Liver fibrosis staging with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: prospective multicenter study compared with METAVIR scoring.

We prospectively assessed contrast-enhanced sonography for evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis as diagnosed via biopsy in 99 patients. The transit time of microbubbles between the portal and hepatic veins was calculated from the difference between the arrival time of the microbubbles in each vein. Liver biopsy was obtained for each patient within 6 months of the contrast-enhanced sonography. Histological fibrosis was categorized into two classes: (1) no or moderate fibrosis (F0, F1, and F2 according to the METAVIR staging) or (2) severe fibrosis (F3 and F4). At a cutoff of 13 s for the transit time, the diagnosis of severe fibrosis was made with a specificity of 78.57%, a sensitivity of 78.95%, a positive predictive value of 78.33%, a negative predictive value of 83.33%, and a performance accuracy of 78.79%. Therefore, contrast-enhanced ultrasound can help with differentiation between moderate and severe fibrosis.

Intravenous nitroglycerin for prevention of pancreatitis after therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Several studies have suggested that nitroglycerin promotes pancreatic drainage and thereby helps to prevent pancreatitis occurring after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). We performed a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous nitroglycerin for preventing acute pancreatitis in moderate- to high-risk patients undergoing ERC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients underwent therapeutic ERC for gallstone removal, bile duct stenosis, or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). They were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous nitroglycerin bolus of 0.1 mg, then 35 microg/kg per minute intravenously (maximum dose 9 mg) for 6 h, or an identical placebo regimen. Serum amylase and lipase levels were determined before and 24 h after ERC. RESULTS: The study was terminated after the interim analysis. The intention-to-treat population consisted of 208 patients enrolled in 20 centers, of whom 105 received nitroglycerin and 103 placebo therapy. Post-ERC pancreatitis (mild/moderate/severe) occurred in 25 patients, comprising 10 (3/5/2) in the nitroglycerin arm and 15 (5/6/4) in the placebo arm (OR 0.62, 95 % CI 0.26 - 1.45; P = 0.26). Pancreatitis-related hospital stays were similar in the two groups (median 4 days, range 2 - 13 days in the nitroglycerin group; median 5 days, range 2 - 20 days in the placebo group). The incidence of pancreatitis in patients with SOD did not differ between the groups (4/11 in the nitroglycerin arm, and 4/15 in the placebo arm). Adverse events were more frequent in the nitroglycerin group and led to cessation of drug infusion in 10 patients in the nitroglycerin arm and in 2 patients in the placebo arm ( P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: In this study, nitroglycerin offered a limited and clinically nonsignificant benefit for the prevention of post-ERC pancreatitis. Its use did not improve the technical success rate of ERC.

[Effects of smoking on the thyroid gland, digestive system, kidney and bone]. / Effets du tabagisme sur la thyroïde, le tube digestif, le rein et l'os.

INTRODUCTION: In addition to being a major cardiovascular risk factor, smoking promotes or worsens thyroid, digestive, renal and bone diseases. BACKGROUND: Smoking is positively associated with hyperthyroidism. It is associated with Graves' disease and it especially increases the risk of the development of severe exophthalmos. In contrast, smoking might exert a protective action for thyroid carcinoma. Smoking increases the severity of hepatic lesions in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Smoking accelerates the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Smoking increases risk of both hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps. While Crohn's disease is associated with smoking, ulcerative colitis is largely a disease of non smokers. Smoking increases risk of development of both renal cell carcinoma and chronic nephropathies, particularly in types 1 and 2 diabetes. Smoking is a risk factor for decreased bone density and is associated with a significantly increased risk of fracture. Smoking is related to the development of rheumatoid arthritis and may adversely influence its severity. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking might be considered a risk factor for the development of several thyroid, digestive, renal and bone diseases. Consequently, smoking prevention and cessation programs must be strongly encouraged among the patients concerned.

[Endoscopic management for hepatic duct injury in children]. / Drainage perendoscopique d'une plaie traumatique des voies biliaires chez l'enfant.

Non-operative management of hepatic injury in children with abdominal trauma represents a standard of care. A major duct injury with persistent bile leakage may result from trauma to the liver. This injury is of concern in patients treated non operatively because it generally requires major hepatic surgery. We report on a case of a 13-year-old boy with an hepatic duct injury from trauma in which healing occurred without surgical repair or resection.

