Pathology underrates colon cancer extranodal and nodal metastases; ex vivo radioimmunodetection helps staging.

PURPOSE: Colorectal carcinoma is frequently accompanied by small lymph nodes metastases that often escape pathologic examination. We evaluated whether ex vivo radioimmunodetection with the Affinity Enhancement System (AES) could improve detection of mesocolonic metastases. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A bivalent 111In-labeled hapten was injected (16 patients) 4 days after a bispecific antibody (anticarcinoembryonic antigen, antihapten). Surgery was done 1 to 3 days later, and radioactive uptake in the mesocolon was recorded. Extensive pathologic examination of the mesocolon (reference method) was done after fat dissolution. This method visualizes all lymph nodes but is not in routine use. RESULTS: The reference method disclosed 705 nodes. There was no significant difference between the number of node metastases detected by AES or by the reference method (16 versus 17). Better detection would have been obtained by AES than by routine pathology (P<0.01). In addition 12 extranodal metastases were found in this study of which eight were detected by AES. The prognostic importance of such extranodal metastases has been underlined in the literature. Routine pathology combined with AES would have disclosed all node metastases and 86% of total metastases versus 35% by routine pathology alone. CONCLUSIONS: Ex vivo radioimmunodetection could improve nodal and extranodal metastases detection in patients with colorectal cancer. Its value for improving pathologic analysis, together with the effect of these small metastases on prognosis, should be further evaluated. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients upstaged with radioimmunodection should also be assessed because adjuvant chemotherapy improves the 5-year survival of stage III patients.

Time course of behavioral changes following basal forebrain cholinergic damage in rats: Environmental enrichment as a therapeutic intervention.

The present experiment was designed to study changes in behavior following immunolesioning of the basal forebrain cholinergic system. Rats were lesioned at 3 months of age by injection of the 192 IgG-saporin immunotoxin into the medial septum area and the nucleus basalis magnocellularis, and then tested at different times after surgery (from days 7-500) on a range of behavioral tests, administered in the following order: a nonmatching-to-position task in a T-maze, an object-recognition task, an object-location task, and an open-field activity test. The results revealed a two-way interaction between post-lesion behavioral testing time and memory demands. In the nonmatching-to-position task, memory deficits appeared quite rapidly after surgery, i.e. at a post-lesion time as short as 1 month. In the object-recognition test, memory impairments appeared only when rats were tested at late post-lesion times (starting at 15 months), whereas in the object-location task deficits were apparent at early post-lesion times (starting from 2 months). Taking the post-operative time into account, one can hypothesize that at the shortest post-lesion times, behavioral deficits are due to pure cholinergic depletion, while as the post-lesion time increases, one can speculate the occurrence of a non-cholinergic system decompensation process and/or a gradual degeneration process affecting other neuronal systems that may contribute to mnemonic impairments. Interestingly, when middle-aged rats were housed in an enriched environment, 192 IgG-saporin-lesioned rats performed better than standard-lesioned rats on both the nonmatching-to-position and the object-recognition tests. Environment enrichment had significant beneficial effects in 192 IgG-saporin-lesioned rats, suggesting that lesioned rats at late post-lesion times (over 1 year) still have appreciable cognitive plasticity.

Epidermoid carcinoma of the anal margin: 17 cases treated with curative-intent radiation therapy.

Between 1973 and 1991, 17 patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the anal margin without evidence of distant metastasis were treated with curative-intent radiation therapy (RT). There were nine T1-tumors, six T2-, one T3- and one T4-tumor; two patients presented with inguinal node involvement: one N1 and one N3. Nine patients underwent prior incomplete local excision (six with microscopic involvement of surgical margins and two with macroscopic residual disease). The radiation dose to the tumor was 60-70 Gy; the radiation dose to the inguinal lymph nodes was 40-45 Gy in N0, and 50-60 Gy for involved inguinal nodes. The 5- and 10-year cancer-specific survival rates were 86.2% and 77.5%, respectively. The same probabilities were 100% and 100% for T1-tumors, 60% and 40% for T2-tumors. Severe complications occurred in two patients, one anal radionecrosis requiring a colostomy and one permanent anal incontinence after local excision, which was non-related to irradiation. For the cured patients, the sphincter preservation rate after 5 years was 82% (9/11). In univariate analysis and in Cox multivariate analysis, the cancer-specific survival rate was influenced by one factor: the tumor size.

