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M Balafrej

Publications and source records attributed to M Balafrej.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

[Acrosclerosis, Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome, myxedema and anti-centromere antibodies. 3 cases of this association].

The authors report three identical cases of the association of acrosclerosis with telangiectasis without calcinosis, Sjögren-Gougerot syndrome, myxoedema with antithyroid antibodies and anti-centromere antibodies. The association of these conditions one with another has already been published, but, to the authors' best knowledge, this is the first report of all of them grouped together in the same patients. With reference to the literature, the authors discuss the problems of individualization of the CRST syndrome and its varieties and the clinical significance of the presence of anti-centromere antibodies.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

[Cardiac manifestations of the hypereosinophilic syndrome. The value of 2-dimensional echography (12 cases)].

The prognosis of the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HS) depends mainly on the development of endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF). This complication may be overlooked at an early stage, although its presence is an indication for steroid or antimitotic therapy of the HS. Even at an advanced EMF and associated intracardiac thrombi may not be visualised by angiography. This study was undertaken to assess the diagnostic value of 2D echocardiography in 12 patients. The patients were all men (12 of them) aged 22 to 64 years with unexplained eosinophilia 1 500/mm3 for over 6 months, and visceral lesions. The patients were divided into 3 clinical groups. Group A comprised 4 "allergic" patients with chronic asthma and a significant elevation of IgE; Group B comprised 5 "myeloproliferative" patients with splenomegaly and/or hepatomegaly and a significant elevation of serum B12 levels. The 3 remaining patients who could not be allocated to either Group A or B formed the third group (Group C). 2D echocardiography was carried out on average 30 months after diagnosis of the HS and six planes of examination were used systematically (two parasternal, two apical, one extreme apical and one subcostal). Right and left ventriculography was performed in 6 patients (less than one month before or after 2D-echo). Anatomical studies were obtained in 4 cases (2 operations, 3 autopsies). Echocardiographic signs of EMF were observed in 8 cases. Four patients had a restrictive cardiopathy associated to a large LV thrombus in 2 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Ruptured spleen during bacterial endocarditis. 2 cases (author's transl)].

Splenectomy was performed in two patients amongst a group of 120 suffering from bacterial endocarditis. In the first case, rupture of the spleen followed rupture of a partially thrombosed splenic vein and bacteriological specimens were negative despite the presence of multiple infarcted areas, certain of which were suppurative. In the second case surgery was possible before rupture of the spleen. The latter was the site of numerous abcesses, one of which was in the process of fissuration, and bacteriological specimens were positive. The course in both cases was favourable. Twenty two other cases have been found in the literature with 15 deaths. Whilst the prevalence of such complications remains low, their severity is such that routine surveillance of the kidney should be the rule in infectious endocarditis. The methods of such surveillance are discussed, the mechanism of such complications not being fully elucidated: the respective role of splenic infarction, splenic abcess and immunological factors remains to be determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

[Results and long-term risks of immuno-suppressive treatment in chronic juvenile arthritis. Apropos of 40 cases].

In 40 children suffering from a form of chronic juvenile arthritis (CJA), the authors found encouraging results after immuno-suppressive treatment. Indeed, major corticotherapy, often necessary in these forms, could be stopped in nearly half the cases. The immediate improvement in the clinical signs of the disease was very clear and the signs of corticoid intoxication regressed, and in particular growth was normally resumed in many of the children. While the immediate infectious and hematologic consequences are generally benign, the occurrence of malignant hemopathies at a distance, seen in 3 cases, mean that use of this type of therapy should be totally reconsidered during CJA. The authors feel that because of this grave oncogenic risk, the immunosuppressive treatments should not be reserved merely for forms that involves the vital prognosis in the more or less short run.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Measurement of blood chloroquine concentrations during neuromyopathies and toxic retinopathies (author's transl)].

Blood chloroquine concentrations were measured in 5 patients having complications related to this treatment. No significant differences were noted when compared to controls. Further studies are required however before drawing any definite conclusions. The persistence of fairly high residual levels, several months after stopping treatment, is evidence of chloroquine retention in these patients.

Chloroquine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A differential diagnosis of sural phlebitis: popliteal cysts. Value of ultrasonography (author's transl)].

Two cases are reported of popliteal cysts simulating sural phlebitis, one in a patient with lupus, the other during the course of rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis is based upon the following signs: sudden onset of pain, sometimes after effort, and in the knee rather than in the calf, and more especially ecchymosis occurring in the internal supramalleolar region. The decision as to whether anticoagulant treatment should be instituted must be based on the certitude of the diagnosis, and this can be obtained in an atraumatic manner by ultrasonography of the popliteal fossa as shown by iconography.

Adult↗