Effects of prolonged, purine-free total parenteral and enteral nutrition on urate homeostasis in man.

The influence on human urate homeostasis of prolonged, totally purine-free nutritional support, using total parenteral (TPN) or elemental enteral (EN) nutrition, is not well known. In a prospective study, we measured weekly serum uric acid, renal urate excretion and clearance, together with parameters of hydration, in 58 normally hydrated patients receiving prolonged (15 to 170 days) purine-free TPN (30 patients) or EN (28 patients) for various gastrointestinal disorders. A marked, early and sustained decrease (p less than 0.001) in serum uric acid was observed in TPN (155 +/- 9 mumol/l at day 7 versus 318 +/- 13 mumol/l before nutrition, mean +/- SEM) as well as in EN patients (192 +/- 11 mumol/l at day 7 versus 320 +/- 16 mumol/l before nutrition), together with a significant (p less than 0.01) rise in renal urate clearance. The urate clearance/glomerular filtration rate ratio increased significantly, while there was no significant change in natremia or plasma osmolarity. Serum urate and urate clearance returned to normal within 8 days of refeeding with a normally purine-containing diet. Replacement of TPN by EN or vice versa, or substitution of glucose by fructose resulted in no change in hypouricemia. A 4-day oral supply of purines (125 mg/day) in EN patients was associated with a 53% rise (p less than 0.01) in serum urate. We conclude that prolonged, purine-free TPN and elemental EN are a new cause of marked hypouricemia which is mainly due to increased urate clearance, the mechanism of the latter is still poorly known, but is not related to extracellular volume expansion.

Effects of cyclic (nocturnal) total parenteral nutrition and continuous enteral nutrition on circadian rhythms of blood lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in humans.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and characteristics (acrophase, amplitude) of circadian rhythms of serum total cholesterol, free-fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides, lipoproteins (HDL-, LDL-, and VLDL-cholesterol), apolipoproteins A and B, glucose and total proteins in hospitalized patients fed with 12 h nocturnal total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (from 8 PM to 8 AM) including lipids, patients fed with continuous enteral nutrition over 24 h daily spans, and patients eating 3 meals a day serving as controls. All the subjects were synchronized with diurnal activity and nocturnal rest in the hospital routine. The results showed the following: 1) circadian rhythms of total cholesterol, triglycerides, FFA, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A and total proteins were detected in both TPN patients and controls, rhythms of apolipoprotein B and glucose in TPN patients only; in enteral nutrition patients, rhythms were detected for total proteins, glucose and triglycerides only; 2) a significant shift in triglyceride and FFA acrophases was observed in TPN patients, as compared with controls; 3) 24 h mean of both triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations remained unchanged after one month, in both TPN and enteral nutrition patients. The present approach, by extending results of previous investigations, leads one to conclude that, on both a metabolic and a chronobiological basis, cyclic nocturnal TPN is well-tolerated.

Lack of effect of propranolol in the prevention of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis: a randomized trial. French-Speaking Club for the Study of Portal Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Beta-blockers have been shown to reduce portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis and limit the development of portosystemic shunts in portal hypertensive animals. Thus, a randomized double-blind trial was conducted to evaluate propranolol in the prevention of the development of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis without varices or with small varices. METHODS: One hundred and two patients received long-acting propranolol (160 mg/day) and 104 patients received a placebo. At inclusion, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics or biochemical tests. At 2 years, the size of varices was estimated on video recordings. RESULTS: One-third of the patients were lost to follow-up, and 95%/97% of the remaining patients were compliant in the propranolol and placebo groups, respectively. At 2 years, the proportion of patients with large varices was 31% in the propranolol group and 14% in the placebo group (P< 0.05). Three and four patients bled in the propranolol and placebo groups, respectively, and nine and ten died, respectively. CONCLUSION: This trial suggests that propranolol administration cannot be recommended for the prevention of the development of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis; thus other studies are needed in selected subgroups of patients.

[The digestive system and pancreas in 1982]. / Appareil digestif et pancréas en 1982.

The present review is concerned with the main pathophysiological, clinical and therapeutic progresses in the following fields: gastro-esophageal reflux, gastric antisecretory drugs, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer of colon and esophagus, pancreatic diseases (chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinoma), acute bacterial diseases of the digestive tract, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome of the adult, diffuse nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the adult small bowel.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the cardiac interatrial septum: an unusual complication in long-term home parenteral nutrition in adult patients.

