Hormonal study of a human mixed follicular and medullary thyroid carcinoma.

We studied the hormonal secretion of a human mixed follicular and medullary carcinoma. Thyroglobulin (Tg) secretion, especially by large cells and sometimes by small ones, was visualized with immunoenzymatic staining. Calcitonin (CT) was produced by small spindle-shaped cells. Moreover, immunofluorescence double staining performed on the resected thyroid tissue showed the secretion of both Tg and CT in a small number of cells. The cells lost their hormonal secretion after 2 months of culture. Hormonal secretion was modulated by different additives in the medium. Tg secretion was induced when TSH was added to the culture medium; the maximal effect was produced with the addition of 1 mU TSH/ml and 1 microM cortisol, which potentiated the effect of TSH on Tg production. A durable Tg secretion was obtained by embedding the cells in Engelbretch-Hohn-Swarn (EHS) tumour matrix. The CT production was reinduced by the addition of 4 mM Ca2+, 1 microM glucagon and 1 microM cortisol to the culture medium. These findings show that different cells are found in a mixed follicular and medullary carcinoma, some of which can secrete both CT and Tg. They can remain differentiated for a long period after being embedded in EHS tumour matrix with Ca2+ and hormonal components.

Tracheobronchography and balloon dilatation in acquired neonatal tracheal stenosis.

Between 1988 and 1992, 18 mechanically ventilated newborn babies (mean weight 1300 g and gestational age 30 weeks) presented with deteriorating respiratory failure at a mean age of 29 days. All developed increased oxygen requirements, hypoxic and hypercapnic episodes, and radiological changes of fixed lobar emphysema or recurrent atelectasis which sometimes changed sides from one day to another. Tracheobronchography with iopydol-iopydone was normal in five (27%) cases, but in 13 showed tracheobronchial stenosis localised to the lower trachea (seven cases), to the right main bronchus (three cases), or including the left main bronchus (four cases). Eleven of these 13 patients underwent endoscopy and balloon dilatation of the stenotic area. Five patients died, one before endoscopy, one immediately after endoscopies, and three subsequently with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The other six babies recovered without any sequelae after balloon dilatation.

Sensitivity of auditory brainstem response in acoustic neuroma screening.

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is the reference screening technique for acoustic neuromas, but because of a few false negatives and the increasing performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), its role as the standard method has been questioned. We assessed sensitivity of screening tests in 89 patients with surgically proven acoustic neuromas. Sensitivity of ABR was 92%; 94% for extracanalicular neuromas and 77% for intracanalicular neuromas. For stapedius reflex (SR), sensitivity was 84% and for caloric vestibular response (CVR) 86%. The combined sensitivity of ABR + SR was 97% and of ABR + RS + CVR 98%. For false negatives, the greatest diameter including the intracanalicular portion was always less than 18 mm, with a mean of 15 mm, and none of these tumours reached the brainstem. For patients with unilateral cochleo-vestibular deficit, we propose ABR and SR as first-line screening tests. These tests are repeated at 6 months and at 1 year in the case of normal results. MRI is ordered for patients whose auditory threshold is too low and for those whose ABR or SR results favour retrocochlear disease.

[Aspergillosis from sphenoidal sinus (author's transl)]. / Aspergillose pseudo-tumorale du sinus sphénoïdal (ou l'étiologie d'une paralysie unilatérale du III).

The authors describe an exceptional case of aspergillosis from sphenoidal sinus showed by oculomotar palsy its follow up simulates a malignant tumour.

[Results of a multicenter study of an amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination in sinusitis in children and adults]. / Résultats d'une étude multicentrique de l'association amoxicilline-acide clavulanique dans les sinusites de l'enfant et de l'adulte.

Efficacy and safety of Augmentin were evaluated in 79 patients, 64 adults and 15 children, treated for sinusitis during a multicentric hospital trial. Pre-treatment meatal pus samples were examined for bacteriology: 37 of 39 strains (95%) isolated from adults were sensitive to Augmentin, and two beta-lactamase producing Haemophilus strains sensitive to Augmentin were isolated from the children. Adult dosage was usually 2 g per day as two divided doses over 8 to 10 days. Recovery was obtained at end of treatment in 92% of cases, side effects being reported in 56 patients, including 8 with benign digestive disorders. Usual dosage in children was 25 to 50 mg/kg/d over 8 to 10 days and treatment was effective in 13 cases. One child developed a skin rash, and there was no report of digestive disturbance.

[The value of pharyngo-esophageal manometry in the study of deglutition disorders]. / Intérêt de la manométrie pharyngo-oesophagienne dans l'étude des troubles de la déglutition.

