[Biology of primary hyperparathyroidism: selective venous sampling]. / Biologie de l'hyperparathyroïdie primaire: prélèvements veineux étagés.

The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is chemical: high level of Parathormone (PTH) in conjunction with hypercalcaemia. In borderline cases with sub-normal plasma PTH and calcium, an oral calcium load test could allow a differential diagnosis from other causes of high PTH. Imaging is required only for PHP. Selective venous sampling can help in localizing a parathyroid adenoma in difficult cases by PTH cartography in the following situations: imaging in favour of an ectopic mediastinal gland or a deep cervical adenoma, persistent or recurrent PHP after first failed surgery with negative neck exploration or unsatisfactory in case of another hypersecreting gland, PHP well diagnosed with indeterminate imaging, symptomatic PHP with normal PTH and negative imaging. Venous blood sampling performed in a vascular radiological department with a quick PTH assay can reveal an area of maximum secretion potentially linked to a nodule localized by previous ultrasound coupled to scintigraphy, giving thus a "biological imaging" study. The association of imaging and biology is an efficient procedure enabling localization of an area of abnormal PTH secretion and characterization of the level of PTH secretion. The area with the highest gradient of PTH concentration can help to protocol CT and MR examination.

[Treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism at Cochin hospital (Paris). Changes in procedures during the last thirty years]. / Traitement de l'hyperparathyroïdie à l'hôpital Cochin de Paris. Evolution des idées au cours des trente dernières années.

The association of high performance techniques and low morbidity has enabled the development of preventive surgery for hyperparathyroidism. Over the last 30 years, 2500 patients have undergone this type of procedure at the Visceral Surgery Unit of the Cochin Hospital in Paris. This experience has enabled us to achieve the current concept of surgical treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism, particularly with the development of minimally invasive techniques performed under local anesthesia. The promotional role played by our institution over the last 30 years in this area has enabled sturdy evidence-based reflection. The report of the work accomplished would not be complete without the story of the rich adventure which began in the 19th century. We propose here a review of the major advance achieved in order to better apprehend the principles currently regulation our approach to surgery of the parathyroid glands.

Presence of villin, a tissue-specific cytoskeletal protein, in sera of patients and an initial clinical evaluation of its value for the diagnosis and follow-up of colorectal cancers.

Villin is an actin-binding protein found in a few normal adult epithelia, namely epithelial cells in the digestive and urogenital tracts. Moreover, villin production is maintained in malignant cells. We assumed that cell lysis and necrosis of solid tumors producing villin might result in villin release into blood. We analyzed the villin content of sera from 788 patients and controls using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients and controls were classified into healthy donors, patients with benign diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, patients with colorectal cancers, and patients with malignant nondigestive diseases. In the panel of sera analyzed, the sensitivity of the assay for colorectal cancers was 50.5%, and its overall specificity for malignant digestive tumors was 94.5%. Results were statistically analyzed comparing each group of sera with each other. We conclude that the presence of villin is indicative of a pathological state in the gastrointestinal tract (P less than 0.001). Finally, we followed villin levels after tumor resections (60 patients). We found that the villin level in sera remains low in remissions but is raised in recurrences. We suggest that the villin assay may have clinical utility as a diagnostic adjunct for adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. It may also have some value in monitoring patients with advancing colorectal carcinomas after resection of these tumors.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery as a first-line treatment for mediastinal parathyroid adenomas: strategic value of imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To present first-line thoracic surgery made possible by localization studies in three patients with ectopic parathyroid adenomas. DESIGN AND METHODS: Three patients with ectopic parathyroid tissue in the mediastinum were examined by ultrasound, technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT), and venous catheterization with measurement of parathyroid hormone. Without previous cervical exploration, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was used in all cases to avoid the need for thoracic open surgical procedures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The mediastinal parathyroid glands were all detected at scintigraphy, and CT and venous catheterization were helpful in anatomic and functioning characterization. All pathologic glands were successfully resected, with only one minor complication. VATS can safely remove a deep mediastinal parathyroid adenoma and avoid more aggressive open approaches. In an experienced referral center, systematic and sophisticated imaging studies may accurately identify and localize rare ectopic parathyroid adenomas, and avoid cervical surgery.