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid as an adjuvant in resectable colorectal carcinoma: a 6 1/2 year follow-up analysis of a multicentric double blind randomized trial.

In a double blind study, patients with operable carcinoma of the colon and the upper rectum, who have undergone a macroscopically complete resection of their tumor, were randomized to receive either (i) polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (AU), one i.v. injection of 60 mg (in 50 ml of solution) once a week for 6 weeks, or (ii) a placebo (P) one i.v. injection of 50 ml of a saline solution with the same schedule. From January 1983 to December 1986, 288 patients were enrolled: 145 in AU group and 143 in P group. The main clinical and pathological characteristics were equally distributed throughout the two groups. There was a significant difference (P < 0.02) in the overall survival (OS) between the two groups, in favor of the P group. The 5-year OS rate was 68% (SD = 4%) in the AU group versus 81% (SD = 3%) in the P group. Thus, AU as a single adjuvant, appears to be ineffective and therefore has no indication in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma.

Small intestine protection from radiation by means of a removable adapted prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: A prosthesis has been designed to protect intestinal loops from radiation when postsurgical radiotherapy is necessary in cancer treatment. It is a silicone balloon that allows the small bowel to be pushed back away from the radiation field, and it is easily removed at the conclusion of radiotherapy. METHODS: The device was used in 22 patients: 5 retroperitoneal tumors and 17 pelvic cancers. After surgical resection of the tumor, the device is placed either in the retroperitoneal area or in the pelvic cavity. A polyglactine 910 mesh is placed between the spacer and the bowel to prevent incarceration of the loops. The prosthesis can be filled or emptied between each radiation course and finally removed by means of a short incision under local or locoregional anesthesia. RESULTS: The tolerance of the small intestine to radiation therapy has been satisfactory in each case, with a mean follow-up of 24.5 months (range 10 to 73). No modification of biological parameters was observed during the pelvic radiation therapy at 30, 45, and 65 Gy. CONCLUSION: This device should appears to efficient for prevention of bowel injury during postsurgical radiation in successful treatment of abdominal, pelvic, or retroperitoneal tumors when indicated.

Placebo-controlled clinical trial of mesalazine in the prevention of early endoscopic recurrences after resection for Crohn's disease. Groupe d'Etudes Thérapeutiques des Affections Inflammatoires Digestives (GETAID).

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic postoperative recurrences occur early after 'curative' surgery for Crohn's disease. Pentasa has been shown to be effective in the maintenance treatment of quiescent Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a 12-week oral intake of Claversal in the prevention of endoscopic recurrences after 'curative' resection for ileal, colonic or ileocolonic Crohn's disease. We conducted a multicentre double-blind controlled trial comparing Claversal (1g tid) with placebo, starting within 15 days after surgery. The macroscopic normality of the two anastomotic segments was assessed at surgery. Patients were clinically and biologically evaluated twice (6-week interval), and colonoscopy was performed at 12 weeks. Endoscopic relapse was defined by any anastomotic ulcerations or stenosis and staged according to a four-grade score. RESULTS: Between May 1989 and May 1991 12 centres included 126 patients, 70 women and 56 men, aged 33 +/- 12 years (range 16-70) in the study. Disease locations were ileal, colonic and ileocolonic in 45, 6 and 49%, respectively. Claversal and placebo groups were similar at inclusion, except for ESR (37 +/- 26 vs. 27 +/- 23 mm/h in the Claversal and placebo groups, respectively; P < 0.05). Nine patients were withdrawn from the study. Adverse reactions occurred only in six patients. Five patients were excluded for protocol violation. Finally, 106 patients could be evaluated at 12 weeks (55 Claversal and 51 placebo). An endoscopic relapse was observed in 50% and 63% of the Claversal and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.16), with a similar grade distribution. Claversal was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that a large proportion of endoscopic recurrences occur within 3 months of resection in Crohn's disease. There was a slight trend towards greater efficacy of Claversal; it could be worthwhile trying higher dosages and/or 5-ASA compounds with different intestinal release profiles.

