Transmission and fluorescence X-ray absorption spectroscopy cell/flow reactor for powder samples under vacuum or in reactive atmospheres.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is an element-specific technique for probing the local atomic-scale environment around an absorber atom. It is widely used to investigate the structures of liquids and solids, being especially valuable for characterization of solid-supported catalysts. Reported cell designs are limited in capabilities-to fluorescence or transmission and to static or flowing atmospheres, or to vacuum. Our goal was to design a robust and widely applicable cell for catalyst characterizations under all these conditions-to allow tracking of changes during genesis and during operation, both under vacuum and in reactive atmospheres. Herein, we report the design of such a cell and a demonstration of its operation both with a sample under dynamic vacuum and in the presence of gases flowing at temperatures up to 300 °C, showing data obtained with both fluorescence and transmission detection. The cell allows more flexibility in catalyst characterization than any reported.

Structured Ni catalysts on porous anodic alumina membranes for methane dry reforming: NiAl2O4 formation and characterization.

This communication presents the successful design of a structured catalyst based on porous anodic alumina membranes for methane dry reforming. The catalyst with a strong Ni-NiAl2O4 interaction shows both excellent activity and stability.

[Trans-tympanic aeration in mastoiditis. Study of 42 cases (author's transl)]. / L'aérateur transtympanique dans les mastoïdites.

The authors review the diagnostic protocol of mastoiditis based upon 382 cases with 1.3% errors (histological confirmation). Up to the present time, mastoidectomy was the only treatment which could be envisaged. In a new series of 90 cases, 48 constituted the control group and 42 the study group, trans-tympanic drains were inserted routinely in the latter. It was thus possible to avoid mastoidectomy in 62% of cases in the study group (evaluation based upon the number of ears). The period of postoperative observation was on average 8 months. No complications related to the drain were seen. Up to the present time, there exist no precise criteria which may be used to decide between insertion of a drain or mastoidectomy from the outset. Insertion of a drain must thus be considered as a therapeutic test, justified by its harmlessness and simplicity.

[Spontaneous meningeal fistula of the middle ear detected during insertion of a trans-tympanic aerator (author's transl)]. / Fistule méningée spontanée de l'oreille moyenne découverte par la mise en place d'un aérateur trans-tympanique.

A remarkable case of spontaneous meningeal fistula of the middle ear is described, the lesion being detected during insertion of a trans-tympanic aerator in an 80-year-old woman. The totally exceptional nature of this case is emphasized, and the therapeutic problems that it gave rise to exposed. Instead of the suprapetrous approach, theoretically more logical, the less dangerous inferior approach was employed, with a subsequent successful result. Biochemical tests should be conducted in all cases of serous otitis, where there is secretion of an abundant amount of clear fluid of atypical appearance.

[Two further cases of rare laryngeal tumors. Lipoma and chemodectoma (author's transl)]. / Deux nouvelles tumeurs rares du larynx. Un lipome, un chémodectome.

The cases of laryngeal tumors requiring surgical excision are presented. The first case was that of patient with a laryngeal lipoma of atypical appearance, histological findings suggesting a hamartoma. The second patient had a chemodectoma, diagnosis being difficult but facilitated by super-selective arteriography, requiring delicate excision which was almost bloodless as a result of previous embolization. Clinical and pathological features of these tumors reviewed, and problems related to their treatment discussed. The authors have previously reported 4 other rare types of laryngeal tumor.

[Rare tumors of the septum. 8 reported cases (author's transl)]. / Tumeurs rares de la cloison: 8 cas rapportés.

The authors present 8 cases of rare tumors of the nasal septum and define a number of characteristic points on the basis of each of them. The following are presented: --a malignant nevus, the rarety of E.N.T. sites of such tumors is emphasized, as well as important role of immunotherapy in their treatment, alongside surgery and radio-therapy. --a keratoacanthoma, difficult in terms of differential diagnosis from a basal cell carcinoma. -- a cavernous hemangioma, excision of which must be wide if recurrence is to be avoided. --one very hemorrhagic mixed tumor. --one case of pseudo tumoral tuberculosis in a woman with no known past history of tuberculous disease. --one very painful glomus tumor, radical treatment of which is surgical, in preference to radiotherapy. --two cylindromas of the septum, one taking the form of a large, angiomatous polyp, which puts in question the name of cystic adenoid carcinoma, suggested for these non-cutaneous tumors.

