[Ureterocele associated with simplex ureter in children: clinical and therapeutic features].

Ureterocele is a pseudo-cyst dilation of the terminal submucosal ureter. It is a rare malformative uropathy, in particular associated with simplex ureter. We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 10 years.

Automatic oxygen administration and weaning in patients following mechanical ventilation.

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy of FreeO2 device in oxygen weaning of patients after being liberated from mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods: Prospective crossover cohort study in patients admitted to ICU and after MV weaning. FreeO2 curves were recorded during constant flow and FreeO2 modes.

[Verneuil's disease: a diagnosis that should be taken into consideration in patients with vulvar and perineal tumor-like lesion].

We here report the case of a 58-year old nulliparous patient with a history of Niemann-Pick disease who presented with vulvoperineal, fluctuant, fistulized swelling measuring 10 cm associated with ulceration. The patient was febrile with impaired general state This mass caused some concern about necrotic and infected malignant tumor of the vulva associated with chronic dermatosis. Incision and purulent drainage associated with multiple biopsies excluded the presence of a neoplastic process.

[Sexual disorders among spinal cord injury patients].

Objective: Spinal cord injury (SCI) can alter to varying degrees patients' sexuality. The goals of this study were to evaluate sexual dysfunctions (SD) among a sample of Tunisian patients with SCI and to determine the associated factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 30 patients with SCI.

[Idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome: Report of 24 cases].

Background: Idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome (IOIS) is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. The inflammation may affect all the structures within the orbit (anterior, diffuse, apical, myositic, dacryoadenitis) and corresponds to uniquely orbital inflammation without an identifiable local cause or systemic disease. The goal of this study is to describe the clinical and radiographic characteristics of IOIS and discuss the role of orbital biopsy in this condition.

Gender Parity in Critical Care Medicine.

Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. These documents inform and shape patient care around the world. In this Perspective we discuss the importance of diversity on guideline panels, the disproportionately low representation of women on critical care guideline panels, and existing initiatives to increase the representation of women in corporations, universities, and government.

[Urinary disorders and metabolic syndrome: prospective study].

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors are potentially implicated in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The goals of this study were to analyze the prevalence of the LUTS in patients presenting with MS and to evaluate the correlation between the MS components and LUTS.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of 34 patients with MS according to the criteria of the NCEP ATP III.

[Pseudotumoral presentation of multiple sclerosis].

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system with a variety of clinical and radiological presentations. Several cases have been reported of demyelinating processes mimicking a tumour of the central nervous system.

Observation: A 45-year-old man was admitted with acute right hemiparesis associated with intracranial hypertension syndrome.

[Oxidative stress involvement in schizophrenia pathophysiology: a review].

Background: Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric disorder with a broad range of behavioural and biologic manifestations. There are several clinical characteristics of the illness that have been consistently associated with poor premorbid adjustment, long duration of psychosis prior to treatment and prominent negative symptoms. The etiopathogenic mechanisms of lack of insight in patients with schizophrenia are to date unknown, although several hypotheses have been suggested.

[Recurrent pericarditis revealing a malignant mediastinal mesenchymoma].

Introduction: The malignant mesenchymoma is a malignant tumour composed of two or more types of non-differentiated tissue, associated with fibrosarcomatous elements. Its mediastinal localisation is exceptional.

Observation: In a 65 year-old woman, recurrent pericardial effusion revealed a malignant mesenchymoma measuring 11 x 9 x 4 cm, located in the mediastinum and extending towards the pericardium.

[Ischemic strokes in young adults].

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine etiologies and outcome of strokes in young adults.

Patients And Methods: We studied retrospectively 48 cases of patients with transient ischemic attack or arterial ischemic stroke aged between 15 and 48 years admitted in the Neurology and Cardiology Departments of the University Hospital of Monastir from 1987 to 1996. The study variables included the full clinical spectrum, spanning historical, laboratory, radiological and outcome parameters.

[Correlation of clinical and angiographic morphology in unstable angina].

The goal of this study was to compare the clinical presentation and angiographic morphology of patients having an unstable angina pectoris. A total of 321 patients were consecutively studied and underwent cardiac catheterization, mean age 59 + 6 years. According to Braunwald classification, class III was predominant (58%) On coronary angiography, 148 patients had single vessel disease, double-vessel in 92 and triple-vessel in 64.

Continuous versus intermittent nebulization of salbutamol in acute severe asthma: a randomized, controlled trial.

Study Objective: This study was conducted to compare the clinical and spirometric effects of continuous and intermittent nebulization of salbutamol in acute severe asthma.

Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department for acute severe asthma (peak expiratory flow [PEF] mean+/-SD, 24%+/-12% predicted) were prospectively randomly assigned to receive 27.5 mg of salbutamol by either continuous or intermittent nebulization over a 6-hour period.

High-dose hydrocortisone hemisuccinate in scorpion envenomation.

Study Objective: Scorpion envenomation is a common life-threatening hazard in tropical and subtropical countries. Standard treatment is not clearly defined. Many therapies, such as steroids, are prescribed without experimental justification.