[Using a smartphone-compatible thermal camera (FLIR One) for preoperative mapping of DIEP perforators]. / L'utilisation de la caméra thermique smartphone compatible (FLIR One) pour le repérage préopératoire des perforantes de DIEP.

INTRODUCTION: The success of surgeries involving free flaps largely depends on accurate preoperative mapping of perforator arteries. Various imaging techniques, such as Doppler ultrasound and CT angiography, are typically used, each having its advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, accuracy, and patient risk. The main objective of our study is to compare the effectiveness of the FLIR One device for detecting these arteries compared with traditional methods. Thermal imaging appears to be a simpler, less expensive, and less invasive alternative for surgical planning. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study, conducted at the Regional Hospital Center of Nancy, included 25 free flaps (DIEP) on an exclusively female cohort of 22 patients, with follow-up from 2022 to 2023. Before the procedure, an abdominal-pelvic CT angiography was performed, followed by additional evaluation with thermal imaging using FLIR One and acoustic Doppler examination on the eve of the operation. This approach aimed to provide precise mapping of vascular perforators for each patient. Three different operators performed these markings, and the results were then compared with intraoperative observations. The imaging protocol also included a Doppler examination to validate the results of the thermal imaging. Statistical analyses with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were performed to evaluate the correlation between different preoperative localization methods of perforating vessels. RESULTS: In 22 patients undergoing 25 DIEP flaps for breast reconstructions, three imaging techniques were used to identify vascular perforators: thermal imaging with FLIR, acoustic Doppler, and CT angiography. FLIR identified the most perforators (n=137), followed by acoustic Doppler (n=128) and CT angiography (n=126). Comparing these with intraoperative results, 66% of perforators identified by FLIR were confirmed, 70% for acoustic Doppler, and 95% for CT angiography. The ICCs shows a significant correlation between these imaging techniques and intraoperative results. FLIR demonstrated a strong correlation with intraoperative observations (ICC of 0.74, P<0.001), followed by a moderate correlation with acoustic Doppler (ICC of 0.56, P<0.03) and CT angiography (ICC of 0.52, P<0.006). CONCLUSION: The study concludes that thermal imaging with FLIR is a reliable and effective tool for locating vascular perforators. Although the study and FLIR have their own limitations, the tool presents several advantages such as ease of use, speed, and affordability. These characteristics make FLIR particularly attractive as a complement to traditional detection methods, such as acoustic Doppler and CT angiography.

[Factors influencing drainage productivity in breast reduction: A retrospective study of 222 breasts]. / Facteurs influençant la productivité du drainage dans la réduction mammaire : étude rétrospective sur 222 seins.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to highlight the factors that influence drain productivity in reduction mastoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have retrospectively referenced from November 2015 to November 2017 all breast reduction performed in the plastic surgery, reconstructive and esthetic surgery department of the University Hospital of Nancy. A total of 222 breasts were analyzed by listing age, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking status, surgeon, technical used, hospitalization stay, breast volume removed, type and size of drain and their productivity. Multivariate analysis were realised. RESULTS: 118 patients were included with an average age of 42.2 years. The average productivity of drains was 50 millilitres (ml). There was a significant difference in productivity of drainage according to the operator with a median ranging from 10ml to 60ml (P<0.0001). The median was 20ml for 10 Redon-Jost drains versus 50ml for the 16 Redon-Jost drains (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis of the various factors influencing the total productivity of postoperative drainage showed a relative risk of 1.16 for smokers, 0.24 for one surgeon, 1.68 for the Skoog technique, and 1.000 for breast volume removed. CONCLUSION: The drain productivity is not predictable before a breast reduction. Indeed, none of the characteristics studied have sufficient influence on the productivity of the drains.

