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Biomedical subjects

B Hassam

Publications and source records attributed to B Hassam.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Liposarcoma of the thumb].

Liposarcoma is the most common malignant deep soft-tissue tumor in adults. however, primitive cutaneous liposarcoma is very rare. We report the observation of a patient who presents a liposarcoma of the thumb.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

[Skin and menopause].

Important changes related to declining level of several hormones occur during menopause: vasomotor instability, bone loss, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, skin aging... Our objective was a review of the literature concerning the histological and clinical changes seen in post menopausal skin, and also an analysis of the effect of hormonal replacement therapy in slowing down the aging process. Decline in progesterone increases the impact of androgen on the sebaceous glands and hair. Decreased estrogen slows down mitotic activity in the epidermal basal layer, reduces the synthesis of collagen and contributes to thickening of the dermo-epidermal junction. This hypoestrogenemia may be spontaneously attenuated by local synthesis of oestradiol in peripheral target tissues according to the intracrine process. This new hormonal pattern is associated with skin atrophy, hyperseborrhea, increased pilosity on the cheeks and upper lip, loss of scalp hair, increase in degeneration of elastic tissue, atrophy and dryness of the vaginal mucosa. Estrogen treatment in post menopausal women has been shown to increase collagen content, dermal thickness and elasticity. Biophysical properties are also significantly improved for the parameters reflecting hydration and sebum secretion. However, numerous side effects such as increased incidence of cancer and cardiovascular morbidity limit the use of this treatment. So non hormonal alternatives are proposed. Laser and lifting remain the most important options.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy↗
PubMed2006

[Pseudoainhum and peripheral neuropathy].

BACKGROUND: Pseudoainhum is a rare disease characterised by gradual fibrous constriction of the fingers and/or toes eventually resulting in their amputation. In this article, we report the first case seen in Morocco, highly unusual in terms of its severity. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old woman with no toxic habits was hospitalised for spontaneous amputation of the fingers and toes. This condition began when the patient was 12 years old with the appearance of a circular constriction band at the base of the fifth toe, eventually resulting in its loss. The patient gradually lost all her other toes and fingers except for the first joint of her left index finger. There was no family history of any similar condition. Clinical examination also revealed perforating plantar disease in two of the stumps and peripheral neuropathy in all four limbs, comprising predominantly axonal disease responsive to electromyogram. Amputation of the index finger was completed and histological examination of the removed section showed nothing unusual, with no signs of diabetes. DISCUSSION: The peculiarity of our case resides in the exceptional severity of these amputations and their association with isolated polyneuropathy. Pseudoainhum has been described chiefly in patients with congenital keratoderma, certain systemic diseases, diabetes and alcohol dependence. A number of etiopathogenic hypotheses have been suggested: traumatic, infectious, vascular, neurological and genetic processes.

Ainhum↗
PubMed2004

[Pruritus sine materia: a prospective study of 95 patients].

PURPOSE: To describe the nature and the frequency of systemic diseases responsible for the pruritus sine materia. Value of this sign as a marker of malignancy. METHODS: Prospective study undertaken over five years (1996-2001). INCLUSION CRITERIA: generalized aspect of the pruritus and absence of specific primitive cutaneous lesions of an itching dermatosis. Parameters taken from the data of the anamnesis and the physical examination. Standard biologic and morphologic investigations were done. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients included (54 men, 41 women) of 55.5 years average age +/-18.1. In 24 patients, traditional hospitalisation with one average duration of eight days stay +/-3.15 was necessary. In 38 cases (40%), a systemic cause was found. The main conditions were: toxocariasis (8 cases), hematologic diseases (7 cases), chronic renal failure (6 cases), hypothyroidism (5 cases) and iron deficiency (5 cases). A neoplasm was found in eight cases (8,42%): seven hematologic malignancy (3 myeloma, 2 Hodgkin's diseases, 2 myeloproliferative syndromes) and one solid cancer (pulmonary adenocarcinoma). CONCLUSION: A systemic aetiology was observed in 38 cases (40%). The toxocariasis an underestimated disease comes at the first place. The pruritus sine materia can hide an hematologic malignancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Porphyria cutanea tarda in a hemodialysed patient with hepatitis C virus infection: efficacy treatment by small repeated phlebotomies].

INTRODUCTION: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a disorder of heme biosynthesis resulting from deficiency in the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. In the sporadic form of PCT, there are many agents that trigger the clinical manifestations. EXEGESIS: We report a case of PCT in an hemodialysed patient with hepatitis C virus infection (HVC). He was treated with small repeated phlebotomies of 50 ml every week with photoprotection, eviction of traumatismes and inducing drugs. A clinical remission was induced after five months of treatment. CONCLUSION: A proper diagnosis of PCT in non uremic hemodialysed patients requires fractionation of serum and fecal porphyrin changes. Management of this patients is difficult. Small repeated phlebotomies (50-100 ml) could be an interesting therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Merkel cell carcinoma: descriptive study of 24 cases (1993-2001)].

