A Lightweight Convolutional Neural Network with Hierarchical Multi-Scale Feature Fusion for Image Classification

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are widely used in image classification tasks, but their increasing model size and computation make them challenging to implement on embedded systems with constrained hardware resources. To address this issue, the MobileNetV1 network was developed, which employs depthwise convolution to reduce network complexity. MobileNetV1 employs a stride of 2 in several convolutional layers to decrease the spatial resolution of feature maps, thereby lowering computational costs. However, this stride setting can lead to a loss of spatial information, particularly affecting the detection and representation of smaller objects or finer details in images. To maintain the trade-off between complexity and model performance, a lightweight convolutional neural network with hierarchical multi-scale feature fusion based on the MobileNetV1 network is proposed. The network consists of two main subnetworks. The first subnetwork uses a depthwise dilated separable convolution (DDSC) layer to learn imaging features with fewer parameters, which results in a lightweight and computationally inexpensive network. Furthermore, depthwise dilated convolution in DDSC layer effectively expands the field of view of filters, allowing them to incorporate a larger context. The second subnetwork is a hierarchical multi-scale feature fusion (HMFF) module that uses parallel multi-resolution branches architecture to process the input feature map in order to extract the multi-scale feature information of the input image. Experimental results on the CIFAR-10, Malaria, and KvasirV1 datasets demonstrate that the proposed method is efficient, reducing the network parameters and computational cost by 65.02% and 39.78%, respectively, while maintaining the network performance compared to the MobileNetV1 baseline.

Basedowian Orbitopathy Without Thyreotoxicosis : A Case Report from Sikasso Hospital

Basedowian orbitopathy is an autoimmune disease representing the most frequent extra-thyroidal manifestation. Its pathophysiology is imperfectly elucidated and is the result of cross-reactivity between thyroid antigens and orbital tissue. It is most frequently seen in the context of hyperthyroidism (basedow’s disease or Graves’ disease), sometimes hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), or euthyroidism. Diagnosis is often straightforward, but management remains difficult. The introduction of simple medical treatment exposes the patient to the risk of recurrence. In Sikasso, there have been few studies of Graves’ disease. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary features of Graves’ disease in Sikasso Hospital. The patient was a 35-year-old woman with no previous history of Graves’ disease and no history of alcohol or tobacco intoxication, consulting for bilateral exophthalmos with moderate pain for 1 year. Endocrine tests were normal (euthyroidism), as was orbital-cerebral MRI, which revealed stage II exophthalmos with no sellar or supra-saltar abnormalities. The main complication was exposure to keratitis. Our patient was treated with corticosteroids. The evolution was favorable under treatment, with no recurrence after one year’s follow-up. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, but this should not obscure the diagnosis of euthyroidism, as demonstrated in this case report. Exophthalmos remains the main ophthalmological clinical manifestation.

Basedowian Orbitopathy Without Thyreotoxicosis : A Case Report from Sikasso Hospital

Basedowian orbitopathy is an autoimmune disease representing the most frequent extra-thyroidal manifestation. Its pathophysiology is imperfectly elucidated and is the result of cross-reactivity between thyroid antigens and orbital tissue. It is most frequently seen in the context of hyperthyroidism (basedow’s disease or Graves’ disease), sometimes hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), or euthyroidism. Diagnosis is often straightforward, but management remains difficult. The introduction of simple medical treatment exposes the patient to the risk of recurrence. In Sikasso, there have been few studies of Graves’ disease. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary features of Graves’ disease in Sikasso Hospital. The patient was a 35-year-old woman with no previous history of Graves’ disease and no history of alcohol or tobacco intoxication, consulting for bilateral exophthalmos with moderate pain for 1 year. Endocrine tests were normal (euthyroidism), as was orbital-cerebral MRI, which revealed stage II exophthalmos with no sellar or supra-saltar abnormalities. The main complication was exposure to keratitis. Our patient was treated with corticosteroids. The evolution was favorable under treatment, with no recurrence after one year’s follow-up. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, but this should not obscure the diagnosis of euthyroidism, as demonstrated in this case report. Exophthalmos remains the main ophthalmological clinical manifestation.

Meningioma of the Optical Nerves in a Case at the Hospitalier Center of Saint Denis in Ile de France

Summary: Optic nerve tumors are rare tumors, representing 3% - 5% of intracranial tumors developing mainly along the optic nerve and/or the chiasm. Optic nerve meningiomas are histologically benign tumors whose severity is linked to diagnostic and especially therapeutic difficulties. The Optic nerve meningioma is the second leading cause of optic nerve tumor after glioma. Observation: We report the case of a 49-year-old woman from South Asia, who consults an ophthalmology department for progressive visual loss in her right eye for about a year with her glasses and would like to renew her optical correction. Having no particular medical history apart from left unilateral blindness is known for approximately 15 years. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IRM) cerebral found a tissue mass with a clear outline and polylobules on the left temporo-peduncular. Through this case, we describe the circumstances of discovery of the disease, the clinical characteristics, as well as our diagnostic approach. Conclusion: In the majority of cases, these are benign tumours, the circumstances of which are discovered in multiple ways. A mostly unilateral and non-improvable loss of visual acuity must attract our attention. Renewing glasses may be the reason for discovering the disease. Today Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IRM) remains an important and capital examination for the diagnosis and monitoring of this pathology.