Pharyngoesophageal manometry is an excellent tool for the study of pharyngeal swallowing disorders, and allows quantifying the various anomalies. The comparison of pre- and postoperative results allows better differentiation of the indications for myotomy or myectomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle. On the basis of a series of 10 cases with sufficient distance in time, the operation can be regarded as even more beneficial as the manometric anomalies are confined to the sole upper esophageal sphincter.

[Cell culture in thyroid cancers]. / Cultures cellulaires en carcinologie thyroïdienne.

The authors studied the diagnostic interest of cell cultures in thyroid tumors. They cultivated 10 tumours (4 papillary carcinomas, 5 medullary carcinomas and 1 sarcoma-looking tumour). In 7 cases, cultures yielded nothing more than pathologic examination. Nonetheless the study allowed to detect a double secretion (calcitonin and thyroglobulin) in 2 medullary carcinomas which turned out to be mixed proliferations. It also detected a production of thyroglobulin by the sarcoma. They think that cell cultures may have a diagnostic interest besides pathologic examination, allowing precise study of secretory features of the tumors.

[Intrinsic congenital stenoses of the trachea]. / Les sténoses congénitales intrinsèques de la trachée.

The authors report about one case of intrinsic congenital stenosis of the trachea in a newborn. The prognosis of tracheal stenosis in infants is poor, more so when it is congenital and intrinsic, because it is often extensive and associated with other malformations, especially of the right mainstem bronchus and of the right lung. The prognosis of such extensive stenoses, for which surgery constantly resulted in death, has been improved by a new type of tracheoplasty (Kimura-Tsugawa, 1982). However, these children can only be operated with this procedure once they are through intensive care and acute respiratory distress, often in the neonatal period.

[Fronto-ethmoidal meningo-encephaloceles and nasal gliomas (author's transl)]. / Méningo-encéphalocèles fronto-ethmoïdales et gliomes nasaux.

Meningoencephalocoeles and nasal gliomas are congenital malformations rare in Europe but much better known in Morocco and in Thailand. These lesions have embryonic relations which are such that certain authors consider them to be only clinical varieties of the same malformation. They cause extra nasal, intra nasal or mixed tumours discovered most often at birth. Treatment is surgical either via a high intracranial approach or via a low facial approach (both approaches sometimes being used in association) and the prognosis is dominated by the problem of the dura mater if there are connections between the tumour mass and the subarachnoid spaces. When the problem is resolved by dural plasty, the later prognosis is excellent and, in particular, the psychomotor development of the children appears to be normal. Cosmetic problems, and in particular hypertelorism, may nevertheless require later surgery.

[Esophagotracheal fistula after tracheotomy and assisted ventilation (author's transl)]. / Les fistules oeso-trachéales après trachéotomie et ventilaltion assistée.

On the basis of 12 cases of oesophagotracheal fistula after tracheotomy and assisted ventilation, the authors discuss the etiopathogenesis and the diagnosis of this grave condition, emphasizing its inevitably surgical treatment, and the major value of prophylaxis which is nevertheless difficult to apply.

[Malformation of the internal ear and recurrent meningitis: radio-surgical correlations]. / Malformation de l'oreille interne et méningites à répétition: corrélations radio-chirurgicales.

Authors report one case of bilateral inner ear malformation in a 3 years-old child with congenital sensorineural hearing loss, recurrent meningitis and cerebro-spinal fluid leakage. This anomaly is a pseudo-Mondini's malformation with a meningocele through the oval window and a fistula of C.S.F. of the round window. A close radiological and surgical correlation support some physiopathological hypothesis about fistula between sub arachnoid space and middle ear. Authors discuss the place of high resolution computed tomography in case of congenital sensorineural learning loss.

[Value of ultrasonography in the detection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes]. / Intérêt de l'échographie dans la recherche des adénopathies cervicales métastatiques.

A prospective study of 18 consecutive patients with carcinoma of upper respiratory and digestive tracts is presented. The authors describe the lymph node involvement in these cases. Preoperative ultrasound exploration of the cervical node regions was performed and US findings were compared with obtain by physical examination. Despite the limitations of ultrasonography, the diagnostic and prognostic interest were emphasized. Associated with color doppler, higher specificity and sensibility were noted.

[On 30 cases of naso-pharyngeal fibromas (author's transl)]. / A propos de 30 fibromes naso-pharyngiens.

The authors report their experiments in the diagnosis and treatment of naso-pharyngeal fibromas. They point out:--the usefulness of tomo-densitometric and arteriographic examinations; but they are concerned by the neurological dangers of embolization;--the usefulness of surgical treatment in this condition, usually done by the infralabial route, in the Rouge-Denker technique.

[Magnetic resonance imaging of craniofacial pathology]. / Apport de l'imagerie par résonance magnétique en pathologie crânio-faciale.

