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Biomedical subjects

T El Ouazzani

Publications and source records attributed to T El Ouazzani.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

[Precocious mediastinal lipomatosis: a rare complication of systemic corticosteroid therapy].

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid-induced lipomatosis results from hypertrophy within adipose tissue; the condition is frequently asymptomatic and its incidence is underestimated. We report a case of mediastinal lipomatosis that is rare in terms of both site and presenting symptoms. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old woman with no disease history other than obesity with a weight of 90 kg had been treated since 2002 for mixed connective tissue disease (profound lupus and dermatomyositis). She had been treated with oral corti costeroids (1 mg/kg/d). Two months after the start of treatment, she presented chest pains, resting dyspnea particularly aggravated in dorsal decubitus, chest edema in the subclavicular space and jugular turgescence. Chest x-ray revealed widening of all levels of the mediastinum. The chest CT scan showed lipomatosis throughout the entire mediastinum with no associated chest abnormalities or pericardial effusion. Rapid downward dosage adjustment ofcorticosteroids to 10 mg/d coupled with synthetic antimalarials resulted in gradual reduction of symptoms. The chest scan performed two months later short stabilization of the patient's mediastinal lipomatosis. DISCUSSION: The effects of long-term of glucocorticosteroid therapy are well-known, in particular Cushing's syndrome. Lipomatosis has been described more recently and affects different axial regions. Mediastinal localization is seen in 15% of patients treated. This presentation is less common than orbital and epidural localizations. Although often asymptomatic, as in our own report, it may present with worrying symptoms that pose real diagnostic problems. The diagnostic examinations of choice are CT scan or MRI. Regression following discontinuation or reduction of corticosteroids is inconsistent and often gradual.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[Terbinafine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and aggravation of systemic lupus erythematosus].

BACKGROUND: There have been published reports of induction and aggravation of subacute systemic lupus erythematosus of lupus by terbinafine. We report the case of female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who, after treatment with terbinafine, presented a Stevens Johnson syndrome eruption, together with renal exacerbation of her connective tissue disease. OBSERVATION: A 25 - year-old woman was followed for 4 years for systemic lupus erythematosus was no renal involvement. The patient was stable under corticosteroids (20 mg/d) and chloroquine (200 mg/d). She was treated with terbinafine onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum. Seven days after trunk and limbs, with cheilitis affecting the mucous membrane and bilateral conjunctivitis. This rash was followed by epidermolysis involving 10% of the cutaneous area. Stevens-Johnson syndrome was diagnosed. Laboratory tests indicated massive hematuria and proteinuria, and the renal needle biopsy sample showed signs of class III lupus glomerulonephritis. The anti-histone antibodies were highly positive. The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroids (1 mg/kg/d), chloroquine was recommenced and cyclophosphamides were given in a bolus. The outcome of the patient's eruption and lupus was favorable. DISCUSSION: Although induction and worsening of lupus by terbinafine have already been reported, the present case differs through the concomitant occurrence of eruption on treatment with terbinafine and severe relapse of lupus, thus suggesting the involvement of a shared immunological mechanism.

Adult↗

[Fahr syndrome associated to hypoparathyroidy, revealed by dermatologic manifestation].

BACKGROUND: Fahr syndrome is defined by the presence at the brain base of strio-pallido-notched non-arteriosclerotic bilateral and symmetric calcifications. We report an observation of Fahr syndrome revealed by a growing pyodermitis in direct relation with hypocalcemia. OBSERVATION: A 17 year-old girl was admitted to the Dermatology Department for a growing pyodermitis of the large folds. The patient was known to be epileptic and had undergone surgery for a left eye cataract a year before. Microbiologic and mycologic examinations of the pus and of the cutaneous fragments were negative. During hospitalization, the patient had an attack of tetany, a laryngeal spasm and a generalized erythema thrust studded with pustules. The phosphocalcic assessment showed severe hypocalcemia and hyperphosphoremia. Parathormone serum rate was decreased. The brain tomodensitometry conveyed bilateral calcifications of the central gray nucleus. The diagnosis of a growing amicrobial pustulosis secondary to an idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and responsible for the Fahr syndrome was maintained. Treatment was composed of calcium (2 g/day) and vitamin D3. The evolution was favorable with a relapse at 2 years. DISCUSSION: We report an idiopathic hypoparathyroidism associated with Fahr syndrome conveyed by growing amicrobial pustulosis. We discuss the dermatologic manifestations of Fahr syndrome associated with hypoparathyroidism and the physiopathologic mechanisms of the dermatologic lesions during hypocalcemia.

Adolescent↗

[Male breast cancer in Morocco].

