Drug-resistant juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: A literature review.

The ILAE's Task Force on Nosology and Definitions revised in 2022 its definition of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), the most common idiopathic generalized epilepsy disorder, but this definition may well change again in the future. Although good drug response could almost be a diagnostic criterion for JME, drug resistance (DR) is observed in up to a third of patients. It is important to distinguish this from pseudoresistance, which is often linked to psychosocial problems or psychiatric comorbidities. After summarizing these aspects and the various definitions applied to JME, the present review lists the risk factors for DR-JME that have been identified in numerous studies and meta-analyses. The factors most often cited are absence seizures, young age at onset, and catamenial seizures. By contrast, photosensitivity seems to favor good treatment response, at least in female patients. Current hypotheses on DR mechanisms in JME are based on studies of either simple (e.g., cortical excitability) or more complex (e.g., anatomical and functional connectivity) neurophysiological markers, bearing in mind that JME is regarded as a neural network disease. This research has revealed correlations between the intensity of some markers and DR, and above all shed light on the role of these markers in associated neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders in both patients and their siblings. Studies of neurotransmission have mainly pointed to impaired GABAergic inhibition. Genetic studies have generally been inconclusive. Increasing restrictions have been placed on the use of valproate, the standard antiseizure medication for this syndrome, owing to its teratogenic and developmental risks. Levetiracetam and lamotrigine are prescribed as alternatives, as is vagal nerve stimulation, and there are several other promising antiseizure drugs and neuromodulation methods. The development of better alternative treatments is continuing to take place alongside advances in our knowledge of JME, as we still have much to learn and understand.

EEG changes induced by meditative practices: State and trait effects in healthy subjects and in patients with epilepsy.

The effect of meditation on brain activity has been the topic of many studies in healthy subjects and in patients suffering from chronic diseases. These effects are either explored during meditation practice (state effects) or as a longer-term result of meditation training during the resting-state (trait). The topic of this article is to first review these findings by focusing on electroencephalography (EEG) changes in healthy subjects with or without experience in meditation. Modifications in EEG baseline rhythms, functional connectivity and advanced nonlinear parameters are discussed in regard to feasibility in clinical applications. Secondly, we provide a state-of-the-art of studies that proposed meditative practices as a complementary therapy in patients with epilepsy, in whom anxiety and depressive symptoms are prevalent. In these studies, the effects of standardized meditation programs including elements of traditional meditation practices such as mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion are explored both at the level of psychological functioning and on the occurrence of seizures. Lastly, preliminary results are given regarding our ongoing study, the aim of which is to quantify the effects of a mindfulness self-compassion (MSC) practice on interictal and ictal epileptic activity. Feasibility, difficulties, and prospects of this study are discussed.

Focused ultrasounds: What is their future in epileptology? A critical review.

High intensity focused ultrasounds (HIFU) are being increasingly advocated as a useful tool in the management of focal drug-resistant epilepsy. Our aim was to review current literature on the topic and perform an inventory of open trials assessing HIFU effectiveness and safety in epilepsy management. To do so, a review was conducted and yielded one prospective clinical trials, two case reports and one safety study were retrieved, indicating that HIFU is still in its infancy when it comes to focal drug-resistant epilepsy therapy. Efforts should be made to develop this technology using multicentric prospective data with larger cohorts and prolonged follow-up.

[Epidemiology and associated factors with depression among people suffering from epilepsy: A transversal French study in a tertiary center]. / Épidémiologie et facteurs associés au syndrome dépressif chez les patients suivis au centre hospitalo-universitaire de Rennes pour une épilepsie.

OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of depression in people with epilepsy is almost twice as common as in the general population. Furthermore, depression is the first cause of lower quality of life among those patients. Which is why the main goal of this study was to assess the epidemiology of depression and its associated factors among the patients from the tertiary department of epileptology in Rennes. METHODS/RESULTS: The subjects were included prospectively and consecutively at the moment of their consultation or hospitalisation in the department. Personal data about the socio-economic status and the type of epilepsy was collected. The subjects filled validated self-assessment of depression (NDDIE), anxiety (GAD-7) and quality of life (QOLIE-10). Thanks to the NDDIE, the patients were divided into: "depressed" and "not depressed"; and the two groups were compared with univariate and multivariate models. Of the 322 patients followed-up in the department between the 17th of June and the 9th of September 2016 223 of them were included in the study. According to the NDDIE, 22.6% suffered from depression; according to the GAD-7, 46.4% suffered from anxiety. In the "depressed" group, 82% were not under anti-depressant medication. In the univariate model, depression was associated with: anxiety, suicidal ideations, lower quality of life, vague nervus stimulation treatment, anticonvulsant benzodiazepine medication or psychiatric medication, and last of all bitherapy or polytherapy antiepileptic medication compared to monotherapy. In the multivariate model, depression was significantly related to anxiety (OR: 8.86 [3.00; 26.19] p=0.0001), suicidal ideas (OR: 7.43 [2.93; 18.81] p<0.0001), anticonvulsant benzodiazepine medication (OR: 3.31 [1.16; 9.49] p=0.0255), and lower quality of life (OR: 1.09 [1.02; 1.17] p=0.0087). Generalised epilepsy was a protective factor with uni and multivariate models (OR: 0.34 [0.11; 1.00] p=0.0492). CONCLUSIONS: In the tertiary epileptic department of Rennes, more than 20% of patients with epilepsy suffered from depression during the inclusion period according to the NDDIE. Among those "depressed" subjects, fewer than one out of five seemed to receive proper psychiatric care. Which is why this study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation between neurologists and psychiatrists in order to aim at better management of epileptic patients as a whole.

MRPL53, a New Candidate Gene for Orofacial Clefting, Identified Using an eQTL Approach.

A valuable approach to understand how individual and population genetic differences can predispose to disease is to assess the impact of genetic variants on cellular functions (e.g., gene expression) of cell and tissue types related to pathological states. To understand the genetic basis of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) susceptibility, a complex and highly prevalent congenital malformation, we searched for genetic variants with a regulatory role in a disease-related tissue, the lip muscle (orbicularis oris muscle [OOM]), of affected individuals. From 46 OOM samples, which are frequently discarded during routine corrective surgeries on patients with orofacial clefts, we derived mesenchymal stem cells and correlated the individual genetic variants with gene expression from these cultured cells. Through this strategy, we detected significant cis-eQTLs (i.e., DNA variants affecting gene expression) and selected a few candidates to conduct an association study in a large Brazilian cohort (624 patients and 668 controls). This resulted in the discovery of a novel susceptibility locus for NSCL/P, rs1063588, the best eQTL for the MRPL53 gene, where evidence for association was mostly driven by the Native American ancestry component of our Brazilian sample. MRPL53 (2p13.1) encodes a 39S protein subunit of mitochondrial ribosomes and interacts with MYC, a transcription factor required for normal facial morphogenesis. Our study illustrates not only the importance of sampling admixed populations but also the relevance of measuring the functional effects of genetic variants over gene expression to dissect the complexity of disease phenotypes.

5 -year complex clinical and histopathological follow-up of a case of early gastric carcinoma (signet ring cells type).

The paper presents the case of a male patient, hospitalized for acute abdomen due to perforated callous ulcer. Though the clinical appearance suggested a benign pathology, the histopathological exam of the resection piece showed multicentric early gastric carcinoma, signet ring cell type. At the patient's request, total gastrectomy was not performed, a conservative solution being chosen instead. Superior digestive endoscopy with biopsy and oncological dispensarization was performed one month after surgery, then at every 6 months. After 2 years of benign results, the histopathological exam revealed the presence of malign singlet ring cells in the bioptic specimen. Respecting the patient's option of preserving a good quality of life, subtotal gastrectomy with Pean type gastroenteroanastomosis was performed followed by postoperatory chemotherapy. Endoscopic and oncological follow-up were performed at every six months for another 3 years (up to present), and the evolution was favorable with no local or metastatic recurrence. Histopathological examination was of great help in the surgical management of this case, allowing a fortunate early diagnosis, a conservative surgical approach, and the preserving of a good quality of life.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients aged 60 years and over - our experience.

