[Thymic seminoma. Apropos of a case diagnosed in a woman]. / Le séminome thymique. A propos d'un cas diagnostiqué chez une femme.

Primary thymic seminoma is a rare germ cell neoplasm histologically identical to testicular seminoma. About 100 cases have been reported in the world literature. The most probable pathogenic theory is abnormal migration of germinal cells from the vitelline sac to the embryonic thymus. Management involves surgery and radiotherapy. The extreme radiosensitivity of the tumor is responsible for a 5-years survival rate of 75 per cent. Thymic seminomas are usually found in young men. We report the case of a 49 year female in whom the combination of surgery and radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy provided excellent results.

[Synovialo-sarcoma of the laryngopharynx: electron microscopic study (author's transl)]. / Synovialo-sarcome pharyngé. Etude ultrastructurale d'un cas.

The authors report a new case of synovialo sarcoma of the laryngo-pharynx by optic and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural features were similar to those of joint synovialo-sarcoma, i-e, showing glandular like and spindle cell componments. Both of these shared several ultrastructural characteristics, favouring the hypothesis of a common origin. The site and the fine structure of this tumor are discussed according to the literature.

[Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver. Report of 7 cases and review of the literature (author's transl)]. / L'hyperplasie nodulaire focale du foie. A propos de sept observations.

PIP: The authors report 7 cases of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and compare the manifestations, course, and pathological lesions in their patients to those of 100 cases reported in the literature. The disease is usually asymptomatic and is often recognized fortuitously. Twisting of the tumor and bleeding may be the 1st manifestations in a small number of cases. Celiac and supramesenteric arteriography is the most useful investigative tool for the diagnosis. However, the definite argument for the diagnosis is provided by histologic examination; this uncapsulated tumor is made of nodules of normal hepatocytes delineated by fibrous septa irradiating from a central fibrous scar. Cholangiole proliferations and vascular abnormalities are observed within fibrosis; in some cases, ectopic tissue, probably of pancreatic origin, is noted. These lesions permit the distinction between focal nodular hyperplasia from hepatocellular adenoma and mixed hamartoma. Focal nodular hyperplasia might be regarded as a malformation resulting from agensis of biliary ducts associated with vascular lesions. The relations between focal nodular hyperplasia and oral contraceptives are obscure. The surgical treatment must be limited to tumorectomy or segmentectomy; partial hepatectomy is unjustified. (author's)^ieng

[Yield of the thoracoscopic biopsy in experimental pulmonary infections in the immunosuppressed rabbit]. / Rendement de la biopsie thoracoscopique dans les infections pulmonaires expérimentales chez le lapin immunodéprimé.

Using thoracoscopy lung biopsy we investigated the bacteriological diagnostic yield in immunodepressed and/or infected NZ rabbits. 84 rabbits were used: 18 controls, 30 immunodepressed rabbits and 36 rabbits immunodepressed and then infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. Candida albicans or B.C.G. The thoracoscopy technique was the one we designed for humans, the instruments were adapted to the size of animals. Thoracoscopy biopsy results were compared to those of surgical biopsies made in the same animals. The results of both techniques were similar: indeed, the sensitivity of thoracoscopy biopsy was 88.9% in immunodepressed rabbits (versus 100% with surgical biopsies), 86% in the group of rabbits infected with B.C.G. (versus 86%), 90.1% in rabbits infected with Aspergillus fumigatus (versus 100%) and 88.9% in rabbits infected with Candida albicans (versus 100%). The indications for thoracoscopic lung biopsy in immunodepressed patients with infectious lung diseases are drawn from these experimental data, from our experience and the known mortality and morbidity of surgical lung biopsy.

[Fistula-type pararectal mucinous carcinoma. A case report (author's transl)]. / Le carcinome colloïde muqueux para-rectal à forme fistuleuse. A propos d'une observation.

A case of the exceptionally rare fistula type of pararectal mucinous carcinoma is reported, the patient presenting with clinical signs of a chronic abscess in the ischiorectal hollow. The unusual gelatinous secretion suggested the need for a biopsy of the fistula cavity. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis, where as a barium enema and rectoscopy gave negative results, eliminating the possibility of a digestive tract origin for the tumour. Local recurrence occurred two and a half years after an abdominoperineal resection, and was treated by local excision. Aetiopathogenic hypotheses and current therapeutic procedures are discussed.

[Biopsies in pneumology]. / Biopsies en pneumologie

The techniques of different bioptic and cytological examinations performed in pneumology are presented. The various indications for these biopsies in pulmonary, pleural and mediastinal pathology are considered. Interpretation of results leads to a precise diagnosis and to diagnostic information on lesions otherwise difficult to define. In some cases conclusions cannot be reached because of the insignificant changes observed on too small samples.

Primary pedunculated fibrosarcoma of the peritoneum: a case report.

Fibrosarcoma is a primitive, mesenchymal tumor frequently arising from superficially located soft tissues. A case of a primary intraperitoneal, pedunculated fibrosarcoma is reported, initially presenting as an abdominal mass protruding into a large incisional hernia of the anterior abdominal wall. Despite total tumor resection, multiple intraperitoneal tumor nodules of varying sizes were found and resected six months and one year later. The patient died 18 months after the first surgical intervention. This case illustrates the highly malignant behavior and poor prognosis of fibrosarcomas of the peritoneum.

[Bi-tissular malignant tumors of the lung. 2 cases]. / Tumeurs malignes bi-tissulaires du poumon. A propos de deux observations.

Two new cases of multiple components pulmonary carcinoma are described: a pneumoblastoma and a epitheliosarcoma. Differenciating clinical features and nosological problems are recelled, allowing to discuss the classification of these two observations.

Relationships between steroid receptor and epithelial cell proliferation in benign fibrocystic disease of the breast.

Tissue specimens from 27 patients with mammary fibrocystic disease were assayed for estrogen (ER) and progestin (PR) receptors. Seventeen patients (63%) had ER-positive lesions (greater than 5 fmol/mg protein). A progression in ER presence was noted from fibrocystic disease (35%) and fibrosing adenosis (50%) to lobular and ductal hyperplasia (85%). Similarly, ER content increased from 14.5 +/- 13 fmol/mg cytosol protein in fibrocystic disease and fibrosing adenosis to 31.5 +/- 23 fmol/mg protein in epithelial hyperplastic lesions. Furthermore, the ER-PR couple was only encountered in lobular and ductal hyperplasia. The authors' data indicate that the incidence of steroid receptor parallels the intensity of hyperplasia in benign breast disease.

[Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver. A report of seven cases (author's transl)]. / L'hyperplasie nodulaire focale du foie (cirrhose focale pseudo-tumorale). A propos de sept observations.

Seven cases of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver are reported. The clinical and biological data are poor ; the authors define the morphological aspects : cirrhosis, bile ducts agenesis, vascular malformation and emphasize these changes as a liver dysgenesis.