The aim of this study was to report unusual echocardiographic findings in patients on long-term home parenteral nutrition suggesting lipomatous hypertrophy of the cardiac interatrial septum. Seven patients (two women and five men, mean age 58 years) were prospectively evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography before and during home parenteral nutrition for severe short-bowel syndrome. Parenteral caloric intake was 33 +/- 4 kcal/kg per day (mean +/- SD), with a mean supply of lipid emulsion of 1 g/kg per day. The first echocardiography, performed before initiation of home parenteral nutrition, was normal in the seven patients. The second echocardiography, performed 5 to 43 months (mean 20 months) later, revealed a significant increase of the thickness of the atrial septum in all patients (+8.3 +/- 3.6 mm; p less than 0.01), consistent with the diagnosis of lipomatous hypertrophy in four patients, and moderate fat accumulation in two others. The septum thickness measured after the nutritional support period was significantly correlated (p less than 0.05) with the total amount of nutrient and lipid infused. Cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance imaging was performed in two patients; it suggested the adipose nature of interatrial septum deposit. None of the patients developed clinical or electrocardiographic symptoms during the period of nutrition. We suggest that patients undergoing long-term home parenteral nutrition be screened for this new and unusual cardiac abnormality. Whether the latter might have clinical consequences in these patients remains to be determined.

Predictive factors of variceal bleeding control by emergency sclerotherapy. Multicenter Group.

OBJECTIVES: Acute bleeding from esophageal varices is a major complication of cirrhosis. Despite the large number of published studies no predictive factors of control of bleeding have been identified. We assessed the clinical and biological factors predictive of bleeding control within the first 2 weeks after a bleeding episode in a homogeneous group of patients enrolled in a large multicenter trial, who underwent a standardized emergency sclerotherapy session. METHODS: 101 patients with cirrhosis were enrolled. All had endoscopy-proven variceal bleeding, and the interval between hematemesis or melena and emergency sclerotherapy was always less than 24 hours. A second sclerotherapy session and other methods for the prevention of rebleeding were allowed after 5 days. RESULTS: Treatment failed in 16 patients after 24 hours and in a total of 33 patients after 15 days. Three of the 17 variables included in multivariate logistic analysis were associated with failure at 24 hours: encephalopathy (P = 0.006, OR = 4.0), blood transfusion prior to sclerotherapy (P = 0.012, OR = 6.2) and previous propranolol therapy (P = 0.022, OR = 4.6). Two variables were associated with failure between 24 hours and day 15 in patients successfully controlled after 24 hours: an interval between the onset of bleeding and sclerotherapy of less than 12 hours (P = 0.010) and blood transfusion (P = 0.018). After 15 days, three variables were associated with failure in a multivariate Cox model: encephalopathy (P = 0.0025, OR = 2.3), time to sclerotherapy (P = 0.022, OR 2.3) and blood transfusion before sclerotherapy (P = 0.0005, OR = 4.0). CONCLUSION: Encephalopathy, the severity of bleeding, assessed in terms of transfusion requirements, and the time between clinically overt bleeding and sclerotherapy are the main predictive factors of failure of the control of bleeding after emergency sclerotherapy for acute bleeding from esophageal varices.

[How many cirrhotic patients may receive propranolol after digestive hemorrhage?]. / Combien de cirrhotiques sont-ils susceptibles d'être traités par le propranolol au décours d'une hémorragie digestive?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate how many cirrhotics may receive propranolol after upper gastrointestinal bleeding. One hundred and twelve patients were consecutively admitted in a digestive intensive care unit during a two-year study, for bleeding of esophageal (63 p. 100) or gastric (4 p. 100) varices, or acute gastric erosions (33 p. 100). Twenty-one per cent of patients were initially class A (Child's classification). 26 p. 100 were B, and 53 p. 100 were C. Eighteen patients (16 p. 100) died within the first 10 days. Eighty patients (71 p. 100) did not receive propranolol because of: a) contraindication for this drug (asthma, heart failure, diabetes, n = 25); b) carcinoma, mainly of the liver (n = 11); c) foreseeable lack of compliance with the treatment (n = 8); d) criteria for which the efficacy of propranolol has not been demonstrated (small esophageal varices, jaundice, or ascites, n = 36). Only 14 patients (13 p. 100) received propranolol therapy: 5 stopped their treatment, 3 because of gastrointestinal rebleeding. Our experience suggests that propranolol can be used only in a few cirrhotics for prevention of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding.