The role of anatomic factors in nutritional autonomy after extensive small bowel resection.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to predict which patients with a postsurgical short bowel will require long-term parenteral nutrition. METHODS: We performed a retrospective prognostic study for the time to home parenteral nutrition or death from malnutrition (nonautonomy), on the basis of 103 patients with a residual short bowel of 17 to 150 cm. The influence of anatomic variables was summarized through the use of Cox regression model. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients included, 24 lost nutritional autonomy. Three anatomic variables were identified as having independent predictive information; remaining small bowel length (measured on small bowel x-rays; p = .0001), and jejunoileal anastomosis (p = .01) promoted autonomy, whereas end jejunostomy (p = .002) increased the risk of losing nutritional autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results and on the relative weight of these variables, high-risk patients for loss of nutritional autonomy were defined as those with jejunoileal anastomosis and a remaining small bowel length < 35 cm, patients with jejunocolic anastomosis and remaining small bowel length < 60 cm, and patients with an end jejunostomy and remaining small bowel length < 115 cm. This classification was thereafter validated on a prospective series of 32 patients.

[Results of choledoco-duodenostomy for common bile duct lithiasis]. / Résultats de la cholédoco-duodénostomie pour lithiase de la voie biliaire principale.

One hundred and sixty-seven choledoco-duodenostomies for lithiasis of the common bile duct (CBD) were performed. The mean age of the patients was 74 +/- 1 years. Sixty p. 100 of the patients presented with at least one operative risk factor, usually related to their general condition. An anastomosis of at least 20 mm in diameter was possible as the diameter of the CBC was always larger than 10 mm. Immediate postoperative complications (within one month) were observed in 29 cases (17 p. 100). In 14 cases (8 p. 100), these complications were directly related to the operative procedure and, in 15 cases (9 p. 100), bronchopulmonary or cardiovascular complications occurred. Operative mortality was 4 p. 100 (7 cases); in 2 cases, death was directly related to the operative procedure, and in 5 cases, death was not directly due to surgery. Operative complications were significantly higher in the case of emergency procedures, impaction of the CBD by multiple stones, and associated acute cholecystitis. One hundred and thirty-four of the 160 survivors (84 p. 100) have been followed for a mean duration of 5 years (63 +/- 7 months); 115 (86 p. 100) have remained asymptomatic. Eleven patients had non specific findings; 8 (6 p. 100) had cholangitis, half of them having suffered from only one episode. The first (or only) episode occurred during the first postoperative year in 7 out of 8 patients. No cholangitis developed after the second postoperative year in patients still asymptomatic. No anastomotic stenosis was found in any of these cases. One case of stump syndrome was observed. These results suggest that choledocoduodenostomy is a reliable procedure for treatment of choledocolithiasis and related late complications are rare.

[Colorectal adenocarcinoma in patients under 40 years of age]. / Adénocarcinome colorectal chez le sujet de moins de 40 ans.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess prognosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in young adults. METHODS: In a retrospective review of 1,917 patients with colorectal cancer, 80 patients were under the age of 40 years (4.2%). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 5.2 years (range: 0-16 years). There was a family history of colorectal cancer in 20% of the patients, either familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC syndrome). Five prognostic factors for the 10 year survival rate were found: stage of tumor in the Astler-Coller classification (A, B1-2, C1-2 and D, 100, 75, 38 and 11% respectively), tumor vascular invasion (16%), poorly differentiated tumors (30%), emergency surgery (21%) and non curative resections (5%). The colon recurrence rate at 8 years was 14% in the case of HNPCC syndrome. The recurrence rate for patients with neither FAP nor HNPCC syndrome was 11.5% at 8 years and for patients alive at 1 year was 16.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients under the age of 40 years, a subtotal colectomy, even as a second operation should be considered, if the prognostic factors are favorable. A genetic analysis seems to be essential in the management of these patients.

[Post-surgical or traumatic anal incontinences. Prospective study in 40 patients explorated by endorectal ultrasonography and electromyography]. / Incontinences anales post-chirurgicales ou traumatiques. Etude prospective de 40 malades explorés par échographie endorectale et électromyographie.

OBJECTIVES: Anal endosonography is used to assess anal canal structure and external anal sphincter. The purpose of this study was to compare findings at anal endosonography with electromyographic tests in patients with faecal incontinence. METHODS: Fourty patients (31 women; median age: 47 years) were referred for exploration of the anal sphincter: 15 patients had previous anal surgery, 16 patients had obstetrical trauma, 3 patients had accidental trauma, 6 women had obstetrical trauma and previous anal surgery. RESULTS: Anal endosonography demonstrated an external sphincter defect in 19 patients (partial n = 4, complete n = 15); 18 of these patients had an electromyographic study: an external sphincter defect was demonstrated by mapping in 15 cases; 3 partial defects were not found. Eight patients had associated pudendal nerve terminal motor latency delayed due to neuropathic impairment of pudendal nerve. Surgery was performed in 12 patients; external sphincter lesion was confirmed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Anal endosonography and electromyography mapping easily recognize external sphincter disruption with high concordance. Partial defects are better diagnosed by anal endosonography. A study of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency is useful in the exploration of faecal incontinence because pudendal neuropathy occurs frequently in association with a sphincter defect.