[Perforating flap for covering sacro-coccygeal cysts: About 8 cases]. / Lambeau perforant pour couverture des kystes sacrococcygiens : à propos de 8 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple surgical revisions (exeresis and directed healing) of recurrent pilonidal cysts are sources of unstable scars. Chronic ulcerations often appear with or without authentic recidivism. A local fasciocutaneous perforating flap based on the parasacral arteries would bring healthy tissue and avoid the disadvantages of conventional techniques (musculo-cutaneous or random). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 8 cases of transposition flap covering based on parasacral perforators, in multi-operated patients. The perforators are identified by Doppler probe before the gesture, then the flap is traced obliquely according to the size of the loss of substance. The gesture is short, not morbid and accessible to all by a technique that excludes fine dissection of the pedicle. The duration of hospitalization is 2days. RESULTS: Despite two minor and resolving complications (a hematoma and a disunion of the donor sit) the healing was complete and without recurrence in all patients at 2years, with 100% satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This reliable and reproducible simple flap becomes the reference technique in our department for the sequelae of recurrent sacro-coccygeal cyst.

[Use of pedicled dorsal muscle flap combined with negative pressure therapy in the management of postpneumonectomy septic complications]. / Utilisation du lambeau de muscle grand dorsal pédiculé combiné à la thérapie à pression négative dans la prise en charge des complications septiques post-pneumonectomie.

SUBJECT: The objective of this study is to report our experience in the management of septic complications arising from pulmonary resection surgery by placing a pedicled upper back muscle flap associated with dressings by therapy. Negative pressure in all patients supported in our center from November 2015 to March 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Characteristics of fourteen patients with a pedicled dorsal muscle flap in the context of chronic empyema associated with bronchopulmonary fistula were identified. Flap placement time, complications, and success rate were assessed. RESULTS: The median flap placement after completion of the open window thoracostomy was 19days [3-65]. The median healing time was 3months. Healing was definitively achieved in 12 patients, a success rate of 86%. CONCLUSION: Through this series we have shown that our coverage by pneumonectomy cavity coverage with an early dorsal muscle flap associated with negative pressure therapy, has a similar mortality rate and success rate to those found in the literature.

[Comparing outcomes of Immediate Breast reconstruction with and without use of radiotherapy]. / Comparaison des résultats de reconstruction mammaire immédiate par prothèse avec et sans radiothérapie.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer and its treatment remains a public health problem. There is still a lack of epidemiological data concerning complications and aesthetic results bound to radiotherapy after an immediate breast reconstruction. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction regardless to the use of radiotherapy (history of radiotherapy or adjuvant radiation therapy), in order to determine risk factor of complications and bad aesthetic results. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study between January 2014 and December 2016 at the hospital "Gustave Roussy" in Paris, concerning breast cancer patients who needed immediate breast reconstruction after total mastectomy. The primary endpoint was to assess the failure rate of reconstruction and the aesthetic result, the secondary endpoint assessed the early and late rate of complications. We realized a multivariate analysis in order to identify risks factors that may predict complications. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty three patients have been included: 157 in the "radiotherapy group" compared to 176 in the "no radiotherapy group". Preoperative characteristics were comparable. Average follow-up was between 1 and 3years without missing. Patients who benefited from radiotherapy had an equal risk failure of reconstruction. The subgroup analysis revealed non-significant differences: 12.7% failure rate reconstruction in the "radiotherapy group" vs. 12.5%. We could notify a better rate of "excellent results" in the "no radiotherapy group": 35% vs. 8.2%. Secondary outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy related to immediate breast reconstruction didn't increase the failure rate of reconstruction or aesthetic results, comparatively to non-irradiated patients. It is therefore permissible to suggest an immediate breast reconstruction to any patients which would benefit from a total mastectomy followed by radiotherapy; in order to prevent them from a secondary breast reconstruction, who could be physically and psychologically more impactful.

[Analysis of microsurgical reconstruction activity in a university hospital: A 14-year historical cohort]. / Analyse de l'activité de reconstruction microchirurgicale en hôpital universitaire : cohorte historique sur 14 ans.

INTRODUCTION: Each university hospital has its own specificities in microsurgical reconstructions. Activities may focus on breast reconstruction, ENT reconstruction or traumatic substance loss. This study analyzes the specificities at the University Hospital of Nancy, studies the indications, the operating data and the failure rates. METHOD: We realized a historical cohort of microsurgical reconstructions at Nancy University Hospital from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2017. All free flaps were included and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 359 free flaps were made. The failure rate was 9.47%. Forty eight different operators have been identified. Substance losses were essentially traumatic (56.8%). A total of 20 different flaps were use with 49% bone reconstruction. The fibula flap was the first flap used (26.5%). Arterial anastomoses were performed in termino-lateral in 44% and venous anastomoses were single in 70.5%. High BMI, diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and arterial or venous graft were identified as risk factors for failure (P<0.05). The smoking and the realisation of the intervention by a young operator have no impact on the success rate. CONCLUSION: Our specificity is the bone reconstruction which represents a significant part of our activity. In the university center, the number of etiology of substance losses, operator and flap used is important but it still allows to obtain results in adequacy with the literature.

