Marie-Laure Oberweis(1), Laurent Houtekie(2), Jacques Louis(3)Published in the journal : November 2018Category : Neurology
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system mainly affecting children. In its classical form, it is characterized by the acute or subacute occurrence of multifocal neurological symptoms and encephalopathy secondary to an infection. Although most children have a good prognosis with slow but complete healing, we here describe the case of a 25-month-old girl with a severe form of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following a primary Epstein-Barr-Virus infection. Her case is particularly unusual, since it was characterized by a rapid and severe extension of the lesions that led to death.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is characterized by hypereosinophilia associated with subsequent damage of one or more target organs. HES has various causes, that can be divided into primary (clonal involvement of the myeloid lineage), secondary (polyclonal by interleukin-5 production), and idiopathic. Thanks to technological advances, particularly in genetics, six clinical-biological variants could be defined, thus leading to the emergence of targeted therapies. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used in myeloproliferative HES (M-HES), while other variants are treated in first line by corticosteroids. The development of new agents, such as IL-5 inhibitors (mepolizumab), has allowed sparing corticosteroids and thus avoiding their adverse effects, thereby improving the patients’ quality of life.
Elise Osterheld(1), Lutz Bindl(1), Wolfgang Boehm(1), Leon Bofferding(1), Jean Bottu(1), Christine Geron(1), Sandra Heck(1), Charlotte Pierron(1), Moritz Vogel(1), Linda De Meirleir(2), Geert Martens(2), Luc Regal(2), Emmanuel Scalais(1)Published in the journal : November 2018Category : Hematology/Oncology
Intracellular cobalamin (IC) and its two coenzymes, adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin, are necessary for the homeostasis of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine (Hcy). Defects of intracellular cobalamin metabolism are responsible for isolated methylmalonic aciduria (MMA), isolated increased Hcy, or both. MMA occurs when adenosylcobalamin, a cofactor of methylmalonic-CoA mutase, is low, thereby causing elevated MMA and decreased succinyl-CoA. A lack of methylcobalamin, a cofactor for methionine synthase, impairs the transformation of Hcy into methionine, thus leading to increased Hcy and low methionine levels.
Caroline Peeters (1), Marine Beeckman (1), Diane Declaye (1), Bertrand Richert (2), Pascal Joly (3), Dominique Tennstedt (1), Marie Baeck (1), Laurine Sacré (1)Published in the journal : November 2018Category : Dermatology
We report herein on the “PEAU’se dermatologique” meeting of the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc held on October 16, 2017, which was organized in honor of Doctor Bernard Leroy’s emeritus status. Two renowned professors presented topics from Dr. Leroy’s field of expertise. Professor Pascal Joly, head of the Dermatology department at the Hôpital Charles Nicolle, CHU Rouen, casted doubt on five well-established ideas in dermatology: i. efficacy of Dermovate® in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, ii. necessity to treat actinic keratosis, iii. necessity to treat genital intra-epithelial neoplasia, iiii. surgical treatment of Dubreuilh melanoma, and iiiii. usefulness of melanoma screening. Professor Bertrand Richert, head of the Dermatology department at the CHU Brugmann, presented cases of nail diseases.
Morgane Hancart(1), Danielle Rousseaux(2), Véronique Thiry(3), Jean-Paul Langhendries(4), Pierre Maton(4)Published in the journal : November 2018Category : Pediatrics
The screening of early-onset sepsis in asymptomatic neonates at risk of infection is challenging and remains controversial. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of standardized and optimized clinical surveillance in a targeted population of neonates at risk of infection, based on the updated Belgian recommendations.
To facilitate the supervision of clinical reasoning at the bedside, we propose five priority items to observe and discuss with students: their very first diagnostic hypotheses, their overall representation of the problem, their search for discriminating clinical findings, their justification for the decisions made, and their uncertainties. Two educational tools are suggested to facilitate the expression of clinical reasoning and to ensure its followup: SNAPPS and the educational prescription.
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) represent one of the greatest therapeutic innovations of the last decades. Their effectiveness and safety have been clearly demonstrated in a large number of indications. The main precautions for use have been identified. While initially limited to specialists, the prescription of DOACs is now part of the daily practice of many general practitioners. This article reviews, in a concise and practical way, some essential information about DOACs that are useful for any general practitioner.
Ségolène de Rouffignac(1), Nicolas Pierre(2), Kelly Tchomba Djuiko(3), Dominique Pestiaux(4)Published in the journal : October 2018Category : Société et pédagogie
A jeopardized healthcare system, a generation looking for sense in life and work, a growing gap between the population’s needs and health resources... Social accountability is a concept designed to stimulate reflection and action in favor of a health policy that is more coherent, effective, and equitable. Of course, while this responsibility is primarily in the realm of politicians and health managers, it also concerns universities, health professionals, and communities themselves. The scope of application of this accountability is broad: From ecology to health, it is essential to answer the current problems. By fostering dialogue and partnership among the different actors, the solutions should focus on unity for action rather than fragmentation, guided by values of quality, equity, relevance, and cost-effectiveness. Social accountability invites us to step out of our comfort zone by showing a capacity of reflection, adaptation, and action in order to meet the present society’s needs.
For many years, there has been a plentiful literature focused on the correct prescription of laboratory tests. Clinical biology indeed plays a major role in patient diagnosis and follow-up.
The check-up request, or health check, is common in adult patients seen in general practice. Although evidence of its usefulness in terms of morbidity and mortality is scarce or nonexistent, it is much more a question of satisfying the patient's request. Some authors recommend repeating regularly health check-ups, which are referred to as “periodic health examination of adults”. The health check-up procedure consists in a history-taking beginning with an openended question regarding the patient’s family and personal history, immunization status, as well as environmental and occupational risk factors, along with a clinical examination. In case of positivity, para-clinical examinations may be indicated in accordance with evidencebased medicine (EBM) data. Preventive measures may be proposed, also based on EBM data. These are available in the literature and on the Internet. The Electronic Preventive Services Selector (ePSS) is an easy-to-use Internet tool designed to help frontline practitioners and offered by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. For example, the screening, counseling, and preventive medications recommended and not recommended by the ePSS are presented for a 50-year-old man who is asymptomatic, non-smoker and sexually active. In conclusion, there is no standard health check-up; health check-up is much more a general practice consultation where the physician’s role is to be exhaustive in his anamnestic approach, his clinical examination and his knowledge of recommended preventive actions.