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The authors report 2 cases of post myocardial infarction septal-rupture. There were one woman and one man aged respectively of 52 and 69 years. Risk factors were diabetes associated in one case with hypertension, and in the other case with tobacco addict. Both patients presented a ventricular septal defect murmur, and cardiac failure. Myocardial infarction (MI) was inaugural, semi-recent, and concemed interventricular septum or circumference of myocardium. Cardiac enzymes were high. Echocardiography showed a left ventricular apical aneurysm, and septal rupture. An abnormal blood flow pattern from left to right ventricle was visualized at Döppler. Medical treatment of Ml and cardiac failure were administrated. Surgery had not been possible. Both patients died respectively after 36 days and 4 days by cardiogenic shock.

The authors report both Senegalese's cases of subvalvular left ventricular aneurysm (SVLVA). The aim of the study was to describe the clinical and paraclinical aspects of this disease. Mitral regurgitation an heart failure were constant. Beyond cardiomegaly observed in both patients, one of them presented vaulting of the left ventricle. In the two cases, electrocardisgram showed sinus rhythm, and biology an inflammatory syndrome. One patient had also tuberculosis. Transthoracic echocardiography showed an aneurysm situated in a mitral subvalvular position, thrombosed in one case. Medical treatment with furosemid and digoxin has been administrated. One patient received also drugs against tuberculosis. Surgery of aneurysm had not been possible. During the evolution, we have observed persistence of heart failure in one patient. The other one died, probably after a cerebral embolism. Autopsy confirmed the echocardiographic aspects and integrity of myocardium and coronary arteries.

This report is a retrospective study carried out from records of diseased of asthma, fallowed up in a paediatric national center of reference during the period from 1st of November 1987 to 31 st of august 1993. The goal was to describe the epidemiological and clinical factors linked to that affection in order to better contribute to improve its managment. For all the diseaseds of this report we notice and analysed the socio economical data, the promoting factors the occurring mode of the disease, the main clinical manifestations of the affection and their consequences. The morbid association and the data of the paraclinical exploration particularly the functional breathing exploration. Thus we noticed that the consultation in a specialized center occurs relatively late because of bad orientation of the deseaseds. In effect the mean age of diseaseds at the first consultation is 7.5 years while the disease begins in average at 3.5 years. By elsewhere we notice that 15% of these diseaseds live in an aggressive mesologic medium. With an atopy in 78.4% of the cases, loaded personal case history in 96.6% of the cases and that the releasing factors are not known for most of them (81.9%). Asthma in our diseaseds is not very frequent (77%) in general with a moderate intensity of crises (69%). However disturbances of physical activity are noted among 23% of the sample which corresponds nearly to the number of subjects with severe respiratory obstruction (25%). We quoted that there is an relation ship between the frequency of the cases the intensity of the crisis and the disturbances of physical activities of the diseaseds (x2:25.9, df = 2, p= 0,000002). Tacking count of all these factors may serve to set up a asthma prevention and treatment project in Senegal based on populations education and care providers training.

Still frequent in Africa, the idiopathic peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPC) is the subject of only few prospective studies. The aim of this prospective work was to assess the echocardiographic abnormalities of the PPC and to determine on 26 patients the evolution and the prognostic factors of this disease. Six women had mild to moderate pericardial effusion. The abnormalities of the wall motion, constantly found, were diffuse in 20 cases (77.1%) and localized or prevalent on the interventricular septum or the left ventricular posterior wall in the other cases. The cardiac chambers were dilated in 24 cases (92.3%). Left ventricular hypertrophy was noted among 16 patients (61.5%); it was eccentric in 15 cases. The left ventricular systolic dysfunction was constant. The other abnormalities were: the abnormal left ventricular relaxation (one case), low mitral and aortic flow (12 cases), the mitral (21 cases) and tricuspid regurgitation (five cases). One noted a septal hypertrophy and an isolated dilatation of the right ventricle. The mean follow-up was 7.3 +/- 1 month (1-18 months). Two patients died at the 4th and 8th month. Among the 24 survivors, 11 had normalized were: the gestity (p = 0.01), the parity (p = 0.01), the cardiothoracic ratio (p = 0.04), the left ventricular volumes (p = 0.02), and the parameters of left ventricular function. The echocardiography of patients with PPC usually shows a pattern of dilated and hypokinetic cardiomyopathy, but many variations are possible. Most of the patients keep echocardiographic abnormalities after mean term follow-up.

A nutritional rehabilitation trial for severely malnourished children aged 6 to 36 months (weight/height index using Z-score of less than -3 as the reference mean) was conducted in the poor suburban areas of Dakar, Senegal. Its purpose was to determine the effectiveness of a rehabilitation programme delivered in the home as compared to one provided in a nutritional recovery center (CREN). Ninety-seven children benefited from rehabilitation at home and 51 at the CREN. At the end of two months of rehabilitation and after five months of charting their weight, the average weight gain was better in the group followed at home, but it still remained well under the 50 g/day recommended by WHO. Within the two groups, all of the children stayed underweight, with an average weight/height index Z-score of less than -2.5 in the group followed at home, and a Z-score of less than -2.9 in the other group. The dropouts and the death rates in the two groups were comparable. The presence and availability of the mother as well as health education sessions adapted to each specific case through interpersonal communication seem to be the elements favouring the most effective rehabilitation being in the home.