Corneal Blindness Caused by Accidental Ocular Use of Chlorhexidine (Hexz) Gel in Two Newborn Born in the Health District of Kati in Mali

Introduction: Corneal opacities in children are relatively common. In children, it is urgent because of the risk of irreversible amblyopia. The causes of these blindnesses vary considerably according to the regions of the world. Chlorhexidine digluconate is a broad-spectrum antiseptic directed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It has been used as an antiseptic for more than 50 years, both in humans and in animals. However, despite these benefits, it can cause serious damage if applied to the eyes. Incidents of eye damage with 7.1% chlorhexidine have been reported to WHO across Africa. Observation: We report and write two cases of bilateral corneal blindness caused by accidental ocular use of chlorhexidine (HEXZ) GEL 7.1% in two newborns in the health district of Kati in MALI. The ophthalmological examination had revealed corneal opacity, conjunctival hyperaemia and limbic ischemia greater than 50% in 1 eye out of 4, corresponding to stage IV of the ROPPER HALL classification;2 eyes out of 4 were at stage III and 1 eye out of 4 was at stage I of the same classification. Conclusion: It is essential to ensure correct use of chlorhexidine digluconate gel 7%. It is an antiseptic which should not be used on the ocular and auditory mucous membranes, at the risk of most often permanent burns.

Contribution of Cardiac MRI in the Diagnosis of Acute Myocarditis

Objective: To describe the MRI abnormalities observed in acute myocarditis. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim, carried out at the North Franche-Comte Hospital, over a period of 12 months, from January 2021 to December 2021. It covered all patients who received an MRI of heart disease and were diagnosed with myocarditis. The diagnosis of myocarditis was retained in all patients on the basis of two arguments: a T2 PSIR hyper signal and a late enhancement at 15 min in T1 PSIR with gadolinium. Results: Myocarditis was diagnosed in 20 patients out of a total of 214 who performed cardiac MRI, i.e. 10.30% of cases. The average age was 33.7 ± 14.3 with extremes of 17 and 69 years. We observed a male predominance with 11 men (55%) for 9 women (45%) or a sex ratio of 1.2. Clinical suspicion of myocarditis and acute coronary syndrome were the main indications for MRI. The lesion sites were subepicardial (95%) and/or intramural (30%), respecting the subendocardium, interesting for the majority, segments 12 (anterolateral) in 50% and/or 11 (inferolateral) in 43% of cases. Global hypokinesia was observed in 30% of patients associated with a decrease in LVEF. There was no cardiac volume abnormality or valvular abnormality. Conclusion: Cardiac MRI is nowadays the most efficient non-invasive imaging in the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. The diagnosis of myocarditis was made on 2 pathognomonic signs, namely a T2 STIR hyper signal and late enhancement at 15 min in T1 PSIR after injection of gadolinium. The morphology and lesion locations were in agreement with those described in previous studies. Global hypokinesia and pericardial effusion were observed in some patients. On the other hand, there was neither valvular anomaly, nor cardiac volume anomaly.

Bilateral Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CRSC) in Pregnancy Complicated with Retroplacental Hematoma: About a Case

Introduction: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is associated with serous sensorineural retinal detachment in the macular region. The condition that affects the male gender more than their female counterpart results from focal leakage disturbance of retinal pigment epithelial cells and choroidal abnormalities. The corticosteroid is highlighted as one of the major factors that promote the occurrence of CSCR. Stress and pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, have also been reported by some authors. Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with pregnancy complicated by retroplacental hematoma is a rare event. Observation: We report the case of a pregnant woman at approximately 34 weeks of amenorrhea who presented a sudden and severe drop in visual acuity on a pregnancy complicated by retroplacental hematoma and delivered by cesarean section. The diagnosis was based on clinical arguments associated with photos of the retina made by the MII Ret Cam device (Made In India, Retinoscope Camera) highlighting the lifting of the macular region. Ophthalmological monitoring without medical or physical treatment was instituted. At two months of progression without treatment, bilateral visual acuity was 10/10. Conclusion: Central serous chorioretinopathy and pregnancy is not unusual;however, its bilateral and brutal form in a context of pregnancy complicated by retroplacental hematoma is rare. Despite this favorable evolution, monitoring remains necessary in order to prevent recurrences and complications.