INTRODUCTION: Male breast cancer is a rare disease, often of late presentation and poor prognosis. The aim of this work was to analyze the different clinical and therapeutic features for this disease in men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was retrospective study including 12 cases of male breast cancer seen in the Dermatology department of Casablanca between 1988 and 1999. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60 years and the mean delay to consultation was 27 months. The skin was involved by tumor in 11 cases. Ulceration of the skin by tumor was seen in eight patients, and direct extension of the tumor into the nipple without ulceration was seen in three patients. Axillary lymph node involvement was seen in eight patients. Seven patients with invasive disease had metastases at distance. Treatment was usually surgical. Complementary treatment included radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or hormonotherapy. DISCUSSION: Although breast cancer in men is far less common than breast cancer in women, it is associated with less favorable prognosis because diagnosis is usually made at an advanced stage. Concerted efforts must be made to educate both the public and health professionals, in order to make earlier diagnosis and thereby improve prognosis.

Aged↗

[Vulvar pathology].

We evaluated the main causes of vulvar dermatoses; in 785 patients with a vulvar diseases who visited Ibn Rochd Hospital Centre, Casablanca between January 1991 and December 2002. The average age was 31 years (range 2 months to 81 years); 362 patients (41.52%) had vulvar pruritus, 273 patients (34.77%) had warts and 157 (20%) had one or more vulva ulcers. The most common infectious pathology was papillomavirus infection, found in 273 cases (34.77%), followed by vulvovaginal candidiases in 102 cases (12.99 %), syphilitic chancre in 18 cases (2.29%) and herpes genitalis in 17 cases (2.16%). The most common non-infectious pathology was vulvar dermatosis: 259 cases (32.99%); idiopathic pruritus vulvae: 61 cases (7.7%); and tumour-related conditions: 45 cases (5.6%). The frequency of infectious conditions was over 50% and these were generally sexually transmitted infections.

Academic Medical Centers↗

[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease: 3 cases].

BACKGROUND: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease is a bilateral chronic panuveitis sometimes associated with signs of meningo-encephalic, auditory and skin and nail involvement. We report 3 cases. CASE REPORTS: The first case was a 30-year-old woman who consulted for a red eye, low visual acuity, poliosis, and diffuse alopecia which had developed over 9 months. The ophthalmology examination disclosed anterior uveitis with retinal detachment. The second patient was a 9-year-old child who developed poliosis, canities, and achromic lesions over a 2 month period. The ophthalmology examination disclosed low visual acuity, irido-corneal synechiae and pigmented deposits on the anterior lens. The third patient was a 20-year-old man who consulted for alopecia, diffuse canities, and white body hair. The ophthalmology examination disclosed low visual acuity, anterior uveitis, and a serous chorio-retinal detachment. All three patients were given general corticosteroid therapy (1 mg/kg/d). The clinical course was favorable in all cases with however one case of recurrent ocular involvement and one case of pigmentation disorders. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease was established in these three cases on the basis of the ocular and skin and nail signs. This rare disease usually occurs in young, often female, patients. The pathogenesis remains unknown. Among the three signs observed, ocular involvement is the most serious. Skin and nail signs are seen in two-thirds of cases. For rapid diagnosis and early treatment, this disease requires a multidisiplinary management associating the dermatologist and the ophthalmologist.

Adult↗

Neuronal responses to cannabinoid receptor ligands in the solitary tract nucleus.

Our previous study showed many neurons in the subpostremal division of the nucleus tractus solitarii to be cannabinoid-sensitive. In order to further investigate this sensitivity, single unit activity was recorded extracellularly in rat hindbrain slices, and the effects of bath application of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and of two synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists were analysed and compared to each other. Approximately half the recorded neurons responded to agonists, and most of the neurons exposed to two of the agonists reacted similarly to both. The involvement of cannabinoid CB receptors in neuronal sensitivity to delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol is supported by these data and by the effects of N-piperidin-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-3-p yrazole-carboxamide, hydrochloride (SR 141716A), a compound which is considered to be a selective antagonist and/or a selective inverse agonist of this receptor type.

Animals↗

Electrophysiologic properties and role of the vagal thermoreceptors of lower esophagus and stomach of cat.

Vagal unitary discharges were elicited in anesthetized cats by thermal stimulation of the lower thoracic esophagus and stomach. Discharges were recorded from the nodose ganglion, using extracellular glass microelectrodes. Three types of receptors were distinguished according to the temperature ranges at which they discharged: the cold receptors (10 degrees-36 degrees C), the warm receptors (39 degrees-50 degrees C), and the mixed receptors (10 degrees-35 degrees C and 40 degrees-50 degrees C). All endings were connected to unmyelinated fibers (conduction velocities around 1 m/s). These receptors are stimulated neither by mechanical (strong distention, localized stroking of mucosa) nor by chemical (acid and glucose solutions) stimuli. Therefore they must be considered as true thermoreceptors. Stimulation of the esophageal and gastric thermoreceptors produced changes both in esophageal motility and in respiratory frequency. It was concluded that they are involved in coordination of digestive activity as well as in thermoregulation.

