CHANGE OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN PLASMA AND TISSUE DURING ACUTE HYPOXIA

Objective.To investigate the role of endogenous carbon monoxide(CO)in hypoxia. Methods. After rats were inhaled with hypoxic gases and the heme oxygenase inhibitor ZnPPIX was administered,we measured the CO levels in plasma,liver,lung and kidney. Meanwhile plasma cGMP levels were observed. Furthermore,we recorded the changes of hemodynamic and blood gases. Results. Acute mild hypoxia(10%O2)significantly increased CO levels in plasma as well as liver,kidney and lung,while acute severe hypoxia(5%O2)significantly decreased CO levels in plasma as well as liver,kidney and lung. In addition,the former significantly elevated cGMP levels in plasma while the latter markedly reduced cGMP levels in plasma. The hemodynamic changes occurred in accordance with the changes of carbon monoxide. Conclusions. Our results indicate,for the first time ,that the endogenous carbon monoxide plays an important role in regulating the vessel tone during hypoxia.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Anxio-Depressive Symptoms of the Families of Patients in Intensive Care Unit at Gabriel Toure University Hospital, Bamako, Mali

Introduction: Hospitalization in intensive care is a source of stress and anxiety for close to the patients. Anxio-depressive symptoms appear to be common in intensive care and their prevalence is poorly evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anxio-depressive symptoms in families. Materials and method: Observational prospective study in families of patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit for a period of 5 months. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) during hospitalization. Anxiety and depression were defined by a score greater than 10. Factors associated with the onset of anxious-depressive symptoms were sought. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in close relatives was measured by the Impact Event Scale-Revised scale (IES-R). Results: A total of 107 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, of which 49 families agreed to participate in our study. Overall mortality was 32.2% during this period. Fifty-eight (58) patients were not included for the following reasons: death or hospitalization of less than 48 hours, refusal of families, institution, and lack of parents speaking French. Forty-nine (49) relatives completed the HADS questionnaire. Forty-three families completed the IES-R questionnaire, a return rate of 87.7%. The prevalence of anxiety was 61.2% among parents in early hospitalization. The level of anxiety was significantly associated with male parents (p = 0.035) and those with lower education (p = 0.046). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in parents was evaluated 53% at D3. Education level (p = 0.048) and male parents (p = 0.048) appeared to be a significant depression factor. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was 55.1% among the relatives of the patients. The lack of co-morbidity in admission patients was significantly associated with the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the family. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was high in our study. Men were at greater risk of developing these symptoms. The parents of the patients carburized appear as a population with higher risk manifestation of psychological disorders;further research is needed in this group.

Blows and Voluntary Wounds of the Emergency Unite in Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital in Bamako

Introduction: Voluntary assault and injuries are acts that damage the physical and psychological integrity of a human being. WHO in its global report on violence and health estimates that in 2000, 1.6 million people worldwide died as a result of self-harm, interpersonal or collective violence, resulting in an overall rate adjusted by age of 28.8 per 100,000 population. Because of the seriousness of this phenomenon and the heavy socio-economic and health consequences that they generate, it seemed important to us to undertake this study, which aimed to study the deliberate injuries in the emergency unite of the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital in Bamako. Material and methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study with a prospective study from September 1st, 2016 to August 31st, 12 months, covering 295 patients, including any patient received for voluntary injury consultation with a workable medical record and/or a full investigation record with or without requisition. Our data were collected on individual survey cards and subsequently analyzed with Word, Excel, IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software. Results: The majority of victims of assault and bodily injury were male with 83.1%;with a sex ratio of 4.9, the 18 to 28 age group was the most concerned with 163 cases of the 295 cases in our study, 55.2%. The extremes were 6 and 100 years old with an ectype at 11.08. The most affected ethnic group was Bambara with 38.6% (n = 114) followed by Fulani with 15.6% (n = 46). Students were the most affected at 24.7% (n = 73), followed by traders at 10%. The victims coming from outside Bamako are the most predominant with 22.4% (n = 66) followed by those of commune IV of Bamako 15.6% (n = 46). In 92.2% of the cases the mechanism was direct with n = 272. Of the lesions recorded in our study, wounds came first with 53.2% of cases. Radiography was the most used imaging at 44.7% (n = 89) followed by computed tomography at 34.7% (n = 69). The hemoperitoneum objectified by abdominal ultrasound represented 29.3% (n = 12). Fractures embarrure associated with bruising-hemorrhagic bruises were the most predominant with 13.4% (n = 10) objectified by brain scan. Conclusion: We note that the phenomenon of violence has reached worrying proportions, especially among young adults, particularly among students and is observed in all so-cio-professional layers. The polymorphism of these injuries caused by the predominant use of knives must draw the attention of our authorities to take measures to reduce these aggressions.

