Evaluation in usual practice of the bevacizumab-FOLFIRI combination for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer treated in 2006: focus on resected patients and oncogeriatrics: AVASTIN OUEST cohort of the Observatory of Cancer of the Brittany and Pays de la Loire Areas (Observatoire dédié au Cancer Bretagne / Pays de la Loire).

BACKGROUND: In 2006, bevacizumab, a targeted therapy agent was combined with FOLFIRI for the firstline treatment of patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS/RESULTS: A study on a homogenous series of 111 patients from the Brittany and Pays de la Loire areas who received bevacizumab-FOLFIRI as first-line treatment in 2006 showed the following results: 51 responses, 29 stabilisations, 21 progressions and 10 cases of toxicity prior to assessment. Median overall survival (OS) was 25.1 months and median progression-free survival was 10.2 months. Surgery secondary to treatment tripled median OS which reached 59.2 months in resected patients versus 18.8 months in unresected patients. Comparison of patients aged more or less than 70 years showed no differences in terms of benefits or risks. CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab-FOLFIRI could be administered as part of a routine care protocol to elderly patients previously evaluated by a geriatric assessment and validated by a multidisciplinary staff.

En 2006, bevacizumab-FOLFIRI représente la thérapie ciblée administrable dès la première ligne chez les patients porteurs d'un cancer colorectal métastatique non opérable. Une série homogène de 111 patients colligés en région Bretagne et Pays de la Loire ayant reçu du bevacizumab- FOLFIRI en première ligne en 2006 révèle les résultats suivants: 51 réponses, 29 stabilités, 21 progressions et 10 toxicités avant évaluation. La médiane de survie globale (OS) est de 25,1 mois et la médiane de survie sans progression (PFS) de 10,2 mois. Dans le cas d'une chirurgie secondaire, l'OS médian triple de 18,8 mois chez les patients non réséqués versus 59,2 mois ceux réséqués. En comparant les sujets âgés de plus et de moins de 70 ans, aucune différence n'a été mise en évidence en termes de bénéfice ou de risque. Bevacizumab-FOLFIRI pourrait être administré en pratique courante chez les personnes âgées sous couvert d'une évaluation gériatrique et d'une approche multidisciplinaire.

Epidemiology of chronic hepatitis B infection in France: risk factors for significant fibrosis--results of a nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data concerning hepatitis B are scarce in France. AIM: To describe epidemiological, clinical, virological and histological features of HBsAg-positive patients followed at non-academic hospitals in France. METHODS: Clinical, biological, virological and histological data of all HBsAg-positive consecutive patients observed from April 1, 2001 to May 31, 2002 in participating centres were recorded prospectively. Multivariate analyses of factors associated with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were performed. RESULTS: Nearly 1166 HBsAg-positive patients were seen in the 58 centres: 671 males and 495 females from metropolitan France (32%) and from outside metropolitan France (68%); mean age 41 +/- 15 years. Twenty-nine percent of patients were probable HBsAg inactive carriers, while 50% had chronic hepatitis; 43% of these were HBeAg-positive and 57% HBeAg-negative. Liver biopsy had been performed in 558 (51%) patients; 205 (17.6%) patients had cirrhosis. By multivariate analysis, factors associated with significant fibrosis were: age >40 years (P < 0.05), HBeAg-negative status (P < 0.02) and histological activity (P < 0.0001). Factors associated with cirrhosis: age (P < 0.0001), platelet count <150 000/mm(3) (P < 0.0001) and viral co-infection (P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: HBV infection represents a significant workload for hepatogastroenterologists at non-academic hospitals in France.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. Evidence for follicular dendritic reticulum cell proliferation associated with clonal Epstein-Barr virus.

We describe an "inflammatory pseudotumor" of the liver that, which on detailed investigation, proved that the spindle-cell component of this lesion is derived from follicular dendritic reticulum cells (FDRC). This contention is supported by morphologic observations and by immunophenotype. The FDRC population contain Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is known that FDRC express the EBV receptor CD21. In this particular case, the FDRC contained clonal EBV genomes, EBV RNA (EBER) transcripts, and expressed EBV latent membrane protein (LMP1). DNA sequencing of PCR products showed three point mutations compared with the standard LMP1 sequence of the EBV strain B95-8. The findings in this case corroborate those of other investigators concerning the possible role of EBV in the development of some inflammatory pseudotumors, including the recent production of functionally active EBV-transformed FDRC-like cell lines. This association could prove instructive in delineating the histogenesis of these tumors and further assist in making prognostic and therapeutic decisions.

