Intrascrotal Testicular and Extratesticular Epidermoid Cysts: About Two Cases

Painless solid testicular masses on ultrasonography are commonly malignant. However, if the lesion is well demarcated, rounded, and hypoechoic with alternating hyperechoic and hypoechoic layers, and no internal vascular flow, the possibility of an epidermoid cyst should be considered. Epidermoid cysts are uncommon benign testicular lesions and are extremely rare in the intrascrotal extratesticular region. Including these cysts in the differential diagnosis may allow the urologist to perform testis-sparing surgery. Teaching Point: The possibility of an epidermoid cyst should be considered when a scrotal mass shows an ‘onion ring’ appearance on sonography and no vascularity on Doppler

An interdisciplinary study around the reliquary of the late cardinal Jacques de Vitry

The reliquary of Jacques de Vitry, a prominent clergyman and theologian in the early 13th century, has experienced several transfers over the last centuries, which seriously question the attribution of the remains to the late Cardinal. Uncertainty about the year of his birth poses an additional question regarding his age at death in 1240. The reliquary, located in the Saint Marie d'Oigines church, Belgium, was reopened in 2015 for an interdisciplinary study around his relics as well as the Treasure of Oignies, a remarkable cultural heritage notably built from Jacques de Vitry's donation. Anthropological, isotopic and genetic analyses were performed independently on the remains found in the reliquary. Results of the analyses provided evidence that the likelihood that these remains are those of Jacques de Vitry is very high: the remains belong to the same human male individual and the historical tradition about his age is confirmed. In addition, a separate relic (left tibia) was analysed and found to match with the remains of the reliquary (right tibia). The unique Jacques de Vitry's mitre, made of parchment, was sampled non-destructively and the extracted parchment collagen was analysed by a proteomic method in order to determine the animal species. The results showed that, surprisingly, not all parts of the mitre were made from the same species. All together, these findings are expected to fertilize knowledge carried by historical tradition around the relics of Jacques de Vitry and his related cultural heritage

Prognostic value of the expression of C-Chemokine Receptor 6 and 7 and their ligands in non-metastatic breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chemokines and chemokine receptors are major actors of leukocytes trafficking and some have been shown to play an important role in cancer metastasis. Chemokines CCL19, CCL20 and CCL21 and their receptors CCR6 and CCR7, were assessed as potential biomarkers of metastatic dissemination in primary breast cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Biomarker expression levels were evaluated using immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue sections of breast cancer (n = 207).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CCR6 was expressed by tumor cells in 35% of cases. CCR7 was expressed by spindle shaped stromal cells in 43% of cases but not by tumor cells in this series. CCL19 was the only chemokine found expressed in a significant number of breast cancers and was expressed by both tumor cells and dendritic cells (DC). CCR6, CCL19 and CCR7 expression correlated with histologic features of aggressive disease. CCR6 expression was associated with shorter relapse-free survival (RFS) in univariate and but not in multivariate analysis (p = 0.0316 and 0.055 respectively), and was not associated with shorter overall survival (OS). Expression of CCR7 was not significantly associated with shorter RFS or OS. The presence of CCL19-expressing DC was associated with shorter RFS in univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.042 and 0.020 respectively) but not with shorter OS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest a contribution of CCR6 expression on tumor cells and CCL19-expressing DC in breast cancer dissemination. In our series, unlike what was previously published, CCR7 was exclusively expressed on stromal cells and was not associated with survival.</p

Innovations en Pneumologie pédiatrique. Que retenir de 2015?

En février 2016, l’Ivacaftor (Kalydeco®) sera disponible et remboursé en Belgique, chez des patients âgés d’au moins 6 ans, présentant au moins une copie de certaines mutations de classe III (3% des patients belges). Chez ces patients, cette médication orale très coûteuse (248.000 €/an) restaure partiellement l’activité de la protéine CFTR et entraîne dans la plupart des cas des bénéfices cliniques substantiels, en termes notamment de fonction respiratoire et de nutrition. Parallèlement, le taux de chlorure dans la sueur baisse en moyenne presque de moitié. Le clinicien doit avoir en mémoire la possibilité de multiples interactions médicamenteuses.[Your money or your life? - Kalydeco®: a milestone towards the “cure” of cystic fibrosis] From February 1st 2016 on, Ivacaftor (KALYDECO™) will be reimbursed in Belgium for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 6 years and older carrying at least one of nine well characterized gating (Class III) cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations, which account for approximately 3% of Belgian CF patients. In most of these patients, this very expensive oral drug (248,000 €/year) substantially improves lung function, lowers sweat chloride levels, and improves body weight by targeting the primary defect, thus representing a fundamental shift in the way the disease is managed. However, clinicians should be aware of the drug's potential for numerous drug interactions

Mucoviscidose - A Propos des Formes diagnostiquées à l'âge adulte

Un diagnostic de mucoviscidose à l'âge adulte concerne habituellement des patients qui ne présentent pas d'insuffisance pancréatique. Il peut s'agir soit de formes typiques méconnues et l'atteinte pulmonaire est alors souvent avancée, soit de formes atypiques avec taux de chlorures intermédiaires et atteinte pulmonaire plus légère, quoique variable. Dans ce dernier groupe, le diagnostic n'est pas simple, avec pour outils principaux une étude génétique exhaustive et la mesure du potentiel nasal. Dans tous les cas, l'enjeu est important pour le patient, à la fois en termes économiques et de pronostic

Mucoviscidose : le tournant des modulateurs

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators are small molecules aimed at improving CFTR function by specifically targeting the different classes of CFTR mutations. Recent Phase II studies of triple therapy, including new generation correctors, have demonstrated spectacular improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), likely to translate into improved quality of life and increased life expectancy. Within the next 5 years, a highly effective CFTR modulator therapy will probably be approved for most cystic fibrosis patients, including those carrying at least one copy of the F508del mutation (88% of Belgian patients). Patients with well-preserved lungs will benefit most from these treatments

Mucoviscidose - 2019 : mise en place du dépistage néonatal en Belgique

En 2019, la Belgique met enfin en place un programme de dépistage néonatal de la mucoviscidose, proche de celui implémenté par la France dès 2002. L’algorithme retenu part du taux sanguin de trypsine entre 3 et 5 jours de vie. S’il est élevé, 12 variants du gène CFTR sont recherchés. R117H n’en fait pas partie parce que la pénétrance de ce variant fréquent est faible dans les 2 pays. L’article décrit de manière critique les étapes du programme, ses objectifs et ses limitations et souligne en particulier les rôles du médecin de proximité

Puumala hantavirus: an imaging review.

Puumala virus (PUUV) is the most common hantavirus in Europe. It is known to cause nephropathia epidemica, which is considered a mild type of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. However, it does not only involve the kidneys and is rarely accompanied by symptomatic hemorrhage. We review the imaging abnormalities caused by PUUV infection, from head to pelvis, emphasizing the broad spectrum of possible findings and bringing further support to a previously suggested denomination "Hantavirus disease" that would encompass all clinical manifestations. Although non-specific, knowledge of radiological appearances is useful to support clinically suspected PUUV infection, before confirmation by serology

Cytotoxic Lesion of the Corpus Callosum Caused by Puumala Hantavirus Infection.

We report the case of a 45-year-old male referred to our hospital with fever, asthenia, visual disturbances and increasing headaches. Diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain showed high signal intensity in the splenium of corpus callosum with low apparent diffusion coefficient values. Diagnosis of cytotoxic lesion of corpus callosum was made with Puumala Hantavirus infection serologically confirmed and should not be mistaken for ischemia. Patient was discharged 8 days after admission and imaging findings had resolved 3 weeks later