Percutaneous antegrade management of large proximal ureteral stones using non-papillary puncture

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and the safety of medial non-papillary percutaneous nephrolithotomy(npPCNL)for the management of large proximal ureteral stones.Methods:We evaluated prospectively collected data of 37 patients with large proximal ureteral stones more than 1.5 cm in diameter treated by prone npPCNL.Depending on stone size,in-toto stone removal or lithotripsy using the Lithoclast®Trilogy(EMS Medical,Nyon,Switzerland)was performed.Perioperative parameters including operative time(from start of puncture to the skin suturing),stone extraction time(from the first insertion of the nephroscope to the extraction of all stone fragments),and the stone-free rate were evaluated.Results:Twenty-one males and 16 females underwent npPCNL for the management of large upper ureteral calculi.The median age and stone size of treated patients were 58(interquartile range[IQR]:51-69)years and 19.3(IQR:18.0-22.0)mm,respectively.The median operative time and stone extraction time were 25(IQR:21-29)min and 8(IQR:7-10)min,respectively.One case(2.7%)of postoperative bleeding and two cases(5.4%)of prolonged fever were managed conservatively.The stone-free rate at a 1-month follow-up was 94.6%.Conclusion:The npPCNL provides a straight route to the ureteropelvic junction and proximal ureter.Approaching from a dilated portion of the ureter under low irrigation pressure with larger diameter instruments results in effective and safe stone extraction within a few minutes.

Management of Spinal Schwannomas in Gabriel TouréHospital: Review of 11 Cases

Background: Spinal schwannomas are common tumors of spinal neoplasm and account for about 25% of intradural spinal cord tumors in adults. They are generally benign and slow-growing. Advanced in radiologic and surgical techniques have brought about better surgical results. The goal of surgical treatment must be total resection if possible. In this report, the authors present the incidence, clinical presentation, localization, and results of surgically treated spinal schwannomas. The results of a literature review are also presented. Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with histologically confirmed spinal schwannomas were treated from January 2013 to December 2016 in the neurosurgical department of Gabriel Touré Hospital, Bamako, Mali. Neuroradiological diagnosis was made, CT scan in 7 patients, and MRI in 4 patients. All patients were operated on via the posterior approach. All cases were surgically excised, and they were confirmed to be schwannomas by pathologists. The patients were followed for 6 to 38 months (mean 28 months). Functional outcome was assessed using the motor grade and sensory change. Results: There were 11 patients with 7 (63.6%) males and 4 (36.4%) females. The mean age was 40.3 years (range 23 - 62 years). The most common symptom at the time of diagnosis was radicular pain in 9 (81.8%) patients followed by motor weakness in 8 (72.7%) patients. The most frequent site of spinal schwannomas was the thoracic region in 5 (45.5%) patients. During surgery, Gross-total resec-tion was achieved in 8 patients (72.7%) and subtotal removal in 3 (27.3%) patients. Histological findings were benign schwannoma in all cases. Postoperative complications developed in two patients, including one with cerebrospinal fluid leakage and other one with wound infection. In the short-term follow-up period, most of the patients (90.9%) appeared to be improved in comparison with their preoperative neurological status. There was no operative mortality. Conclusion: In this study, the clinical manifestations and surgical results of 11 cases of spinal schwannoma have been reviewed. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for good outcome.