Three-dimensional imaging, an important factor of decision in breast augmentation.

INTRODUCTION: Since the beginning of the 21st century, three-dimensional imaging systems have been used more often in plastic surgery, especially during preoperative planning for breast surgery and to simulate the postoperative appearance of the implant in the patient's body. The main objective of this study is to assess the patients' attitudes regarding 3D simulation for breast augmentation. METHOD: A study was conducted, which included women who were operated on for primary breast augmentation. During the consultation, a three-dimensional simulation with Crisalix was done and different sized implants were fitted in the bra. RESULTS: Thirty-eight women were included. The median age was 29.4, and the median prosthesis volume was 310mL. The median rank given regarding the final result was 9 (IQR: 8-9). Ninety percent of patients agreed (66% absolutely agreed, and 24% partially agreed) that the final product after breast augmentations was similar to the Crisalix simulation. Ninety-three percent of the patients believed that the three-dimensional simulation helped them choose their prosthesis (61% a lot and 32% a little). After envisaging a breast enlargement, patients estimated that the Crisalix system was absolutely necessary (21%), very useful (32%), useful (45%), or unnecessary (3%). Regarding prosthesis choice, an equal number of women preferred the 3D simulation (19 patients) as preferred using different sizes of implants in the bra (19 patients). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that 3D simulation is actually useful for patients in order to envisage a breast augmentation. But it should be used as a complement to the classic method of trying different sized breast implants in the bra.

[Tobacco and plastic surgery: An absolute contraindication?] / Tabac et interventions de chirurgie plastique : vers une contre-indication formelle ?

INTRODUCTION: Smoking increases perioperative risk regarding wound healing, infection rate and failure of microsurgical procedures. There is no present consensus about plastic and aesthetic surgical indications concerning smoking patients. The aim of our study is to analyze French plastic surgeons practices concerning smokers. METHOD: A questionnaire was send by e-mail to French plastic surgeons in order to evaluate their own operative indications: patient information about smoking dangers, pre- and postoperative delay of smoking cessation, type of intervention carried out, smoking cessation supports, use of screening test and smoking limit associated to surgery refusing were studied. Statistical tests were used to compare results according to practitioner activity (liberal or public), own smoking habits and time of installation. RESULTS: In 148 questionnaires, only one surgeon did not explain smoking risk. Of the surgeons, 49.3% proposed smoking-cessation supports, more frequently with public practice (P=0.019). In total, 85.4% of surgeons did not use screening tests. Years of installation affected operative indication with smoking patients (P=0.02). Pre- and postoperative smoking cessation delay were on average respectively 4 and 3 weeks in accordance with literature. CONCLUSION: Potential improvements could be proposed to smoking patients' care: smoking cessation assistance, screening tests, absolute contraindication of some procedures or level of consumption to determine.

Abdominoplasty and simultaneous laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Clinical study about 45 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominoplasty procedures sometimes reveal the presence of ventral hernias (umbilical or trocar-site hernias). Our objective is then to deal with the excess abdominal skin and fat tissue at the same time as the ventral hernia. This can be done with a single surgical procedure combining abdominoplasty with umbilical transposition and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) with mesh. The main objective of our study is to assess the outcome of the combined procedure of abdominoplasty and LVHR with mesh, compared to abdominoplasty alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-centre cohort study was conducted, including patients operated on with the combined method (ABDO-LVHR group) and patients who underwent abdominoplasty alone (ABDO group). We noted major and minor complications, with infection issues as our main concern. RESULTS: We included 15 patients in the ABDO-LVHR group and 30 in the ABDO group. The results show no statistically significant difference for infectious complications in the ABDO-LVHR group compared to the ABDO group (20% vs 3.3%; P=0.100). There was no instance of complete umbilical necrosis. Other major and minor complications occurred at the rates typically described in the literature without difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between our two groups in terms of infectious complications. LVHR carried out at the same time as abdominoplasty with umbilical transposition is a positive combination of procedures. Further studies are necessary to confirm that the risk in terms of infectious complications is no higher than for abdominoplasty alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