[Lesions of immature renal parenchyma in the region of an abnormal aortic polar artery during arterial hypertension in the young adult. anatomo-clinical example]. / Lésions du parenchyme rénal immature dans le territoire d'une artère polaire aortique anormale au cours de l'hypertension artérielle de l'adulte jeune. Exemple anatomo-clinique

A female patient of 22 with major hypertension was operated upon for a dyspalastic diaphragm stenosis of the right renal artery; she had otherwise a left lower polar aortic artery. The histological study was under-taken on four comparative biopsy specimens. In the aortic polar artery territory, the signs of atrophic dysgenesis were demonstrated: rarefaction and sclerosis of the glomeruli, sclerosing intretitial infiltration. They reproduce exactly the lesions of immature kidneys described by Marshall.

[Conditions of practice and results of colonoscopy in non-university hospitals. Results of a cross sectional, multicenter ANGH study (1)]. / Conditions de réalisation et résultats des coloscopies réalisées dans les hôpitaux non universitaires. Résultats d'une enquête transversale multicentrique de l'ANGH (1).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe the conditions of practice and results of colonoscopies performed in non university hospital endoscopy units. METHODS: A study was suggested to all members of the National Association of non university Hospital Gastroenterologists (ANGH). During one week a questionnaire was filled out by the gastroenterologists for each colonoscopy. RESULTS: Eighty six hospitals (229 gastroenterologists) took part in this study including 840 explorations. Ninety one percent of them were complete and the result was abnormal in 49%: cancers (3%), polyps > or =1 cm (8%), polyps < 1 cm (20%) and colitis (5%). Colonoscopies were ambulatory in half of the cases. Sedation was used in 95% of the patients, 80% by the anesthesist and 15% by the gastroenterologist (conscious sedation). The recommendations of the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care for ambulatory sedation were not totally respected (15% of patients left the endoscopy unit without assistance). Only 6% of colonoscopies were not well tolerated, because of pain or incidents rarely necessitating intensive care monitoring (5 cases) or prolonged hospitalization (2 cases). CONCLUSION: Colonoscopy provides good diagnostic yield although conditions of use can be improved.

[Patient opinions after colonoscopy. Results of a cross sectional, multicenter ANGH study (2)]. / Opinion des malades après coloscopie. Résultats d'une enquêtetransversale multicentrique de l'ANGH (2).

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate patient opinions following colonoscopy and to analyze the role of conditions of practice on patients' opinions. METHODS: A study was suggested to all members of the ANGH. During one week of practice, a questionnaire was filled out by the gastroenterologist and a second one by the patient, alone, one day after colonoscopy. RESULTS: Eighty six hospitals (229 gastroenterologists) took part in the study which included 815 patients; 752 of them (92%) filled out the satisfaction questionnaire. Five hundred and eighty four patients (78%) would accept a new endoscopy in the same conditions; 168 patients (22%) would accept if the conditions were different or would refuse a new endoscopy. The main factors associated with acceptance under the same conditions were: good tolerance (odds-ratio (OR): 5.08), old age (OR: 5), anesthesia (OR: 2.67) or conscious sedation (OR: 2.29), male gender (OR: 2.39) and ambulatory care (OR: 2). CONCLUSION: This study of clinical practice underscored the different factors associated with better acceptance of colonoscopy. Individual gastroenterologists could use these data to guide practice.

[Prognostic factors of success in renal transplantation]. / Facteurs pronostiques du succès de la transplantation rénale.

From January 1984 to January 1989, 139 kidneys were retrieved from 74 brain dead donors in our institution. The transplantation was performed either locally (79), or in an other French institution (40). The five year actuarial survival rate, for the 139 kidneys retrieved in Montpellier, was 65 percent. Many factors about the donor, the retrieval and the recipient, which may affect the graft survival, were entered in a Cox multivariate analysis. The minimal follow up duration was 18 months. The risk factors studied included: donor parameters (age, sex, cause of death, haemodynamic parameters and renal function); retrieval parameters (kidney alone or multiorgan harvesting, discoloration and renal perfusion quality); organ characteristics (multiple arteries and cold ischemia time); recipients parameters (age, sex, prior transplantation, local transplantation or not, and HLA matching). A first multivariate analysis included only pretransplant risk factors. The risk factors for graft loss, as identified by the Cox model, were in the order: donor's age (P = 0.03), arterial pressure (P = 0.01), prior transplantation of the recipient (P = 0.01) and kidney discoloration quality during the retrieval (P = 0.008). Early post transplant parameters were included within this Cox model (poor early renal function, need for dialysis, serum creatinine level at one week). The need for dialysis therefore was identified as the main predictive value (P = 0.002). The 4 other risk factors, selectioned in the first model, always remained significant.