[Midline congenital fistulas of the nose. Fourteen cases (author's transl)]. / Fistules congénitales médianes du nez. (à propos de quatorze observations).

The authors report 14 cases of midline congenital fistulas of the nose. Early diagnosis of the abnormality and its deep prolongations are necessary in order to avoid delayed presentation by infectious complications, which may be grave. Anteroposterior tomograms, in Gosserez view, in general provide precise information concerning the extent. In order to limit aesthetic problems, surgical treatment, without prejudice to total excision, should give preference to concealed transcolumellar incisions extended if necessary to the nostrils. This approach offers extensive manaeuvrability and makes it possible to perform a rhinoplasty if necessary.

[Voluminous neurinoma of 2d and 3d portion of the intrapetrosal facial nerve with subtympanal extension]. / Un volumineux neurinome des deuxième et troisième portions du nerf facial intra-pétreux avec extension sous-tympanale

A patient presented with a facial nerve neurinoma of unusual size and which gave particularly clear radiological images. The curious feature of this observation is that there was no pre-operative facial paralysis as happens in about 15 p. 100 of cases.

[Subacute and chronic mastoiditis in the elderly: report on 10 cases including 5 with a Bell's palsy complication (author's transl)]. / Oto-mastoïdites subaiguës et chroniques des sujets âgés. A propos de 10 cas, dont 5 compliqués de paralysie faciale.

Ten elderly patients with subacute or chronic mastoiditis, including 5 with a complication Bell's palsy, were treated. 1) mastoid infections in elderly patients can present the typical characteristics as seen in younger subjects, this being the case in 4 of the 10 cases. 2) The findings in the other 6 patients confirmed facts, that are known or suspected, relating to the sometimes extremely serious and rapidly progressive nature of the affection, due to almost total lack of defences of the organism in elderly patients, often also diabetic, where the causal germ was invariably pyocanic. 3) In 3 cases, after removal of large amounts of wax with great difficulty, there was the very rapid development of a true malignant otitis externa with a Bell's palsy, and extensive bone involvement extending well beyond the region of the tympanic cavity.

[Our postoperative care and surveillance in surgery of stable sequelae of chronic otitis]. / Nos soins et surveillance postopératoires dans la chirurgie des séquelles stabilisées d'otite chronique.

After a brief summary of the technique used for myringoplasty (enlarged endaural approach, large flattened aponeurotic graft applied to deep surface of tympano-meatal flap after a "request" for boring) emphasis is given to the need for strict surveillance and postoperative care by the surgeon. Immediate postoperative care starts in the operating room and involves a deep intra-meatal dressing (1 or 2 Popes oto-wicks placed on a thin film of silastic or simply surrounded by Gelfoam) and a superficial dressing. The dressing is renewed on the 3rd day with the patient in bed and involves only the superficial one. Secondary postoperative care extends to the 10th or 15th day and includes exeresis of the deep pope-Gelfoam assemblage under careful binocular microscope control followed by audiometric examination. Hospital stay is a mean of 5 days and medical treatment (antibiotics, vasodilators, corticoids) is given as required. Late postoperative care can be summarized as involving regular surveillance and the application of certain rules that cause little disturbance in the patients life. Various rare and even exceptional incidents, benign in the majority of cases, are reviewed.

[Rare benign tumors of the nasal fossae and sinuses of the face (benign schwannoma, fibromyxoma]. / Tumeurs bénignes rares des fosses nasales et des sinus de la face (schwannomes bénins, fibromyxome).