Background: Cardiovascular involvement is not well studied in children with sickle cell disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the echocardiographic parameters of children with sickle cell disease., Patients and Methods: We performed a transversal and case-control study including 80 subjects of six months to 16 years of age divided into four groups of 20 children each: heterozygous sickle cell disease, homozygous sickle cell anemia, anemia of other causes than sickle cell, and healthy children. All children had a complete physical examination, biological screening including hemogram and hemoglobin electrophoresis, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, and Doppler echocardiogram. Data were compared using the chi 2 method and the Student's t-test., Results: The mean age was 8.5 years and the sex-ratio was 1. Echocardiographic abnormalities were observed in seven patients with anemia unrelated to sickle cell, 15 children with heterozygous anemia and all the homozygous patients. The main abnormalities were: left ventricular enlargement (ten homozygous patients, one heterozygous subject, five of the patients with another cause of anemia), increased contractility of the heart (18 homozygous patients, seven heterozygous patients, five in the anemia group) and mild to moderate mitral or tricuspid regurgitation (12 homozygous, five heterozygous and five patients in the anemia group). One homozygous child had a dilated and hypokinetic cardiomyopathy with pulmonary hypertension. The parameters of left ventricular systolic function and left heart chamber dimensions were lower in the control group (P < 0.04)., Discussion: This study shows the frequency of heart chamber dilatation with left ventricular hyperkinesis usually described in the literature. The lack of case of chronic cor pulmonale may be due to the young age of our patients. One case of dilated and hypokinetic cardiomyopathy suggests that other causes than anemia should be considered, particularly myocardial ischemia, which could not be demonstrated because of our limited investigative methods., Conclusion: These results emphasize the frequency of the heart involvement in sickle cell disease, particularly in the homozygous type, and point out the importance of the cardiologic screening of these patients.

Mainly because of rheumatic fever,infective endocarditis (IE) is frequent in our countries and is associated with many diagnostic and therapeutic problems. We perform a retrospective study on 86 cases of IE hospitalized from December 1986 to November 1996. The prevalence of IE is 4.3% and there is a female predominance (the sex ratio is 0.56). The mean age is 26.45+/-13.22 years. 74.4% of the patients have of low socioeconomic status. The mean duration of inhospital stay is 54 days and the average diagnosis retardation is 35 days. The source of infection is found in 19 cases (15 sources are dental). The main clinical signs are: fever (63.9%), anaemia (67.4%) and weight loss (38.3%). The underlying heart disease is mainly due to rheumatic valve regurgitation (95.3%). The blood culture find microbialagent in 12.7%. Echocardiography reveals vegetations in 69.7% of patients. The main complications are : heart failure (47.6%) and stroke (33.7%). The mortality rate is high (30.7%). The treatment is only medical, none of the patients has surgical repair. This study shows that IE is frequent and is associated with many complications and a high mortality rate. These observations amphasize the importance of prevention of rheumatic fever.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is an nonexceptional complication of infectious gastroenteritis. No one has already been reported in Senegalese publications. We made a retrospective study of the record of 7 patients with HUS among 256 cases of children with bloody diarrhea presenting to the pediatric unit of Aristide Le Dantec between august 1998 and july 1999. The mean age of the children was 33,14+/-25 months and the weight was -2,29 DS. The diagnosis is supported by the findings of an acute renal failure with urea at 1,28+/-0,51g/ l and creatinine at 41,46+/-25,48mg/l. An hemolytic anemia was constant, the blood film revealed schizocytes. We found a thrombocytemia only in two cases. A hight white blood cell count (more than 50000/mm3) was noted in for cases. Only one child made a good recovery. We insist on preventing gastroenteritis and aggressive and adapted management of the HUS.

The course of sickle cell disease (SCD) may be complicated by neurologic events, mainly bactérial meningitidis and stroke. We retrospectively studied all cases with acute encephalic manifestations (AEM) in a cohort of 461 children and adolescents with SCD followed at Albert Royer Children Hospital of Dakar (Senegal) from january 1991 to december 2000 (ten years). Among them 438 had sickle cell anemia (SCA), 19 SC disease and 4 S-beta thalassemia (3 S-beta+, 1 S-beta0). Seven patients, all with SCA, presented antecedents of AEM revealed by flacid and proportionnal hemiplegia evoking stroke. Prevalence of these AEM was 1.5 per cent among patients with SCD and 1.6 per cent among those with SCA. They were 4 girls and 3 boys (sex ratio = 0.75) aged 4 to 8.5 years when occurred the first accident. We observed no clinical or biological distinctive characteristic of SCA in these patients compared to those without crebrovascular accident. Recurrence was observed once in a boy after a 12 months interval and twice in a girl after 20 and 60 months intervals successively. No transfusionnal program was applied to prevent recurrent stroke because of insufficient conditions for long-term transfusion. Stroke appears to be rare in senegalese children with SCD. However it poses in our context the major problem of applicability of transfusionnal program which constitute the only therapy universally recognised to be effective to prevent recurrence. Nevertheless hydroxyurea could be a satisfactory alternative.

The authors perform a prospective study of 15 cases of cardiac tamponade in the Department of Cardiology of the University Hospital of Dakar (Senegal) from January to July 1999. The prevalence of cardiac tamponade is 4 %. The mean age is 33 years. There is no sex predominance. The clinical findings are: class III or IV NYHA dyspnea (86.6 %), pulsus paradoxus (66.6 %), and decrease intensity of the heart sounds (100 %). The electrocardiogram revealed sinus rhythm in 86.6 %, a low voltage of the QRS in all cases, and abnormalities of repolarization, mainly inverted T waves (73.3%). The echocardiography shows circumferential pericardial effusion (66.6 %), a "swinging heart" (53.3 %) and compression of right heart chambers (66.6 %). The main etiology was tuberculosis. The evolution is good after pericardiocentesis, surgical drainage and medical therapy. Cardiac tamponade is cardio-vascular emergency almost always due to tuberculosis with a good outcome if a prompt pericardiocentesis is performed.