[Trans-intestinal cutaneous ureterostomy]. / L'urétérostomie cutanée transintestinale.

On the basis of a personal series of 243 cases of transintestinal cutaneous ureterostomy, including 216 cases following total cystectomy, the authors initially review the technical factors determining success, stressing in particular the quality of the uretero-intestinal anastomoses and the careful formation of the parietal tract and the cutaneous stoma. They then analyse their results, defining successively the operative mortality attributable to the diversion (reduced by 2% once the technique has been mastered) the early non-fatal complications (14.8% of intestinal obstructions, only requiring re-operation in 4.5% of cases; 11% of urinary fistula, most of which resolved spontaneously; 8% of faecal fistulae, requiring re-operation in 2/3 of cases; 3.7% of ischaemic necroses of the cutaneous stoma) and finally the late complications affecting the uretero-intestinal anastomoses (17% of stenoses, mostly unilateral), the intestinal graft (0.8% of calculi on non-absorbable sutures: 5.3% of stenoses of the cutaneous stoma; 6% of mucosal prolapses) and the equipment, which has made enormous progress in recent years. Renal function is only preserved when renal failure was not present pre-operatively. The authors conclude on the unquestionable value of transintestinal cutaneous ureterostomy as a high urinary diversion procedure, while recognising that it does not constitute either the ideal solution nor the exclusive solution, particularly after total cystectomy.

[Adenocarcinoma of the kidney with invasion of the inferior vena cava. Apropos of 32 cases]. / L'adénocarcinome du rein avec envahissement de la veine cave inférieure. A propos de trente-deux observations.

The authors present 32 cases of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava involvement. Three sub-groups of patients can be distinguished on the basis of the level of this involvement: A (24 patients) with infra-hepatic involvement, B (6 patients) with retro-hepatic involvement and C (2 patients) with supra-hepatic involvement. The surgical tactics and results are analysed for each of these 3 sub-groups. The prognosis is relatively good in sub-group A, but is increasingly less favourable in groups B and C.

[Abdominal injuries in children. Diagnosis and treatment of renal lesions. Apropos of 26 cases]. / Contusions abdominales de l'enfant. Diagnostic et traitement des lésions rénales. A propos de 26 cas.

During the past ten years, we have treated 26 children with closed renal injuries. Hematuria appeared in 19 cases, but was not detected in 7 other cases, 6 of which corresponded to severe, especially pedicular, lesions. The diagnostic means for the lesion included IVP in 24 cases, ultrasonography in 23, angiography in 8 and computed tomography in 7. The treatment was medical for 18 children and surgical for 8. Observation revealed 4 cases of renal atrophy, including 1 of general atrophy without residual arterial hypertension. On the basis of this series and of a review of the literature, we study the evolution of the diagnosis and treatment of this condition with the development of new medical imaging techniques, especially of CT.

[Endo-urologic treatment of ureteral fistulas occurring after pelvic surgery for carcinoma: report of 5 cases]. / Traitement endo-urologique des fistules urétérales survenant après chirurgie carcinologique pelvienne: à propos de 5 cas.

The authors report 5 cases of ureteric fistula after radical pelvic cancer surgery. Three patients had a recurrent tumour and 3 had received radiotherapy. Endourological methods achieved 4 immediately satisfactory results, but only one complete long-term success. Isolated percutaneous drainage of the pyelocaliceal cavities effectively dried up the urine leak, but carried a high risk of secondary stenosis of the excretory tract in the absence of concomitant intubation of the fistula zone. However, endourological treatment, combined with urinary diversion and catheterisation of the pathological ureter, represented a reliable alternative to conventional surgery.

[Long-term results of Burch's cervico-cystopexy. Apropos of 40 cases]. / Résultats à long terme de la cervico-cystopexie de Burch. A propos de 40 observations.

