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Biomedical subjects

C Conessa

Publications and source records attributed to C Conessa.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

[Positron emission tomography in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas].

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging modality which is becoming increasingly esential in oncology, especially in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The most common uses of the PET are listed in this thematic study: initial staging, cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumor and post-therapeutic follow-up. The advantages and drawbacks of this imaging tool are exposed here according to both our experience and data from the literature. Decision schemes are suggested for each use so as to optimize the use of this imaging modality in the management of these SCC. Other fields of application for the PET are mentioned, such as the in-progress evaluation of response to chemotherapy, the interest of this imaging tool in radiotherapy as well as current biochemical developments concerning new tracers.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Acute laryngeal paralysis induced by the migration of a totally implantable venous access device's catheter tip.

The authors report a case of acute vagus nerve paralysis that appeared during a course of chemotherapy. The drugs had been administered through a totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD), whose catheter tip had migrated into the right internal jugular vein (IJV) and was surrounded by a complete venous thrombosis. The supposed aetiology of this paralysis was a leakage of the cytotoxic drug (5-fluorouracil) from the vessel wall into the surrounding carotid space, because of the stagnation of the chemotherapeutic agent above the thrombosis. Four months after cessation of chemotherapy, the laryngeal paralysis was still evident.

Aged↗

[Susac syndrome or microangiopathy of the cochlea, brain and retina].

OBJECTIVES: Susac syndrome, also called SICRET syndrome (small infarction of cochlear, retinal, and encephalic tissue) is a rare condition difficult to diagnose. Sudden deafness may be the inaugural sign. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A female patient developed subacute encephalopathy, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and ischemic retinopathy. The patient was given cyclophosphamid and methylprednisolone for six months, followed by prednisone for eight months. RESULTS: Signs of encephalopathy had totally regressed by month 14 and retinal arteries were free of obstruction. Deafness remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of this microangiopathy involving the inner ear, the brain, and the retina is suggested by the clinical triad and established on the basis of tonal audiometry, fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple sclerosis is the main differential diagnosis. The pathogenesis remains unknown. We observed transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. There is no consensus concerning treatment. Many advocate combining corticosteroids and immunosuppressors. Otolaryngologists should be aware that an ophthalmological examination is required for patients with central or visual disorders associated with hearing loss.

Adult↗

[Current aspects of laryngeal tuberculosis: a report of four cases].

OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal tuberculosis is a rare condition. This new clinical pattern of tuberculosis should be recognized by clinicians. METHODS: We report our experience with four cases of laryngeal tuberculosis. RESULTS: The principal differences in the disease pattern are an increase in the number of cases of primary laryngeal tuberculosis without any evident pulmonary involvement and the declining number of pseudotumor forms with an larger number of nonspecific laryngeal localizations. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis should be entertained as a possible diagnosis in patients with nonspecific laryngeal disease. The diagnosis is confirmed by identification of granulomatous inflammation and acid-fast bacilli. New culture techniques and molecular biology methods such as polymerase chain reaction allow early identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Adult↗

[Positron emission tomography in head and neck oncology].

Defining a therapeutic strategy in oncology requires a substantial amount of imaging data provided by modern techniques. While the description of the lesions and their environment has become very precise, there remains a certain degree of uncertainty concerning tissue typing. Positron emission tomography is a scintigraphy technique which can produce quantitative images of metabolic characteristics. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose is a tracer allowing an analysis of glucose metabolism known to be highly increased in malignant tissues. Increased uptake is an indication of malignancy with an established correlation with proliferative capacity. The only limitation of the method is the generally weak uptake observed in benign hypermetabolic inflammatory or infectious areas. All stages of the disease are concerned for head and neck cancer patients. Clinical experience to date indicates that PET can be applied most usefully to search or residual disease with a possible differentiation between post-therapeutic fibrosis and viable tumor tissue as well as the identification of early relapse. Study of early response to chemotherapy is also an interesting application. Search for extension can also be improved with this technique allowing both regional and whole body explorations. Positron emission tomography is not widely available in France at the present time so all patients cannot be examined with this technique. Positron emission tomography is an evolving technique with improvements being proposed both in the technique and in tracer elements. Further information will be available with new developments in this non-invasive exploration tool.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

[Value of positron-emission tomography in the post-treatment follow-up of epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck].

