[Transplacental passage of epirubicin]. / Passage transplacentaire de l'épirubicine.

We studied the transplacental transfer of epirubicin, an anthracycline used for the treatment of different neoplastic disorders, in particular breast cancers, by in vitro perfusion of term human placenta. Placenta from women with uncomplicated pregnancy were collected immediately after vaginal delivery and put into 37 degrees C thermostated hood. Perfusion of foetal surface of the placenta by modified Earle's solution was started immediately after catheterisation at a flow rate of 6 ml/min and then so was the perfusion of the intervillous space at the rate of 12 ml/min. Samples were collected at different times after the initiation of the perfusion from arterial inflow and venous outflow respective of the maternal and foetal compartment. The transplacental transfer of epirubicin was investigated for two doses: 5 and 9 micrograms/ml. The mean transfer value of epirubicin is low (3.66 +/- 1.07%) for the two tested doses and is only slightly higher than doxorubicin transfer, which drug has provided rare accidents in the clinical reports. These results are in favour of a low placental toxicity of epirubicin. Clinical data have to be collected from pregnant women to confirm the low foetal toxicity of epirubicin.

[Colonic duplication disclosed in adults. A case]. / Duplication colique découverte chez l'adulte. Un cas.

We report about one case of asymptomatic duplication of the colon, which was diagnosed with a barium enema in an adult. This condition is rare, especially in the tubular form such as described in this case. The discussion is associated to a review of the literature.

[Current radiologic aspects of surgical technics for resection of cancer of the rectum]. / Aspects radiologiques actuels des techniques chirurgicales de résection pour cancer du rectum.

The aim of this work is to describe the current surgical rectum resection techniques for the treatment of cancer and the corresponding radiological images. The authors emphasize the mechanical, "trans-suture" anastomoses and on the colo anal anastomoses with colic container, which radiologists will have to follow up postoperatively.

[Perception errors in detecting advanced colorectal cancers using a double-contrast enema]. / Erreurs de perception dans la détection des cancers rectocoliques évolués en lavement double contraste.

The authors provide a didactic analysis of the errors in perception that can lead to false-negative findings in the detection of advanced rectocolonic cancers with double-contrast enema. They consider 5 categories of images as typical, ie. transverse or horizontal linear opacities, abnormal lumen due to haustral folds on semiaxial views, "pool sign", amputation of the cecum and irregular hypertrophy of the ileocolic valve. These mistakes will become exceptional if the double-contrast images are studied thoroughly using precise rules, and the percentage of false-negative findings in the detection of rectocolonic cancers should thus be reduced to 1%.

Diltiazem and left ventricular hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats.

The effects of diltiazem treatment (40-50 mg/kg/day orally for 8 weeks) of left ventricular hypertrophy on systemic and coronary hemodynamics and mechanical cardiac performance were investigated in renovascular hypertensive rats (Goldblatt, two-kidney, one clip). Systemic and coronary hemodynamics were determined by using radioactive microspheres in conscious, unrestrained rats. Mechanical performance was measured on isolated papillary muscle from the same animal. Nine treated hypertensive rats were compared with control groups: 12 untreated hypertensive and nine sham-operated rats. Diltiazem treatment led to an effective but incomplete control of blood pressure (from 208 +/- 5 mm Hg in the untreated hypertensive group to 155 +/- 3 mm Hg in the treated hypertensive group; p less than 0.01) associated with a significant but incomplete decrease of the left ventricular mass (from 3.10 +/- 0.19 mg/g in untreated hypertensive rats to 2.35 +/- 0.04 mg/g in treated hypertensive rats; p less than 0.01). A close correlation was found between left ventricular mass and systolic blood pressure in untreated, treated, and pooled groups (r = 0.84, p less than 0.001, n = 30). The left ventricular weight to systolic blood pressure ratio was equivalent in all three groups, so that the reduction of left ventricular mass in diltiazem-treated rats was commensurate with the reduction of blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Rectosigmoid hemangioma: diagnostic value of associated phleboliths. Apropos of a case]. / Hémangiome rectosigmoïdien: valeur d'orientation des phlébolithes associés. A propos d'un cas.

When confronted with rectorrhagia in a young patient, combining a straight abdominal examination with a barium enema investigation may reveal the presence of phleboliths, atypical by their large number and central localization, and orientate towards the rare diagnosis of a colorectal hemangioma.

Contribution of modern imaging in rectosigmoid neoplastic disease (comparison with fiberoptic endoscopy).

Double-contrast enema (DCE) remains the primary diagnostic exploration. Its specific method and interpretation require skillful handling. Unlike colonoscopy, DCE results in false-positives, the frequency of which varies widely in function of the skill of the interpretation. False negatives reach a significant level from a threshold of size which can be fixed at 5 mm. Despite these drawbacks, double-contrast enema, which is an exploration involving a two level of invasiveness and which provides a good panoramic image of the colon should remain the primary exploration in routine check-ups. DCE is an essential part of loco-regional evaluation. It is important in post-operative check-ups to screen for relapses. Post-operative follow-up should be systematic, involving an initial reference examination after 4 months, a check-up every 6 months for two years and then an annual check-up.