Unilateral neck exploration under local anesthesia: the approach of choice for asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Conventional parathyroidectomy involves a bilateral neck exploration with the patient under general anesthesia with a thorough search for all parathyroid tissue. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of unilateral neck exploration under local anesthesia in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (first-degree hyperparathyroidism). METHODS: Of 679 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for first-degree hyperparathyroidism from July 1989 to June 1997, 230 asymptomatic patients underwent unilateral neck exploration under local anesthesia. Selection criteria for this approach included the successful identification of a solitary parathyroid adenoma on preoperative imaging, no thyroid disease, and no family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia. Intact parathyroid hormone levels were monitored during the operation. RESULTS: Total serum calcium levels were normal in 220 patients (96%) 3 to 6 months after surgery. Ten patients (4%) experienced persistent hypercalcemia, 8 of whom had multiple gland disease and 2 of whom had false-positive imaging. Two of these patients underwent bilateral neck exploration under general anesthesia and were cured, although 8 patients remained asymptomatic and were followed up non-operatively. The mean operating time was 30 minutes (range, 12-65 minutes). There were two complications (0.87%) including one wound hematoma and one transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral neck exploration under local anesthesia is an efficacious and safe approach to the treatment of first-degree hyperparathyroidism and should be considered in all patients with asymptomatic disease.

[Retrorectal tumor in adults. Combination of computed tomography and endorectal echography]. / Tumeur rétrorectale de l'adulte. Intérêt de l'association tomodensitométrie et échographie endorectale.

A retrorectal tumor was identified by presacral palpation in a 41-year old woman. Combined preoperative computed tomography and intrarectal ultrasound accurately delineated regional and local spread, respectively. This combined approach confirmed diagnosis and provided guidance for total ablation of a mature cystic teratoma.

[Laparoscopic splenectomy. The "hanging spleen technique" in a series of nineteen cases]. / Splénectomie coelioscopique. Technique de suspension splénique. A propos de dix-neuf cas.

We have used an new patient position for laparoscopic splenectomy: the patient is placed in the right lateral supine position on a "bean bag" positioning apparatus and the left arm is elevated. The operator stands to the patient's right, the first assistant is on the patient's right and the second is on the patient's left. This position provides very good exposure of the spleen, which hangs from the diaphragm by the peritoneal attachments and the inferior pole splenic vessels, short gastric vessels and splenic hilus vessels can be released successively. We have now performed 19 splenectomies using the "Hanging Spleen Technique" with three conversions to open surgery. Splenectomy was always possible with the use of a plastic bag through the 12 mm trocar hole in 12 cases and through this enlarged hole in 2 cases. The mean post-operative stay was 4.3 days and the mean time to return to work was 19 days. Laparoscopic splenectomy is a feasible and safe procedure with this patient position. Obesity and splenomegaly are no longer absolute contra-indications.

[Which adrenal incidentalomas are to be operated?]. / Quels incidentalomes surrénaliens faut-il opérer?

AIM OF THE STUDY: The goal of this retrospective study was to recognize the incidence of adrenal tumors called incidentalomas, that are in fact symptomatic or hormone secreting tumors, to assess if the diagnostic criteria proposed in the literature are reliable for adrenal tumors found incidentally. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The records concerned 147 patients operated between April 1981 and December 2000 for an adrenal mass measuring 3 cm in diameter and larger on CT scan. Clinical and laboratory findings as well as hormone levels and imaging examinations (CT Scan, IRM, scintigraphy) were correlated with operative findings and results of histologic examinations. One hundred and three patients were operated by a traditional approach and forty four by videoendoscopic techniques. RESULTS: In 41 patients (28%), the tumors had to be classified as false incidentalomas (group 1) postoperatively. In 106 patients (72%), the nature of tumor was non definite. In this group 2, there were ten malignant tumors, two pheochromocytomas and 94 benign lesions. Age of patient, size of tumor, increase in size over time and radiological appearance represent criteria that are not reliable to separate malignant from benign tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Tumors of indeterminated and non specific nature only should be classified as incidentalomas. Imaging techniques as well as other criteria of malignancy cannot be relied upon to separate benign from malignant tumors. The risk even small of cancer or pheochromocytoma leads us to recommend excision of tumors > or = 3 cm in radiological diameter. The videoendoscopic approach is a good alternative to open operation in centers with this special expertise.

[Complications of two types of pancreatic anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy]. / Complications de deux types d'anastomoses pancréatiques après duodéno-pancréatectomie céphalique.