Aim. To analyze the efficiency of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the population aged 60 years and over admitted with acute cholecystitis, the clinical features and associated pathology presented by these patients and the impact of these factors on the choice of surgical technique. Materials and method. A retrospective study was carried out between February 2010 and February 2015, on patients aged 60 years and over, operated in emergency for acute cholecystitis in our clinic. All data were extracted from the registered medical documents and operatory protocols. Results. A total of 497 surgeries were performed for acute cholecystitis, of which 149 were patients aged 60 years and over (30%). Open surgery is much better represented in the population aged over 60 years (61.75% vs. 29.98%). One major cause is the associated pathology that increases the anesthetic risk and hampers a laparoscopic procedure. The conversion rate in the study group presented a higher percentage, but not more exaggerated than in the general population (6.71% vs. 4.63 %).Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery had a faster recovery and required lower doses and shorter term pain medication, in contrast to conventional surgery (1,8 days vs. 5.7 days). Bile leak has been of reduced quantity, short-term and stopped spontaneously. Only one case needed reintervention, in which aberrant bile ducts that were clipped were found in the gallbladder bed, was operated by laparoscopy. Wound infections and swelling were also encountered more frequently in patients that underwent classic surgery (3.24%). Conclusions. Performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, when possible, has produced very good results, reducing the average length of stay of patients and even decreasing the number of postoperative complications, thus allowing a faster reintegration of patients into society. The main concern was related to the associated pathology that increased the anesthetic risk.

Adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome: do's and don'ts.

Aim. To present specific aspects of adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome (CS) by introducing well established aspects ("do's") and less known aspects ("don'ts"). Material and Method. This is a narrative review. Results. The "do's" for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) are the following: it represents the "gold standard" for secretor and non-secretor adrenal tumors and the first line therapy for CS with an improvement of cardio-metabolic co-morbidities; the success rate depending on the adequate patients' selection and the surgeon's skills. The "don'ts" are large (>6-8 centimeters), locally invasive, malignant tumors requiring open adrenalectomy (OA). Robotic adrenalectomy is a new alternative for LA, with similar safety and conversion rate and lower pain drugs use. The "don'ts" are the following: lack of randomized controlled studies including oncologic outcome, different availability at surgical centers. Related to the sub-types of CS, the "do's" are the following: adrenal adenomas which are cured by LA, while adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) requires adrenalectomy as first line therapy and adjuvant mitotane therapy; synchronous bilateral adrenalectomy (SBA) is useful for Cushing's disease (only cases refractory to pituitary targeted therapy), for ectopic Cushing's syndrome (cases with unknown or inoperable primary site), and for bilateral cortisol producing adenomas. The less established aspects are the following: criteria of skilled surgeon to approach ACC; the timing of surgery in subclinical CS; the need for adrenal vein catheterization (which is not available in many centers) to avoid unnecessary SBA. Conclusion. Adrenalectomy for CS is a dynamic domain; LA overstepped the former OA area. The future will improve the knowledge related to RA while the cutting edge is represented by a specific frame of intervention in SCS, children and pregnant women. Abbreviations: ACC = adrenocortical carcinoma, ACTH = Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, CD = Cushing's disease, CS = Cushing's syndrome, ECS = Ectopic Cushing's syndrome, LA = laparoscopic adrenalectomy, OA = open adrenalectomy, PA = partial adrenalectomy, RA = robotic adrenalectomy, SCS = subclinical Cushing' syndrome.

Parathyroidectomy: is vitamin D a player for a good outcome?