Rubella is an innocuous illness in adult unless it is contracted by a pregnant woman. We recently observed a case of congenital rubella in the department of neonatology of Abass Ndao hospital in Dakar. It's a female new-born, born after 40 week gestation, with a well followed pregnancy. The first clinical examination shows a severe intrauterine growth retardation and bilateral comeal opacity. Maternal and new-born serologic confirmation is obtained with positive rubella specific IgM and IgG. We also find severe ocular pathology, hearing deficit and associated cardiac disease. This case shows the needs for preventive strategies, such as vaccination against rubella for women of child bearing age.

This retrospective study was carried out in the "Medecine Infantile 3 et Genetique" service at Brabois University Hospital in Nancy (France). We collected 14 cases of chronic hepatitis C following perinatal infection via mother to child transmission (group 1: 5 cases) and blood transfusion (group 2: 9 cases). The mean age of patients at the time of first serological screening test was 9.1+/-4.7 years. In 12 cases, the screening test was performed in view of the mother seropositivity or a personal history of perinatal blood transfusion. Only two patients presented with hepatomegaly. ELISA3 test was positive in all patients. With RIBA3 test, antibody to hepatitis C core antigen was absent in one patient while antibody anti-NS3 was present in all of the cases. The mean level of serum transaminase SGPT was 1.9+/-0.9 N in group 1 patients (mother to child transmission) versus 1.4+/-0.7 N in group 2 patients (blood transfusion). In 9 cases out of 14, hepatocytolysis was variable with SGPT levels around 2 N. Total mean Knodell was 3+/-4.1 in the group 1 versus 4.6 + 2.6 in group 2. Using the Metavir score, the mean activity was found to be 0.5+/-0.1 in group 1 versus 1+/-0.6 in group 2, while the mean level of fibrosis in the two groups was 0.3+/-0.5 and 0.7+/-0.1 respectively. On the whole, this study shows that chronic hepatitis C following perinatal infection is commonly asymptomatic, with mild histological changes not relating to the level of hepatocytolysis.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-term benefit of a beta-blocker (atenolol) on clinical and echocardiographic parameters of patients presenting isolated or predominant mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. It is a prospective study performed on 26 patients who have had a clinical and echocardiographic assessment before and 15 days after treatment by atenolol. After 15 days of beta-blocker treatment, there is a significant improvement of dyspnea (57.6% in class III or IV before beta-blockade versus 15.3% with atenolol; P = 0.001) and a significant decrease of the heart rate (83.3 +/- 15.2 versus 68.9 +/- 13.9; P = 0.001) and the diastolic blood pressure (8 mmHg +/- 1.3 versus 7.2 mmHg +/- 0.9; P = 0.01). The Doppler echocardiography shows a significant increase of the stroke volume calculated by the Doppler method (28.7 +/- 6.2 versus 38.6 +/- 9.7 mL; P = 0.04). There is an insignificant trend to an improvement of the left ventricular systolic function, an increase of cardiac output and the decrease of the mean transmitral gradient. The factors associated with the failure of beta-blocker treatment are: the right heart failure (P = 0.04) and the low diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.01). The beta-blockers could be a logical and effective treatment of patients with mitral stenosis waiting for balloon commissurotomy or surgery.

Ventricular thrombosis can complicate the development and worsen the prognosis in any case of hypokinetic dilated cardiomyopathy. In the present article, a study has been made of 6 reports of ventricular thrombosis selected out of 58 medical files on women with peri-partum idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Patient age ranged from 22 to 55 years. The clinical picture showed hypokinetic dilated cardiomyopathy, complicated by cardiac failure; with its onset during the last trimester of gestation or in the 6 months post-partum. In all patients, overall cardiac failure was observed, and in all cases the diagnosis of intracardiac thrombosis was made by echocardiography. In all 6 patients, a left ventricular apical thrombosis was detected. In 2 subjects, 2 and 3 left ventricular thrombi were respectively found. In 1 case, a left ventricular thrombosis was present. In another case, a right thrombosis associated with a left ventricular thrombosis was detected. Treatment was initiated with a combination of anticoagulants (heparin and K antivitamins), diuretic and vasodilatory treatment. The clinical outcome was favorable, with the disappearance of thrombi and signs of cardiac failure (between the 15th and 54th day). No embolic complication was observed. These findings clearly show the importance of prescribing an anticoagulant treatment as a preventive measure during PPICM. Even if severe embolic complications are a potential risk, anitcoagulant treatment can ensure a favorable outcome.

A survey on 400 children less than five years old living in three villages of the sanitary district of Khombole has been realized from 17th to 25th April 1997 in order to evaluate the existence of malnutrition and the hazard factor linked to it. All children have been weighed and measured. The paraclinic assessment made up by a rate of haemoglobin and a parasitical test of the, motions have been realized on 275 children. The emaciation concerns 8% of the children and the statural backwardness 34.7% of them. The malnutrition is variable from one village to another. The percentage of children suffering from a severe malnutrition according to the classification of Gomez concerns 4.5%. Geophagy, intestinal parasitosis, and anaemia are closely related to chronic malnutrition. The results show the existence of a precarious nutritional situation in rural area requiring new policies of struggle against malnutrition.