UNLABELLED: This study aimed at pointing out the supply of the positron emission tomography (PET) in the posttherapeutic follow-up of the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and to determine the best period to perform this test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients have been included in this series, 16 men and 4 women. The PET was performed between 3 and 6 months after the end of all therapy. It systematically included radiation therapy. The results of the PET have been compared with those obtained by histology. The average distance of the follow-up of the patients after the achievement of the test was 11 months. RESULTS: They divided up according to the presence or not of an abnormal fixation on the PET imaging. Negative PETs: eight cases. Among those, a patient showed a metastatic cervical adenopathy at five months. Positive PETs: twelve cases which can be divided into three groups according to the area of the fixation. Primary site: 8 cases, 4 of which false-positive. Cervical lymph nodes: one case. Other sites: three cases. In our series PET had a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 67%. CONCLUSION: The PET is an original imaging as it allows a corporal metabolic study at one go. It seems to be very useful in the follow-up of patients who show a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The best period to perform it is the third or fourth posttherapeutic month. The high sensitivity is interesting within the context of an early detection of a residual tumour, for it allows to think of a suitable therapy quicker.

Aged↗

[Hypopharyngeal foreign body migration. Apropos of 2 pediatric cases].

Two children cases report of an ingested fish bone perforating upper digestive tract lumen and completely migrating to the retropharyngeal space in the neck are presented. It is an unusual presentation and we describe our management. In one case it was necessary to performed a cervicotomy to remove the foreign body. In other case the rigid endoscopy could remove the fish bone with forceps under direct vision. The literature is reviewed to improve the early recognition and treatment for these migrating foreign bodies.

Adolescent↗

[Thyroglossal duct cysts, surgery and histology].

70 years ago Sistrunck described a specific procedure for the management of thyroglossal duct cysts. However, this surgical procedure is not performed often. In a review on 28 cases, the authors have determined whether the Sistrunck's operation was too extensive in the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts. 28 surgicals procedures have been performed during five years, 6 Schlange's procedure and 22 Sistrunck's procedure. We have had 17% of complications with only one recurrence, after six months, with Schlange's operation. During the interventions, we have been able to see and feel a duct in only one case. This difficulty in determining the presence of a duct intra-operatively could suggest that there was no duct. So we have undertaken a histological study of all 28 specimens obtained from surgery. Results showed the presence of one or multiple tracts in 72% of cases. Finally, this study show that Sistrunck's procedure is still the best operation for treatment of all cases of thyroglossal duct cysts. All other operations, and particularly Schlange's procedure, are inadequate because they are in contradiction with histological and embryological studies.

Adolescent↗

[Rigid endoscopy and laryngo-tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies in children: observations apropos of 200 endoscopies conducted in a tropical setting].

Between 1986 and 1998, 200 rigid bronchoscopic procedures under general anesthesia were carried out at the Principal Hospital in Dakar, Senegal for foreign body extraction from the distal airways of 194 children. For the study period, the incidence of this accident was 3.7 p. 1000. Sixty-three percent of patients were male and 77 p. 100 were under 4 years of age. Most patients (69 p. 100) were examined within 48 hours after the accident. Examination of clinical records showed that aspiration was mentioned during anamnesis in only 56 p. 100 of cases. Persistent coughing (80 p. 100) and mild dyspnea (70 p. 100) were the most common symptoms. Auscultation of the lungs was negative in 25 p. 100 of cases and anterior x-ray of the neck and chest were normal or poorly informative in 59 p. 100. In 154 of the 200 procedures, extraction of the foreign body was successful from the trachea in 35 p. 100 of cases, the larynx in 13 p. 100, the right main stem bronchus in 31 p. 100 and the left main stem bronchus in 21 p. 100. In the remaining 46 cases, extraction was unsuccessful. The most frequent foreign body was a peanut. No deaths occurred in this series but cardiac arrest was observed in 6 patients during or immediately after endoscopy. This experience confirms the indication for immediate rigid bronchoscopy in cases involving aspiration or persistent respiratory symptoms. The high incidence of this accident suggests that information campaigns should be undertaken in health care facilities, households, and schools.