Effectiveness of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was compared with that of the CT scan in several cases involving different lesions: intracranial, base of skull, facial sinuses, parapharyngeal spaces. MRI provided excellent contrast in soft tissues with good detection of tumors and their limits, the condition of neighboring tissues and any local or regional tumor extension. Vessels were also visualized. It was not influenced by dental artefacts, and allowed three-dimensional sections to be obtained simply without manipulation of patients. In contrast, bone structures were analyzed less clearly than by the CT scan. Marked progress in MRI technical features and results obtained can be expected in the very near future.

[Use of cultures of human thyroid cells in physiopathology and pharmacotoxicology]. / Utilisation des cultures de cellules thyroïdiennes humaines en physiopathologie et pharmacotoxicologie.

We reconstituted functional follicles from isolated cells, after embedding in a collagen matrix. Therefore we could carry out many investigations. We showed that the cells embedded in collagen reorganized into functional follicles secreting thyroglobulin (Tg) visualised in the intra-follicular compartment, and triiodothyronine (T3) after TSH stimulation. We used these reconstituted follicles for testing several drugs, amiodarone, propranolol and some anaesthetic drugs (thiopental, midazolam and ketamine). We observed that all these drugs inhibited partially or totally, according to the dose administered, the follicular production of Tg and T3. We also found that the follicles reconstituted from thyroid Grave's tissues gave an abnormal secretion of Tg and T3. Finally we created in Rennes a human thyroid model that permits the exploration of pathologic tissues and that may be used in pharmacotoxicology.

[Functional imaging of the auditory cortex: role of magnetoencephalography]. / Imagerie fonctionelle du cortex auditif. Place de la magnétoencéphalographie.

We present the different methods for detecting cerebral activity in the auditory cortex. Positron emission tomography (PET) and functional MRI (fMRI) measure such activity indirectly by calculating the blood flow rate or the consumption of oxygen. The direct methods of detection record the electrical or magnetic activity by eletroencephalography (EEG), or magnetoencephalography (MEG), respectively. The aim of this study was to define the role of MEG amongst these different techniques using the data from recordings of evoked magnetic fields in 5 healthy subjects. The localizations demonstrated the tonotopic organization of the auditory cortex, with high-pitched sounds showing a more medial cortical projection than low-pitched sounds. These various techniques are complementary. PET allows a pharmacological study of the cortex, and could be used in patients with cochlear implants. FMRI is non-invasive, and has a high spatial resolution. EEG has an excellent temporal resolution, and EEG recordings do not require major equipment or infrastructure. MEG has a better spatial resolution, with the same temporal resolution, as EEC. MEG is particularly useful in the localization of the cortical generators of middle-latency auditory evoked responses.

[Extemporaneous anatomo-pathological test in surgery of thyroid cancers. Values and limitations]. / L'examen anatomo-pathologique extemporané dans la chirurgie des cancers thyroïdiens. Intérêts et limites.

We report our experience in surgical treatment of thyroid cancer; 2470 total or partial thyroidectomies were performed for a thyroid nodule, 205 were primitive thyroid carcinoma (8.3%). Intraoperative frozen sections diagnoses were performed in 100% of the patients. In this study, a 100% specificity and 74% sensitivity were found. Data for each histological type were compared with the previous studies. Each false negative macroscopic aspect carcinoma's size, differenciation, plurificality were studied in order to understand the limits of frozen sections diagnoses. The higher rate of false negative was found with small, well differenciated vesicular carcinoma. This study shows that high accuracy of frozen sections diagnoses allows to improve the intraoperative management of thyroid cancer. The high specificity of frozen sections diagnoses strengthens our reliance upon this examination.

[Malignant chemodectoma of the intrapetrous facial nerve]. / Chémodectome malin du nerf facial intrapétreux.

A 30 year old man presented with a tumor of the intrapetrous portion of the facial nerve, found to be a malignant chemodectoma on investigation. Possible relations with tumors of the APUD system, as well as pathogenic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

[A description of surgery of the vidian nerve (author's transl)]. / A propos de la chirurgie du nerf vidien

The authors expound a method wihch is initially surgical, for approaching the vidian nerve while preserving the innermost periosteal lining of the pterygomaxillary fossa, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of cutting into the contents of this fossa.

[Fistula of the 4th endo-branchial pouch. Apropos of 4 cases]. / Fistules de la 4e poche endobranchiale. A propos de 4 cas.

The congenital fistula of the piriform sinus is a rare, often overlooked, malformation originating in the branchial pouch. More than 70 observations have been reported in the literature. The authors describe four new cases of documented fistula of the fourth endobrachial pouch. The terminology of these malformations and the different hypotheses concerning the fistular routes is given. The authors discuss their own observations and those reported in the literature in order to better define the clinical diagnosis and the request for complementary examinations for fistulae of the piriform sinus. Surgical exploration is the ultimate diagnostic and therapeutic step.