[Postoperative quality of life of patients with a bacterial necrotizing dermis-hypodermitis or necrotizing fasciitis, a ten-year study]. / Qualité de vie des patients opérés d'une dermo-hypodermite ou fasciite nécrosante, une étude sur 10ans.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial necrotizing dermis-hypodermitis and necrotizing fasciitis (BNDH-NF) are serious life-threatening soft-tissue infections. The object is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients who have been operated in our plastic surgery departement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of cases who have been treated at Nancy University Hospital between 2005 and 2014. We analyzed the perioperative data (demographic, clinical, bacteriological), the surgical data (excision, reconstruction) and the follow up data (consequences, mortality). The quality of life was assessed by the Short-Form 36 score, and the patients' satisfaction was assessed by a four-level scale. RESULTS: We analyzed 23 patients with an average age of 60 years (28-84 years). The main comorbidities were diabetes (43 %) and obesity (39 %). The average number of surgical excision was about 1.9 (1-5) and the average excised body surface area was about 5 % (1-16 %). The short-term mortality was about 17 %. The mortality rate has been statistically correlated with the surgically excised body surface area (short-term 95 days: P=0.02; and long-term: P=0.003). The statistical analysis has shown a strong relative linear relationship between number of surgical excision and the physical score of QOL (P<0.001), between number of surgical excision and mental score of QOL (P=0.032), and between age and physical score of QOL (P≤0.021). The statistical analysis has also shown a strong relative linear relationship between E. coli infections and physical score of QOL (P=0.01). The percentage of patients' satisfaction in our study was evaluated at 86 %. CONCLUSION: We have found that multiple surgical excisions, an advanced age of patients and E. coli infections have been associated with poor QOL. The mortality rate increased in relation with the importance of excised body surface. In spite of the gravity of these infections, our patients were satisfied of their treatment.

Persistent pain is common 1 year after ankle and wrist fracture surgery: a register-based questionnaire study.

BACKGROUND: Substantial literature documents that persistent postsurgical pain is a possible outcome of many common surgical procedures. As fracture-related surgery implies a risk of developing neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), further studies investigating the prevalence and pain characteristics are required. METHODS: All patients undergoing primary surgery because of ankle or wrist fracture at Hvidovre and Odense University Hospitals, Denmark, between April 15, 2013 and April 15, 2014, were identified from the Danish Fracture Database. A questionnaire regarding pain characteristics was sent to patients 1 yr after primary surgery. RESULTS: Replies were received from 328 patients, of whom 18.9% experienced persistent postsurgical pain defined as pain daily or constantly at a level that interfered much or very much with daily activities, 42.8% reported symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain, and 4.0% fulfilled the diagnostic patient-reported research criteria for CRPS. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent postsurgical pain 1 yr after wrist and ankle fracture surgery is frequent, and a large proportion of patients experience symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain and CRPS. Patients should be informed about the substantial risk of developing persistent postsurgical pain. Future studies investigating risk factors for persistent postsurgical pain that include both surgically and conservatively treated fractures are required.

[Coverage of anterior knee defect by reverse flow anterolateral thigh flap: About two cases]. / Rapport de 2 cas de couverture du genou par lambeau de face externe de cuisse en ilôt rétrograde.

The coverage of soft-tissue defects concerning the front of the knee and the proximal lower leg is a complex procedure. The reverse flow anterolateral thigh flap represents a good solution for this defects, especially when the coverage surface is large-sized and a free flap is not appropriate regarding the difficulty of the process. Flap retrograde vascularization is based on the anastomosis between the descending branch of the circumflex femoral artery and lateral superior genicular artery. It is an easy solution with low morbidity. The authors have chosen this flap to cover soft-tissue defect of anterior knee from two patients with total knee prothesis.

Zosteriform configuration of multiple eccrine spiradenomas of the scalp.