[Can septicemia and ascitic fluid infections in cirrhotic patients be treated by the oral route alone?]. / Les septicémies et les infections du liquide d'ascite du cirrhotique peuvent-elles être traitées exclusivement par voie orale?

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral antibiotics in the treatment of severe infections in cirrhosis. Twenty-two patients (17 males, 5 females) with spontaneous bacteremia (n = 7) or bacterial peritonitis (n = 15) were treated with oral pefloxacin 400 mg per 24 hr alone (n = 1) or in combination with another oral antibiotic, trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole (n = 13), amoxicillin (n = 6), cefadroxil (n = 2), or metronidazole (n = 1). In patients with spontaneous bacteremia, all organisms were found to be sensitive to oral antibiotics, and a favorable response was elicited in 6 out of 7 (86 p. cent) within 3 days (mean) of treatment. In patients with spontaneous peritonitis, ascitic fluid cultures were positive in 11 cases, and organisms were sensitive to pefloxacin in 9 out of 11 cases. A favorable response was elicited in 13 out of 15 within 2 to 8 days of treatment. Fourteen patients died (64 p. cent), 3 of infection (bacteremia n = 1, peritonitis n = 2), and 11 patients of causes unrelated to infection, mainly variceal hemorrhage, hepatorenal syndrome or hepatocellular carcinoma, although the clinical symptoms of infection were controlled. One-year survival was 57 p. cent in patients with bacteremia and 33 p. cent in those with bacterial peritonitis. Oral treatment was well tolerated in all patients. We suggest that most bacteremia and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients can be treated with oral antibiotics. In some patients, this may be accomplished on an out patient basis.

[Systemic mastocytosis disclosed by rupture of esophageal varices]. / Mastocytose systémique révélée par une rupture de varice oesophagienne.

A 77-year-old woman had variceal bleeding related to systemic mastocytosis. Physical examination revealed minimal ascites and mild hepatomegaly noted 11 years before. Liver function tests were nearly normal. Because of early recurrent bleeding, a mesocaval shunt was performed. Wedged liver biopsy showed a moderate fibrosis of portal tracts and massive mast cell infiltration within portal tracts and sinusoids. Perisinusoidal collagen deposition was demonstrated ultrastructurally. We suggest that systemic mastocytosis be added to the list of diseases related portal hypertension with perisinusoidal fibrosis. As there is currently no specific treatment, a portocaval shunt should be discussed.

[Comparison of the effects of cimetidine and ranitidine in vivo and in vitro on the hepatic microsomal enzyme system in rats]. / Comparaison des effets de la cimétidine et de la rantidine in vivo et in vitro sur le système enzymatique microsomal hépatique chez le rat.

Cimetidine, administered intraperitoneally to male rats (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) induced a 125 p. 100 and 325 p. 100 increase in the hexobarbital sleeping time, respectively. Ranitidine, at the same dosage, had no effect. Cimetidine (40 mg/kg) decreased the aminopyrine metabolic clearance by 73 p. 100, whereas ranitidine caused no change. In vitro, cimetidine (1 mM) decreased 3 oxiding enzymatic activities, ethylmorphine demethylase, aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine demethylase, measured in a 9,000 g supernatant fraction of rat liver, by 29 p. 100, 45 p. 100 and 73 p. 100, respectively. Ranitidine (1 mM) did not modify ethylmorphine and aminopyrine demethylase activities and induced a slight decrease of aniline hydroxylase activity (10 p. 100). Bilirubin and p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities, measured on the microsomal fraction, were slightly inhibited (5 p. 100 and 4 p. 100, respectively) by cimetidine (1 mM). Ranitidine (1 mM) did not change these enzymatic activities. The effects of cimetidine and ranitidine on both the oxidizing and conjugating enzymatic activities were not notably affected by pretreatment with phenobarbital (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 3 days). These results point out that: 1) in vivo and in vitro, ranitidine, in contrast with cimetidine, does not inhibit the microsomal drug-oxidizing system; 2) neither ranitidine nor cimetidine decrease the activity of the microsomal drug-conjugating system. They clearly explain why cimetidine interferes with the disposition of drugs oxidized but not of drugs conjugated by the liver.

