[Distal mesenteric arteritis: a rare complication of D. methylsergide treatment (author's transl)]. / Une artérite mésentérique distale. Complication rare du traitement par le D. méthylsergide.

A patient developed typical abdominal angina due to mesenteric arteritis secondary to D. methylsergide (Desernil) treatment. Multiple regular distal stenoses were revealed by arteriography, but these had completely disappeared 5 months after discontinuing treatment. Histology demonstrated fibrosis of the three tunicae with hyperelastosis. Six analogous cases due to D. methylsergide or ergotamine tartrate have been reported in the published literature, rapid regression occurring in all of them after interruption of treatment.

[Computed tomography diagnosis of anomalies of aortic arch of the adult (author's transl)]. / Le diagnostic tomodensitométrique des anomalies des arcs aortiques chez l'adulte.

Seven cases of anomalies of aortic arch investigated by computed tomography are described. The authors emphasized the interest of such an exam in the investigation of these anomalies. It is very interesting to know this pathology in sight to obviate some mistakes in the diagnostic of the tumors of the mediastinum. They describe three specific criterions of CT diagnosis of a right aberrant subclavian artery. The indications of computed tomography in the diagnostic and evaluation of the anomalies of aortic arch are discussed.

[Contribution of suprapubic ultrasound in prostatic hypertrophy]. / Apport de l'échographie par voie sus-pubienne dans les hypertrophies prostatiques.

After describing the technique, the authors recall the ultrasound anatomy of the prostate with the symmetrical echoes given by the seminal vesicles, the vas deferens and the ejaculatory ducts, which often allow a distinction to be made between the cranial and caudal portions of the prostate. Calculation of the volume (normally under 20 cm3) measures the enlargement (useful in determining the choice of approach), using the formula (Formula: see text) Ultrasound also often gives some idea of the nature of the lesion. The main distinction between an adenoma and a carcinoma is the fact that the adenoma is normally confined to the cranium. Carcinomas are generally asymmetrical, and their structure is non-echogenic, giving coarse echoes. Chronic prostatis, on the other hand, leads to the existence of symmetrical hyper-echogenic areas, sometimes calcified. The main contribution of suprapubic ultrasound is the information it provides concerning the repercussions on the urinary tract (residue, straining bladder, repercussions on the kidney). It can also be used to monitor developments.

Galectin-3 immunodetection in follicular thyroid neoplasms: a prospective study on fine-needle aspiration samples.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology, which is well established to be accurate for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, may be inconclusive for the follicular thyroid neoplasms. As galectin-3 was suggested to be a marker of malignant thyrocytes, we investigated whether this protein might be helpful in the diagnosis of aspirates classified as undeterminate by cytology. After establishing an easy processing of aspirates for galectin-3 immunodetection, a series of aspirates categorised as benign (n=63), malignant (n=17) or undeterminate (n=34) was prospectively analysed for galectin-3. Only the patients with malignant or undeterminate lesions underwent surgery. Most lesions (86%) diagnosed as malignant by cytology or after surgery were positive for galectin-3. The majority of lesions (94%) classified as benign by cytology or after surgery was negative for galectin-3. The positive and negative predictive values were 83 and 95%, respectively. When focusing on the undeterminate lesions, the sensitivity and specificity were 75 and 90%, respectively, while the positive and negative predictive values were 82 and 87%, respectively. The specificity and the positive predictive value were higher (100%) when considering the percentage of stained cells. Altogether these results show that galectin-3 constitutes a useful marker in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions classified as undeterminate by conventional cytology.

[Right varicocele: contribution of spermatic phlebography. Results on 250 cases]. / La varicocèle droite: apport de la phlébographie spermatique. Résultats sur 250 dossiers.

Full details of the technique employed for right testicular vein phlebography during investigation of male sterility are exposed, and the presence of a varicocele defined among 250 cases explored. Diagnosis of a varicocele is confirmed when there is reflux filling of the pampiniform plexus veins at the scrotal level, the lesion being considered absent when a continent valve prevents any descent of the contrast medium column. Successful catheterization of the right testicular vein was accomplished in 193 cases (66%) of the last 250 bilateral testicular vein phlebographs performed, enabling data concerning the radiological anatomy of this vein to be obtained. In 95%t of cases it emptied into the inferior vena cava and in the other 5% into the renal vein, between L1 and L3, while in 7% the vein emptied into both. Anastomoses are frequent: with the exorenal circle (15 to 18% of cases); the intercostal veins; the lumbar and perivertebral system; the inferior vena cava; the peri-ureteral veins; the testicular vein itself, and finally the portal system through a colic trunk emptying into the inferior mesenteric vein (29% of cases). The frequency and characteristics of right-sided varicocele in patients with male secretory infertility is discussed in relation to findings in these 250 cases. Bilateral phlebography in 187 patients showed normal appearances in 25 cases, bilateral varicoceles in 96, and unilateral varicoceles (including 27 on the right) in 66 cases. Unilateral phlebography in 55 patients revealed the presence of an isolated right-sided varicocele in 4 patients. The question is raised as to the need for phlebography in patients with clinically evident varicoceles, and inversely, the significance of a varicocele demonstrated only on radiology. Physiopathological studies could possibly determine the effect of a varicocele on testicular function. A suggested means of treatment is by embolization of the valvular incontinent venous system.

[Computed tomography of the heart: anatomical findings in normal subjects (author's transl)]. / Tomodensitométrie cardiaque. Anatomie normale.

Clear images of the chambers of the heart and the vessels can be obtained by rapid scanning with computed tomography, associated with rapid perfusion of a contrast medium. A study in 30 normal subjects demonstrated that it was possible to identify and localize the heart chambers and the large vessels in different planes, and to obtain precise measurements of the various diameters. These results could form the basis for etiological studies of the cardiopathies.

[Value of tomodensitometry in the diagnosis of lumbar disk hernias]. / Intérêt de la tomodensitomérie dans le diagnostic des hernies disclaes lombaires.

The authors relate their experiences concerning tomodensitometric examination to evaluate the herniation of a disk. 45 patients and 50 herniations of a disk have been studied. 39 herniations have sustained surgical procedures. The tomodensitometric examination and the radiculosaccography have been performed among these patients in order to compare the findings. The fact that there has only been 3 failures prove the reliability of tomodensitometric examination; among these failure there is 2 post-operative recurrences and one L4 L5 herniation. The radiculosaccography fails 5 times (1 L4 L5 herniation and 4 L5 S1 herniations). There is not any common negative in the two methods. Because of its total innocuity (no injection of any kind) the tomodensitometric examination seems to be the first exploration to prescribe when an herniation of a disk is resistant to clinical treatment and when a surgery is planned.