The authors report a case of a biventricular thrombus complicating peripartum cardiomyopathy in a 38 years old female. The diagnosis was done by bidimensionnal transthoracic echocardiography which showed 2 thrombi in the apical region of the right ventricle and in the anterior and lateral wall of the left ventricle. With treatment associating salt restriction, diuretics and angiotensin-converting-enzyme- inhibitors, the evolution was good: the thrombi disappeared at the first month for the left ventricular thrombi and after 45 days for the rignt ventricular thrombi. The patient didn't experience any embolic complication.

Infection is the main factor of morbidity and mortality in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The objective of this study is to determine it's epidemiologic outline in senegalese children and adolescents with SCD. We retrospectively studied infection data in all the charts of a cohort of 323 patients with SCD (307 SS, 13 SC and 3 s beta + thalassemia) followed at Albert Royer children hospital from january 1991 to december 1997. Serum sampling was systematically made for HIV and antigen HBs serology in all patients we received in the last 3 months (october to december 1997). Patients were aged from 5 months to 22 years (medium age = 8 years). 813 infection episodes were diagnosed, concerning 184 patients (56 per cent). SS patients were more affected (59 per cent) than the others (23 per cent, p = 0.04). ENT and broncho-pulmonary onsets were more frequent but had a generally benign course. Menigitidis, septicemia and osteomyelitis were exclusively diagnosed in SS patients. Their prevalences in this group were respectively: 1.0 per cent, 4.9 per cent and 9.8 per cent. HIV serology was determined in 155 patients, including 41 per cent with blood transfusion antecedents. All tests were negative. HBs antigen was determined in 104 patients and seroprevalence was 7.7 per cent in the whole group and 6.0 per cent in patients with transfusion antecedents and 7.7 per cent for the others. Plasmodium falciparum malaria onset was observed in 9.6 per cent of our patients and there was no case of cerebral malaria. Infection was involved in 9 of the 11 cases of death. Then infection constitute the major problem in children and adolescents with SCD in Dakar. However prevalences of severe onsets are comparable to data in Europe despite our poor follow up conditions. Senegal haplotype may lead to a good tolerance of SCD. Negative HIV serology and low HBs antigen seroprevalence in transfused patients are attributed to a relatively low level of HIV prevalence in the general population and a good transfusion security in Senegal.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is rare in developped countries, but still frequent in Africa. It is defined as a heart failure occurring during peripartum, without any underlying etiology. Authors present 3 cases showing that heart failure before or after delivery may be due to causes which are frequent in the Sahelian area but generally misdiagnosed. Anemia, hypertension and rheumatic fever were the causes of heart failure in these 3 patients, but they were not apparent when the initial diagnosis was made. These observations emphasize that, despite the complex hypothesis trying to explain heart failure during the peripartum period, one should think about some frequent causes which can be misdiagnosed because of the pregnant state or the heart failure itself.

Aim of the Study: To determine the socioeconomic, clinical and biological aspects of sickle cell disease (SCD) in Senegalese children and adolescents, we retrospectively analysed all records of follow-up attending patients in the Albert Royer Children Hospital of Dakar (Senegal)., Results: Homozygous sickle cell (SS) was the most frequent genotype (307 cases). Sickle cell hemoglobin C (13 cases) and sickle cell beta-thalassemia (three cases) were uncommon. Patients were aged from five months to 22 years (mean age: eight years). Most of them came from poor families. The mean number of children was five in patients' families, with at least two cases of SCD in 60% of them. Immunization against hepatitis B virus (10.2%), Haemophilus influenzae b (8.4%), Salmonella (8.7%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (21.4%) was insufficiently performed, because of its relatively high cost. Only 30% of the patients had received a blood transfusion. Painful crises occurred less than three times a year in 74% of the cases. Complications such as acute chest syndrome (1%), stroke (1%), cholelithiasis (9%), meningitis (0.4%), septicemia (2%) and osteomyelitis (6%) were rare. Mean steady state hemoglobin (Hb) and hemoglobin F(HbF) levels were 8.27 +/- 1.36 g/dL and 6.8 +/- 5.9% respectively among SS patients. No correlations were found neither between Hb and HbF nor between these parameters and the frequency of complications. Eleven patients (1.1% per year of follow-up) died, and infection was the main cause of death (73%)., Conclusion: In comparison with published data, SCD seems to have mild severity in Senegalese children and adolescents in spite of poor follow-up conditions. In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors might have an important role in disease tolerance.

We report a prospective and descriptive study in 12 patients who had pacemaker implantation from may. 1996 and dec. 1997. Our patients benefited from complete clinical examination, ECG (12 derivations), standard laboratory tests, chest X ray. Pulsed-Doppler, two dimensional and TM echocardiography have been performed. Stimulation was achieved using endocardial lead introduced percutaneously. During the study, 12 patients over 22, representing 55% of the subjects with symptomatic conduction defects, had definitive pacemaker implantation. Mean age was 53.8 years +/- 18. Most of the patients lived in Dakar. Sex-ratio was 0.58 (7 males/5 females). Most of the patients (83%) had low socio-economical status. Before implantation mean heart rate was 47 bpm +/- 20.8. Mean blood pressure was 155 mmHg +/- 26.7 (systolic) and 71.6 +/- 20.8 mmHg (diastolic). Heart failure was present in 5 patients/12. Others symptoms were mainly syncope (83%). Mean cardiothoracic ratio was 0.56 +/- 0.09. Over a 14 months period we have implanted 7 double chamber stimulators (DDD) and 5 monochamber (VVI). Over a 210 days follow-up, main problems are infection of the pocket in 2 patients. In one of them culture was positive. In Senegal, it is necessary to develop cardiac stimulation. Pacemakers should be available for all patients with symptomatic conduction defects. A national center for electrophysiologic studies and pacemaker implantation is a priority.

