Orbital varix: rare cause of blepharospasm

Orbital varix (or varicose) is an exceptional pathology with poor clinical sign. The blepharospasm can be a revealing cause. The long-term risk is optic atrophy and blindness. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best diagnostic tools. The rise of lesion dimensions by Valsalva maneuvers and prone position is characteristic. We report the observation of a 42-year-old young man, consulting for a blepharospasm of the left eye evolving for two years. Imaging investigations made the diagnosis of orbital varicose

Strangulated obturator hernia: a case report with literature review

Obturator hernia is rare. It occurs when part of the pelvic contents protrude through the obturator foramen. It is a diagnostic challenge in the emergency department since the signs and symptoms are non-specific. It often occurs in elderly, emaciated and chronically ill women. The clinical picture include intestinal obstruction with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The treatment is only surgical. Delayed diagnosis of this condition usually leads to a high mortality rate. We report the case of an 83-year-old woman with a strangulated obturator hernia. The hernia was discovered early by computed tomography and was treated by emergency laparotomy. We emphasize on the rule of CT scan to establishing a prompt preoperative diagnosis of an obturator hernia, appropriate planning of surgical intervention and thus optimizing the outcome

An unusual etiology of posttraumatic Collet–Sicard Syndrome: a case report

Posttraumatic Unilateral paralysis of the last four cranial nerves (IX-XI), known as collet-Sicard syndrome, is rare following closed head injury. A 21-year-old man presented with slurred speech, hoarseness voice and difficulty swallowing his saliva following closed head trauma. The cranial nerve examination revealed left sided severe dysfunction of cranial nerves VII, IX, X, XI, and XII.A CT-Scan of the neck was performed demonstrating a fracture of the left styloid process at the base of the skull.The Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed unusually well seen lower cranial nerves due to nerve edema. The patient was managed conservatively with steroids and regular sessions of neuromuscular and orthophonic rehabilitation.The nutrition had to be administered by gastrostomy since he was unable to swallow.Six months after the injury a total neurological recovery was noted.We present the exceptional case of Collet-Sicard Syndrome caused by styloid process fracture.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

An unusual case of Behçet's disease presenting with postpartum ovarian iliac vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Thrombosis of the ovarian vein is a rare complication which arises classically in the postpartum. We report a case of 24-year-old woman with a history of Behçet's disease, who presented with pelvic and thoracic pain, tachycardia, dyspnea and fever occurring 2 weeks after delivery. Computed tomography revealed an ascending thrombosis of the iliac and right ovarian veins complicated by bilateral pulmonary embolism. The patient responded well to the combination of anticoagulants and immunosuppressive agents. Behçet's disease should also be considered as an etiologic factor for ovarian vein thrombosis

Co-existing sarcoidosis and Takayasu arteritis: report of a case

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic vasculitis of unknown origin, affecting mainly the aorta and its main branches. As a result of the inflammation, stenosis, occlusion or dilatation of the involved vessels may occur and cause a wide range of symptoms. It has been described in association with various auto-immune disorders (mainly inflammatory digestive tract diseases). However, only few cases of TA associated with sarcoidosis have been reported, raising the question of an association by chance.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>We report a case of a 34 year-old woman, with one year history of sarcoidosis, who presented with asymmetric high hypertension revealing inflammatory humeral, axillary and subclavian arteritis related to TA, successfully treated by steroid and immunosuppressive therapy(Methotrexate^R).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>TA and sarcoidosis may be related, rising the hypothesis that TA or Takayasu arteritis-like granulomatous vasculitis may be, in fact, a complication of sarcoidosis.</p

Infantile Scurvy: Two Case Reports

Background. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is necessary for the formation of collagen, reducing free radicals, and aiding in iron absorption. SCURVY, a disease of dietary ascorbic acid deficiency, is uncommon today. It still exists in high risk groups including economically disadvantaged populations with poor nutrition. The incidence of SCURVY in the pediatric population is very low. Cases Report. Here we report two cases of SCURVY revealed by subperiosteal hematoma in children with cerebral palsy and developmental delay. Conclusion. SCURVY is extremely rare in children. Musculoskeletal manifestations are prominent in pediatric SCURVY. Multiple subperiosteal hematomas are an important indicator for diagnosis

Thymic hyperplasia in a patient with Grave's disease

Hyperplastic changes of the thymus may be found in patients with Graves' disease. However, this rarely presents as an anterior mediastinal mass, particularly among adults. In this report, we describe a 46-year old woman with Graves' disease and thymic hyperplasia

Osteopoikilosis: a rare cause of bone pain

Background: Osteopoikilosis (OPK) is a rare inherited condition of the bones, transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait characterized by numerous hyperostotic areas that tend to localize in periarticular osseous regions. It is usually asymptomatic and is often diagnosed incidentally during x-rays made by other reasons. We present a case of 34-year-old man suffering from polyarthralgia and low back pain. Case presentation: A 34-year-old male patient, smoking 40 packs yearly and alcoholic was referred to our department of rheumatology, complaining of polyarthralgia which started 3 years ago and involving large and small joints. He reported the presence of pelvic pain mostly located at both hip joints and in the two ankles. On radiologic examination, numerous, symmetric, well defined, sclerotic lesions were identified on shoulder, wrist, ankles, pelvis, and on spine. The size of the lesions varied from 2 to 9 millimeters. These spots were located on spongious bone tissue, and in the inner bone cortex located bilaterally in the epiphyses and metaphyses. We concluded the diagnosis of OPK. His mother was found to have the same lesions without any symptoms. Conclusion: OPK may be an isolated finding or associated with other pathologies, e.g. skin manifestations, rheumatic and/or skeletal disorders. The main differential diagnosis is osteoblastic metastasis