The operative mortality rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is 5% or less at major surgical centers and is generally related to pancreatic anastomosis complications. Recently, several authors have reported a low incidence of complications after PD using pancreaticogastrostomy. The aim of our work was to retrospectively study the operative complications of pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) and pancreaticojejeunostomy (PJ) after PD. Since 1989 we have performed 59 consecutive DP, in 33 male patients and 22 female patients, with a mean age of 56 +/- 12 years. We performed 43 PG and 16 PJ. In 42/59 cases, PD was performed for malignant disease. Pancreaticoduodenal resection was identical in both groups, with classical pancreatic transection performed at the level of the mesentericoportal axis. The overall mortality rate in this study was 5.08% (n = 3). It was 4.65% (n = 2) in the PG group and 6.25% (n = 1) in the PJ group. Operative complications were absent in 36 patients (24 PG, 12 PJ). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 17 +/- 6 days; 23 patients (19 PG, 4 PJ) presented one or several complications. 12 patients required re-exploration (10 PG, 2 PJ). Pancreatic fistula occurred in 8 patients (13.55%), 14% (n = 6) in the PG group and 12.5% (n = 2) in the PJ group. In each group, only one pancreatic fistula was re-explored. Seven patients (16%) in the PG group presented postoperative pancreatitis. Pancreatic fistula and postoperative pancreatitis occurred in a pancreas with a normal texture and non-dilated pancreatic duct in every case, with one exception (PJ). During long term follow-up, 18 patients died from cancer (12 PG, 6 PJ). In conclusion, this study suggests that PG does not decrease the pancreatic fistula or postoperative pancreatitis rates and that these complications are essentially related to pancreatic texture and pancreatic duct.

[Role of selective venous catheterization with assay of parathormone 1-84 in the treatment of persistent hyperparathyroidism]. / Place du cathétérisme veineux étagé avec dosage de la parathormone 1-84 dans le traitement de l'hyperparathyroïdie persistante.

From March 1993 to October 1994, 12 patients operated for persistent hyperparathyroidism had preoperative catheterization of large cervical and mediastinal veins (CLCMV) with determination of serum concentration of intact parathyroid hormone. Other localization procedures included: ultrasonography (US, n = 9), computed tomography (CT, n = 8), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, n = 5), and sestamibi radionuclide imaging (MIBI, n = 9). A (1-84 PTH) gradient of 1-84 PTH was demonstrated in all patients, localizing a lesion in the neck (n = 9) or in the mediastinum (n = 3). An adenoma was found in nine patients either in the neck (n = 6) or in the mediastinum (n = 3), and 2 patients had glandular hyperplasia. Two patients remained hypercalcemic despite the removal of parathyroid tissue during CLCMV-guided reexploration. An other patient underwent unsuccessful neck reexploration. The sensitivity of other procedures was lower: US: 22%, CT: 50%, MRI: 60%, and MIBI: 66.5%. After a median follow-up of 13 months, 9 patients were cured of their hyperparathyroidism (75%) and 3 had persistent hypercalcemia. Our results suggest that CLCMV with 1-84 PTH measurement is the most accurate localization procedure in persistent hyperparathyroidism.

[Diagnosis of ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenomas: value of cardiac MRI]. / Diagnostic des adénomes parathyroïdiens ectopiques médiastinaux: apport de l'IRM cardiaque.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is due to an adenoma in 85% of cases. In 10% of cases, the parathyroid adenoma may be in an ectopic location. Ten per cent of these ectopic adenomas are located in the mediastinum. Imaging modalities performed in persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism include ultrasound, MIBI scintigraphy, venous blood sampling, helical CT and MRI. The authors report 3 cases of ectopic adenoma located in the mediastinum, where pre-operative diagnosis was confirmed using cardiac MRI sequences.

[Surgery of primary hyperparathyroidism by unilateral approach under local anesthesia and intraoperative determination of PTH 1-84]. / Chirurgie de l'hyperparathyroïdie primaire par abord unilatéral sous anesthésie locale et dosage per-opératoire de la PTH 1-84.