We report a documented case in Senegal with cri-du-chat syndrome diagnosed in a 3 months old girl. Our patient benefited from clinical examination, ECG (15 derivations), chest X ray and standard laboratory tests. The cry has been recorded on a magnetic band. We performed also a pulsed-Doppler, two dimensional and TM echocardiography. Chromosomal analysis has been realized. These data are discussed and compared to the literature. At admission this patient presents characteristic cat like cry. At examination, there is a facial dysmorphy, important growth retardation and feeding dyspnea. Auscultation shows a 3/6 left sub-clavicular systolic murmur. Laboratory tests show anemia (hemoglobin = 7.8 g/dl). Chest x-ray showed a cardio-thoracic ratio at 0.61 with increased pulmonary vascular markings. ECG showed right ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiography-Doppler revealed persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Chromosomal analysis shows deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5. After treatment with digitalis and diuretics there was an improvement of cardiac failure. Diagnosis of cri-du-chat syndrome is easy when characteristic cat-like-cry is present. Cardiovascular abnormalities are unfrequent in this syndrome (20% of the cases). They are dominated by ventricular septal defect and PDA. Hemodynamic failure and related growth retardation can lead to cardiac surgery.

The authors report the results of a study on patients with chronic cor pulmonale hospitalized in the Departement of Cardiology (Dakar), from 1990 to 1998. The hospital prevalence is 0.9% with a male predominance (73.5%). The clinical signs were dominated by dyspnea and cough. The right heart failure is noted in 85.29% of cases. As far as the biological factor is concerned, it exists an polycythemia about 75% of cases, hypoxia (88.8%), hypercapnia (55.5%) and a respiratory acidoses (55.5%). The spirometry showed in 66% of cases, a mixed syndrom with obstructive predominance. The echocardiography showed in all cases right heart dilatation with pulmonary hypertension. The etiological factors are dominated by tobacco (21 cases). The hospital evolution has been favorable in 19 cases underoxygentherapy, lowdosediuretic, expectorant, bronchodilatators and salt restriction. However, 14 patients have died.

Background: Cholelithiasis is a well recognized complication of sickle-cell anemia (SCA) because of chronic hemolysis. It is usually asymptomatic but may result in acute cholecystitis or cholangitis. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of cholelithiasis and its associated factors among Senegalese children and adolescents with SCA., Patients and Methods: We analyzed the follow-up records and results of systematic clinical, biological and ultrasonographic examinations in 106 patients with SCA aged 11 months to 22 years (median: 10 years, 6 months), followed up in the Albert-Royer Children's Hospital (Dakar)., Results: Cholelithiasis was detected in 9.4% of the patients. Gender, ethnic group, geographic origin and socioeconomic conditions did not have any association with cholelithiasis frequency. The youngest patient with cholelithiasis was 7 years old, and prevalence of cholelithiasis increased with age. The mean age at the beginning of SCA follow-up was higher among patients with cholelithiasis. They were more frequently transfused and tended to present more frequent pain crises and other complications of SCA. We found no spontaneous clinical manifestations attributed to cholelithiasis. Nevertheless, provoked right upper quadrant pain was more frequently observed in patients with cholelithiasis. Fetal hemoglobin, steady-state hemoglobin, reticulocytes count, serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and transaminase levels were not significantly different in these patients, compared to the others. However, those with cholelithiasis had significantly higher mean red cell volume., Conclusion: Prevalence of cholelithiasis appears relatively low in Senegalese patients with SCA, probably owing to the tolerance of the Senegal haplotype. Advanced age and severe chronic hemolysis are etiologic factors in evidence. We recommend systematic abdominal ultrasound at least once a year for patients older than 5 years, or when right upper quadrant pain is observed. Cholecystectomy should be performed in cases of cholelithiasis in order to prevent complications.

We report one case of thrombocytopaenia purpura associated with an auto-immune haemolytic anaemia (positive erythrocyte Coombs test) or Fisher-Evans syndrome, found in a child aged 6 and a half years. Etiopathogenic, clinical, therapeutic as well as evolutive aspects are discussed. Response to corticoids is satisfactory in case our patient, in opposite to most cases described in the literature.

This cross sectional survey carried in april 1995 aimed to assess the nutritional status of the women old enough to procreate++ and the children less than 5 years old in the community of Mpal (District of St Louis). The method of sampling used was the method of stratified poll. The assessment of the nutritional status is carried among the women by measuring the brachial circumference and the corporal mass index. Among the children, the indicators used were the ratios: weight-age, weight-height and the brachial circumference. The results showed a rate of malnutrition very high in comparison to the national averages as well in ythe women old enough to procreate (31% versus 17.4%) as in the children (11% of acute malnutrition versus 8.7% and 24.4% of chronic malnutrition versus 21.7%). The young mothers and the children more than 3 years old were the more frequently reached. It urges to set up in this locality a programme of struggling against malnutrition based on the integration of the economics activities of the communitary groups to their health activities.

Introduction: An uncommon form and a rare localization of mycetoma is reported. The aim of this report was to distinguish this inhabitual form of mycetoma from some tropical diseases like onchocerca and other fungal diseases., Case Report: A 55 year old man was admitted 10 years after a septic worm-hole for a scapulo-thoracic tumor. This encapsulated mass was a bending and rounded polyfistular one attached to the dorsal aspect of left shoulder. The fistula discharge a serosanguineous or purulent exudate. The characteristic red granule was not visible. The tumor was removed and histological examination was performed. A typical granuloma of red granule of streptomyces pelletieri was found. A good result was obtained with associated cotrimoxazole treatment., Discussion: Scapulo-thoracic form included: scapular, axillary and chest form of mycetoma. All these localizations are rare. One of them can be complicated by osteitis or pleuro-pulmonary localization. Streptomyces pellitieri is the actinomycetic causal agent. This encapsulated form is uncommon., Conclusion: Scapulo-thoracic mycetoma is rare. Encapsulated and pedicular form is uncommon. Around Sahel areas, differential diagnosis must be evoked such as parasitic and mycobacterial infections.

