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A Hamzaoui

Publications and source records attributed to A Hamzaoui.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Abundant hemothorax revealing extralobular pulmonary sequestration].

Hemothorax is an exceptional, serious and misleading manifestation of extralobular sequestration. We report the case of a 15-year-old patient who consulted for chest pain and sudden onset dyspnea. The chest x-ray revealed fluid pleural effusion. Pleural puncture produced a bloody fluid and the angioscan showed a hyperdense formation without a systemic artery. Thoracotomy was performed. A left intrapleural pyramidal formation vascularized with a pedicle from the thoracic aorta was identified and sequestrectomy performed. At two years, the patient has remained symptom free. Extralobular sequestration is an exceptional cause of hemothorax. The absence of an aberrant systemic vessel on the angioscan should not rule out the diagnosis of sequestration. Precautions must be taken at surgery to avoid vessel damage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Levels of IL-15 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Behçet's disease.

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a novel proinflammatory cytokine, involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory/autoimmune disease. The objective of our study was to measure serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-15 levels in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). CSF/serum IL-15 ratio was introduced to assess the origin of elevated IL-15 levels. We measured serum and CSF-IL-15 levels in 40 patients with BD (20 patients in active stage). Inflammatory and non-inflammatory neurological disease patients acted as controls. Active BD patients have significantly higher serum IL-15 levels (median 10.4 pg/ml; range 5.3-17.4) compared with BD in remission (6.05 pg/ml; 4-10.4) and healthy controls (4.65 pg/ml; 3.9-6.2). Similar serum IL-15 levels were found in active neuro-BD and inflammatory neurological disease (9.5 pg/ml; 5-13). Elevated levels of IL-15 were observed in CSF samples from neuro-BD patients (11 pg/ml; 8.5-15) and inflammatory neurological disease patients (10 pg/ml; 6.5-14) compared with patients with non-inflammatory neurological disease (4 pg/ml; 4-5.5; P < 0.001). Vascular cerebral BD lesions were associated with high CSF/serum IL-15 ratio. Our findings suggest that IL-15 is involved in BD inflammatory process, particularly in vasculitis foci, as an elevated CSF/serum IL-15 ratio characterizes vascular cerebral lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Pulmonary embolism and Behçet's disease].

Pulmonary embolism is an unusual complication of Behçet's disease. Our aim study is to analyse epidemiological, physiopathological and evolutive aspects of this condition. Among 153 patients with Behçet's disease according to the criteria of the International Study Group for Behçet's disease, seven (5 men and 2 women mean aged at 26.6 +/- 6 years) were diagnosed as having pulmonary embolism. This was inaugural in 3 cases; for 2 females, pulmonary embolism complicated pregnancy. Cardiac thrombosis was presented in 2 cases and pulmonary aneurysm in 2 patients. Pulmonary infarction has been noted in 4 cases. Protein C, protein S and antithrombin III levels were normal in all cases. One patient was positive for IgG anticardiolipin antibody. The hyperhomocysteinemia has been noted (17 to 30 micromol/) in 5 cases. All our patients were treated successfully by anticoagulation therapy combined with high dose prednisone, colchicine and intravenous cyclophosphamide in 6 patients. Pulmonary embolism is one of the severe and worst prognostic manifestations of the disease. Furthermore, the hyperhomocysteinemia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of such complication. Immunomodulation therapy associated to folate may be beneficial to attenuate this hyperhomocysteinemia especially, when introduced in the early stages.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Hydatid cyst: another unusual localization].

UNLABELLED: We report a case of a 39-year-old woman who presented a right basicervical tumefaction. The chest X rays show a right cervicomediastinal opacity. Ultrasonography and computed tomography failed to describe the nature of the opacity. Because of the strong suspicion of neoplasm or a tuberculosis abscess, a needle aspiration of the cervical mass was performed and surprisingly revealed the presence of a cyst membrane allowing surgical resection. CONCLUSION: Hydatid disease is a likely diagnosis in endemic areas in patients presenting a cystic mediastinal opacity of unknown orign.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Pulmonary complications of Behcet's disease and Takayasu's arteritis].

