S. Cheikh Rouhou

Insuffisance respiratoire aiguë isolée révélant une malformation d’Arnold-Chiari: À propos de deux observations

Arnold-Chiari malformation is an occipitocervical malformation where the cerebellar amygdales descend below the occipital foramen. Acute respiratory failure is an exceptional inaugural sign. We report two cases disclosed by alveolar hypoventilation associated with type I Arnold-Chiari malformation. The two patients age 51 and 52 years had an uneventful past history and presented with hypercapnic encephalopathy with acute respiratory failure requiring ventilatory assistance. Respiratory function tests, helicoidal thoracic computed tomographic angiography, electromyogram, cardiac echography, and thyroid and immunological tests were normal. Blood gases and polysomnography were in favor of central hypoventilation without sleep apnea. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated type I Arnold-Chiari malformation. The course was complicated by recurrent respiratory failure in both patients. Surgical decompression performed for the first patient provided no improvement. This patient died two months after surgery subsequent to aspiration pneumonia. The second patient was treated with continuous positive pressure noninvasive ventilatory assistance and had a good outcome at 25 months. These two cases illustrate the absence of any neurological sign, acute respiratory failure being the only sign of Arnold-Chiari malformation.

Pseudotumeur inflammatoire pulmonaire invasive

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is an uncommon nonneoplastic tumor of unknown origin. It can mimic lung carcinoma. We report a 65-year-old man who presented with productive cough, weight loss, and a heterogeneous right apical lung condensation. This clinical and radiographic presentation suggested a malignant lung tumor. Surgery was performed and the histological examination of the surgical specimen concluded to an inflammatory pseudotumor. A pneumonectomy was performed because of the tumor extension towards the lower lobe and the mediastinum. No recurrence was observed after a 2-year follow-up. Surgery is essential to confirm the diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor. Complete resection is the only guarantee to prevent recurrence.

Évaluation de l’insomnie chez les patients tunisiens atteints de cancers bronchopulmonaires primitifs

INTRODUCTION Sleep disorders are relatively common in oncology. However, they have not been well studied and are often treated insufficiently. AIM To assess the prevalence and severity of insomnia in lung cancer patients and evaluate the relationship between insomnia and certain clinical parameters. METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken of patients in Tunis with primary lung cancer. Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained from the medical records Patients were then asked to answer questionnaires related to insomnia (ISI), depression-anxiety (HAD) and quality of life (QLQ-C30). RESULTS Fifty patients with lung cancer were included (46 men, 4 women). The average age was 59±9 years. Insomnia was found in 24 patients (48%) and 60% of patients had depression. HAD was significantly higher in the insomniac patients (21.54±8.96 vs. 9.81±5.28, P<0.0001). Similarly, the QLQ-C30 was significantly lower in these patients (41.24±12.55 vs. 56±16.88, P<0.01). ISI was significantly correlated with HAD and QLQ-C30. CONCLUSION Insomnia is common in patients with lung cancer. It is responsible for impaired quality of life and psychological distress. Diagnosis and management of insomnia in patients with lung cancer is therefore mandatory.