Anesthetic Activities of Scheduled Surgery at CHU Gabriel Touré

Concept: We opted for this study because the hospital unit Gabriel Touré was renovated with 7 surgical specialties. Our study was the very last study before the advent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19). Goal: Evaluate the anesthetic activities of the planned surgery at the University Hospital Center CHU Gabriel Touré. Method and Material: This was a descriptive prospective study carried out in the cold operating theater of the CHU Gabriel Touré from January to December 2018. It focused on all patients operated on for regulated surgery and who had benefited from anesthesia. Our data was entered and analyzed on SPSS 25 software. Word processing performed on Microsoft WORD® 2016 and graphics on Microsoft EXCEL® 2016. Results: During the study period 1700 patients were operated on in the operating room for scheduled surgery. The age range of 0 to 5 years accounted for (14.8%). The average age was 6.64 years;male predominance (52.6%) of operated patients with a sex ratio of 1.1. A history of general anesthesia was found in 62.1%. The classification of the American Anesthesia Society (ASA) ASA1 class represented 92.7%. Tonsillitis was the most common operative diagnosis (9.5%). Hernia cures and eventrations were the most common surgical technique (11.8%). General anesthesia was achieved in 65.3% of patients. Hypotension was the most common adverse event in the operating room, 44.5%. The intraoperative mortality was 0.11%. Conclusion: Our study covered the entire population anesthetized. It provided an update on the practice of anesthesia in the intensive care unit anesthesia. General anesthesia was the most used technique;a predominance of cardiovascular adverse events, occurring more often in induction and mainly favorable outcome with mortality intraoperative 0.11%. A growing presence of MAR and DES who had performed more than 30% of anesthesia.

Surgical Repair of Encephaloceles in Gabriel TouréHospital: Review of 17 Cases

Background: Encephaloceles are congenital neural tube defects characterized by the protrusion of meninges and/or brain tissue from a defect in the skull. The incidence of the disease is about 0.8 - 5.6/10,000 live births. They are classified based on the location and type of skull defect as occipital encephalocele, encephalocele of the cranial vault, frontoethmoidal encephalocele, and basal encephaloceles. Surgical reduction being the first line treatment and resection of herniated structures may be necessary when the encephalocele is large. In the present study, the authors present their experience in treating 17 patients with encephaloceles. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 17 patients from January 2013 to December 2016 in Gabriel Touré Hospital, Bamako, Mali. A history was obtained from the family at presentation. Medical information before and during the pregnancy was compiled. All patients underwent CT scan as a routine preoperative imaging study, to evaluate the encephalocele and to plan the surgical procedure. The following data were recorded for analysis: age, sex, location of encephalocele, neurological status, operative method, postoperative complications and surgical results. Results: There were 10 (58.8%) female and 7 (41.2%) male patients. The patients ranged in age from 3 days to 36 months. The most common site of encephalocele sac was the occipital region in 14 (82.4%) cases followed by the frontal region in 2 (11.8%) cases and the vertex in 1 (5.9%) case. The sac size was less than 3 cm in 5 (17.6%) cases, 3 - 5 cm in 8 (47.1%) cases and more than 5 cm in 4 (23.5%) cases. Three (17.6%) children presented with CSF leakage. Hydrocephalus was present in the preoperative period in 6 (35.3%) cases;all of them required VP shunt procedure. None of the cases had a preoperative neurologic deficit. Surgical excision was performed in all cases. In the postoperative period, meningitis developed in 2 cases (11.8%), wound infection in 1 case (5.9%) and seizure in 1 case (5.9%). Three patients (17.6%) died during postoperative follow-up. Postoperative hydrocephalus occurred in 1 (5.88%) patient requiring a VP shunt. Conclusion: Encephaloceles are commonly seen in the practice of neurosurgery in the world as well as in Mali. In this study, the clinical manifestations and surgical results of 17 cases have been reviewed. We recommend early repair and excision of encephaloceles to avoid rupture or skin excoriation.

Giant Intracranial Arachnoid Cyst Causing Acute Neurologic Symptoms

Intracranial arachnoid cysts (IAC) are benign lesions containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most of them are clinically silent and remain static in size. However some may present with mild and slow progressive symptoms caused by the cyst. The authors present the case of 54-year-old woman who presented with acute symptoms of severe headache, vomiting, and gait disturbance of 2 day’s duration. She had no history of head trauma. On admission, neurological examination revealed that the patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, and a left side hemiplegia. A CT scan revealed a hypodense fluid collection in the right frontoparietal region that mimicked an arachnoid cyst. The symptoms were improved after an emergency marsupialisation via craniotomy.