INTRODUCTION: Behçet's disease and Takayasu's arteritis are both forms of large vessel vasculitis involving autoreactive T cells active against HSP 60. STATE OF THE ART: Behçet's disease is more common than Takayasu's arteritis. Pulmonary aneurysms represent the major complication of pulmonary Behçet's disease and have a poor prognosis, being associated with massive haemoptysis. In situ pulmonary artery thrombus can lead to pulmonary infarction. Superior vena cava thrombosis progresses slowly, allowing the development of a prominent collateral circulation. Vascular inflammation can spread to the mediastinum, the pleura and the lungs with diffuse pulmonary haemorrhages, bronchiolitis and organising pneumonia. Electron beam tomodensitometry and MRI are the best diagnostic techniques for assessing pulmonary vascular lesions. In Takayasu's arteritis the pulmonary arteries are less frequently involved than the aorta. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) and lung infarcts can complicate pulmonary arterial involvement and the association of malaise, fever and weight loss with PHT is characteristic of the disease. The diagnosis is confirmed by imaging means, particularly MRI, demonstrating parietal vascular inflammation. CONCLUSION: Treatment of both conditions is based upon steroids and immunosuppression. Endovascular treatment may be used in a complementary way for aneurysms, arterial occlusion, and vena cava obstruction. However, patients often respond poorly to treatment and clinical trials using TNFalpha blockade, interferon alpha and vasodilators are in progress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Metastatic neoplasia in the optic nerve].

INTRODUCTION: Ocular metastasis always involves the uveal tractus, especially the choroid. Papillary metastases have been exceptionally described, and represent only 5 percent of the ocular metastatic locations. We report in this observation a case of papillary metastasis in a patient treated for a metastatic adenocarcinoma. OBSERVATION: A 35-year-old woman was given chemotherapy for four months for metastatic adenocarcinoma involving the pleura and bones. She consulted for significant decline of visual acuity in the left eye associated with headache and vomiting. The fundus examination revealed a yellowish papillary lesion with edema associated with an inferior peripapillary serous retinal detachment. The fluorescein retinal angiography showed a choroidal lesion highly suggestive of choroidal metastasis. Cerebro-orbital CT scan revealed the presence of multiple cerebral metastases. The patient died four months after diagnosis of ocular metastasis and eleven months after diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Presence of a papillary lesion suggests the possible diagnosis of papillary metastasis despite the lack of a history of neoplasia. Carcinomatosis tumors, especially breast and the lung carcinomas are the most frequent causes of papillary metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

[Prevalence of renal artery stenosis in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization: when should abdominal aortography be performed? Results in 467 patients].

PURPOSE: To define a subgroup of patients at increased risk of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in a population of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 467 patients (mean age of 64 Years +/-11) underwent cardiac catheterization and aortography Results were evaluated to detect correlations between the presence or absence of RAS and clinical and biological parameters. RESULTS: A total of 42 (9%) patients had a renal artery stenosis. Univariate analysis defined parameters correlated with the presence of RAS: systolic blood pressure (p=0.03), pulse pressure (p=0.005), age (p<0.0001), creatinine clearance (p<0.0001), 2-vessel (p=0.028) and 3-vessel (p=0.037) coronary artery diseases. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of RAS correlated to creatinine clearance (p=0.02) and 2-vessel coronary artery disease. A creatinine clearance between 30 and 60 ml/min and multi-vessel coronary artery disease defined a subgroup at increased risk of RAS with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of: 47.6, 90.1, 32.3 and 94.6%. The prevalence of renal artery stenosis was 5.2% when both parameters were absent. CONCLUSION: Patients with mild renal insufficiency and multi-vessel coronary artery disease defined a subgroup of patients at increased risk of RAS (32.5%) that may benefit from abdominal aortography performed at the time of cardiac catheterization.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Asthma and atmospheric pollution].

Alteration of the air we breathe, due mainly to the transformation of the environment by mankind, is a increasing cause of concern for physicians, public health deciders and government agencies responsible for environmental protection. Modifications of air composition have a proven harmful effect on health and provoke predominantly respiratory symptoms. Asthma is considered as a disease resulting from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Since asthma-related morbidity and mortality have risen constantly over the past decades, many studies were conducted to identify and evaluate the factors responsible for the onset and/or aggravation of the underlying inflammation. Various atmospheric toxic compounds appear to be responsible, and some experts think that asthmatics are excellent indicators for atmospheric pollution and its intensity. Doses and conditions of experimental exposure are however often quite different from real population exposure, implicating very critical evaluation of demonstrated effects and extreme prudence when extrapolating results.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

[Benign myoepithelioma of the lung].

