[Recurrent shoulder pain indicative of a tuberculous cervical spondylodiscitis].

Shoulder pain is usually related to local osteoarticular or periarticular diseases of mechanical or inflammatory origin. Occasionally, it can be secondary to a discoradicular compression in the cervical spine. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman who was hospitalized for degradation of her general state, inflammation and painful shoulders.

Suspected gouty tophus in a woman's breast.

A postmenopausal woman treated with diuretics for hypertension and who underwent surgery for a previous fibroadenoma of the left breast presented, in December 2003, with a sudden bloody discharge of the left nipple with local swelling, redness, and pain. Radiologic investigations revealed a well-delimited tumor under the areola. Needle aspiration disclosed many histiocytes but no bacteria.

[Bone mineral density and bone metabolism in spondylarthropathies].

Aims: To study the prevalence of osteoporosis in a group of patients with spondyloarthropathy and to investigate bone turnover markers and correlation between bone mineral density and the age at the beginning of the disease.

Patients And Method: Patients with spondyloarthropathy as defined by New York and ESSG criteria. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine and hip with Hologic QDR 1000.

[A practical approach to diagnosing and managing post-menopausal osteoporosis].

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a major challenge in Medicine. From a simple 10 points questionnaire allowing the detection of the main risks of the disease, different treatment options, based on mineral density, are now available. Treatment should be adapted to age and way of life of the patient.

Spontaneous bilateral humeral head fractures occurring simultaneously in a woman with rheumatoid arthritis.

A 67-year-old woman with a 15-year history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis developed acute night pain in both shoulders. Examination revealed bilateral swelling and joint mobility impairment. Ultrasonography disclosed joint effusions which were hemorrhagic on aspiration.

Rotator cuff repair. Long-term results.

Objectives: To evaluate the results of rotator cuff repair and to look for preoperative and/or intraoperative predictors of long-term outcomes.

Patients And Methods: All patients who underwent open rotator cuff repair surgery for a full-thickness tear between 1990 and 1996 and who were subsequently followed-up for at least 4 years were contacted. The surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation program were standardized.

[Bilateral knee osteoarthritis associated with supracondylar chondromas and popliteal osteochondromas].

The knee is a complicated joint where various diseases can coexist. We present a case of a woman with bilateral knee osteoarthritis who's radiographic follow up allowed a 15 year watch of a bilateral medial supracondylar chondroma and of a popliteal osteochondroma of the both knees. This observation emphasizes the usefulness of repeated radiographs, not only in order to survey the evolution of the knee osteoarthritis but also to disclose the appearance and/or disappearance of other lesions in the neighborhood.

[Delayed discovery of vertebral sarcoidosis].

Vertebral bone sarcoidosis is rare and may be difficult to diagnose. Clinical manifestations are often poor and the discovery can be fortuitous. We report a case of a 64 year old woman whose vertebral sarcoidosis diagnosis was established 20 years after the primary discovery of a cured thoracic sarcoidosis.

Cholesterol crystal embolization simulating focal myositis.

Cholesterol crystal embolization usually produces characteristic skin lesions. We report a case responsible for myositis of the calf without suggestive skin lesions. The outcome in this 58-year-old patient was spontaneously favorable.