BACKGROUND: Eccrine spiradenoma (ES) is a benign adnexal tumor predominantly located in the head and neck regions. Multiple neoplasms located on the scalp have been reported but never with a zosteriform configuration on the first trigeminal area. CASE REPORT: We describe an original case report of a 75-year-old Caucasian man presenting multiple subcutaneous blue and purple nodules disseminated on the first left trigeminal dermatome. All the nodules appeared gradually on a one-year period. Biopsy revealed a nodular adnexal tumor in the dermis without malignant eccrine spiradenoma (MES) transformation. The surgical procedure was performed in a manner to protect the galea aponeurotica in the upper half on the first left trigeminal area. The frontalis muscle was raised with the surgical specimen in the lower half of the first trigeminal area. A split-thickness skin graft was applied on the surgical defect. Histological examination revealed multilobular well-defined tumors located in the dermis. CONCLUSION: The presence of multiple subcutaneous nodules in a trigeminal pattern should suggest a multiple localized zosteriform ES. The diagnosis is focused on clinical findings and the treatment is based on a large surgical excision. The histological examination is essential for not to fail a MES transformation.

Experimental Validation of a Filament Transport Model in Turbulent Magnetized Plasmas.

In a wide variety of natural and laboratory magnetized plasmas, filaments appear as a result of interchange instability. These convective structures substantially enhance transport in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. According to filament models, their propagation may follow different regimes depending on the parallel closure of charge conservation. This is of paramount importance in magnetic fusion plasmas, as high collisionality in the scrape-off layer may trigger a regime transition leading to strongly enhanced perpendicular particle fluxes. This work reports for the first time on an experimental verification of this process, linking enhanced transport with a regime transition as predicted by models. Based on these results, a novel scaling for global perpendicular particle transport in reactor relevant tokamaks such as ASDEX-Upgrade and JET is found, leading to important implications for next generation fusion devices.

[Photography in plastic surgery: practices, uses and legislation]. / Photographies en chirurgie plastique: pratiques, usages et législation.

INTRODUCTION: Photography in plastic surgery is omnipresent. Through its various uses, it may present both ethical and forensic risks. The objective of this study is to analyze the use of medical photography by the plastic surgeon, the perception of this use by the patient, and consequence of such use. METHOD: A questionnaire about the use of medical photography was assessed to 629 plastic surgeons. A questionnaire was given to patients, about their perception of the use of photography by their surgeon. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-six surgeon's questionnaires and 93 patient's questionnaires were analyzed. For 97.7% of the responding surgeons, the proportion of patients refusing to be photographed was less then 1/20. The objective of the photography was especially medicolegal for 62.5% of the surgeons, especially for following the patient progress (87.5%), partially for the formation (72.1%), partially for scientific publications (57.8%) and not at all for the personal publicity (73.1%). Surgeons often share his photographs with others surgeons (71.1%), sometimes with others medical personnel (48.8%). The security and the access to photographs were determined to be correct for 67.6% of the surgeons and perfect for 23.3%. In total, 17.2% of the surgeons obtained a written consent, 41.4% obtained an oral consent, and 38.5% did not request patient consent. It was found that 48.3% of the surgeons and 40.2% of the patients think that the right to the photographic images belong to the patient. CONCLUSION: Medical photographs expose the plastic surgeon to medico-legal risks. He must know and follow the law in order to prevent eventual legal proceedings.

A tunable wedge-shaped absorber for hard X-ray synchrotron applications.

The concept of a concave aluminium wedge-shaped absorber for hard X-ray synchrotron beamlines is presented. Unlike the commonly used absorber types (fixed-thickness absorber sheets or binary exchangers of individual fixed absorbers), this concept allows a compact system, controlled with a single linear positioner, and provides a wide attenuation range as well as a precise tunability over a large energy range. Data were recorded at the Nanofocus Endstation of the MINAXS beamline, PETRA III, Hamburg, Germany.

[Thoracodorsal pedicled perforator flap for chest wall and breast reconstruction in children: Illustration with two clinical cases]. / Utilisation du lambeau perforant thoracodorsal dans les séquelles traumatiques cutanées thoracomammaires de l'enfant : illustration par deux cas cliniques.

Perforator flaps represent a new approach in reconstructive surgery including the thoracodorsal perforator flap. It can be used as a free or pedicled tissue transfer. By exposing two clinical cases, we demonstrate that this flap is an interesting option for children and adolescents chest wall skin coverage with less morbidity compared to myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap.