Management of Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva in a Melanoderma Subject in a Secondary Ophtalmology Centre: About a Case

We report a case of a unilateral conjunctival neoformation in a 44-year-old female melanoderma subject. It was a conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (CSC). The risk factor was exposure to sunlight and dust. No HIV or HPV infection was found. The treatment consisted of simple removal of the tumour with a healthy margin of 3 to 4 mm. After a postoperative follow-up of 18 months, there was no recurrence. As CSC is the most common conjunctival malignancy and given the rate of recurrence with the possibility of associated local invasion, early diagnosis with long-term follow-up is necessary.

Staphylococcus xylosus Isolation of Conjunctival Secretions in an 8-Year-Old Child at Sikasso Hospital (Mali): About a Case

Staphylococcus xylosus is a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Staphylococcus. This genus currently includes several species and subspecies. We distinguish between 2 groups: the group of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), a larger group that includes more than forty species and subspecies. Among the CoNS, Staphylococcus xylosus occupies a special place because it is frequently isolated from meats, dairy products, and agricultural environments. It is commonly used in fermentation due to its primary role in the flavor and color development of fermented products. It is a commensal bacterium of the skin of small mammals and farm animals, where it constitutes the majority of flora. In this species, there are a large number of strains, including phenotypes and genotypes. Although S. xylosus is actually a recognized non-pathogenic species, a few strains can be potentially dangerous. They can thus be responsible for mastitis and dermatitis in cattle. With the multiplicity of breeding farms, the consumption of livestock products and the increasingly frequent contact of humans with animals a few rare cases of human opportunistic infections have also been reported in the literature. These include pyelonephritis, endocarditis, urinary, lymphatic, and lymph node infections, contamination of orthopedic materials and catheters. Thereby, we report the case of a lingering and chronic infection of the lacrimal tract by Staphylococcus xylosus in an 8-year-old child in the Ophthalmology Department of Sikasso hospital in Mali.

Socio-Economic Impacts of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in Rural Environment in Mali

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is an optic neuropathy that affects the patient’s quality of life. The present study aims to write the socio-economic factors influencing the management of glaucomatous patients in rural areas. This was a retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out from October 19 to 31, 2017 in a rural town. The variables studied were age, sex, occupation, level of knowledge about the disease and its treatment, average monthly income, accessibility of eye care service, health insurance membership, degree of severity of the disease. The frequency of POAG was 5.68%. The average age of the patients was 52 years old with extremes ranging from 25 to 73 years old;the female sex was the most represented with 19 cases out of 36 or 52.77%. 66.67% of our patients were at their first ophthalmological consultations. Health insurance coverage was 2.78%. The average monthly income was 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA in 58.33%. More than half of our glaucomatous patients, 63.89%, think they are affected by their disease. 80% of patients are unaware that they have eye disease. Many lost vision in one or both eyes and were unaware of the disease affecting their eyes. Accessibility to health services and their costs seem to be a factor, in addition to illiteracy.

Clinico-Pathological Profile of Malignant Abdominal Tumors in Children: Experience of the Pediatric Oncology Unit in Bamako

Introduction: the objective was to describe the epidemiological and histological aspects of malignant abdominal tumors in children. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. We included all patients aged 0 to 15 years with histologically confirmed abdominal malignancies. Results: We collected 46 files of malignant tumors of the abdomen (35% of pediatric cancers). The majority of patients were under 5 years old (65%). The sex ratio was 1.7. They were generally from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds (67%). The average consultation time was 50 days. The main reasons for consultation were abdominal mass (48%), pain (17%) or distension (9%). The mass was large, hard (89%), immobile (71%) and painful (46%). Malnutrition was found in 80% of patients. The mass was retro-peritoneal in 63% of cases and renal in 54%. It was solid in 94% of cases and heterogeneous in 76% of cases. The assay for tumor markers was not performed. Anemia was present in all patients. Fine needle aspiration was performed in 43%, biopsy in 37% and myelogram in 15% of cases. spinal cord involvement was observed in 28% of Burkitt’s cases. The main cancers diagnosed were nephroblastoma (52%), Burkitt’s lymphoma (26%) and neuroblastoma (13%). Stage 1 and stage 2 were frequent in 20% and 22% of cases, respectively;36% of cases were not staged. The average duration of chemotherapy was 11 weeks. Total resection was performed in 30% of cases. The outcome of the patients was marked by total remission in 65%. Conclusion: Abdominal malignancies are very common in children. The diagnosis of certainty is late in our context.

