[The eye and Behçet's disease].

Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder for which the underlying histopathology is an occlusive vasculitis. This disease is more common in the Mediterranean region, the middle east and the far east. It is characterized by oral and genital ulcerations, ocular inflammatory involvement, skin lesions, vascular involvement and numerous systemic manifestations that may affect mortality.

[Risk of hyperthyroidism in a Tunisian population of smokers].

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of cigarette smoking on thyroid function especially TSH and FT4 levels and to determine the correlation between these parameters and the biological tobacco markers: plasma thiocyanate and cotininuria.

Methods: The initial study was conducted on 300 voluntary subjects, 162 current smokers, 27 former smokers and 111 nonsmokers aged respectively 35.4±16.

[Cannabis use in a central region of Tunisia].

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of cannabis users, their consumption patterns, and effects.

Methods: Our cross-sectional, descriptive study included 205 subjects (191 men, 14 women, mean age = 25.9 ± 7.

[Pseudocholinesterase activity in type 1 bipolar patients].

This study aims to investigate the variation of pseudocholinesterase activity (BuChE) in bipolar patients and to explore its relation to the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of this disease. Our study included 105 patients with bipolar disorder and 100 control subjects aged 38.7 ± 12.

Isolated greater tuberosity fracture: Short-term functional outcome following a specific rehabilitation program.

Background: Evaluate the functional outcome of a specific program of rehabilitation during conservative treatment of fracture of the greater tuberosity.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the records of 22 patients, with minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture, according to inclusion criteria. All patients have received an early (one week after the injury) rehabilitation program based on physical analgesic therapy means, techniques for recovering range of motion, strengthening exercises, proprioceptive stabilization exercises and usability advices.

[Butyrylcholinesterase activity in schizophrenic patients].

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an enzyme that has been investigated for its putative role in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of our work was to study BChE activity variations in schizophrenic patients and to investigate the involvement of this enzyme in schizophrenia and the importance of determining its activity in this disease. This cross-sectional study was carried out 131 (104 males and 27 females, mean age  = 38.

[Hyperhomocysteinemia and schizophrenia: case control study].

Objectives: Homocysteine (Hcys) is a sulphur-containing amino acid that has been widely investigated for its putative role in neuropsychiatric disorders. Elevated plasma homocysteine levels have been associated with schizophrenia. Among other factors, low folate and vitamin B12 levels have been implicated in the increase in homocysteine.

[Towards a new Tunisian Medical Code of Deontology].

The Medical Code of Deontology is a legal text including the physician's duties towards his patients, colleagues, auxiliaries and the community. Considering the scientific, legal and social changes, the deontology code should be revised periodically. The first Tunisian Medical Code of Deontology (TMCD) was promulgated in 1973 and abrogated in 1993 by the new Code.

[Ciclosporin-associated cerebral tumor-like location of Behçet's disease].

Introduction: Cerebral tumor-like location is uncommon in the course of Behçet's disease. We report herein a patient with tumor-like lesions associated with ciclosporin therapy.

Case Report: A 45-year-old male treated for 17 years with colchicine and ciclosporin for Behçet's disease with cutaneomucosal, ocular and joint involvement was admitted for sudden onset of meningo-encephalitis with lymphocytic meningitis.

[Ischemic colitis as a first sign of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A case report].

Background: The primitif antiphospholpid antibody syndrome is a clinico-biologic entity characterized by the artério-venous thromboses and the presence of circulating antibodies against membranous phospholipids. The systemic demonstrations and in particular ulcerated and ischemic colitises are brought back unusually during this affection.

Aim: Report a new case.

[The Budd-Chiari syndrome and Buerger's disease: a case report].

Background: Buerger's disease is an inflammatory non atheromatous distal arteriopathy affecting mainly young male smokers. There is some controversy about the existence of visceral localisations of the disease.

Aim: Report a new case.

Compared imaging of the rheumatoid cervical spine: prevalence study and associated factors.

Introduction: Cervical spine involvement is common and potentially severe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalences of cervical spine abnormalities detected by standard radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with RA; and to identify factors associated with cervical spine involvement.

Methods: We studied 40 patients who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA and had disease durations of 2 years or more.

[Epispadiac urethral duplication in boys].

Urethral duplication, also called supernumerary urethra, is a rare malformation essentially affecting the boys. It is defined by juxtaposition of two or more muscular channels with urinary tract mucosal lining. Various features may be observed depending on the site of the extra urethra and its incomplete or complete nature.

[Skeletal fluorosis: a case report].

The authors report a case of skeletal fluorosis described in a 60 years old man living in south-west Tunisian. The main clinical sign is a severe functional legs disability. Radiographic examination has shown a diffused osteocondensation, with cervical spine degenerative discopathy, a pelvis bilateral osteoarthritis and an interosseous membrane ossification of forearms and legs.

[Embolic pseudotumor diagnosed by surgery].

We report a case of pulmonary infarction in a 72-year-old woman who was hospitalised for hemoptysis, chest pain and weight and coin a lesion in the loss periphery of the left lower lobe. Camputed tomography of the chest demonstrated a sub pleural solitary nodule with spicular radiation. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed to obtain a histological diagnosis.

[Hydatid disease of bone: a report of 2 cases].

Introduction: The hydatid cyst of Echinococcus granulosus tends to develop in liver. The primary bone hydatidosis is rare. EXEGISIS: The authors report 2 cases of primary hydatidosis of bone in a 57 year old men and 60 year old diabetic women.

[Encrusted cystitis].

Encrusted cystitis is a chronic inflammation of the bladder mucosa associated with calcified deposits induced by numerous bacteria in an alkaline medium. Corynebacterium urealyticum or group D2 is most frequently incriminated. Encrusted cystitis is a rare disease with non-specific clinical features.

[Pyogenic splenic abscesses. A review of 8 cases].

Purpose: Pyogenic splenic abscess is un uncommon and potentially life-threatening disease. Due to inconspicuous and nonspecific clinical picture, it remains a diagnostic challenge. Medical imaging progresses are helpful for diagnosis and treatment.

[Ethical implications of clinical trials in Tunisia].

Clinical trials are necessary for medical advancement. They must respect legal obligations. Ethical questions related to protection of the human being's rights are yielded by these trials.

[Survival and prognostic factors of non small cell lung cancer: analytic review of 211 cases].

Prognostic factors have a pivotal role in clinical oncology. They are helpful in the selection of treatment, provide insights into the disease process and the therapeutic response. The number of possibly useful prognostic factors in the lung cancer is large.

[Medical publications between law and ethics].

Medical publications are the result of an intellectual inventive effort, yielding legal and ethical questions related to medicine. Copyright's problems in cases of disputed innovation or plagiary are frequent. The Tunisian law has stipulated rules for the original scientific production.

[Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Analytical study of 63 cases].

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a relatively common disorder, in developed country with prevalence estimated to lie between 2 and 4% in adult population. The diagnosis of this syndrome is made on the basis of characteristic clinical features and the results of nocturnal polysomnography. There is no data concerning the OSA in developing country.

[Urethral duplication in boys: report of 4 cases].

Urethral duplication is a rare anomaly, affecting mainly boys. The clinical presentation varies because of the different anatomical patterns of this abnormality. We report 4 cases of urethral duplication in children.

[Posterior scleritis: six case reports].

Purpose: To study the clinical features, management guidelines, and the course of the disease in six patients with posterior scleritis.

Subjects And Methods: Six patients with posterior scleritis were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, fluorescein angiography, and B-scan ultrasonography.