Incidence of occult contralateral carcinomas of the breast following mastoplasty aimed at symmetrization.

INTRODUCTION: Breast carcinomas are the most frequent form of cancer in French women. Following a total mastectomy, only an estimated 25% of patients wish to undergo breast reconstruction. After mammary volume reconstitution, the plastic surgeon often attempts to harmonize the two breasts by carrying out contralateral reduction mammaplasty (CRM). In the literature, the incidence of occult contralateral carcinomas incidentally discovered in surgical specimens ranges from 1.12 to 4.5%. The main objective of this study was to evaluate occurrence of carcinoma in the CRM specimens in the framework of a breast reconstruction operation. The secondary objective was to determine the consequences of the incidentally discovered carcinoma in the contralateral breast. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a 6-year, bicentric, retrospective study involving women having undergone breast cancer surgery who later underwent contralateral reduction mammaplasty (CRM), that is to say reconstruction aimed at harmonization of the two breasts. RESULTS: Three hundred and nineteen patients were included in the study. Mean age during the CRM was 55years (29-79). Mean weight of the surgical specimens was 323grams (12-2500). Incidence of occult carcinomas found in the specimens was 0.94% (3 patients). The mean age for these 3 cases was 58years (47-64). All 3 patients had superior pedicle mammaplasty. One of the patients benefited from monobloc resection with orientation of the surgical specimen. In the other 2 cases, there existed 3 surgical resection specimens; in one case, they were oriented; in the other, they were not. In all 3 cases, the histological findings were unifocal ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS). Mean tumor size was 5.7mm (3-9). Only the patient having had monobloc resection with orientation of the specimen underwent salvage surgery, which consisted in partial mastectomy, otherwise known as secondary lumpectomy. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to all of the patients. After 17months of mean follow-up (12-22), no recurrence was found in any of the three cases. CONCLUSION: Incidence of occult contralateral breast carcinomas after symmetrization CRM approximates 1%. Our observations are in agreement with the data in the literature. Incidence is greater than in mammaplasty carried out for esthetic or functional reasons; this is probably due to the higher age and the previous breast cancer history of the breast reconstruction population. Monobloc resection and orientation of the surgical specimens with surgeon's knots facilitate precise pinpointing of the occult carcinoma. A secondary lumpectomy may take place when margins of excision are invaded or inadequate.

Treatment of low-flow vascular malformations by ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy with polidocanol foam: 24 cases and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment by sclerotherapy has been suggested as a first-line treatment of low-flow vascular malformations. This study reports our experience in treating low-flow vascular malformations by ultrasound-guided sclerosis with polidocanol foam at the Vascular Medicine Department in Grenoble, France. DESIGN: Retrospective single-centre consecutive series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and December 2009, we analysed the complete records of patients with symptomatic low-flow vascular malformations of venous, lymphatic or complex type (Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, KTS) treated by ultrasound-guided sclerosis. The therapeutic indication was always validated by the Consultative Committee for vascular malformations of the University Hospital of Grenoble. All vascular malformations were classified according to the Hamburg Classification. The sclerosing agent was polidocanol used as foam. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients between 7 and 78 years were treated (19 venous malformations, three KTSs and two venous-lymphatic malformations). The concentrations of polidocanol used ranged from 0.25% to 3%. The average number of sessions was 2.3 (1-16). After a median follow-up at 5 months after the last session, 23 out of 24 patients reported a decrease in pain; in nine cases (37.5%), over 50% reduction in size was observed, and in 14 cases (58.3%), a reduction of less than 50% of the original size was obtained. Two minor side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment by ultrasound-guided sclerosis using polidocanol foam seems to be well tolerated and can improve the symptoms of low-flow malformations without the risks of more aggressive sclerosing agents, such as ethanol.

Observation of confined current ribbon in JET plasmas.

We report the identification of a localized current structure inside the JET plasma. It is a field-aligned closed helical ribbon, carrying current in the same direction as the background current profile (cocurrent), rotating toroidally with the ion velocity (corotating). It appears to be located at a flat spot in the plasma pressure profile, at the top of the pedestal. The structure appears spontaneously in low density, high rotation plasmas, and can last up to 1.4 s, a time comparable to a local resistive time. It considerably delays the appearance of the first edge localized mode.