Emna Braham

Bio: Emna Braham is an academic researcher from Tunis University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Bronchoalveolar lavage & Mediastinum. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 76 publications receiving 227 citations.

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma with heterologous component: report of two cases with literature review

Abstract: Carcinosarcoma is an uncommon malignant biphasic tumor that accounts for less than 1% of all lung cancers. It is defined by coexisting histologic elements of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. We report two cases of carcinosarcoma in a 68-year-old patient and a 78-year-old patient explored for lung masses. Macroscopically, the resected tumors were 7 and 10 cm in diameter. Histologically, they consisted in adenosquamous carcinoma with osteosarcoma in one case and adenocarcinoma with chondrosarcoma in the other case.

Synovial sarcoma of the chest wall: a case report and literature review.

Abstract: Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft-tissue tumor that most commonly occurs in the extremities of young adults. Synovial sarcoma arising from the chest wall is rare and only some cases had been reported in the literature. We present a 57-year-old woman who presented with chest pain. Radiologic evaluation revealed a right parietal tumor destructing the mid-portion of the 8 th rib, with heterogeneous enhancement and invasion of the pectoral muscle and extra pleural fat. A surgical resection consisting in parietectomy was achieved. The histological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with synovial sarcoma. An adjuvant chemotherapy was prescribed but the patient was lost of view. She presented 6 months later with a recurrent huge parietal mass.

Le carcinome mucoépidermoïde du poumon

Abstract: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung is rare. The microscopic findings distinguish low grade and high grade tumors. Conservative surgical resection is appropriate if possible for low grade tumors. For the high grade tumors, combined wide surgical resection and radiotherapy is recommended. We report 10 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung (5 low grade, 5 high grade) in 8 male and 2 female patients with a mean age of 43.9 years. Only 5 of 10 were smokers. All 10 patients underwent surgery. Operative procedures included 8 lobectomies and 2 pneumonectomies. Two patients received radiation therapy postoperatively. Three patients (2 high grade and 1 low grade) died. The other 7 patients were alive without evidence of recurrence.

Malignant glomus tumor of trachea: a case report with literature review.

Abstract: Glomus tumors of the trachea are extremely rare and generally benign, with very few cases of malignant transformation reported in literature. We present the case of a 74-year-old man explored for cough and dyspnea. Bronchoscopy showed a polypoid mass arising from the posterolateral tracheal wall. Computed tomography demonstrated a mid-tracheal tissular mass obliterating the tracheal lumen. Resection and anastomosis of the trachea were performed. The histological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with malignant glomus tumor.

Combatting mucosal melanoma: recent advances and future perspectives.

Abstract: Mucosal melanomas are a rare subtype of melanoma and are associated with a particularly poor prognosis. Due to the rarity of the diagnosis, and the pace with which the management of cutaneous melanoma has evolved over recent years, there is little good evidence to guide management and evidence-based clinical guidelines are still in development in the UK. In this review we provide an overview of the management of mucosal melanoma, highlighting the critical differences between cutaneous and mucosal melanomas, before examining recent advances in the systemic treatment of this disease and likely future directions.

Francisella philomiragia Biofilm Formation and Interaction With the Aquatic Protist Acanthamoeba castellanii

Abstract: The bacterium Francisella philomiragia has been isolated from environmental samples originating from around the globe. F. philomiragia-related strains cause fran- cisellosis of both farmed and wild fish. In addition, occa- sional human infections caused by F. philomiragia are found in victims of near-drowning and patients with chronic granulomatous disease. We have shown that F. philomira- gia forms in vitro biofilms with increased formation at 25 °C over 37 °C conditions. We found that F. philomiragia can form a biofilm in a co-culture with live Acanthamoeba castellanii, an aquatic amoeba. Interestingly, amoeba-con- ditioned supernatant has an inhibitory effect on production of biofilm by F. philomiragia, whereas Francisella-condi- tioned supernatant has no effect on growth of amoebae. We have shown that F. philomiragia can infect A. castellanii after only 5 days of co-incubation and that it infects A. castellanii more quickly than the related species F. novicida does. Our studies point to a potentially overlooked interac- tion between F. philomiragia and Acanthamoeba. This re- lationship in the marine lifecycle of F. philomiragia may support the persistence of the bacterium in waterways and its ability to infect fish. An understanding of the persistence of this organism in aquatic systems through biofilm forma- tion and its interaction with Acanthamoeba will be impor- tant in developing prevention strategies for this pathogen.