The authors report the case of a 30 year old man with a left ventricular aneurysm who was seropositive to HIV 1 and HIV 2. The patient was stage IVC 1 (AIDS related complex) by the "Center for Disease Control" classification. The clinical presentation was pyrexia, loss of weight, micropolyadenopathy and cardiac failure. The electrocardiogramme showed low voltage in the peripheral leads with a QS morphology in S2, S3 and aVF and abrasion, of the R wave in the precordial leads. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated a large left ventricular aneurysm with a wide neck. Despite treatment with a diuretic, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and anticoagulants, the patient died suddenly. Autopsy confirmed the wide necked left ventricular aneurysm. This would appear to be the first report of this form of cardiac disease during HIV infection. However, a simple coincidence of the two pathologies cannot be excluded.

There has been little research done on the differences between hyperthyroidie patients who exhibit cardiothyrosis and those who do not. The objective of this research was to elucidate the variations in echocardiographic parameters that exist between these two groups, in order to determine practical implications. A prospective study on 37 subjects was performed: 20 in group I (without cardiothyreosis) and 17 in group II (exhibiting cardiothyreosis). In both groups, women were predominant. Left ventricular diameters and volumes were statistically higher in group II (p < 0.0007). The left ventricular end systölic stress was also higher (140.10(3) +/- 37 vs 131.10(3) +/- 51 dynes/cm2. p < 0.05). There was no significance between the two groups in shortening fraction, ejection fraction and mean rate of circumferential fiber shortening. The E/A ratio of the mitral flow was higher in group II (1.98 +/- 1.3 vs 1.3 +/- 0.7, p < 0.05), but the isovolumetric relaxation time and the deceleration time of the E wave were similar in both groups. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was observed in 5 patients of each group. Relaxation abnormalities were found in 10% of the subjects in group 1 and 33.3% in group II. Significant valvular regurgitation was observed only in group II (8 cases of mitral, 1 case of tricuspid and I case of aortic regurgitation). Given that cardiovascular perturbations may be different during the stages of the hyperthyroidism, different therapeutic approaches may thus be considered, facilated by appropriate echocardiographic examination.

The purpose of this study is to assess the profile of blood pressure and body mass index of children and adolescents in a rural area in Africa. It is a prospective study concerning a sample of 465 children and adolescents in the district of Thiadiaye (Senegal). The ration boys/girls was 1.02. Blood pressure was higher in girls. The prevalence of hypertension was 5.1% for the children and 1.5% for adolescents. There was no significative variation in body mass index for children whereas we were noted an augmentation with age in adolescence. The parameters of corpulence are higher in girls in adolescence. The prevalence of obesity was 3% in children and 2.4% for adolescents. There was no correlation between blood pressure and body mass index. This study show many particularities in rural area as for as blood pressure and body mas index of children and adolescent are concerned.

The objective of this article is to study the place of tobacco addiction in a rural area in Senegal. We have performed a transversal and domicillary study on a sample of adults and adolescents of the district of Thiadiaye (Senegal). The mean age of the studied population is 39 +/- 8.5 years (extremes: 12 and 100 years). The sex ratio is 0.85%. The prevalence of tobacco addict was 24.07%, 9% of the teenagers and 32% of the adults were smokers. Tobacco use was more frequent among men (89% 5%) than women (10.5%) (p < 10(-7)). The most common form was traditional tobacco: 62.1%. Cigarette was smoked in 14.4% of cases. The mean duration of tobacco use was 13 +/- -12.2 years. The mean consumption per day of traditional tobacco was 5.1 +/- 4, whereas the mean number of cigarettes per day is 12.3 +/- -7. Our study shows that tobacco occupies an important place in rural area in Senegal where coexist with traditional habits, a modern tobacco use represented by cigarette smoking.

The study realized in the district of Khombole (SENEGAL) has permit to estimate the contamination levels of wells waters used by the populations. The research and the dosage of the organichlorine pesticide residues, nitrites and nitrates and microbiologic analysis have been done on 19 wells chosen after a drawning of lots. The organochlorine pesticide residues which have been found prove that the wells are permanently exposed to these chemical substances which don't constitute nevertheless a major risk for the populations health. The results of our research proved also that there is a real risk of intoxication with the nitrogen oxides. In effects more than 50% of the wells have revealed nitrates contents up to the indicative value (25 mg/l). As for the nitrates, with a few exceptions (5/18), the contents are superior to the authorized norm (0.1 mg/l). By another way the bacteriologic analysis has revealed in the one hand a DBT (Total Bacterian Count) up to 10,000 germs/l for all the wells, and in the other hand the presence of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis that confirm a faecal contamination.

Authors report about a left ventricular thrombus as a complication of thyrotoxic heart disease, on a 45 years old woman. Clinical state featured signs of thyrotoxicosis, global cardiac failure and hypertension. The electrocardiogram showed a left axis deviation, the chest X-ray a cardiac enlargement (cardio-thoracic index = 0.55) on behalf of left movement of heart walls and severe left ventricule dysfunction (Ejection fraction about 18%). This exam also found a big thrombus at he left ventricule apex. The treatment disappearance of the thrombosis and improvement of cardiac failure signs and echographic parameters. Authors discuss circumstances leading to thrombosis in thyrotoxic heart disease, and the usefulness of anticoagulant drug therapy.