Meningeal Hemangiopericytoma: A Rare Intracranial Tumor—About a Case

Introduction: Hemangiopericytoma is a very rare vascular tumor, difficult to diagnose, often confused with a meningioma. Imaging is not very specific and the diagnostic certainty remains histological. Observation: We report a case of meningeal hemangiopericytoma in a 48-year-old patient with a history of active smoking and whose sister died of glioblastoma. He was brought to the emergency room for a fall, confusion, and tonic-clonic seizures. The diagnosis was suspected on imaging (CT and MRI, in front of a syndrome of right temporal intraventricular mass measured at 37 mm in diameter, centered on the choroid plexus, with perilesional vasogenic edema and posterior white commissure. There was homogeneous enhancement of the lesion after gadolinium injection. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical study, which showed diffuse expression of STAT6 and partial labeling for CD34, without significant expression of SSTR2. Expression of neurofilament protein was also found in the brain parenchyma. Conclusion: Hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor, characterized by its malignant potential, its high rate of recurrence and distant metastasis. The management is based on a total microsurgical resection followed by radiotherapy.

Hemostasis Hysterectomies in a Low Resources Country: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects

Background: The perilous path of the African woman’s pregnancy often ends in difficult situations putting her life in danger. One of the solutions to save her is often to “remove” her uterus, in a hemorrhage and emergency context. It is the hemostasis hysterectomy. It’s generally practiced in difficult conditions with complicated operative follow-ups. The tragedy is that finally the patient will die (almost 1 time out of 2 in our study). This is the sad reality of resource-limited countries. How many women will continue to die under these conditions? This study attempts to explore the different aspects of this reality. Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of hemostasis hysterectomies at the Teaching Hospital of Souro Sanou University Hospital in Burkina Faso. Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study conducted over 12 months from January 1 to December 31, 2015. Included in our study were all patients received in our department and who required a total or subtotal hysterectomy in the management of a severe postpartum hemorrhage, during the study period. Results: The frequency of hemostasis hysterectomies was 0.4% compared to all deliveries. The average age was 29.65 years old. The average parity was 4.3. Multiparas and large multiparas accounted for 65%. The main indications were uterine rupture (40%) and uterine inertia (60%). Hysterectomy was subtotal in 95% of cases. Maternal morbidity was dominated in 90% of cases by hemorrhagic shock, hemostatic disorders, and obstetrical fistulas. The prognosis was poor, with 8 deaths or 40% of cases. Conclusion: Better management of pregnancy and childbirth would reduce cases of hemostasis hysterectomies. The availability of blood products would improve the maternal prognosis.

Place of Otorhinolaryngological (ENT) Diseases in a 2<i>nd</i>Level Health Center: Case of the of Commune V (CSRéf CV) Reference Health Center of the District of Bamako

Objective: Provide the place of ENT diseases at the Reference Health Center of the Commune V of Bamako. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study using ENT medical assessment was carried out from January 2017 to December 2017 at the Reference Health Center of Commune V of Bamako’s District. Results: 1911 patients were included and that number represented 15.46% of all non-obstetrics medical consultations in the health center. The sex ratio was 0.83 for women (54.7%). The average age was 22 years old. Otologic diseases were 66.4% of the cases followed by nasal sinus cases (16.6%). Infectious and inflammatory diseases were 74.1% and were the main diagnosed diseases. The difficulties were mainly from technical platform. Conclusion: The diversity of these pathologies required a strong development or reinforcement of human and material resources capacities in of these structures for proximity care management.

Profile and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Acute Pyelonephritis in Children at Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital, Bamako

Background: Very common symptom in children, fever, perhaps a warning sign of more or less severe pathology, rapidly progressive, including an invasive bacterial infection such as acute pyelonephritis (APN). The aim of this work was to study the bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity of APN in children. Methods: A prospective study involving any infant or child aged 3 months to 15 years with an acute fever (≥38°C) in which a urine test strip was performed in the pediatric department of the teaching hospital Gabriel Toure between April 1st and May 15th, 2019 (45 days). Results: 124 children were included out of 244 febrile patients. Infants (3 - 23 months) predominated (52.8%) with a sex ratio of 2. Seventy-five percent of children came directly from home and 30.6% were on antibiotic prior to admission. The urine bag sample was taken in 55.6% and the urine was macroscopically cloudy in 32.3%. Stigmas of urinary tract infection at the urinary strip were present in 56.5%. Confirmation of acute pyelonephritis (APN) by CytoBacteriological Urine Examination (CBUE) was 29% with Escherichia coli (63.9%) or Enterococcus faecalis (30.5%). Sensitivity was excellent for ciprofloxacin and imipenem (100%). The overall resistance was greater for gentamicin, cotrimoxazole, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Threshold: 17.9% - 95.6%). APN was associated with bacteremia in 2.8% with hospitalization for 45.2% and mortality of 11.1% (due to severe acute malnutrition, severe dehydration and multifocal infection). Conclusion: The APN, daily activity of pediatrician in Bamako, is observed in one third of febrile children associated with a major life-threatening condition of risk factors, then the likely antibiotherapy could be amikacin in our context.