Background: The field of parathyroidectomy (PTx) is complex and brings together many specialists. Even if the surgical approaches changed from classical to minimally invasive PTx, a good outcome is correlated with an adequate localization before and during PTx, while blood assays, such as parathormone (PTH) or 25-hydroxyvitamin D, become useful additional markers. Aim. Specific aspects related to parathyroidectomy and vitamins D (VD) were introduced. Material and Method. The article represents a PubMed-based narrative review. Results. The growing evidence regarding the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and early detection of primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) requires a particular attention to the association of these two disorders, which may be incidental, but some common pathogenic links are displayed. Low VD stimulates PTH production as a secondary or even tertiary type of HPT diagnosis. VD deficiency is associated with larger parathyroid adenomas and higher levels of PTH before and after surgery for primary HPT. Asymptomatically and normocalcemic forms of primary HPT, which are not immediately referred to PTx, require a normalization of the VD levels. VD supplements are safe under some serum calcium cutoffs and offer a better outcome after PTx. However, primary HPT is cured by surgery and, if the indication is well established, this should not be delayed too long to replace VD. Up to half of PTx cases may experience increased PTH levels after surgery, but most of these are transitory if rapid VD correction is done and only a few remaining cases will eventually develop persistent / recurrent primary HPT. Conclusion. A close following of 25-hydroxivitamin D represents one of the keys for a good outcome in the field of parathyroid surgery. Abbreviations: HPT = hyperparathyroidism, MEN = Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome, PTx = parathyroidectomy, PTH = parathormone, VD = Vitamin D.

Gastrostomy with peritoneal collar versus percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Aim. The present study aimed to perform a medico-surgical comparative analysis of the 2 most widely used techniques: gastrostomy with peritoneal collar versus percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, based on the vast clinical experience in an Upper Digestive Surgery Clinic. Materials and method. A retrospective study was carried out between January 2010 and January 2015 on the patients admitted for a surgical solution for feeding. The indications, preoperative preparation, surgical techniques, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results. Out of the 94 cases admitted for a surgical solution for feeding, 67 underwent gastrostomy with peritoneal collar (GPC) and in 27 cases percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was performed. The indications for GPC were benign or malign causes of dysphagia, the most frequent being malign tumors of tongue, pharynx and larynx (47.76%), advanced inoperable esophageal or eso-cardiac cancers (26,86%), post-caustic esophageal stenosis (10.44%). PEG was performed in patients with functional difficulties of swallowing: sequelae of cerebral vascular accidents (44.44%), low Glasgow Coma Scale Score (29.62%) of different etiologies, Parkinson disease (18.51%) advanced dementia (7.4%), early nasopharyngeal cancer (2 cases). The intraoperatory and postoperatory complications were few and of minor importance in both techniques, but PEG allowed an immediate retake of alimentation (vs. at least 48 hours wait in GPC), with less gastric stasis, biliary reflux and aspiration related respiratory problems. Conclusions. Both techniques are easy and safe to perform, but an appropriate selection is required according to the cause of the swallowing difficulty. In cases with permeable digestive tube, PEG may be an excellent minimally invasive solution, but the costs and availability of the PEG kit and prehydrolyzed nutritive solution, as well as the co-existence of an upper digestive endoscopy service were limitations that had to be taken into account.

Complex patterns of spatially extended generators of epileptic activity: Comparison of source localization methods cMEM and 4-ExSo-MUSIC on high resolution EEG and MEG data.