[Acute intermittent porphyria associated with hyperaldosteronism and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome]. / Porphyrie aiguë intermittente associée à un hyperaldostéronisme et à un syndrome de sécrétion inappropriée d'hormone anti-diurétique.

Acute intermittent porphyria, the most commun acute porphyria in France, is an autosomal dominant disorder of heme biosynthesis. The basic biochemical defect is reduced activity of the enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase. Clinical evolution is characterized by acute attacks, with a severe prognosis due to acute abdominal pain and risk of neurological complications, induced by drug intake, infection, alcohol intake or unknown factors. We report the case of a patient with an inappropriate antidiuretic secretion syndrome and secondary hyperaldosteronism associated with acute intermittent porphyria and polyradiculoneuritis syndrome. This syndrome was found to be induced a delayed reaction to thiopental. A favorable response was achieved with heme-arginate treatment.

[Peripheral neuropathies and chronic hepatitis C: a frequent association?]. / Neuropathies périphériques et hépatite chronique virale C: une association fréquente?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of the peripheral neuropathies associated with chronic hepatitis C and their clinical, electrophysiological and histological characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty six patients admitted from December 1994 to January 1996 for chronic hepatitis C were prospectively investigated. Laboratory data included liver blood tests, serum cryoprecipitate immunoelectrophoresis, assays for anti-nuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, circulating immune complexes, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies. For each patient, a clinical neurological evaluation as well as an electrophysiological evaluation were performed by the same operator. In presence of peripheral neuropathy, a neuromuscular biopsy was performed. RESULTS: In seven patients (19%), a peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed related to hepatitis C virus in 3 patients. In these 3 patients presenting with leg paresthesia, an axonal sensitive neuropathy was evidenced by electromyography. A neuromuscular biopsy performed in two of these patients showed a severe diminution of the myelinated fibers associated with vasculitis lesions in one patient. A skin biopsy was performed in the third patient with leg purpura revealing a leukocytoclasic vasculitis. A positive cryoglobulinemia was found in two of these patients. CONCLUSION: In chronic hepatitis C, the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is 8% and usually associated with cryoglobulinemia. It is an axonal neuropathy with diminution of the myelinated fibers and vasculitis lesions in the absence of cryoglobulinemia.

[Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in the Poitou- Charentes region]. / Prise en charge de l'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C dans la région Poitou-Charentes.

OBJECTIVES: The prognosis of hepatitis C virus infection could be improved by early treatment. However, this is only possible if most patients with hepatitis C consult a specialized institution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modalities of care of hepatitis C virus infection in one French district. METHODS: Between November and December 1997, 89 biological laboratories from the "Poitou-Charentes" district were asked to provide results of hepatitis C virus serology tests performed during this period. A questionnaire concerning epidemiological and follow-up data was sent to the medical practitioner who prescribed the test, for all positive tests. RESULTS: Seventy eight out of 89 (88%) laboratoires agreed to participate in the study. During the study period, 6,168 subjects were tested and 196 (3.2%) were positive. This test was a diagnostic test in 69 cases (53%) and a confirmation test in 61 cases (47%). The epidemiological questionnaire was filled out in 130 cases. The main putative factors of viral contamination were: intravenous or nasal drug addiction in 69 cases (53%), blood transfusion in 39 cases (30%), and a nosocomial risk factor in 16 cases (12%). Treatment and care of virus infection was evaluated in 113 cases from the follow-up questionnaire: a liver biopsy was performed in 30 cases (27%) and interferon therapy was administered in 13 cases (12%). Liver biopsy was not performed in 83 cases (73%) due to normal transaminase levels or a contraindication to interferon therapy. The main causes of an absence of care or follow-up were: fear of complications of liver biopsy and/or side effects to interferon therapy (19%), chronic alcoholism (18%) and active drug addiction (8%). CONCLUSION: The main causes of failure to administer adequate care in hepatitis C patients were chronic alcoholism, drug addiction and fear of liver biopsy or side effects of interferon therapy. These data should be taken into account for future screening or information compaigns for the general population.