The authors report the observation of two cases of benign schwannomas, one in the nasal cavities, the other in the maxillary sinus and a case of odontogenous fibromyxoma of the ethmoïdo-maxillary sinus. After a study of the observations, a literature review determines the benign character of these tumours, the possibilities of recurring in case of incomplete operation, the importance of computerized tomography to precise their extension, the histological difficulty of the diagnosis and the importance of ultrastructural study to identify them. Taking the cases of schwannomas, we settle two forms A and B (ie) Antoni, because of the myxoïde degeneration which predominate in the second type. Concerning the fibromyxomas histochemicals and ultrastructural studies allow us to definite the character of "myxoblast" or "fibroblast", Cells. Treatment of these lesions is essentially surgical and a long term prognosis is favourable.

[Facial paralysis during progressive chronic otitis. Reflections apropos of 32 cases]. / Paralysies faciales au cours d'otites chroniques en évolution. Réflexions à propos de 32 cas.

The authors report their experience of 32 cases of facial paralysis occurring during progressive chronic otitis. Twenty were pre-operative. The conclusions which may be drawn are as follows: 1) It occurs in general in cases of severe chronic otitis with large destructive cholesteatomatous and osteitic lesions. 2) Surgery is often difficult, long full of unexpected findings and risks. 3) The development of facial paralysis in a case of progressive chronic otitis is an indication for immediate surgery, on the same basis as a fistula of the H.S.C.C., which is, in fact, oftan present in association. 4) The lesions encountered are much more extensive at the time of secondary (11) rather than at primary surgery (9). 5) The extent of the lesions (13 cases of fistula or laybrinthine destruction) and auditory impairment (16 cophoses or sub-cophoses) are such that tympanoplasty is useless. The authors report their long term results: 13 cases of complete recovery, 4 nil, 3 partial (2 as a result of a superficial cervical plexus graft). They raise the problem of the management when a markedly contused nerve is discovered: simple liberation with incision of its sheath or immediate graft? The other twelve were postoperative. Five were cases operated upon by the autor. There was 100% recovery in all cases, but one patient, in whom the nerve followed an atypical course, required decompression surgery. In the other seven, the autors performed 3 decompressions followed by an excellent result, apart from in one case in which the nerve was markedly contused. In 2 cases a superficial cervical plexus graft and a XII-VII anastomosis proved necessary.

[Exenteration: taboo of cholesteatomatous chronic otitis. Opinion based upon personal experience (author's transl)]. / L'évidement : tabou de l'otite chronique cholestéatomateuse. Notre opinion basée sur une expérience personnelle.

The authors recall that in cholesteatomatous chronic otitis exenteration should be performed only as a last resort. This accepted, to wish to present it as an opprobious operation responsible for all evils is excessive. In 288 cases of cholesteatomatous chronic otitis treated between 1971 and 1978 (out of 433 cases of progressive otitis) 241 were treated surgically by the technique involving destruction of the osseous meatus. Amongst these 241 exenterations, there were 106 (i. e. 40%) in which the indication was absolute since they involved ears which were either cophotic or had already undergone exenteration. Reviewing a recent study of the local appearance in 225 cases of exenteration including 198 for cholesteatoma, they find 84% of ears perfectly dried up and healing in the long term. With regard to the restoration of healing, this problem arose, later, in only 6% of cases.

[The contribution of standard views of the mastoids in the treatment of cholesteatoma (author's transl)]. / Apport des clichés standard des mastoïdes au traitement du cholestéatome.

The authors consider than standard films of the mastoid (bilateral Schüller, mastoid tips displaced) are essential in all cases of chronic cholesteatomous otitis since they frequently provide the surgeon with useful information concerning appropriate management. Their opinion is illustrated by very convincing cases. Furthermore, they form part of personal hypotheses concerning the course and the interpretation of certain aspects.

[The endaural approach and surgery of glomus jugulare tumors (5 cases)]. / Voies endaurales et chirurgie des tumeurs du glomus jugulaire (G.J.).