Forty patients with stress urinary incontinence, treated between April 1982 and June 1988 according to Burch's technique, were reviewed. 24 (60%) successes, 8 (20%) major improvements and 8 (20%) failures were recorded with a mean follow-up of 85 months. Compared to the early postoperative findings, a marked deterioration in urinary continence was observed in 4 cases (10%). These results are in contrast with earlier papers reporting remarkable stability of the therapeutic performance of this type of cervicocystopexy. Although too brief to allow reliable statistical analysis, this series simply draws attention to the hypothetical long-term efficacy of Burch's operation.

[Piezo-electric extracorporeal lithotripsy of non-coralliform kidney calculi with a maximal measurement of greater than or equal to 25 mm. Apropos of 25 cases]. / Lithotripsie extra-corporelle piézo-électrique des calculs rénaux non coralliformes de mensuration maximale supérieure ou égale à 25 mm. A propos de 25 observations.

From June 1991 to April 1993, 25 non-staghorn renal stones with a maximal diameter greater than or equal to 25 mm were treated by piezoelectric extracorporeal lithotripsy (EDAP LT 01). The complete success rate was 56% after 1 (16%), 2 (12%), 3 (16%) or 4 sessions (12%). 14 double J ureteric stents were implanted (56% of cases) and 4 complications were observed (2 cases of acute pyelonephritis and 2 cases of ureteric silting). These results were inferior to those obtained with percutaneous surgery, but help to define the potential indications of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. This treatment modality can therefore be applied to large friable weddellite or even struvite stones, particularly when the anatomical conditions are unfavourable for percutaneous surgery.

[Urethral recurrence after cysto-prostatectomy for bladder tumor]. / Les récidives uréthrales après cysto-prostatectomie pour tumeur vésicale.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency, predictive parameters and prognosis of urethral recurrence after cystoprostatectomy for urothelial bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1989 to 1994, 8 of a series of 185 patients (4.3%) treated by cystoprostatectomy for bladder carcinoma between 1988 and 1993 developed urethral recurrence revealed by urethral bleeding, with a follow-up of 6 to 36 months (m = 16). RESULTS: The initial bladder tumour was localized in 3 cases and multifocal in 5 cases. The posterior urethra was not involved in 5 cases, but presented lesions of CIS in 1 case and neoplastic infiltration also involving the prostate in 2 cases. These recurrences were treated by urethrectomy, as first-line treatment in 7 cases and after failure of endoscopic treatment in 1 case. A balanic recurrence required distal penectomy following insufficient urethral resection. The course was very rapidly unfavourable for 3 patients with generalized cancer and an intercurrent disease was fatal in 1 other case. With a follow-up of 12 to 44 months (m = 26), 4 patients are alive with no obvious signs of disease progression. CONCLUSION: The indications for prophylactic urethrectomy can be reserved to patients with positive urethral resection margins, provided all other cases are submitted to strict surveillance. In the context of a replacement bladder, it is essential to exclude neoplastic involvement of the posterior urethra or prostate, especially in patients previously treated by intravesical instillations.

[Urologic manifestation of Waldenström's disease. Apropos of a case with pyelo-ureteral location]. / Manifestations urologiques de la maladie de Waldenström. A propos d'un cas de localisation pyélo-urétérale.

The authors report a case of Waldenström's disease in which the initial staging assessment reveals an isolated tumour of the left upper urinary tract. Combination chemotherapy (6 courses of protocol M2) induced a marked reduction in the monoclonal IgM peak and in the tumour mass. In the light of this atypical case, which emphasises the diversity of the potential sites of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia, the authors review its potential for progression and the various therapeutic modalities available.

[Piezoelectric extracorporeal lithotripsy in children: first results and reflections after 18 sessions]. / Lithotripsie extra-corporelle piézo-électrique chez l'enfant: premiers résultats et réflexions après 18 séances.

From 1988 to 1990, we treated 13 children between the ages of 2 and 15 years with stones of the upper urinary tract. These stones were treated by means of 18 sessions of piezoelectric extracorporeal lithotripsy: 14 under general anaesthesia and 4 without even any analgesia. We obtained an 84.5% success rate with no particular adverse effects. These results are similar to those reported for hydroelectric or electromagnetic shock wave lithotripsy, which are associated with a higher morbidity. The efficacy of extracorporeal lithotripsy in paediatrics is remarkable, but clinical studies in adults as well as animal experimentations have demonstrated severe renal contusion and do not formally exclude the possibility of delayed complications. At the present time, this technique should therefore be used very cautiously and must be accompanied by systematic prevention of recurrent stones.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava]. / Le léiomyosarcome de la veine cave inférieure.