[Surgical treatment of Oddi's sphincter tumors. Apropos of 56 cases]. / Traitement chirurgical des tumeurs oddiennes. A propos de 56 cas.

The records of 56 patients operated upon for ampullary tumors were reviewed in order to determine the best way to diagnose and treat these tumors. Thirty six males and 20 females, 30 to 89 years old, were operated upon between October 1970 and October 1985. Eighty six p. 100 had jaundice and 21 p. 100, anemia. In recent years, ultrasonography, duodenoscopy and ERCP appeared to be the most useful tests for diagnosis. Mean size of the tumors was 2.3 cm (0.5 to 5 cm). Five tumors were benign (8.9 p. 100) and 51 were malignant. According to the classification of Martin, 5 were grade I: 10, grade II: 18, grade III: and 18, grade IV. The correct histologic diagnosis was obtained on biopsy specimens taken during endoscopy in 7 of 12 patients. Nine patients underwent palliative choledocoduodenostomies: only one is alive at 3 years; 47 underwent resection of the tumor: 3 local excisions associated with sphincterotomy for small benign tumors, 6 ampullectomies (followed in 3 by a Whipple procedure for recurrence) and 41 Whipple procedures. After pancreatic resection, 3 patients died during hospital stay and 12 had reversible complications; overall 5 year survival was 41 p. 100. It was 75 p. 100 in grade I, 50 p. 100 in grade II, 40 p. 100 in grade III and 10 p. 100 in grade IV. Patients who received an ampullectomy were alive with a follow up of 1, 2, and 3 years. All patients operated upon for a benign tumor were alive except one who died of cardiac failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Myenteric plexuses and colonic diverticulosis: results of a histological study]. / Plexus myentériques et diverticulose colique: résultats d'une étude histologique.

The implication of intraluminal hyperpressure in the pathogenesis of colonic diverticulosis was investigated. Since colonic motricity depends on the anatomical integrity of the myenteric plexuses, we looked for morphological abnormalities of these plexuses in diverticulosis of the sigmoid, using the silver impregnation technique devised by Smith. Fifteen sigmoidectomy specimens (including the rectosigmoid junction) were studied in patients afflicted with diverticulosis. Operations were not performed during the acute phases of the illness. The results were compared to those obtained in 5 colectomy specimens in patients with cancer of the rectum, without colonic diverticulosis (control series). Conventional histology as well as the silver impregnation did not reveal any morphological abnormalities of the myenteric plexuses in the rectosigmoid junction or in the remaining sigmoid. The count of argyrophilic ganglion cells (10 to 15 per plexus) was identical in the colons affected with diverticulosis and in the control specimens. These results show that impairment of motricity in sigmoid diverticulosis is not a consequence of morphological abnormalities of the myenteric plexuses. They do not, however, exclude chemical or functional modifications in these plexuses.

[Psoas abscess complicating Crohn's disease]. / Abcès du psoas compliquant la maladie de Crohn.

Psoas abscess were found in 6 cases among 166 patients with Crohn's disease between 1985 and 1989; in one case, it was the first sign of Crohn's disease. Diagnosis was usually difficult and should be suspected on the following signs: lower abdominal quadrant pain, psoitis, abdominal mass, sciatica or pain along the course of the femoral nerve. Diagnosis was confirmed in nearly all cases by computerized axial tomography. Effective therapy combines drainage and bowel resection.

[Total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis in Crohn's colitis. Functional results and recurrence factors (83 cases)]. / Colectomie totale et anastomose iléo-rectale dans la colite de Crohn. Résultats fonctionnels et facteurs de récidive (83 cas).