Animals↗

[Vagal acido- and glucoreceptors in the gastro-duodenal region (author's transl)].

Vagal sensitivity to carbohydrates (mainly glucose) and to acids (hydrochloric and acetic acids) was studied in the gastro-duodenal region of anesthetized cats. Action potentials were recorded extracellularly from the nodose ganglion by means of glass microelectrodes. Receptors responding to glucose perfusion were found at this level as well as receptors stimulated by acid perfusion. It is shown that each type of receptor was activated by only one kind of stimulus (carbohydrates and acids, respectively). These receptors must thus be considered as true glucoreceptors or acido-receptors. Being silent before activation, these two types of chemoreceptors discharged at a frequency that varied from 2 to 14 imp/s for the acido-receptors, and from 2 to 30 imp/s for the glucoreceptors. The response could be irregular or regular and might last several minutes. Its latency was short (between 1 and 20 s for both types of chemoreceptors. It was therefore supposed that they were located in the mucosa or neighboring structures. From the conduction velocities (0.8-1.2 m/s), it was concluded that fibers originating from the acido- and glucoreceptors belonged to the C type. Recording of the electromyographic activity from the gastro-duodenal region demonstrated that the gluco- and acid-receptors are involved in the regulation of motility of the gastric and duodenal regions.

Action Potentials↗

[Vagal thermoreceptors in the gastro-intestinal area. Their role in the regulation of the digestive motility (author's transl)].

In anaesthetized cats, sensory vagal units were recorded in the nodose ganglion by means of extracellular glass microelectrodes. In the antrum and the duodenum we have found receptors tonically activated by warm (38-51 degrees C with an optimum at 46-49 degrees C) or cold (36-10 degrees C with an optimum at 12-10 degrees C) solutions. These receptors did not respond to mechanical stimuli (compression and distension of the viscera) and to chemical ones (perfusion with glucose and acid solutions). Thus they did not belong to polymodal type, but they must be considered as true thermoreceptors, specifically sensitive to warm or cold stimulations. The gastro-duodenal thermoreceptors were connected to non-medullated vagal fibres (conduction velocity: 0.8-1.4 m/s). On the other hand, the role of the gastro-duodenal vagal thermoreceptors in the regulation of the digestive motility was studied. By using several electromyographic recordings, it was possible to show that the cold and warm stimulations of the duodenum which elicited thermoreceptor responses, induced an inhibition of the electrical activity of the antrum. The changes persisted after bisplanchnectomy, but disappeared completely after bivagotomy. From these facts it was concluded that the vagal thermoreceptors were involved in the nervous regulations of the gastro-duodenal motility.

Animals↗

[Sensory innervation of the gastro-intestinal junction: new electrophysiological, histological and histochemical data].

The sensory innervation of the small intestine was studied in the cat with electrophysiological, histological and histochemical techniques. Thanks to the histochemical technique (peroxydase method) the exact number and proportion of splanchnic and vagal fibres was determined : the latter being about 9 times more numerous than the former. On the other hand the exact position of the corresponding cells was defined in the nodose and spinal ganglia by means of the previous technique and the microelectrophysiological method (recording of single units into the ganglia with extracellular glass microelectrodes). The splanchnic neurones were found in the T9, T10 and T11 ganglia whereas the vagal ones were chiefly located in the lower half of the nodose ganglia. The histological studies using electronic microscope showed many non-medullated endings, which were often found beneath the epithelium and in the lamina propria of the villi close to the blood vessels. This result is certainly the proof that numerous receptors (mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors and even thermoreceptors do exist in the small intestine.

Animals↗

[Tabetic arthropathy: "a forgotten disease"].

INTRODUCTION: With the current sparcity of syphilitic manifestations, the once obvious aspects of the affection have been forgotten or are little known. We report 4 cases of tabetic arthropathy admitted to the Dermatology Department Ibn Rochd University Hospital of Casablanca. OBSERVATIONS: The mean age of the patients was 50 years, all were males. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiological, and biological criteria. There was a large contrast between the extent of the articular malformation and the indolence. The radiological aspect associated destructive and constructive lesions. The syphilis serology was positive in the articular liquid, the blood and/or the cerebro-spinal fluid. Treatment was essentially medical. DISCUSSION: Tabetic arthropathy, an exceptional affection, is one of the complications of the tabes dorsalis. Its prevention relies on the treatment of the syphilis at an early stage, before the onset of the articular and neurologic forms, the management of which remains very difficult.

Adult↗