INTRODUCTION: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin tumor with a highly malignant nature whose appropriate treatment is still debated. Wide surgery is the treatment of choice, but the question concerning protocols for adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy remains open. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 24 cases of MCC collected over a period of 9 years was performed, focusing on clinical and histologic features, and response to treatment. RESULTS: There were 17 women and 7 men with a mean age of 74.3 years. The median follow up was 34 months. The annual incidence per 100,000 habitants was 0.378. The head and neck localization was predominant (54%). Fifteen (68%) of patients presented with local disease (stage I), and 32% of patients presented with regional node (stage II) or distant metastases (stage III). Patients with stage I had a 5-years overall survival rate of 73,85%. Among them, five patients (33%) developed a local or nodal recurrence, although two patients were initially treated with surgery and local post-operative radiotherapy. Patients with stage II and III demonstrated a 5-year overall survival rate of 51,43%. DISCUSSION: Our series illustrates the clinical characteristics of this tumor of the elderly, which is mainly located on head and neck and associated with a poor prognosis. Treatments are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[American histoplasmosis: a case with cutaneous presentation in Morocco].

Histoplasmosis Histoplasma capsulatum is a common systemic mycosis in immunocompromised subjects. It has not been reported in Maghreb countries. The purpose of this report is to describe a case with cutaneous presentation involving a Moroccan woman undergoing long-term corticosteroid therapy for systemic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid polyarthritis and scleroderma). In addition to the main pathophysiological features of the disease, the authors present the causal agent and clinical manifestations. They stress the importance of laboratory findings in the diagnosis of this fungal disease.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2002

[Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome and bullous pemphigoid].

BACKGROUND: We report the case of bullous pemphigoid associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome. This association has only been report only once in the literature. CASE REPORT: A 58 year-old man was admitted for a surinfected, pruriginous and generalized bullous dermatosis. Physical examination revealed bronchial rales. The cutaneous histology showed a junctional and intradermic cleavage associated with massive dermal infiltration by eosinophils. The diagnosis of a pemphigoid was confirmed by immunology. In parallel, the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome was evoked in view of persisting hypereosinophilia without detected aetiology and associated with pulmonary infiltration. The skin lesions disappeared under symptomatic treatment, but the patient was rehospitalized 4 months later for severe relapse of dermatosis associated with medullary infiltration by eosinophils. Oral corticosteroid therapy gave spectacular results on both skin and blood formula. DISCUSSION: This association is rare, but seems to be related by the same immunological factors highlighting eosinophils. In addition, the presence of hypereosinophilic syndrome gives the pemphigoid some particular clinical, histological and evolutive characteristics.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

[Maffucci syndrome associated with epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx].

BACKGROUND: Maffucci's syndrome is a dysembryoplasia of the mesoderm, explaining the dual involvement of cartilage and vascular tissue. The risk of malignant degeneration or associated tumors is high in this uncommon disease. We report a case of Maffucci's syndrome associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the cavum. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old man consulted for multiple angiomas and chondromas which had developed since childhood. The diagnosis of Maffucci's syndrome was obvious. Radiological exploration of the limbs confirmed chondromatosis and biopsy of the cavum performed because of the occurrence of epistaxis, revealed squamous cell carcinoma. DISCUSSION: Maffucci's angiochondromatosis is a rare, non-hereditary but sometimes congenital disease. Angiomas predominate on the hands and feet. Sarcomatous degeneration is the main complication of these chondromas. Angiomas rarely become malignant, but when they do are generally more aggressive than chondromas. The frequency of neoplasia in Maffucci's syndrome would suggest that there is a supplementary oncogenic factor. Several types of malignancy associated with Maffucci's syndrome have been reported, but to our knowledge there has been no publication concerning an association between Maffucci's syndrome and squamous cell carcinoma of the cavum.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Atypical presentations of leprosy: apropos of 2 cases].

This report describes two atypical cases of leprosy. A 48 year old male patient presented laryngeal dyspnea with adhesions of the oropharynx of which the biopsies were inconclusive. The patient was cachectic with hyperesthesia of the extremities and two subcutaneous nodules. The biopsy of one nodule evoked thesaurismosis or dyslipoidosis while the bacilloscopy was positive in nasal smears. A 14 year old female patient suffered from bullae which appeared spontaneously on erythematous skin on the legs and upper arms. Upon examination those areas were found to be hypoaesthetic, as was a very large hamartoma on the left half of the body. A biopsy of healthy skin evoked the diagnosis of leprosy. The patient then developed BT leprosy and episodes of hysteria. The first observation led to several diagnoses: while laryngeal dyspnea is unusual in LL and while cutaneous histology of regressive LL contrasted with the abundance of the bacilloscopy. The diagnosis of the second case is that of indeterminate leprosy with premonitory neurological signs associated with pathomania and evolution to a multibacillary form.

Adolescent↗