[Familial occurrence of cancer of the colon and the rectum: results of a 3-year case-control survey]. / Prévalence familiale du cancer du côlon et du rectum: résultats d'une enquête "cas-témoins" de 3 ans.

A case-control study of the familial prevalence (first-degree relatives) of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) was performed from October 1979 through March 1983 in: (a) 170 consecutive patients with histologically proved rectal (n = 64) or colonic (n = 106) adenocarcinoma; cases of familial polyposis coli and cancer family syndrome were systematically excluded from the study; (b) 170 control subjects, who were free of CRC or colorectal adenoma(s) and matched to patients according to sex and age; (c) 170 consecutive patients with common rectal or colonic adenoma(s), and no evidence of polyposis coli; (d) 100 patients with cancer of various organs, excluding CRC and primary tumours known to be epidemiologically related to CRC. Results of family studies were expressed as "proved" (when the pathological report was received) or "probable" CRC. Eighteen (10.6 p. 100) of the 170 patients with CRC had at least one first-degree relative with past or present proved CRC, and 14 (8.2 p. 100) with probable CRC; the corresponding figures were 3 (1.7 p. 100) proved and 3 (1.7 p. 100) probable CRC in the control group, 14 (8.2 p. 100) proved and 11 (6.5 p. 100) probable CRC in the "adenoma" group and 1 (1 p. 100) and 3 (3 p. 100) in the non-colonic carcinoma group. The relative risk of CRC in close relatives was 6.3 and 4.7 in the CRC and adenoma groups respectively. For the variables studied no significant differences were found between males and females.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Massive sarcomatous infiltration of the liver disclosed by jaundice and hepatocellular failure in Waldenström's disease]. / Infiltration sarcomateuse massive du foie révélée par un ictère et une insuffisance hépatocellulaire au cours d'une maladie de Waldenström.

We report herein the case of a patient with Waldenström macroglobulinemia in whom an immunoblastic sarcoma produced acute jaundice and hepatic failure. Transvenous liver biopsy, performed because of coagulation deficiencies, revealed massive infiltration of the liver by the sarcoma. Immunofluorescence study showed numerous portal and sinusoidal cells stained exclusively by anti-micron anti-kappa antisera. As shown by others in the literature, this study supports evidence for the same clonal origin of the two proliferations. Chromosomal abnormalities were found in marrow and blood cells (trisomy 5 and 20, 6 q-, 7 q+, and 8 p-); their role in emergence of sarcoma is discussed. This case shows that immunoblastic sarcoma emerging during the course of Waldenström macroglobulinemia may be revealed by severe hepatic manifestations.

[Chronic radiation-induced esophagitis after treatment of oropharyngolaryngeal cancer: a little-known anatomo-clinical entity]. / Cesophagites radiques chroniques, après traitement de cancers oro-pharyngo-laryngés: une entité anatomo-clinique méconnue.

Chronic esophagitis induced by radiation therapy (CRE) for carcinoma of the oropharynx and larynx, and involving an initially normal esophagus, is poorly known, and often confused with a locally recurrent malignancy. By reporting 8 consecutive cases, the aim of this study is to contribute to proving that cervical CRE does indeed exist. Eight men, aged 58 to 76 years, developed complete aphagia (7 cases) or severe dysphagia (1 case), 2 to 56 months (median 8.5 months) after radiation therapy for carcinoma of the laryngopharyngeal area. In 5 patients, the primary tumour and/or chains of cervical lymph nodes were removed before radiation therapy; in the 8 patients, the esophagus was endoscopically free of disease. The total dose of radiation exceeded 60 grays in 6 patients. Although they were initially considered as suffering from a locally recurrent malignancy on a clinical basis, none of the 8 patients had patent signs (either endoscopic or histologic) of recurrence. In each case a severe lesion of the cervical esophagus was documented (stenosis 7 cases, giant ulceration 1 case): the diagnosis of CRE was based on endoscopic, histological, and evolutive criteria. Six patients were treated by prolonged nutritional support (via enteral route, 5 cases; parenteral route, 1 case); endoscopic dilatations were used as a single treatment or in association with nutritional support in 4 cases. Three patients died of CRE-induced regional complications; post mortem examination, performed in 2 cases, confirmed CRE without evidence of locally recurrent malignancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)