Mohamed Said Belhamidi

Analysis of prognostic factors affecting mortality in Fournier’s gangrene: A study of 72 cases

INTRODUCTION Fourniers gangrene is a rapidly progressing necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genital area associated with a high mortality rate. We presented our experience in managing this entity and identified prognostic factors affecting mortality. METHODS We carried out a retrospective study of 72 patients treated for Fourniers gangrene at our institution between January 2005 and December 2014. Patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors and potential prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS Of the 72 patients, 64 were males (89%) and 8 females (11%), with a mean age of 51 years. The most common predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus (38%). The mortality rate was 17% (12 patients died). Statistically significant differences were not found in age, gender, and predisposing factors, except in heart disease (p = 0.038). Individual laboratory parameters significantly correlating with mortality included hemoglobin (p = 0.023), hematocrit (p = 0.019), serum urea (p = 0.009), creatinine (p = 0.042), and potassium (p = 0.026). Severe sepsis on admission and the extent of affected surface area also predicted higher mortality. Others factors, such as duration of symptoms before admission, number of surgical debridement, diverting colostomy and length of hospital stay, did not show significant differences. The median Fourniers Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) was significantly higher in non-survivors (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Fourniers gangrene is a severe surgical emergency requiring early diagnosis and aggressive therapy. Identification of prognostic factors is essential to establish an optimal treatment and to improve outcome. The FGSI is a simple and valid method for predicting disease severity and patient survival.

Profil épidémiologique et anatomopathologique du cancer colorectal: à propos de 36 cas

Colorectal cancer is classified among the most common cancers in the world (after breast cancer and prostate cancer) and it is the second digestive tract cancer in Morocco after stomach cancer. However, its incidence in our country is lower than that of western countries (2.5 to 3.3 / 100 000 ha) but it coincides with that of Maghreb countries where this cancer affects young subjects in 27% of cases. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the best examples of multistep carcinogenesis. Knowing the anatomopathological characteristics of CRC will certainly affect our therapeutic approaches. We conducted a retrospective epidemiological and anatomopathological study in the Department of Visceral Surgery at the Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Meknes over a period of 5 years from January 2012 to December 2016. The study involved 36 patients: 14 women and 22 men. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological profile and the anatomopathological features of colorectal cancers. The analysis of our results shows a specific epidemiological profile which is characteristic of a type of colorectal cancer affecting younger subjects, mainly male patients. Sporadic carcers are largely predominant, occurring mainly in the rectosigmoid region. A low degree of differentiation of adenocarcinomas with mucinous features is correlated with advanced TNM and Aster Coller staging and with lymph node status with poor prognosis. This multidisciplinary approach will be a novelty at national level, thus making our structure of clinical practice and research one of the centres for multidisciplinary management of colorectal cancer in Morocco.

Place de la splénectomie dans la prise en charge de l’hypertension portale non cirrhotique: à propos de 3 cas

L’hypertension portale non cirrhotique est une affection décrite pour la première fois par Guido BANTI en 1898 comme une affection associant une hypertension portale avec splénomégalie et anémie sur foie sain. Le diagnostic repose sur l’échographie abdominale, la splénoportographie et la biopsie hépatique. Le but de notre travail est d’évaluer la place de la splénectomie dans l’hypertension portale non cirrhotique à travers une étude rétrospective portant sur 3 malades dont 2 femmes et un homme pris en charge dans notre formation entre Janvier 2010 et Septembre 2016. Le diagnostic de l’hypertension portale idiopathique a été basé sur les critères suivants : une hypertension portale, la présence des varices oesophagiènnes avec une splénomégalie, l’absence de cirrhose ou d’autres affections hépatiques responsables de l’hypertension portale. La splénectomie a été réalisée chez les 3 malades. L’évolution après la splénectomie était marquée par la normalisation des signes cliniques, radiologiques et biologiques de cette affection, avec absence de récidive des varices œsophagiennes. La splénectomie associée à la ligature des varices œsophagiennes pourraient être suffisantes pour traiter ce syndrome et surtout ses conséquences sans avoir recours à une dérivation spléno-rénale.Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension was first described by Guido BANTI in 1898 as a condition characterized by the association of portal hypertension with splenomegaly, anemia and healthy liver. The diagnosis was based on abdominal ultrasound, splenoportography and liver biopsy. Our study aimed to evaluate the role of splenectomy in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. We conducted a retrospective study of 3 patients (2 women and 1 man) treated by our staff over the period January 2010 -September 2016. The diagnosis of idiopathic portal hypertension was based on the following criteria: portal hypertension, the presence of oesophageal varices associated with splenomegaly, the absence of cirrhosis or of other liver disorders responsible of portal hypertension. All patients underwent splenectomy. Outcome after splenectomy was marked by the standardization of clinical, radiological and biological signs of this disease associated with the absence of oesophageal varices recurrence. Splenectomy associated with ligation of oesophageal varices may be sufficient to treat this syndrome and especially its consequences without using splenorenal bypass.

An exceptional collision tumor: gastric calcified stromal tumor and pancreatic adenocarcinoma

The authors report an exceptional case of collision tumor comprised of a gastric calcified stromal tumor and a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The pancreatic tumor was detected fortuitously on the histological exam of resection specimen.

An unusual localization of retroperitoneal paraganglioma: a case report.

Paragangliomas are rare tumors arising from extra-adrenal chromaffine tissues. The diagnosis of non-functional retroperitoneal paraganglioma and its surgical management can be difficult. We report a case of a retroperitoneal paragangliomaof an unusual localization that renders the surgery more challenging. A 40 year-old woman presented to our department with a four-month history of upper quadrant pain with no vomiting, no fever, nor jaundice. Physical examination was normal. Ultrasonography showed a retro duodenal homogenous mass and computed tomographyscan showed a well-circumscribed round mass of heterogeneous density, which was in close contact with the aorta and the left kidney vein. Laboratory tests were normal. The patient underwent surgical management. The surgical exploration found a retroperitoneal tumor that was encapsulated and showing intimate contact with the abdominal aorta. We performed a complete resection of the tumor. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a paraganglioma. The post operative course was uneventful. Paragangliomas are rare tumors. They can be asymptomatic for a long time and thus be diagnosed at late stage. A follow-up of patients is then essential. Surgical treatment is the only radical treatment and should be performed even in paragangliomas in close contact with the great vessels.