Emergency arteriography in the assessment of penetrating trauma to the lower limbs.

One hundred emergency arteriographies (EA) were performed in 87 patients with lower limb trauma due to high-velocity missiles. Thirteen patients had bilateral injuries. In 79 cases, EA findings were positive and led to emergency surgery. In 76 cases an arterial injury was found and treated, a positive predictive value of 96% (76/79). In the other 3 cases, no arterial lesion was found (3 false positives). Among the 21 patients with normal findings from angiography, 10 had surgical exploration because of high clinical suspicion of vascular injury. Arterial injury was found in 2 cases (2 false negatives). In 8 patients, arteriography modified the surgical procedure. In the 11 remaining patients, clinical and echo Doppler follow-up results were normal, a negative predictive value of 90% (19/21). Sensitivity was 97%, specificity 86%, and accuracy 95%. These data show that arteriography in stable patients is a safe and accurate procedure. It permits avoidance of unnecessary surgical exploration in selected patients and helps modify the surgical procedure.

[Tumor calcinosis. Review of the literature: apropos of a case]. / Calcinose tumorale. Revue de la littérature: à propos d'un cas.

Tumoral calcinosis is an uncommon disease of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of single or multiple lobulated, para-articular, cystic soft tissue productions. Hyperphosphatemia is the only biological abnormality which can be detected. The honeycomb roentgenographic pattern is characteristic. CT scan and ultrasound are useful in showing the extra-articular location of the mass. The treatment is surgical and the prognosis is good.