Impaired air-liquid settling during swallowing in gastroesophageal reflux disease. A digital videofluoroscopic study.

We hypothesize that the surface of the zone of air-liquid mixture in the esophagus after swallowing is the result of the esophageal gastric junction (EGJ) function or dysfunction. The aim of this study was to quantify the air-liquid components of the bolus in the esophagus and across the EGJ by means of digital videofluoroscopy sequences recorded in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The patients were allocated to a Normo or a Hypo group, according to basal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Two types of analysis were undertaken from the video sequences. For static analysis, maximal opening diameter of the LES and surfaces of air, air-barium mixture, and barium suspension were measured on two images extracted from each sequence. For dynamic analysis, transit times across the EGJ of the total bolus, air, mixture, and barium suspension were evaluated on a video sequence. For static analysis, the maximal opening diameter of the LES, air, and mixture surfaces were higher in the Hypo group. For dynamic analysis, transit time of total bolus, air, and mixture were longer in the Hypo group. The increase in mixture can be attributed to a defect in settling of both air and liquid phases in the esophagus in patients with low LES pressure and/or esophageal hypotonicity. Thus, these evaluations should provide information on the passage modalities of the bolus in esophagus and across the EGJ to assess differential diagnosis of GERD and hence to better select the most appropriate antireflux surgical procedure.

[Male breast cancer: 19 case reports]. / Cancer du sein chez l'homme: à propos de 19 cas.

Breast cancer is rarely encountered in men. In developed countries, it accounts for less than 1% of cancers in men, whereas in women it represents about 23% of all cancers. A retrospective review was performed on 19 cases of men who underwent surgery for breast carcinoma between 1989 and 2000. The aim of this work was to analyse epidemiological and etiological aspects, circumstances of discovery, pathological characteristics, therapy modalities as well as prognostic factors. The mean age was 65.3 years. A high incidence of overweight, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was found. The most frequent clinical presentation was a firm subareolar lump, at a low stage (stage I 23% and stage II 41%). The most common pathological type was an infiltrating ductal carcinoma (89%). Hormone receptors where most often positive (92% for oestrogen and 100% for progesterone receptors). 84% of patients underwent simple mastectomy and axillary dissection, 74% chest wall irradiation after surgery, 26% received chemotherapy and 42% hormonal therapy. Median follow-up was 52 months. The estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was respectively 93% and 87.5% and the 5-year OS and DFS respectively 86% and 75%. The management of male and female breast carcinoma is identical, as well as their prognosis at equal stages. However male breast carcinoma is more often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, thus a breast screening in men would permit a sooner diagnosis and a better prognosis.

[Hepatic artery ligation for liver metastasis of a acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas revealed by a nodular panniculitis]. / Ligature de l'artère hépatique pour métastases hépatiques d'un carcinome à cellules acineuses du pancréas révélé par une panniculite nodulaire.

We report the case of a 67-year-old-man presenting with pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma revealed by dermatological manifestations of cytosteatonecrosis and treated by hepatic artery ligation. The pancreatic etiology of these lesions was suspected due to hyperlipasemia, and was confirmed by abdominal computerized tomography showing a pancreatic tumor and multiple liver nodules, and by histological examination of one of these lesions. Because of symptomatic treatment failure, rapid impairment of patient's general condition, and by analogy with the treatment of hepatic metastases of neuroendocrine tumors, hepatic artery ligation was performed. Lipasemia decreased markedly and symptoms disappeared for 45 days. Hepatic artery obstruction may be used for emergency treatment of secreting liver metastases.

[Abdominal emergencies in type IV ehlers-Danlos syndrome]. / Urgences abdominales du syndrome d'Ehlers-Danlos de type IV.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome denotes a group of inherited connective tissue diseases comprising nine types. Type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the most life-threatening form. It is characterized by a type III collagen deficiency resulting in arterial fragility and death from vascular rupture or bowel perforation. This disease involves a col 3A1 gene mutation. We report the case of a 44 year-old woman with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The medical history of our patient included bowel necrosis and two vascular ruptures. We indicate data required to establish Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosis and guidelines for patient management.

-Severe self-poisoning with formol-. / Intoxication volontaire grave par le formol.

We report a case of voluntary poisoning with formalin in a 47-year-old man. The initial status included respiratory failure, metabolic acidosis and coagulopathy. Medical therapy consisted of mechanical ventilation, a single prolonged haemodialysis session, N-acetylcysteine, and folic acid administration. The corrosive damage to the gastrointestinal tract required an oesogastrectomy and three months later a colic transplant.

[Complete remission of a mesenteric fibromatosis after taking sulindac]. / Régression complète d'une fibromatose mésentérique après prise de sulindac.

We report the case of a 22-year-old-man having a familial adenomatous polyposis coli treated by total colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis. Two years after the operation, an asymptomatic mesenteric fibromatosis appeared which was nonresectable due to mesenteric vessels infiltration. Nine years later, sulindac therapy was started for residual polyps in the rectal stump. This treatment was taken intermittently, during periods of 1 to 8 months, for 6 years. After 4 years of treatment, the tumor was no longer palpable. Four years after sulindac discontinuation, the patient was operated on for suspicion of intestinal adhesion. The mesenteric fibromatosis had completely disappeared and mesenteric vessels were free. This complete macroscopic regression of a desmoid tumor after sulindac therapy emphasizes again the interest of this treatment for mesenteric fibromatosis.