Benign myoepithelioma of the lung is a benign tumor caused by proliferating myoepithelial cells with no ductal component. These tumors are exceptional: only three cases have been reported in the literature. We report a fourth case in a 37-year-old woman at 8 months gestation. Pathological proof of diagnosis was obtained.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica presenting as a respiratory insufficiency: diagnosis by bronchoscopy and MRI.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare benign disorder affecting the trachea and occasionally the bronchi. We report a case of TO presenting as a respiratory insufficiency. Chest radiograph revealed an irregular narrowing of the intra thoracic trachea and a parenchymal consolidation of the left lower lobe. Magnetic resonance examination of the chest showed a diffuse irregular thickening of the trachea and central bronchi, which had an intermediate signal intensity with punctiform low signal intensity suggesting calcifications and no contrast enhancement. The diagnosis was confirmed by bronchoscopy and biopsies.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Ultrasonographic, CT, and MRI findings of chest wall hydatidosis].

The chest wall is an uncommon localization for hydatid disease even in countries where echinococcosis is endemic. Only isolated sporadic cases have been reported in the literature. We reviewed retrospectively 15 patients who underwent surgery for chest wall hydatid disease. Various imaging techniques were used for diagnosis of our cases. These included chest radiograph, thoracic ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Hydatid cyst involved soft tissues (n=5), ribs and vertebrae (n=5), ribs (n=4) and sternum (n=1). Imaging techniques were of value for diagnosis (radiographs and sonography) and for evaluation of the extent of involvement (CT and MRI). Chest wall hydatidosis requires surgical treatment but recurrence is frequent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Elevation of serum soluble E-selectin and VCAM-1 in severe asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of circulating adhesion molecules associated with leucocyte-endothelial cell interactions in asthma, serum levels of soluble E (sE)-selectin, soluble P (sP)-selectin, soluble L (sL)-selectin, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were measured in mild, moderate and severe asthma. METHOD: Serum levels of sE-selectin, sP-selectin, sL-selectin, and sVCAM-1 were measured in 32 women with asthma and 30 healthy donors using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Twenty patients were suffering from severe asthma, and 12 from mild/moderate asthma. RESULTS: Serum sE-selectin and sVCAM-1 levels from patients with asthma were significantly higher than those observed in healthy donors (p < 0.01). The levels of sP-selectin were the same as those of controls. The level of sE-selectin exhibited an important increase in the severe asthmatic patients compared with mild/moderate asthma (p < 0.01). The sVCAM-1 level was increased in severe asthma when compared with healthy controls. There was no correlation between the levels of soluble selectins and the age of the patients. A significant correlation was found between sE-selectin and sVCAM-1 levels. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that circulating soluble forms of the selectins may have different kinetics during the clinical course of asthma, suggesting that they may reflect different inflammatory pathways in severe asthma. Both sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin may be useful immunological markers for monitoring disease activity in asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Inflammatory response in induced sputum mononuclear cells from patients with acute exacerbation of asthma.

Examination of sputum provides a direct method to investigate airway inflammation non-invasively in particular Th1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokine production. IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma cytokine were studied in induced sputum mononuclear cells of asthmatic patients. Sputum induction was performed on 10 patients and 10 normal controls. Basal and mitogen-stimulated cytokine production was determined in induced sputum T-cell culture. Supernatants were collected and assayed not only with specific ELISA but also with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Data showed a significantly higher production of IL-10 by both the ELISA and the RT-PCR techniques in asthmatic patients compared with sputum mononuclear cells from healthy controls. IL-4 production was detected at a low level using the ELISA method in asthmatic patients. The RT-PCR analysis detected a significantly IL-4-mRNA expression in all asthmatic patients, compared with controls. Results of IL-10 and IL-4 mRNA expression were reproducible. We did not find any alteration in the expression of the type 1 derived cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) in asthmatic patients or in healthy controls. Our study showed a tendency of induced sputum mononuclear cells to express a Th2-like cytokine pattern in acute exacerbation of asthmatic patients, where IL-10 and IL-4 are synthesized in larger amounts. The combination of sputum induction as a non-invasive tool to explore the lung and the identification of disease-associated cytokine expression and of specific cytokine mRNA should help elucidate mechanisms of the immunologically mediated inflammatory responses in asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Hydatid pulmonary embolism. Two case reports].

Hydatid pulmonary embolism is an uncommon condition resulting from the rupture of a hydatid heart cyst or the opening of a visceral hydatid cyst (often in the liver) into the venous circulation. We report two cases of hydatid pulmonary embolism following rupture of a hydatic cyst in the right ventricle. One case progressed to chronic cor pulmonale. We examine the pathophysiological mechanisms as well as the clinical, therapeutic and evolutive aspects.

Adolescent↗