Electric Source Imaging (ESI) and Magnetic Source Imaging (MSI) of EEG and MEG signals are widely used to determine the origin of interictal epileptic discharges during the pre-surgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy. Epileptic discharges are detectable on EEG/MEG scalp recordings only when associated with a spatially extended cortical generator of several square centimeters, therefore it is essential to assess the ability of source localization methods to recover such spatial extent. In this study we evaluated two source localization methods that have been developed for localizing spatially extended sources using EEG/MEG data: coherent Maximum Entropy on the Mean (cMEM) and 4th order Extended Source Multiple Signal Classification (4-ExSo-MUSIC). In order to propose a fair comparison of the performances of the two methods in MEG versus EEG, this study considered realistic simulations of simultaneous EEG/MEG acquisitions taking into account an equivalent number of channels in EEG (257 electrodes) and MEG (275 sensors), involving a biophysical computational neural mass model of neuronal discharges and realistically shaped head models. cMEM and 4-ExSo-MUSIC were evaluated for their sensitivity to localize complex patterns of epileptic discharges which includes (a) different locations and spatial extents of multiple synchronous sources, and (b) propagation patterns exhibited by epileptic discharges. Performance of the source localization methods was assessed using a detection accuracy index (Area Under receiver operating characteristic Curve, AUC) and a Spatial Dispersion (SD) metric. Finally, we also presented two examples illustrating the performance of cMEM and 4-ExSo-MUSIC on clinical data recorded using high resolution EEG and MEG. When simulating single sources at different locations, both 4-ExSo-MUSIC and cMEM exhibited excellent performance (median AUC significantly larger than 0.8 for EEG and MEG), whereas, only for EEG, 4-ExSo-MUSIC showed significantly larger AUC values than cMEM. On the other hand, cMEM showed significantly lower SD values than 4-ExSo-MUSIC for both EEG and MEG. When assessing the impact of the source spatial extent, both methods provided consistent and reliable detection accuracy for a wide range of source spatial extents (source sizes ranging from 3 to 20cm2 for MEG and 3 to 30cm2 for EEG). For both EEG and MEG, 4-ExSo-MUSIC localized single source of large signal-to-noise ratio better than cMEM. In the presence of two synchronous sources, cMEM was able to distinguish well the two sources (their location and spatial extent), while 4-ExSo-MUSIC only retrieved one of them. cMEM was able to detect the spatio-temporal propagation patterns of two synchronous activities while 4-ExSo-MUSIC favored the strongest source activity. Overall, in the context of localizing sources of epileptic discharges from EEG and MEG data, 4-ExSo-MUSIC and cMEM were found accurately sensitive to the location and spatial extent of the sources, with some complementarities. Therefore, they are both eligible for application on clinical data.

Brain (Hyper)Excitability Revealed by Optimal Electrical Stimulation of GABAergic Interneurons.

BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders are often characterized by an excessive and prolonged imbalance between neural excitatory and inhibitory processes. An ubiquitous finding among these disorders is the disrupted function of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to propose a novel stimulation procedure able to evaluate the efficacy of inhibition imposed by GABAergic interneurons onto pyramidal cells from evoked responses observed in local field potentials (LFPs). METHODS: Using a computational modeling approach combined with in vivo and in vitro electrophysiological recordings, we analyzed the impact of electrical extracellular, local, bipolar stimulation (ELBS) on brain tissue. We implemented the ELBS effects in a neuronal population model in which we can tune the excitation-inhibition ratio and we investigated stimulation-related parameters. Computer simulations led to sharp predictions regarding: i) the shape of evoked responses as observed in local field potentials, ii) the type of cells (pyramidal neurons and interneurons) contributing to these field responses and iii) the optimal tuning of stimulation parameters (intensity and frequency) to evoke meaningful responses. These predictions were tested in vivo (mouse). Neurobiological mechanisms were assessed in vitro (hippocampal slices). RESULTS: Appropriately-tuned ELBS allows for preferential activation of GABAergic interneurons. A quantitative neural network excitability index (NNEI) is proposed. It is computed from stimulation-induced responses as reflected in local field potentials. NNEI was used in four patients with focal epilepsy. Results show that it can readily reveal hyperexcitable brain regions. CONCLUSION: Well-tuned ELBS and NNEI can be used to locally probe brain regions and quantify the (hyper)excitability of the underlying brain tissue.

Considerations on risk factors correlated to the occurrence of gastric stump cancer.