The authors report an uncommon complication in cervical skeletal fluorosis. It is a cervical spondylolisthesis at C5-C6 level complicated by a radiculomyelopathy described in a man living in an endemic area for fluorosis. After 3 years, a spontaneous stabilization of the cervical spine with a posterior calcification of the supraspinal and interspinal ligaments has caused an improvement of the neurological symptomatology.

The objective of this study is to describe the electrocardiographic signs associated with certain chest deformities. This is a prospective, case-control study comparing 20 black subjects with chest deformity (11 cases of flat back syndrome, 5 cases of pigeon chest, 4 cases of funnel chest) with 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Cardiac duplex ultrasound was performed for each individual to exclude associated heart disease. Atypical electrocardiographic signs were observed in 15 subjects with chest deformity versus only 3 in the control group. The anomalies observed consisted of signs of atrial or ventricular hypetrophy, right branch block, abnormalities of repolarization on the T wave or ST segment. Chest deformities are therefore associated with several electrical signs simulating most cardiac diseases. A good knowledge of these modifications should help to avoid the numerous diagnostic traps associated with these signs.

Objectives: Patients with systemic scleroderma often have latent heart disease which could play an important role in morbidity and mortality. We therefore conducted a prospective study of cardiovascular manifestations in patients with systemic scleroderma., Patients and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study included 29 patients with systemic scleroderma who underwent a complete cardiovascular work-up including physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray and Doppler-echocardiogram from July 1993 to February 1996., Results: Hypertension was observed in 6 patients (20.7%) and was positively correlated with age (p = 0.007). Raynaud syndrome was also found in 6 patients (20.6%). Heart disease was observed in 14 patients (48.3%) and was positively correlated with age and lack of treatment for scleroderma (p = 0.008). Myocardial disease was the most frequent (11 patients, 37.9%), followed by pericardial disease and valve disease (4 cases each, 13.8%). Rhythm and conduction disorders were found in 2 (6.9%) and 8 (27.6%) of the patients., Conclusion: Cardiovascular manifestations are frequent but often latent in patients with systemic scleroderma. This finding emphasizes the importance of routine cardiovascular work-up in all patients with scleroderma.

We report a first documented case in Senegal with simple transposition of the great arteries diagnosed in a 2 months old girl treated by Rashkind atrioseptostomy. Our patient benefited from clinical examination, ECG (15 derivations), chest X ray and standard laboratory tests. Pulsed-Doppler, two dimensional and TM echocardiography have been performed with an ATL MK 600 echocardiograph. Cardiac catheterism, angiocardiography and Rashkind procedure have been realized in our Department. These data are discussed and compared to the literature. At admission this patient presents with major cyanosis and polypnea. At examination, there is a 3/6 murmur at the left sternal border and a subclavicular continuous murmur. Laboratory tests showed metabolic acidosis and severe hypoxemia. Chest x-ray showed a cardio-thoracic ratio at 0.64 with increased pulmonary vascular markings. ECG showed right ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiography-Doppler revealed ventriculo-arterial discordance with restrictive atrial septal defect and persistent ductus arteriosus. Rashkind procedure was followed by an increased aortic saturation. After 6 weeks there was an improvement of cyanosis and cardiac failure. Diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries is actually easier with development of ultrasonography which is useful when performed by experienced cardiologist. Spontaneous prognosis of this malformation is very poor. Rashkind atrioseptostomy is an important step for the initial treatment of transposition of the great arteries in terms of survival before open heart surgery.

Between Feb. 1992 and Aug. 1995 during a prospective study Tetralogy of Fallot (TF) has been diagnosed in 34 children among 207 with congenital heart disease (CHD). Our purpose is to assess prevalence of TF among CHD, to analyse clinical and paraclinical aspects in patients with TF and to point out associated abnormalities in that disease. In all patients diagnosis was made by echocardiography-Doppler (ATL MK 600). In our patients with CHD, TF represent the third abnormality encountered accounting for 16.49% after ventricular septal defect (30.9%) and persistent ductus arteriosus (18.8%). Mean age of patients with TF is 8.36 years. History showed cardiopathy in the family of one patient. The brother had persistent ductus arteriosus. In our patients with TF, clubbing is present in 70.58% of the cases, cyanosis in 79.41% and squatting in 76.47%. Anoxic spells are present in six patients. On chest x-ray mean cardio-thoracic ratio is 0.57 +/- 0.076. On ECG mean QRS axis is +121 +/- 22.91 degrees. In one patient with Cornélia Delange syndrome TF is associated with complete endocardial cushion defect. Mean follow-up is 332,42 days. Endocarditis on the pulmonary valves is present in one case. Four patients died after complications. Because of poor clinical tolerance and complications, surgery is indicated for all our patients. Only 7 patients underwent surgery. Two of them were operated in Dakar. There was two postoperative complications, one patient had brain abscess which necessitate reoperation, and the other had hypertension in the right ventricle and atrial right to left shunt. Our study shows that TF is an important nosologic group. In our country this frequent malformation have a poor prognosis in the majority of cases because late detection and frequent complications. Because palliative surgery for TF is now available in Senegal prognosis of the patients is going to improve. Future Development of open heart surgery will offer a corrective approach for patients with TF in Senegal.

