tuberculosis which is less incriminated than before. In case of EN it is reasonable to begin etiological enquiry by common causes.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the lip]

BACKGROUND

Superficial leiomyosarcomas are rare malignant tumors that may be subdivided into cutaneous and subcutaneous cases.

CASE-REPORT

A 58 year-old man was seen for a lower lip tumor that appeared 3 years earlier. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations showed features of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma.

DISCUSSION

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma may derive from the arrector pili, smooth muscle of sudoral glands or genital dartoic muscle. The subcutaneous form arises from smooth muscle wall of blood vessels. Superficial leiomyosarcomas occur frequently in the extensor surface of the lower extremities and involve the mucosal area in rare cases. Only five cases arising in the lips have been described. Lip cutaneous leiomyosarcoma may derive from ectopic sweat glands of the lips or from a hypodermic tumor that extends to the lip.

[Leprosy revealed by oedema of the hands]

BACKGROUND

We reported a case of lepromatous leprosy in a Tunisian woman revealed by a potentially misleading clinical picture involving isolated infiltration of the hands.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 37 year-old woman consulted in October 2000 for bilateral edema of the hands associated with paraesthesia that had been present for one month. Screening for Hansen's bacilli confirmed the diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy. Daily therapy with triple anti-leprosy treatment was initiated.

DISCUSSION

The occurrence of edema, which is classically described as a symptom of a reactional state, can occur during the course of leprosy. Where it is a presenting symptom, this unusual heralding sign can be a source of diagnostic error and delay.

[Three cases of cutaneous blastomycosis]

Blastomycosis is a rare mycotic infection in Africa. Isolated cutaneous disease is extremely rare. We report three cases of cutaneous blastomycosis confirmed by istologic and mycologic examination. No visceral involvement was found. Blastomycosis is rare in Tunisia. The most common site of involvement is the lung. The three cases reported presented with skin involvement only, suggesting a cutaneous inoculation of Blastomyces dermatitidis. The diagnostic criteria of cutaneous blastomycosis are discussed.

[Erysipelas after osteoarticular prosthesis]

OBJECTIVE

The occurrence of erysipelas after implantation of osteoarticular prosthesis is rarely reported in literature except when it may indicate infection of the implant.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied retrospectively 77 files of patients that had been hospitalized for erysipelas from January 1999 to December 2003.

RESULTS

We included 3 patients (3.8%) 2 women and a man (average age: 61 years) with a history of osteoarticular prosthesis implantation on the same side as erysipelas. The period between implantation of the prosthesis and erysipelas varied from 6 months to 30 years. The 3rd patient also presented with chronic venous insufficiency and was treated for legs ulcers of venous origin. There were neither clinical nor radiological signs of prosthesis infection. The clinical schedule was typical. The initial outcome was favorable under intravenous penicillin G and local care. Antibiotic prophylaxis was recommended for all the patients, however, 2 patients relapsed.

[Pemphigoid gestationis: a study of 20 cases]

INTRODUCTION

Pemphigoid gestationis is a bullous autoimmune sub-epidermal dermatosis, occurring during pregnancy and/or postpartum. The objective of our study was to define the epidemio-clinical profile, the histopathological and immunopathological features, the treatment and the course of pemphigoid gestationis in Tunisian patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study concerning the cases of pemphigoid gestationis recorded between 1989 and 2003 in the dermatology department in La Rabta Hospital in Tunis. The patients were included according to clinical, histopathological and immunopathological criteria.

RESULTS

We retained 20 patients: 15 multiparae and 5 primiparae. The average age at onset was 29. The first clinical signs appeared in the 3rd trimester in 60 p. 100 of all cases. Clinically, the urticarial patches were noticed in 90 p. 100 of all cases and blisters in 65 p. 100 of the cases. The eruption was located mainly on the trunk and the limbs. The face was affected in 7 cases, the mucous membranes in 3 cases, the palms in 2 cases and the soles in 1 case. Cutaneous histologic examination revealed a sub-epidermal blister in 11 cases and a lymphohistiocyte infiltrate in all cases. Direct immunofluorescence showed a linear deposition of the third component of the complement along the basement membrane zone in all cases. Fetal prognosis was assessed in 13 cases: 1 fetal death, 1 still-born, 3 miscarriages, 1 anencephaly and 2 cases of transit bullous affection in the new-born.

DISCUSSION

Our results are similar to those in the literature, but with some particular aspects: the late onset of the pemphigoid gestationis in the course of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, the frequent involvement of the face and the mucous membranes and the absence of the two main fetal risks: prematurity and hypotrophy. Moreover, we underline the efficiency of topical class I corticosteroids in the treatment of pemphigoid gestationis.