Gastric stump cancer (GSC) is the malignant tumor that develops in the gastric remnant after partial gastrectomy was performed both for benign and malignant lesions. This paper presents the results of the case studies from the scientific literature, which focused on GSC, and has been published in the last 10 years. The search was performed with the help of the specific tools offered by the international databases. The subject was approached because of the constant rising incidence of GSC in the past few years, now reaching values between 1% and 7%. The outcome report is consistent and similar to the period that ended approximately 25 years ago, when general surgeons dedicated a significant part of their activity to treating gastric ulcer. Statistics revealed that the main risk factors are the following: the type of reconstruction after distal gastrectomy (Billroth I or Billroth II), the presence of duodenogastric reflux, the time between gastric resections, and the moment of diagnosis of gastric stump cancer, the initial pathology for which partial gastrectomy was performed, gender, age, helicobacter pylori infection, Epstein Barr virus infection and the presence of vagotomy. All the authors have significantly contributed to the article and have been involved in the writing of the manuscript in draft and any revision stages, and have read and approved the final version.

Esophageal disorders in mixed connective tissue diseases.

Extra Musculoskeletal manifestations are a distinct clinical entity that refers to a combination of clinical features, which are found in multiple rheumatic diseases. Besides the standard manifestations, other organs can be damaged such as the vascular system, skin, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, cardiopulmonary system, hematologic system, kidneys, and the central nervous system. Among the gastrointestinal MCTD symptoms, the most frequent are the esophageal ones. Treatment of patients with MCTD must be performed by both medical and surgical multidisciplinary teams in order to provide a management suitable for the patients' needs. All authors have contributed significantly and have been involved in the writing of the manuscript in draft and any revision stages, and have read and approved its final version.

Complex histopathological and surgical aspects in a case of giant malignant gastric perforation.

We present the case of a 52-year-old male patient, hospitalized on an emergency basis in the University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, after being diagnosed with pneumoperitoneum acute abdomen, for which emergency surgery was mandatory. A 3,5-4 cm malignant gastric perforation, ascitis and peritoneal carcinomatosis were found. The histopathological exam revealed infiltrative mucinous gastric carcinoma with epiploic metastasis. Due to the lack of available gastric material, an atypical surgical solution was performed: gastric packing with epiploic material by means of transgastric traction. The solution proved to be successful for short-term recovery. The underlying condition was not focused on, the patient being directed to the Oncology Department. Acute gastric perforation is a rare complication of gastric cancer, and the association with gastric linitis is uncommon. This specific histopathological condition made the classical surgical repair techniques unsuitable for the presented case and an atypical solution had to be performed.

The evaluation of carotid stenosis as risk factor for stroke in hypertensive diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

The evaluation of intima-media thickening (IMT) of carotid artery is an important parameter in preclinical diagnosis of atherosclerosis and stroke risk in hypertensive patients. Measurements of carotid wall thickness via Doppler were considered to be valuable in prediction of risk of brain damage and future stroke due to hypertension in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Comparative carotid echo-doppler study in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with atherosclerotic carotid macroangiopathy.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the main risk factors of cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Comparing non-diabetic and diabetic patients, the latter ones have a higher incidence of stroke, which tends to occur at younger ages. This paper deals with Echo Doppler evaluation of arteries in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The findings allow us to conclude that the correct and early treatment of diabetes as well as a possible lowering of the risks for cerebrovascular disease are obligatory steps in the primary and secondary prevention of the cerebral ischemic events in diabetic patients with carotid atheromatous lesions. This consideration may help the physicians to have a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology, and to implement the necessary treatment and prevention of CVD in the diabetic population of high-risk.

The effect of Na-glutamate treatment on enzyme- and bioelectric activities in rat brain.

Endogenous and exogenous Na-glutamate (Glu) accumulation in central nervous system (CNS) may be involved in neuronal death, leading to neurodegenerative disorders in humans. This paper describes the effect of in vivo and in vitro Glu treatment on rat bioelectric activity in hypothalamus (HT) and cerebral cortex (C), as well as the measurement of brain enzyme activities involved in the metabolism and transport of Glu in brain cells.Glu may be a key factor in the onset of neuronal cell death by changing the cell energetics, the cellular redox-potential, due to a decreased free radical scavenging capacity.