The endaural approach has its in excision surgery of certain forms of jugular glomus tumor. --In the pure, tympanic form, a minimal or extended endaural approach is perfectly suitable. -- In tympano-mastoid forms, without involvement or with minimal involvement of the jugular foramen, a prolonged endaural approach may be used for wider operations involving the whole middle ear and mastoid around a bony aqueduct or an exposed VII. --Nevertheless, in the presence of tympano-jugular or tympano-masto-jugular forms, with marked involvement of jugular foramen, the greatest caution is necessary. It would appear that the endaural route may still be suggested but only for certain tumors, with the express reserve that angiographic studies defining its site and extent are favourable. By virtue of more and more highly developed techniques of exploration (scanner with contrast, films in subtraction) which may be used for measurement and precise localization of the tumor, indications for the type of approach may now be defined with even more precision. --It should be noted that if there is the slightest doubt, the slightest reserve, or the slightest fear that an endaural approach might be inadequate to deal with the situation, it should be definitely avoided with preference for a cervico-retro-auricular or cervicopre and retro-auricular approach, or radiotherapy only, or even abstenstion from operation, with observation. It is only if such rules of good sense and caution are respected that minimal, extended, prolonged endaural approaches will retain a worthy place in the surgical treatment of jugular glomus tumors.

[Four rare tumors of the larynx: granular cell tumors, neuroma, pseudo-tumoral amyloidosis (author's transl)]. / Quatre tumeurs rares du larynx: Tumeurs à cellules granuleuses, schwannome, amylose pseudo-tumorale.

The authors report four rare, benign tumors of the larynx: two granular cell tumors; one large, benign neuroma, weighing 37 g; one pseudo-tumoral amyloidosis, the diagnostic histological criteria of which are defined.

[An impressively large trilobulate neuroma of the XIIth cranial nerve (author's transl)]. / Un neurinome trilobé du XII d'un volume impressionnant.

The authors present a case of a large neuroma of the hypoglossal nerve of unusual size and weight, the precise nature of which could be defined only after excision, since its cystic surface suggested a diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma. The following special features may be noted: The rarety of neuromas of the XIIth cranial nerve; the influence of the relations of the XIIth nerve with the posterior belly of the digastric and the myloid muscle on development of the neuroma; the false, cystic appearance which may lead to an erroneous diagnosis of tuberculosis, which in itself, would be a contra-indication to puncture for cytological examination of fluid; the tendency to hemorrhage at the time of excision; finally, the possible problems related to nerve section.

[Early diffuse hypertrophic osteitis recurrence. Unexpected and consternating development after a large évidement cavity. Apropos of 15 cases]. / La rechute ostéitique diffuse hypertrophique précoce (R.O.D.H.P.). Evolution inattendue et consternante après vaste cavité d'évidement. A propos de 15 cas.

The authors report 15 cases collected over a period of 13 years (1972 - 1984) of a particularly serious eventuality affecting certain evacuation cavities: Early recurrence of diffuse hypertrophic osteitis (E.R.D.H.O.). This is a rare complication, occurring in 1.5% of cases of chronic otitis. However, the fact of having operated upon 7 cases in 1984 alone, whilst during the previous 12 years, only 8 had been seen, raised the alarm. The classical pattern of this complication occurs in 3 stages, each involving surgical operation: at the outset, chronic otitis with cholesteatoma or osteitis, most often mixed, for which an "inadequate" surgical procedure is performed. then, after a variable period which may exceed 10 years, a very large evacuation cavity was created by the authors. finally, 3rd and final stage: within 6 months, this cavity filled progressively and, at operation, the authors discovered a cavity virtually completely filled with a "fantastic" "moist sugar" osteitis, requiring a new evacuation cavity, even larger than that created before. In all cases, a successful result was obtained within a varying period, sometimes accompanied by spectacular improvement in general condition. The most plausible etiopathogenic hypothesis advanced to attempt to explain this phenomenon is that of secondary infection by a varied microbial flora, including, on the one hand, aerobic organisms usually discovered in such cases (pseudomonas pyocyaneus, proteus mirabilis) and, secondly, this being of essential importance, "anaerobic" bacteria, the bacteriological diagnosis of which requires application of a strict protocol. The authors have taken three decisions following their bibliographic investigations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Osteomatous chronic otitis. 27 new cases. 2 new forms]. / Otites chroniques ostéomateuses (O.C.O.). 27 nouveaux cas. 2 nouvelles formes.