[Hereditary epidermolysis bullosa in Tunisia: an epidemio-clinical and ultrastructural study]

Hereditary epidermolysis bullosa (EB) are a group of genodermatoses whose common primary feature is formation of blisters following minor trauma. The aim of the present study was to assess epidemiological, clinical, genetical and histological particularities of patients with hereditary epidermolysis bullosa.

Photo-onycholysis: two cases induced by doxycycline

Photo-onycholysis is a phototoxic reaction, which is usually drug-induced. It consists of the separation of the nail from the nail bed due to ultraviolet radiation. We report two cases of female patients who developed distal onycholysis while receiving doxycycline. Among the drugs that cause photo-onycholysis, the most frequently cited are tetracyclines, psoralens and fluoroquinolones. Photo-onycholysis is often distal, half-moon shaped and can be surrounded by pigmentation. Spontaneous recovery follows within a few months of discontinuing the drug.

[Extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the forearm: a case report]

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor. We report an exceptional case located in the forearm. A 62-year-old woman consulted for a tumor of the right forearm which she had noticed for six months. Physical examination revealed a 10 x 12 cm tumor with an ulcerated center. MRI demonstrated a heterogeneous mass exhibiting no connection with the bone or subjacent periosteum. Wide surgical resection was performed. The pathology study of the operative specimen confirmed the diagnosis of soft tissue osteosarcoma. The patient was given postoperative chemotherapy and was free of local recurrence or metastasis eighteen months after surgery. We discuss the present case and review data reported in the literature.

[Cutaneous blastomycosis: description of two cases in Tunisia]

Blastomycosis is an uncommon mycotic infection in Africa. Isolated cutaneous disease is extremely rare. The purpose of this report is to describe 2 cases of cutaneous blastomycosis. The first case Involved a 70-year-old rural woman who presented papulonodules associated with scars on the upper extremities and right leg, ongoing for 2 months. The second patient was a 47-year-old woman who presented 2 vegetating plaque areas above the left knee and on the left shoulder, ongoing for 4 months. In addition a bow-shaped scar resulting from a dog bite was observed. Histologic examination and culture on Sabouraud's medium and brain heart agar confirmed diagnosis of cutaneous blastomycosis in both patients. No visceral involvement was found. Blastomycosis is uncommon in Tunisia with only 6 previously published cases. The two cases reported here are interesting because involvement was confined to the skin suggesting cutaneous inoculation of Blastomyces dermatitidis.

Calcipotriol and PUVA as treatment for vitiligo

We performed a prospective study to evaluate efficacy of the combination of calcipotriol and psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) in the treatment of vitiligo. Twenty-three patients with essentially bilateral symmetrical lesions of vitiligo were included. Calcipotriol (0.005 %) ointment was applied twice daily over the right side of the body, and the other side was not treated. PUVA was performed three times per week. All patients received at least forty five sessions of PUVA. Patients were evaluated clinically and photographed all fifteen weeks. At the fifteenth session, 69 percent of the patients had minimal to moderate improvement on the calcipotriol side compared to 52 percent on the PUVA-only side (p = 0.015). At the forty-fifth session, 52 percent showed marked improvement on the calcipotriol side compared to 30 percent on the PUVA-only side (p = 0.13), with more intense repigmentation on calcipotriol-treated areas. Treatment was well tolerated, and no adverse effect was noted. This combination was an effective treatment for vitiligo, especially in initiating repigmentation.

[Multiple keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum]

INTRODUCTION

Keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum is a rare variety of commonly isolated keratoacanthoma. The size of the lesions and prolonged evolution often raise therapeutic problems.

CASE REPORT

A 63-year-old man presented with multiple keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum evolving for 6 months and predominating on the lower limbs. Because of the multiplicity and size of the lesions, the patient was treated at acitretine at the dose of 1 mg/kg/day for five months, leading to the regression of all the lesions.

DISCUSSION

Keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum has rarely been reported in the literature. Our observation remains exceptional in the multiplicity and size of the lesions. The efficacy of retinoids, previously reported in the treatment of solitary giant keratoacanthoma, multiple keratoacanthoma and keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum, was demonstrated even in this handicapping form of keratoacanthoma.

[Pyoderma gangrenosum. 15 cases]

We report a retrospective study of 15 cases of pyoderma gangrenosum. The male/female ratio was 2, average age 40 years (range: 2-48 years). The typical ulcerous form was observed in 11 patients, whereas bullous pyodrma gangrenosum was noted in 2 patients and the granulomatous superficial form in 2 others. The leg was the most frequent localization. It was often associated with another skin localization. Two patients had neutrophilic pulmonary involvement which was concomitant to the skin ulcers. Association with internal disease was found in 8 patients. Histology showed vasculitis in 11 patients. In 9 of them, leukocytoclastic vasculitis was observed. Prednisone and clofazimine were the most frequently prescribed drugs. Th rate of recurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum was 46% independently of treatment. Occurrence of neutrophilic pneumopathy was rapidly fatal in two of our patients

[Costal hydatid cyst (report of 2 cases)]

Hydatidosis is an endemic affection in our country. Hepatic and pulmonary localisation is the most frequent. The other localisation especially in the bone, are exceptional. We report 2 cases of costal hydatid diagnosed on 17 and 33 years old male patients admitted for parietal tumor respectively localized in cervix and thorax. The diagnosis, suspected on chest tomography is confirmed by histologic patterns of resected rib.