The authors report the results of a prospective study about echocardiographic parameters of 14 chronic dialyzed patients. Mean age was 44.4 +/- 12 (extremes: 16 and 63). There are 12 men (86%) and 2 women (14%). The main renal disease responsible was nephroangiosclerosis (9 cases, 64.3%). Hypertension is found in all the patients, anemia in 13 (92.8%). The heart, as shown by echocardiography, was concerned in 13 patients (92.8%). The main abnormalities found were: left ventricular hypertrophy (13 cases: 92.8%), left ventricular dysfunction (4 cases: 28.5%), abnormality in left ventricular relaxation (3 cases: 21.4%), pericardial effusion (4 cases: 28.5%).

Authors report the results of a prospective study in a sample of the district of Thiadiaye, a rural area in Senegal. They studied blood pressure, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio of 329 adults. The mean systolic blood pressure is 123 +/- 24.3 mm Hg and the mean diastolic blood pressure is 71.7 +/- 13.2 mm Hg. There is a positive correlation between blood pressure and age (p < 10(-9)). The prevalence of hypertension is 20.18% and one can note a female predominance (21% for women versus 18% for men). The mean body mass index is 21.1 +/- 10.6. There is no correlation between corpulence and age. Conversely, the body mass index is higher in female in all age groups (p < 10(-7)). The prevalence of obesity is 5%. Abdominal fat distribution is 41.6%: 64% for women and 9.7% for men (p = 0.003).

The use of beta blockers during treatment of mitral stenosis is discussed on four cases involving females patients who are symptomatic. All had sinusal tachycardia, one was pregnant, one with cardiothyreosis, two with anemia. In all cases, it's the use of beta-blockers with diuretic, veinous vasodilator and digitalic drugs that allowed the successful treatment of the pulmonary oedema. These observations, added with the literature study, showed that beta-blockers treatment is wise when the subject is carefully studied. The best result is obtained on pure mitral stenosis without left ventricular systolic dysfunction, with sinusal tachycardia and high cardiac output state.

The authors report the results of a transverse prospective study of 80 normal women, divided into 4 groups of 20: control group, 1st trimester of pregnancy, 2nd trimester of pregnancy, 3rd trimester of pregnancy. These groups were comparable in terms of age, height and haemoglobin level. No significant difference was observed in terms of obstetric profile between the various groups of women. The results did not reveal any difference concerning the morphology of cardiac structures, the parameters of left ventricular diastolic filling and the frequency of valvular regurgitation. On the other hand, diameters and cavity volumes, left ventricular mass, left ventricular ejection fraction, and maximal antegrade aortic and pulmonary blood flow rates were higher during pregnancy; these increases were less marked when the measurements were performed in the dorsal supine position compared to those observed in the left lateral supine position.

In Senegal, congenital heart diseases (CHD) raise important issues. Their late detection makes more complicated the non yet resolved issue of the medico-surgical care. 108 patients with congenital heart diseases have been studied prospectively from February 1992 to May 1994. Epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical data are analysed. Prognosis and treatment are discussed. Congenital heart diseases represent 1% of the outpatient cardiovascular pathology. Diagnosis of the malformation based on echocardiography shows that most of congenital heart diseases are ventricular septal defect (25%); followed by Tetralogy of Fallot (13%). Average age of the patients is 6.86 years. 31% of the cases have heart failure. ECG is abnormal in 103 patients. On the radiologic side, average cardio-thoracic ration is 0.61. Because of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and hypoxia, the spontaneous prognosis is cautious in 71 patients (66%) who should receive surgical treatment. Among them, 5 patients non operated died and 10 (14%) have been operated. Among the 10 patients who got surgery, 3 with wide persistent ductus arteriosus got in Dakar. All these patients have excellent operative results. In Senegal, only close heart surgery is available and prognosis of the vast majority of patients, including those with valvular and coronary heart diseases, is very cautious. Intervention of Europe-based aid organizations for evacuation is not useful. It is very important to promote, in Senegal, open heart surgery.

Skeletal fluorosis is well known, particularly in the spine, pelvis and forearm. However, the hand may also be involved. The authors report two cases of this site in endemic areas in Senegal, after ingestion of large amounts of fluoride in the water. Fluorosis consisted of deforming metacarpal and phalangeal osteoperiotitis in one case and peri-articular ossifications and calcifications of the attachments of the ligaments and capsule in the other case. They review the literature concerning skeletal fluorosis and discuss the rarity of hand involvement its clinical features and particularly its radiological features. Lastly, they emphasize the differential diagnosis with certain metabolic, infectious and neoplastic diseases.

We report a case with ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsava into the right ventricle, diagnosed during heart failure in a 22 years old patient. Etiology and prognosis based on our observation and the literature are discussed. Our patient benefited from clinical examination, ECG (15 derivations), pulmonary X ray and standard laboratory test. Pulsed-Doppler and contrast echocardiography have been realized with an ATL MK 600 echocardiograph. These data are discussed and compared to the literature. Cardiac examination revealed a continuous murmur predominantly diastolic 5/6 and an increase of peripheral artery pulsatility. Chest x-ray showed cardiomegaly and ECG bilateral atrial and left ventricular hypertrophy. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed the diastolic prolapse of an aneurysmal right coronary sinus in the right ventricle. The rupture was confirmed by contrast echocardiography and pulsed-Doppler. Rupture which is a major complication of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsava, is the usual feature of detection. The consequences of rupture are heart failure and pulmonary edema. Our observation shows that conventional Doppler and contrast echocardiography are important for diagnosis and follow-up of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsava. Aortography, hemodynamic and angiocardiographic data, are also important for a precise diagnosis and the detection of associated malformations when pre-operative investigations of aneurysm of the sinus of valsava are needed.