Accidents↗

[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.

Abscess↗

[The deviated nose. Classification and treatment. Apropos of 100 cases].

We present a series of 100 deviated noses treated over 5-year period. A classification into four groups was proposed and used to determine preoperative strategy according to the type of deformation. The main corrective methods were lateral cartilage grafts for C-shaped noses and removal and reinstallation of the nasal cartilage for S-shaped nose and "lay down" noses. The best results were obtained for trauma-induced deformations occurring after puberty. Lay-down nose were more difficult to treat than C- and S-shaped noses. Good results can be expected in 80% of the cases. Good nasal flow was obtained in 90% of the patients and secondary surgery was successful in the other 10%.

Adolescent↗

[Contribution of cartilage grafts to lateral reinforcement of the nose].

Cartilage grafts were used for lateral reinforcement of the nasal pyramid in a series of 67 patients undergoing surgery for nasal deviation. Septal cartilage, used for all grafts, is a well vitalized, highly flexible tissue allowing remodelling to the desired form. Lateral wall reinforcement with cartilage grafts plays an important role in surgical cure of deviated noses. In our series of 67 patients, this procedure was used in 61. Results were good in 83%.

Adult↗

[Removal and replacement of the septal cartilage in noses with traumatic injuries, causing deviation. Technique--results].

The nasal septum in 44 patients with deviated noses due to trauma and complex lesions of the septal cartilage leading to bilateral or unilateral nasal obstruction underwent removal then reinstallation of the nasal cartilage. The results of the surgical technique were evaluated according to the access route, external or endonasal, and demonstrated the advantages and disadvantages of this technique which is a crucial step in the treatment of severe traumatic lesions of the nasal septum.

Adult↗

[Endonasal rhinosporidiosis (apropos of 2 cases observed in Gabon)].

Being endemic in India and Sri Lanka, rhinosporidiosis is not much known in Africa where only few cases have been reported for the last 20 years. It is a chronic mycosis striking electively two target zones: nasal and conjunctival mucosae. Many features are still unknown about this pathogenic agent which belongs to the group of phycomycetes. But it has never been yet possible to cultivate it nor to inoculate it to animals. It has a cyclic development, well described by Ashworth. Its treatment is both surgical and medical (fungicides).

Biopsy↗

[New approaches to phycomycoses (apropos of 2 cases of rhino-entomophthoromycosis)].

It is an uncommon affection (only 100 cases reported), observed primarily in African peri-equatorial zone. The rhinoentomophtoromycoses are caused by a phycomycetous fungus, class of zygomycetes: Conidiobolus coronatus. They are subcutaneomucus mycoses with centro-facial localizations. During the past ten years, three points have been put into light. 1. A true therapeutic revolution thanks to imidazoles. 2. A better knowledge of this disease in which caricatural forms are far form being the most numerous. 3. A socio-cultural African approach better understood, as such a disease is still considered as the result of a transgression or a fault.

Adult↗

[Otorhinolaryngologic aspects of Kaposi's sarcoma in Africa].

Such aspects are numerous from a disease with multiple factors among them immunodeficiency playing a key-role. O.R.L. aspect are more frequently observed than some ten years ago: this is mainly due to Kaposi's sarcoma in its epidemic form. Nevertheless one has to keep in mind that Kaposi's sarcoma in this endemic african form coexists with its second form without any well-marked border. Finally, many uncertainties are still existing among others its very peculiar cancerous nature.

Adult↗