Eighty-three consecutive patients (38 men, 45 women) underwent colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) for Crohn's colitis between 1960 and 1988. The mean age at the time of IRA was 28.5 years after a mean interval of four years from diagnosis. At the time of IRA, 31 patients had proctitis, while 25 had perianal disease. Two patients died postoperatively. Postoperative complications appeared in 21 cases (25.3%) including 7 anastomotic leaks (13.2%). Leakage did not imply IRA compromise and the diverting ileostomy did not decrease the risk of preservation of the ileorectal anastomosis. With a mean follow-up of 8 years after IRA, among the 81 surviving patients, it was necessary to retain the stomy in five, 24 required exclusion or excision of their IRA (10 defunctioning ileostomies, 14 proctectomies) and 52 still had a functioning IRA at follow-up (64.2%). Among the 43 recurrences (53%), 21 underwent reoperation. The mean interval between IRA and recurrence was 2.2 years. The cumulative rate of recurrence reached 47% at 5 years and 57% at 10 years. Fifty percent of the patients still had a functioning IRA and were satisfied. Preoperative ileal lesions affected the functional results of the IRA and the recurrence rate. Development of ileal, rectal or anal disease after IRA significantly increased the risk of exclusion of the rectum but did not require suppression of anal function. Patients under 30 years of age or patients suffering for more than 5 years had poorer functional results and more frequent reoperations at 5 years. Rectal preservation after IRA may be proposed with success to patients with a healthy rectum or with minimal or moderate proctitis, even if there is perianal disease that could be safely treated before IRA. In this last setting, the patient has to be informed of the risk of rectal preservation and the possible risk of requiring ulterior proctectomy.

[Sclerosing peritonitis. A series of 10 cases and review of the literature]. / Péritonite encapsulante. Une série de 10 observations et revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to describe the main features of sclerosing peritonitis, using a retrospective study in 10 patients. RESULTS: The main causes of sclerosing peritonitis were continual ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (n = 3), peritoneal chemotherapy (n = 2) and liver cirrhosis (n = 2). Sclerosing peritonitis was revealed by acute or chronic bowel obstruction (n = 8). Small bowel X-rays and abdominal tomodensitometry showed a small bowel dilatation with a normal mucosa (n = 7), ascites (n = 5) as well as agglutination and fixation of small bowel loops within a cocoon (n = 3). Surgical viscerolysis was performed in 9 patients and allowed prolonged clinical remission in 4; 3 patients died postoperatively (1 had a cirrhosis and 2 were treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis), 1 patient had a complicated postoperative course with recurrent enterocutaneous fistulae. CONCLUSION: Sclerosing peritonitis may be suspected in a patient who presents a combination of bowel obstruction, small bowel dilatation without mucosal disease and ascites. Surgical viscerolysis is a dangerous operation associated with high mortality in patients with renal failure or cirrhosis.

[Prognosis in pancolonic forms of hemorrhagic rectocolitis]. / Pronostic des formes pancoliques de rectocolite hémorragique.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognosis of pancolitis in ulcerative colitis including survival, colectomy rate, colon cancer risk, activity of disease, functional and socioprofessional impact. METHODS: Retrospective study of 130 cases of ulcerative pancolitis referred consecutively to Rothschild Hospital from 1962 to 1993. They were 58 men and 72 women. The mean age at onset of ulcerative colitis was 30 years (range: 5-77). The extension to the right colon was secondary in 68% of patients. The period of observation ranged from 0.8 year to 46 years from the onset, with a median of 10.6 years. Three patients were lost to follow up. RESULTS: Eight patients died, the survival rate being 93% at 10 years. Surgical treatment was performed in 85 patients. The cumulative colectomy rates were 61% and 77% at 10 and 20 years respectively. Colonic cancer developed in three patients, corresponding to a cumulative risk after 25 years of 6% in unoperated patients and 1.9% in the whole series. No cancer occurred after colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis. In the group of unoperated patients there was a decrease of activity of the disease during the first fifteen years. The quality of life of colectomized patients with reestablishment of intestinal continuity and of those treated conservatively did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: In this series, long term prognosis of ulcerative pancolitis was favourable. The high colectomy rate was balanced by a very low risk of colorectal cancer.

[Effects of preoperative artificial nutrition in intestinal resections for Crohn disease]. / Effets de la nutrition artificielle préopératoire dans les résections intestinales pour maladie de Crohn.