The authors report 27 new cases of osteomatous chronic otitis, with (15) or without (12) cholesteatomas, with perforated (13) or intact (14) drum, the latter sometimes having a very atypical appearance (2), frankly purulent or simply inflammatory. This results in a wide range of clinical appearances. There are two macroscopic forms: the diffuse attico-antral form and localized forms (drum - C.S.C.L.). The authors emphasize: the primordial interest of tomography (or CT scan), the keystone of their discovery, as well as the dangers of their surgical treatment. In addition to review of these known concepts, two forms have been identified: 1) Osteomatous attico-chain monoblock, where the ossicles of the ear are adherent in their entirety, either to the external attical wall or, much more rarely, to the medial attical wall. They describe 13 cases, the pattern of which is very different, according to whether the diagnosis is one of cholesteatomatous chronic otitis or not. In the absence of cholesteatoma (8 cases), the clinical picture is suggestive of otospongiosis or of chronic otitis with intact drum. The surgical procedure is related to these findings: 1 completion of myringoplasty, 7 piston-malleus. In cases of cholesteatomatous chronic otitis (5 cases), the picture is completely different, the cholesteatoma developing at leisure, behind the impenetrable osteomatous shield. Once again, the surgical procedure is modified: 4 vast evacuation cavities and one mastoatticotomy for giant cholesteatoma with intact drum. 2) Diffuse and "progressive" osteomatous stenosis of the walls of the E.A.M. The authors describe 6 cases occurring either during cholesteatomatous chronic otitis, or within a few weeks, simulating chronic otitis with intact drum.

[Changes in bone conduction in the surgery of chronic otitis and its sequelae (evaluation of 800 operations)]. / Etude des modifications de la conduction osseuse (CO) dans la chirurgie de l'otite chronique et de ses séquelles (bilan de 800 interventions).

The authors undertook a study of changes in bone conduction (BC) during 800 operations carried out over a 5 years period (1979-1984) for chronic otitis or sequelae of chronic otitis. After elimination of ears with deafness (47) and cases unsuitable for evaluation (39), they finally included 714 records in the study. Only comparison of free and post-operative BC was made and using 4 conversational frequencies, not taking into account a deviation of 5 DB for each of these 4 frequencies. The study involved 317 myringoplasties: In 271 (i.e. 85,5%) there was no change in BC. Amongst them, 37 patients nevertheless showed a transient fall in BC. Of particular importance is the fact that almost 1/3 (11 to be exact) recovered only during the 2nd semester following surgery, a period which was even exceeded in the other 5 cases. 46 (i.e. 14.5%) were classified as "permanent" falls in BC. Amongst these in only 17 (i.e. 5%) were there "only" the three standard aggression factors for the I.O.: aspiration--scraping--manipulation of the tympano-ossicular system, without it being possible to attribute a predominant role to one more than the other. With regard to reaming of the E.A.M., those cases in which this could be considered responsible appeared to be infinitesimal. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference (reduced deviation test--"chi"2 test) between the number of falls in BC seen following myringoplasty with or without reaming. 83 tympanoplasties by Piston-Malleus, study of which led to the same conclusions as for myringoplasties. 118 masto-atticotomies, including 23 with posterior tympanotomy. Despite peri-labyrinthine and peri-ossicular scraping, results were essentially identical. 196 evacuation cavities (227-31 deafness) of which somewhat less than half only (46%) were ears undergoing surgery for the first time. Percentage of unchanged BC was here much more unfavourable, with 49 "permanent" falls in BC, i.e. 25%, of which, it must be said, 5 were minimal falls, and with, in 25 cases, a follow-up of less than 3 months.