Intravertebral vacuum phenomenon in multiple myeloma.

Authors report one case of intravertebral vacuum phenomenon associated with a multiple myeloma. Initially, there occurred a collapse and a lysis of the L4 vertebral body. Two months later, after chemotherapy and cobalt-therapy, X-ray examination showed a vacuum cleft phenomenon within the body of L4 and a backward displacement of the L4 posterior wall. At the same time the patient complained of a cruralgia. Recovery occurred after decompression surgery. Histologic sampling of the L4 vertebral body revealed bone necrosis without any abnormal plasmocytosis. Authors draw attention to the neurological complications occurring in the course of the vertebral necrosis and to the fact that, even in case of multiple myeloma, the occurrence of a transverse vacuum cleft may result from osteonecrosis.

Primary biliary cirrhosis, temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) and polymyalgia rheumatica in a single patient.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), an autoimmune disorder, is well known to be in some cases associated with some other autoimmune disorders. We report a patient with PBC who presented giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) which are probably both autoimmune disorders.

[Rheumatoid polyarthritis and life events]. / Polyarthrite rhumatoïde et événements de la vie.

By applying the systematic and quantitative method of life events to 56 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the activity of which was assessed both clinically and by means of laboratory tests, the authors demonstrated a significantly higher value for the cumulative life event score over the three years prior to the examination (with or without weighting) in patients in an active phase of the disease compared with patients in remission. These results seem to support the concept that the accumulation of life events may increase the incidence of subsequent episodes of the disease and conversely. The non specific nature of the phenomenon seems to be demonstrated by the study of a control group of subjects hospitalised for disease other than rheumatoid arthritis.

[Sciatica caused by a posterior articular cyst. Apropos of 8 cases]. / Les sciatiques par kyste articulaire postérieur. A propos de 8 cas.

The authors report 8 cases of sciatica secondary to a posterior articular cyst. They emphasize the clinical manifestations permitting to suspect this etiology of root compression, which, until now, was rather unusual. Computerized axial tomography makes the diagnosis possible along with posterior arthrography. This arthrography represents the first stage of the medical treatment by posterior joint infiltration of a steroid derivative. In 60 p. cent of the cases, a definite and persisting improvement permits to avoid a surgical procedure.