UNLABELLED: Artificial nutrition prior to bowel resection has not been evaluated fully. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of preoperative artificial nutrition upon postoperative complications, length of resected bowel and relapses of Crohn disease. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 1994, 108 consecutive patients underwent bowel resection for Crohn disease. Thirty nine patients had received exclusive enteral nutrition (n = 14) or parenteral nutrition (n = 25) for 19 +/- 10 days. Patients who had received artificial nutrition were more malnourished and had complicated Crohn disease (fistulae, abscesses) more often than patients operated without artificial nutrition. After 19 days of artificial nutrition, the nutritional state of patients was not significantly improved. Postoperative complication rate was higher in patients operated after artificial nutrition (33 vs. 16%; P = 0.03). Using multivariate prognosis analysis, the extent of colic resection was significantly associated with postoperative complications (P = 0.0003). Length of resected bowel and relapse rates were similar in patients with or without preoperative nutrition. CONCLUSION: Artificial nutrition prior to bowel resection for Crohn's disease is indicated in patients with the most severe form of the disease. A preoperative nutrition of 19 days does not seem to reduce postoperative complications nor the length of resected bowel.

[Surgical resection of hepatic metastases of cancers of the colon and rectum]. / Résection chirurgicale des métastases hépatiques des cancers du côlon et du rectum.

Surgical resection of metastatic colorectal carcinoma remains controversial. Few patients are eligible for resection since out of 2,725 patients operated upon for colonic or rectal adenocarcinomas in 11 years, 14 p. 100 had liver metastases and only 0.9 p. 100 could be resected. Twenty-nine patients who have undergone partial liver resections for metastatic colorectal carcinomas are reported. The primary neoplasms were Duke's class B(8), Dukes' C (12) or extended to another organ (5). Local extension was unknown in 4 cases. Eight metastases were unique and measured less than 5 cm; seven, although unique, measured more than 5 cm. Fourteen patients had multiple but unilateral hepatic deposits. Twenty major resections and 9 wedge liver resections were performed. One patient died (3.4 p. 100). Average hospital stay was 19 days. Pain was relieved by surgery in 10/11 patients. In 19 patients follow-up exceeds one year: six underwent the resection of a unique and small liver metastasis: one died after 3 and a half years and two are doing well 4 and 10 years after surgery. Thirteen patients underwent major liver resections for large or multiple liver deposits: 9 lived less than one year and 4 are alive after 16, 19, 26 and 60 months respectively. All patients with a follow-up of less than one year are alive. The low operative mortality, the efficacy in relieving pain, and the prolonged survival which can be obtained in some cases justify an aggressive surgical approach to colorectal liver metastases.

[Comparison of long-term course of perforating and non-perforating Crohn disease]. / Comparaison de l'évolution à long terme des maladies de Crohn perforantes et non perforantes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of the indication of the first surgical procedure on the prognosis of Crohn's disease. METHODS: We compared retrospectively the long-term course of 179 patients operated on for a perforating disease and 322 patients operated on for a nonperforating disease. Mean follow-up was 11 years and 2 months in the two groups. RESULTS: Forty of 179 (25%) and 106 of 322 (33%) patients with perforating and nonperforating diseases underwent a second intestinal resection, respectively. The patients who had been operated on for a perforating disease were significantly more often reoperated on for the same indication, and conversely. Patients with perforating diseases experienced less second resections (actuarial rates: 37 +/- 11% vs 51 +/- 8% at ten years respectively), less post-surgical handicaps (mean index 24.9 vs 27.9), and fewer patients required immunosuppressive drugs (25 vs 35%). CONCLUSION: Long-term prognosis of perforating Crohn's disease does not appear to be more severe than that of nonperforating disease.

[Diffuse recto-colic malacoplakia: association with cryptogenic colitis and remission following long-term antibiotic therapy]. / Malakoplakie recto-colique diffuse: association à une colite cryptogénétique et rémission après antibiothérapie prolongée.

Diffuse digestive malakoplakia appears exceptional. A case of rectocolic malakoplakia with multiple localisations is reported in a 22 year old man presenting with inflammatory bowel disease. The most prominent clinical features were deterioration of his general condition, fever, and rectal bleeding, with fistula. Endoscopy revealed pseudotumoral masses and multiple colorectal ulcerations. Diagnosis was based on histological examination of colorectal biopsies. Clinical and histological remission was obtained after colonic diversion associated with broad spectrum antibiotherapy. These findings raise the problem of the possible association between inflammatory bowel disease and malakoplakia. They also confirm that, as previously reported, favourable outcome in digestive malakoplakia is possible.