[Junctional epidermolysis bullosa: should circumcision be allowed?]

BACKGROUND

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa is an uncommon heterogeneous syndrome transmitted by recessive autosomal inheritance. In addition to the classical skin lesions, the syndrome may include mucosal involvement which further complicates treatment. A few cases with urinary tract lesions dominating long-term prognosis have been reported.

CASE REPORT

An child born in 1987 had junctional epidermolysis bullosa associated with urethral stenosis. Skin lesions typical of generalized atrophic benign junctional epidermolysis bullosa were observed. Urinary tract involvement developed after ritual circumcision and led to stenosis of the urethral meatus. Endourethral dilatations were unsuccessful and led to complete stenosis of the urethra, requiring life-long indwelling suprapubic catheter.

DISCUSSION

Due to the risk of urinary tract involvement, we discuss the risks involved with circumcision in certain forms of junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

Absence of the alpha-1-antitrypsin PI*Z allele in Tunisia substantiates the particular genetic structure of African populations

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (PI) phenotypes were studied in a sample of 450 Tunisians. The observed frequencies of PI alleles were identical to those in African populations, with a very low incidence of PI*S and virtual absence of PI*Z. Such figures are similar to estimates in Asians and clearly opposite to those in Europeans. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:223-224, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

[Bronchiectasis in hemorrhagic rectocolitis. Apropos of a case]

Bronchectasis is a rare complication of haemorrhagic rectocolitis, 28 case have been reported in the literature. We report a case in a 40-year-old patient who presented respiratory signs 13 years after the onset of haemorrhagic rectocolitis. The diagnosis was confirmed on the bronchogram showing involvement of the lower lobes on the right and the left. Local corticosteroids given by inhalation decreased the volume of the expectorations and improved bronchial obstruction. Abundant bronchorrhoea is characteristic of bronchectasia in haemorrhagic rectocolitis as in primary bronchectasia. Response to inhaled or systemic corticosteroids is good.

[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and cardiopathies]

Forty-nine cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) were diagnosed out of 10 750 patients with cardiac disease (0.45 p. 100), 24 cases out of 3 761 congenital malformations and 25 cases in the 6 989 patients with acquired heart disease. Right ventricular pre-excitation was recorded in 31 cases; 13 in the lateral zone, 12 in the posterior paraseptal zone and 6 in the anterior paraseptal zone. Left ventricular pre-excitation was recorded in 18 cases: 8 in the lateral zone, 5 in the anterior paraseptal and 5 in the posterior paraseptal zones. WPW and congenital heart disease: Out of 20 cases of Ebstein's anomaly, 5 cases of WPW were observed: 4 right posterior and 1 right lateral pre-excitations. Out of 218 cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, 7 cases of WPW were observed, 4 of which were congenital. Three cases of WPW were recorded in 699 patients with ventricular septal defects. Out of 1 348 cases of atrial septal defect, 5 cases of pre-excitation were recorded, including 3 right posterior pre-excitations associated with an ostium primum defect. Pre-excitation was also observed in isolated cases of corrected transposition of the great arteries, supravalvular aortic stenosis, aortic incompetence and patent ductus arteriosus. Pre-excitation and acquired heart disease: Five cases of pre-excitation were recorded out of 305 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (1.62 p. 100). Eleven cases of pre-excitation were recorded in a total of 3 471 cases of valvular heart disease (0.31 p. 100): 9 in rheumatic valve disease and 2 in mitral valve prolapse. Nine cases of pre-excitation were observed in 2 850 cases of coronary artery disease. Intermittent Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: Ventricular pre-excitation masks the ECG changes of complete right bundle branch block in Ebstein's anomaly, complete left bundle branch block in aortic incompetence and dilated cardiomyopathy, and the in-complete right bundle branch block often seen in mitral valve prolapse. The characteristic appearances of WPW depend on the zone of pre-excitation. Right ventricular hypertrophy observed in ventricular septal defect with pulmonary stenosis and mitral stenosis may be masked by right lateral pre-excitation. Changes of inferior wall myocardial infarction may be masked by left anterior wall pre-excitation. On the other hand, the effects of WPW on left ventricular hypertrophy are variable, high amplitudes of the resultant forces seeming to depend on late and isolated activation of one of the left ventricular walls.