The impact of physical training on endocrine modulation, muscle physiology and sexual functions in elderly men.

With rapidly growing geriatric population and with the improvement in quality of life, sexuality is becoming an increasingly important aspect of aging. This paper is dealing with the investigation of the role of physical training program of moderate intensity on endocrine modulation, skeletal muscle physiology, improvement of depression and of sexual function in elderly men.

[Our experience regarding a series of adrenal surgical diseases]. / Experienta noastra în legatura cu o serie de afectiuni chirurgicale ale glandelor suprarenale.

AIMS: The problems of positive and differential clinic-pathologic diagnosis, the optimal therapeutic decision and importance of surgery in a series of patients with adrenal gland (AG) diseases was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1987-1999, 91 patients (pts.) with adrenal diseases were operated on. Sex ratio was 63 f/28 m and the medium age 42.3 years (extremes 14 and respectively 75 years old). The lesions were localized in medullar, cortical and in the both components of AG. 1) The cortical determinations were represented by 40 (44%) pts. with: a) Cushing's syndrome 37 pts. histologically grouped: 24 pts. (63%/37) with benign, diffuse hyperplasia of cortico-adrenal glands; 4 pts. with cortical benign adenoma; 7 adenocarcinoma; 2 with borderline lesions. b) Conn syndrome--3 pts. 2) Medullary lesions (Phaeochromocytoma)--30 pts. (33%/91) with following microscopically lesions: 22 typical phaeochromocytoma; 3 benign adenoma; 5 carcinoma and 1 medullo-adrenal paraganglioma. One patient have had bilateral medullo-adrenal lesions: left carcinoma and right benign adenoma). 3) Non functioning tumors (Incidentaloma)--21 pts. (23%/91) (17 malignant and 5 benign). The distribution of the whole group of 91 pts. was: 62 with benign lesions (diffuse hyperplasia or tumors), 26 malignant tumors, 1 both of them and 2 borderline lesions. The diagnosis was the result of clinically, biochemical-hormonal tests and imagery examinations (computed tomography especially) with postoperative pathological confirmation. The surgery applied was:--bilateral adrenalectomy 16 pts.;--right adrenalectomy 20 pts.;--left 26 pts. (two through laparoscopic approach);--tumor exeresis 26 and--3 biopsy of the tumors. The dimensions of the operatory specimens were: < 10 cm--67 pts.; 10-20 cm--16 pts.; > 20 cm--2 pts.; undetermined 6 pts. For malignant lesions the main parameters (in various associations) were: neighborhood invasion--18 pts.; distant metastasis--5; metastatic lymphnodes--13; the microscopic grading (G1-1; G2-9; G3-7 pts.). Three cases imposed iterative interventions for a recurring adenoma of the cortically AG or for restant tissue in Cushing's syndrome. There were necessary 28 supplementary operative (partially or totally) organs exeresis. All pts. with malignant lesions were postoperative treated with chemio- or/and radiotherapy. RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity: 18 (20%) pts.; depending of the surgery 8 pts., secondary of the patient general status 12. General postoperative mortality 4 (4.8%) pts. determined by severe cardio-vascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: 1--The surgical diseases of adrenal glands are difficult to diagnose and are based primarily on the clinical information's and confirmed by the hormonal and imagery examinations (errors are possible). 2--Operatory indications, especially for hyperplasic bilateral forms in Cushing's syndrome (one step or two steps surgery) must be very well documented and carefully established. 3--There are cases which impose recurrent operations. 4--A correct operative indication and technical surgery procedure are followed by good results. 5--The laparoscopic approach of the surgical lesions of the AG is a good alternative for the open surgical approach with the condition of a very correct indication. 6--Postoperative, the malignant lesions must be mandatory submitted to the adjuvant treatment.