Background. Sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients expel infectious viable bacilli for a period following the commencement of treatment. Objective. To determine the time to sputum smear conversion and study the factors influencing it. Design. A prospective study was undertaken at our hospital in Rabat over a six-month period on a cohort of 119 sputum smear positive patients. Patients were followed up fortnightly. At each followup, specimens were collected and processed for microscopy using standard protocol. Results. 96.6% of our patients completed the study (4 deaths). Sputum conversion rate was 42% after two weeks, 73% after one month, and 95% after two months. Univariate and stepwise regression analysis showed that patients who had high smear grading, miliary, and bilateral radiologic lesions were more likely to undergo delayed sputum conversion ( < 0.05). Other factors were thought to influence sputum conversion but were not statistically proven in our study. Conclusion. Since viable bacilli continue to be expelled for up to two months, infection control measures should be maintained for such a time. Patients with high smear grading, miliary, and bilateral radiologic lesions need to be monitored more closely.

ObjectiveScarf pin inhalation is becoming a frequent accident among young Moroccan woman who wears islamic veil. The aim of the study is to highlight indications, principles and challenges of surgical removal of that particular foreign body.MethodsTwenty-eight patients were hospitalized in Thoracic Surgery department of Ibn Sina Hospital at Rabat between January 2008 and June 2013 for surgical removal of a pin scarf after unsuccessful endoscopy.ResultsMean age was 20 years. Inhalation was accidental in all cases. Average interval between inhalation and surgery was 10 days. Penetration syndrome was found in 82% of patients. Pin was located at the left tracheo-bronchial tree in 53.5% of cases and at the right one in 46.4%. All were operated by thoracotomy. Surgery was conservative in all cases, and postoperative course was uneventful.ConclusionIn case of failure endoscopic treatment, surgery remains the only alternative. It must be as conservative as possible. Short interval between inhalation accident and surgery prevents parenchymal resection.

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Background: Breast tuberculosis is an uncommon disease even in countries where the incidence of tuberculosis is high. Case Report: This is a case series concerning 4 postmenopausal breast tuberculosis cases encountered in Moulay Youssef Hospital between January 2007 and December 2010. Breast tuberculosis represents 0.25% of all hospitalized tuberculosis patients in our department. The mean age of our patients was 62.5 ± 5.8 years. Clinical findings were heterogeneous; 1 case was multifocal tuberculosis, and another case was coexistent tuberculosis and malignancy of the breast. Mammography and ultrasonography findings were suspicious for malignancy in all 4 cases. Fine needle aspiration was negative in 3 cases. The diagnosis was made in all patients by histological examination of biopsy specimens, which revealed typical tuberculous lesions. Antituberculosis therapy formed the mainstay of treatment. Conclusion: The clinical and radiological features of mammary tuberculosis can be very confusing and easily mistaken for breast cancer. Symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis warrant a biopsy to exclude possible cancer.

Introduction: Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) has never been characterised among healthy Moroccan school children.