Attenuation of mild hyperandrogenic activity in postpubertal acne by a triphasic oral contraceptive containing low doses of ethynyl estradiol and d,l-norgestrel.

The effect of a low dose triphasic oral contraceptive (OC) was evaluated during a 6-month treatment period in 41 patients (mean age, 25.4 +/- 0.7 yr) who had grade I-IV postpubertal acne and normal menses. The OC contained three dose levels of ethynyl estradiol and dl-norgestrel. Acne lesions were assessed, and serum androgen levels were measured during a control cycle and between days 17-21 of treatment cycles 1, 2, 3, and 6. Four patients dropped out after 3 months of treatment. Acne was significantly improved after the first OC cycle. After six cycles, the number of comedones had decreased by 79.6 +/- 3.2% (range, 50-100%) in 69.4% of the patients. Mean baseline levels of testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were in the upper third of the normal range, with elevated individual values in 18.9%, 36.5%, and 26.8% of the women, respectively. Mean baseline levels of androstenedione, free testosterone (T), and 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (3 alpha-diol-G) were above the normal range, with elevated individual values in 51.2%, 75.0%, and 85.4% of the patients, respectively. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were below the normal range in 26.8% of the cases. At the end of the first OC cycle, there was a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in all androgen precursors and a 2-fold increase in SHBG. Androstenedione and free T decreased into the normal range during OC intake. Serum 3 alpha-diol-G levels remained elevated, but had decreased by 34.5% at cycle 6 (P less than 0.05). These results show that the triphasic OC has significantly improved acne in postpubertal women for whom acne was the main manifestation of mild hyperandrogenic activity. The improvement in acne corresponded to a decrease in adrenal/ovarian androgens and free T, which led to a decreased metabolism to 3 alpha-diol-G, presumably by the sebaceous glands. The increase in SHBG is considered an estrogenic effect, and the triphasic formulation containing low dose dl-norgestrel is not androgenic but, rather, an estrogen-dominant formulation; as such, this product is recommended in women requiring contraception who also have idiopathic acne.

[Cholesterol embolism: unusual cause of small intestine occlusion]. / Embolie de cholestérol: une cause rare d'occlusion de l'intestin grêle.

We describe a case of small bowel obstruction secondary to cholesterol crystal embolism in a 83-year-old man. Clinical symptoms were dominated by weight loss and vomiting. Small bowel barrium X-ray displayed a short and unique stricture of the jejunum. Atheromatous embolism was suspected in the presence of an aortic aneurysm. At laparotomy, a 2 cm stricture of jejunum was identified and a 6 cm length segment of small bowel was resected. Pathological features were consistent with cholesterol crystal embolism. The patient did well 3 months after surgery. This observation points out the nonspecific clinical presentation of gastrointestinal cholesterol embolism.

[Celioscopic treatment of small intestine obstructions]. / Traitement coelioscopique des occlusions du grêle.

We evaluated the reliability and immediate results of celioscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction. From January 1995 to April 1998, 39 patients underwent a primary celioscopic procedure for small bowel obstruction. The most common etiology was post operative adhesions (34 patients). The whole operation could be carried out exclusively by celioscopy in 22 patients (56%). A laparotomy had to be performed in 17 patients due to: impossibility to identify or treat the cause of obstruction, bowel necrosis or intraoperative complication (3 bowel wounds). Post operative complications were: 1 death (not directly related to the surgical procedure), 2 early recurrences of obstruction after exclusive celioscopy, 1 evisceration after laparotomy and 1 small bowel fistula after conversion to laparotomy. Mean hospital stay was 5 days after exclusive celioscopy and 9.5 days after conversion to laparotomy. Celioscopic management of small bowel obstruction is feasible, but it is often difficult and may be hazardous; a careful selection of patients must be made, based on the importance of obstruction and the type of previous abdominal surgery.

[Cervico-vaginal cytology and condylomata. Reproducibility and predictive value]. / Cytologie cervico-vaginale et condylomes. Reproductibilité et valeur prédictive.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is associated with two groups of intra-epithelial lesions of the cervix: the condyloma or the very low grade lesion, and intra-epithelial cervical neoplasia (CIN) or a higher grade of lesion. Cervico-vaginal cytology can be used to screen for these two types of lesion. Further to this research is to evaluate the reproducibility and the predicted value of cervico-vaginal cytology to detect condylomas. The study is based on 610 patients who were referred because of abnormal cytology. 270 (44%) of these patients were referred because the cytology suggested condylomas and 241 (40%) had cytological signs of CIN. The reference cytology and the control cytology did not accord well. Control cytology showed signs of condyloma in only 116 (43%) of the 270 patients referred for this type of lesion. On the other hand in the case of CIN there was better correlation. Of the 241 patients who were referred for cytological signs of CIN 185 (70%) also had these signs on controlled cytology. The positive predictive value of cytology to diagnose condyloma is relatively poor. In only 126 (47%) of the women referred with diagnosis of condyloma could this diagnosis be confirmed histologically, 20% of these 270 patients had CIN. In contrast the positive predictive value of cytology with signs of CIN were better-182 (76%) of 241 patients who were referred with CIN had the diagnosis confirmed histologically.

Long-term use of the low dose LHRH analogue combined with monthly medroxy-progesterone administration.

In a pilot study, chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, dysmenorrhoea or menorrhagia has been treated for prolonged periods with low dose buserelin (daily) and medroxy-progesterone (monthly). The partial inhibition of ovarian function was effective in relieving pain and controlling uterine bleeding, with few side effects. There was no change in serum cholesterol level. A possible small bone demineralisation effect has been observed.