[Is it possible to predict the cleanliness of the colon before double-contrast enema? Study of the image of the abdomen without preparation, and the number of liquid stools]. / Est-il possible de prédire la propreté du côlon avant le lavement en double contraste? Etude du cliché d'abdomen sans préparation et du nombre de selles liquides.

Correlations between evaluations by two observers of cleanliness of colon on straight abdominal images (ASP) and on barium enema (LDC) results were studied, as well as predictions of cleanliness of LDC by ASP. Correlation between observers was practically nul for ASP and was poor for LDC. There is lack of correlation between cleanliness of colon on ASP and cleanliness of LDC. It is concluded that no purpose is served in performing ASP before LDC in order to predict cleanliness and that the definition of cleanliness itself requires updating. In contrast, however, the presence of less than three liquid stools appears to be related to diminished cleanliness (p less than 0.05).

[Rectocolic lymph node appearance in adults (author's transl)]. / Aspect nodulaire lymphoïde rectocolique chez l'adulte.

A very characteristic rectocolic "lymph follicle appearance" was observed on radiological examination by double contrast enemas in 3.5 p. cent of 480 cases explored. The usual typical appearance is that of small lacunae of 1 to 3 mm in diameter, with indistinct borders, extending through several colon segments. The frequency with which these images are observed is probably a function of the double contrast technique employed, particularly the adherence of the barium. In most cases, the "lymph follicle appearance" is a variation of the normal, but several rare forms could result from a partial immunity deficiency. Differential diagnosis includes colon wall oedema and most polyposis disorders in their initial stages. Coloscopy with biopsy is necessary when diagnosis is uncertain.

[Colon mucography injector apparatus for double contrast barium enema examinations (author's transl)]. / Dispositif injecteur pour mucographie colilque. Lavement double contraste.

The authors present an economical injector apparatus (Redon flask type) for double contrast barium enema examinations.

[Radiological anatomy appearances of the colon after double contrast examination (author's transl)]. / Aspects de l'anatomie radiologique du côlon en double contraste.

In this article, concerned with the normal radiological anatomy appearances of the colon after double contrast (mucography) examination, the authors develop the notion of an anteroposterior spatial disposition of the colon. Knowledge of the inclined zones, variable with incidence, in which the barium accumulates, is derived from this notion which appears, therefore, to be of practical value when performing or interpreting double contrast images. The second part of the article concerns a radiological study of the haustrations (blind sacs) and valves of the colon. This precise description of the three rows of haustral sacs could have topographical value in pathological conditions.

[Findings by baryum enema in granulomatous colitis and ileocolitis. A review based upon 60 cases (author's transl)]. / Les signes fournis par le lavement baryté dans les colites et les iléocolites de Crohn. A propos de soixante observations.

Radiological aspects of colonic involvement in 60 patients whose disease has been followed up during several years are described. The typical radiological findings have been observed with their usual frequency. This study also confirmed the persistancy of the radiological findings in the chronic stage and the frequency of recurence in the two first years after surgery. Extension of disease has not been uncommon in the series, even without surgery. This progression was different, according to the initial location of disease: in the case of initial ileal lesion, extension occurred towards the adjacent caecum and right colon in sequence; in the case of initial colitis or ileocolitis lesion, extension occurred at a distance in other colonic segments.

[Cystic pneumatosis affecting the sigmoid. Information provided by colonic mucography (double contrast enema) and endoscopy. One case; diagnostic significance of the "puzzle" appearance (author's transl)]. / Pneumatose kystique à localisation sigmoïdienne. Apports respectifs de la mucographie colique (lavement double contraste) et de l'endoscopie. A propos d'un cas. Valeur sémiologique de l'image "en puzzle".

On the basis of one case of colonic sub-mucosal cystic pneumatosis explored by double contrast enema, the authors emphasise the pathognomic diagnostic value of the "puzzle" appearance. This appearance is made by precise adaptation of the opaque colonic mucosa depressed in the form of a "cupola" over the intraparietal gas bubble which results in the deformity. Endoscopy failed to reveal the disorder in the case reported here.

[Ambulatory preparation for double contrast enema. Retrospective study involving 100 nonhospitalised patients (author's transl)]. / Préparation ambulatoire au lavement en double contraste. Etude rétrospective sur 100 malades non hospitalisés.

The authors present a technique of preparation for double contrast barium enema, using the oral route only. It was used in 100 consecutive, suitable non-hospitalised patients with the following results: colonic empyting was perfect in 64% of cases, satisfactory in 25% and inadequate in 11%. Tolerance was deemed to be good. The authors do not suggest that the technique should be used in hospitalised patients, often proving inadequate under such circumstances.

[The preponderant role of the radiologist in the prevention of recto-colonic carcinoma by the detection of polyps (author's transl)]. / Le rôle prépondérant du radiologiste dans la prévention du cancer recto-colique par le dépistage des polypes

The adenomatous polyp is considered to be the precursor of recto-colonic carcinoma. The detection of polyps would appear to be ensured with maximum effectiveness by double contrast barium enema and the authors recommend the routine use of this technique for this purpose. The aim of the radiologist should no longer be merely that of the diagnosis of carcinoma of the colon and rectum, but also its prevention by enabling colonoscopic excision of glandular polyps.