[Legionella pneumophila: unusual lung and hepatic manifestations]. / Legionella pneumophila: présentation thoracique inhabituelle et localisations hépatiques.

We report an uncommon presentation of Legionella pneumophila infection following a placentalblood transplantation in an immunodeficient child. The patient presented with lung nodules and liver abscesses. We discuss how a digestive contamination can be suspected.

[Is ultrasonographic evaluation the the length of the kidney possible in children? Apropos of a prospective study in Madagascar children less than 1 year of age]. / L'évaluation echographique de la taille des reins chez des enfants est-elle possible? A propos d'une étude prospective chez des enfants malgaches de moins de un an.

Renal US was prospectively performed in 124 madagascan children less than 1 year of age. Patients were examined in the prone position and maximum kidney length was measured in the longitudinal plane. These measurements and the height and weight of our patient population were compared to published tables. Kidney length and height and weight of our patient population were inferior to the previously published reference data and the growth curve of kidneys steeper than normative standards (p < 0.001). Because of the important variability in US measurement of kidney length it is not possible to definitely conclude that length and growth curve of kidneys in madagascan children are statistically different from those of the published normative standards.

Pulmonary anthracosis in children.

We report two cases of children with malignancies and subpleural nodules found on computed tomography (CT) scan. In both cases the diagnosis was anthracosis. This pathologic condition has never been reported in children. Causes of anthracosis include a smoking environment, living in urban areas and air pollution.

[Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection: unusual thoracic presentation and bone involvement]. / Infection à Mycoplasma pneumoniae: présentation thoracique inhabituelle et localisations osseuses.

We report an atypical presentation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection observed in a patient with primary hypogamma-globulinemia. Pulmonary miliary was combined with sternal and femoral osteomyelitis. These unusual CT findings could be explained by immunodeficiency with impaired antibody response.

MRI of intracranial chordomas. Extent of tumour and contrast enhancement: criteria for differential diagnosis.

We present six proven cases of chordoma of the clivus studied by CT and MRI, with special attention to the extent of the tumour and to the signal intensity after intravenous gadolinium. MRI is the best technique for assessing the extent of the tumour but CT is important for showing osteolysis. Our aim was to determine differential diagnostic neuroradiological criteria. Reliable signs of chordoma of the skull base are: posterior extension to the pontine cistern; a lobulated, "honeycomb" appearance after gadolinium: the swollen appearance of the bone in the early stages; bone erosion on CT and frequent extension to critical structures such as the circle of Willis, cavernous sinuses and brain stem.

[Temporo-sphenoidal giant cell tumors, apropos of a case]. / Tumeurs à cellules géantes temporo-sphénoïdales, à propos d'un cas.

The authors report an extremely rare case: a bony giant cell tumour in the temporo-sphenoidal region presenting with hearing loss and vertigo. The main characteristics of these tumours are given, together with a literature review. This is the 5th published case of this tumour in the temporo-sphenoidal region. The treatment of these tumours is essentially surgical, and the authors emphasise the use of Sekhar's approach.

[Chronic atrophic polychondritis. Clinical polymorphism and severity of respiratory lesions]. / Polychondrite chronique atrophiante. Polymorphisme clinique et gravité des localisations respiratoires.

The authors report the case of chronic destructive polychondritis (PCA) with extensive and predominant laryngo-tracheal involvement. The respiratory localisation of PCA is apparent in around 50% of cases. In a quarter of patients presenting with this type of localisation, the outcome is fatal. Tracheal disorders as the presenting feature is a rarity, as in the majority of cases it occurs either concomitantly or after the appearance of classic cartilagenous disease in the nose or ear. The diagnosis of the airways disease rests on the interpretation of the flow volume curve and the CT scan of the inspiration and expiration. Taking account of the absence of any correlation between the disturbed respiratory function and the laryngotracheal bronchial lesions, the authors stress the value of an endoscopic assessment with a fibroscope of reduced calibre. The narrowing of the laryngo-tracheal region is due to a thickening of the walls with oedema and inflammatory granulomas, and to collapse of the lumen caused by the destruction of cartilage and by fibrous scarring of the tracheal walls. Either general or local treatment is virtually non-existent and the prognosis of these extensive respiratory forms of the disease is very poor.