The authors report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the infrarenal inferior vena cava presenting as an abdominal mass. CT and MR imaging and immunotyping led to the diagnosis of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma whose origin in the inferior vena cava was only confirmed by histological examination of the resection specimen. Surgical resection was followed by radiotherapy (4,500 rads) with a favourable course after 12 months. The progress in medical imaging and histology has considerably simplified the diagnosis of these rare retroperitoneal tumours. In the absence of any truly effective adjuvant therapy, treatment essentially consists of surgery and the clinical course is characterised by a high incidence of local recurrences.

[Ballistic (Lithoclast) and hydro-electric (Riwolith) endo-ureteral lithotripsy. Report of 60 cases]. / Lithotritie endo-urétérale balistique (Lithoclast) et hydro-électrique (Riwolith). A propos de 60 cas.

25 hydroelectric endoureteric lithotripsies (Group 1, Riwolith) and 35 ballistic endoureteric lithotripsies (Group 2, Lithoclast) were analysed. 60 stones were treated, including 18 pelvic stones (Group 1 : 10, Group 2 : 8), 39 iliolumbar stones (Group 1 : 14, Group 2 : 25), and 3 stones of the ureteropelvic junction (Group 1 : 1, Group 2 : 2). The mean maximal diameter was 9.9 mm (Group 1 : 8.2, Group 2 : 11). Complementary Dormia extraction was performed in 24 cases (Group 1 : 8, Group 2 : 16), 55 double J stents were implanted (Group 1 : 24, Group 2 : 31) and 23 immediate ECL sessions were performed (Group 1 : 8, Group 2 : 15). Overall, 57 good results were recorded, but 3 complete failures of fragmentation and 2 severe ureteric lesions were attributed to hydroelectric lithotripsy. The Lithoclast, much less traumatic, had a greater stone fragmentation potential, but its efficacy on very mobile stones is limited due to its more intense stone propulsion effect.

[The value of retrograde ureterorenoscopy in the treatment of bulky kidney calculi]. / Intérêt de l'urétérorénoscopie rétrograde dans le traitement des volumineuses lithiases rénales.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of retrograde endoscopic lithotripsy for very large pyelocaliceal stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients between the ages of 28 and 80 years (mean : 52) and presenting a staghorn renal calculus (n = 7) or with a maximal diameter greater than or equal to 20 mm (n = 11) were initially managed by rigid or flexible retrograde ureterorenoscopy, with ballistic (Lithoclast) or electrohydraulic (Riwolith) stone fragmentation. In 16 cases (89%), an additional extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) session was performed immediately after the endoscopic procedure. Early complications consisted of 3 cases of bacteraemic discharge rapîdly responding to medical treatment and 1 death from septic shock on the 8th postoperative day. Twelve patients (67%) were subsequently treated by ureteroscopy (n = 4) or ESWL (n = 11). RESULTS: 17 patients were evaluated after this therapeutic procedure, with a follow-up of 3 to 6 months (mean : 4). Stone elimination was complete for 8 patients (47%), 3 of whom initially presented a staghorn calculus. A residual stone was observed in 9 cases (53%), with a maximal diameter < 5 mm in 7 cases (41%). One patient (5%) underwent secondary percutaneous nephrolithotomy. CONCLUSION: Technological progress has clearly facilitated the ureteroscopic approach to very large pyelocaliceal stones, but fragmentation and stone elimination remain problematical. This unconventional approach constitutes a potential field of technical progress, but does not represent a really efficient alternative to PCNL at the present time.

[Fibroepithelial polyps of the ureter and the kidney pelvis. Report of 3 cases]. / Les polypes fibro-épithéliaux de l'uretère et du bassinet. A propos de 3 observations.

The authors report 3 cases of fibroepithelial polyps, one of which was an incidental finding and 2 were symptomatic, presenting in the form of macroscopic haematuria and chronic back pain, respectively. These lesions required 2 nephroureterectomies because of their renal repercussions or their multifocal nature, combined with segmental resection of the ureter, including the base of the tumour. In the light of these cases, the authors review the literature and analyse the current management of this rare disease, in particular the indications for endourological techniques which appear to have a major diagnostic contribution as a complement to IVU and retrograde urography, but whose therapeutic value has yet to be defined.