Between July 89 and June 92, 70 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent adenomectomy by unilateral incision under local anesthesia (Ul/LA), without exploration of the remaining glands. The procedure was carried out with intraoperative monitoring of urinary cyclic AMP (n = 35), Calcemia was measured 6-monthly for one year in every patient. 62 (88.6%) patients were cured after Ul/LA, whereas 5 patients required conversion to bilateral cervicotomy under general anesthesia because of abnormal hormonal levels, thus giving an overall success rate of 97% (67/70). The reasons for treatment failure of Ul/LA included misleading conclusions of cervical ultrasonography (n = 5), agitation of the patient (n = 1) and deep localization of the adenoma (n = 1). When cervical ultrasonography is suggestive of a parathyroid adenoma in expert hands, the probability of a second localization or associated hyperplasia is very low, so that adenomectomy by Ul/LA can be attempted safely, provided that the serum level of intact parathyroid hormone returns to normal values within one hour following resection. In our experience, parathyroidectomy by Ul/LA should not be considered in case of non conclusive ultrasonography, familial history pf hyperparathyroidism of MEN-I, ultrasonic evidence of several enlarged glands or associated thyroid nodule requiring simultaneous treatment.

[Launois-Bensaude disease. Treatment with wide transverse cervicotomy]. / Maladie de Launois-Bensaude. Traitement par large cervicotomie transversale.

Launois-Bensaude disease (known in English-speaking countries as Madelung's disease) is a diffuse, symmetrical lipomatosis predominant on the neck, face and trunk. All the anterior cervical lipomas can be removed by a wide transverse cervicotomy without danger for the major neural structures (spinal, and facial nerves, cervical plexus). This technique was used in three patients with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results and without recurrence.

[Excision under local anesthesia of parathyroid adenomas. Criteria of selection and control of effectiveness. 35 cases]. / Exérèse sous anesthésie locale des adénomes parathyroïdiens. Critères de sélection et contrôle d'efficacité. 35 observations.

Primary hyperparathyroidism caused by an adenoma that has been identified and localized by ultrasonography can be treated through a limited approach route, under local anaesthesia, provided the effect of excision is controlled by a perioperative assay of urinary cAMP or, preferably, of plasma parathormone level, and provided the contra-indications of this method are respected. Thirty-three out of 35 patients have been successfully operated upon by this method. In case of failure confirmed by laboratory tests, local anaesthesia was only a prelude to cervicotomy under general anaesthesia.

[Surgery of primary hyperparathyroidism. Contribution of the peroperative assay of urinary cyclic AMP]. / Chirurgie de l'hyperparathyroïdie primaire. Apport du dosage peropératoire de l'AMP cyclique urinaire.

The increase of nephrogenic cyclic AMP is an excellent index of parathyroid hypersecretion. A successful treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism results in a rapid fall in nephrogenic cAMP. In a series of 24 patients with proven primary hyperparathyroidism (hyperplasia 3, adenoma 21) and 2 patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism, the success of surgical excision was evaluated by measuring the urinary cAMP/urinary creatinine ratio (R), which in the absence of renal impairment, is proportional to the level of nephrogenic cAMP. Sequential assays of urinary cAMP and creatinine were performed during surgery; laboratory results were available within less than one hour. Among 22 patients with elevated baseline value or R, R became normal in 18 and decreased by more than 50% in 3; these findings suggested that the operation would be successful. In 1 case, R was not measured as the patient had impaired renal function. In another patient with normal baseline value of R, R did not significantly decrease after excision. Surgery failed in 1 patient, although the high value of R at the end of the operation should have prompted us to continue. Finally, in 2 patients the diagnosis was erroneous since R was lower than 0.5 as in controls. Surgeons, therefore, now have a reliable biochemical method at their disposal, but its use will be limited by its cost and complexity.

[Anal plasty after excision of giant condyloma acuminata]. / Plastie anale après exérèse de condylomes acuminés géants.

Giant condyloma acumination, also called Bürschke-Loewenstein disease, is a pseudo-tumoral epithelial proliferation of viral origin (human papilloma virus). Surgery is the most effective of all treatments, but it results in loss of all tissues covering the anal canal. We suggest a reconstruction technique, performed under colostomy, in which the rectal mucosa is brought down and three sliding flaps are constructed from the skin of the ischio-anal fossae.

[Accidents caused by arteritis after fracture or tibial osteotomy]. / Accidents évolutifs dus à une artérite après fracture ou ostéotomie tibiale.

In five cases of fracture or osteotomy of the tibia complicated by delayed union, non-union or infection, a latent chronic vascular insufficiency was belatedly discovered, often after failure of local treatment. It was responsible for the complication, since, in all the cases, the restoration of arterial patency resulted in healing. A study of the arterial circulation should be made, especially in smokers, when there is delay in union.

[Metabolic differentiation of the human longus colli muscle]. / Différenciation métabolique du muscle longus colli chez l'Homme.

The cervical muscles have a dual postural and dynamic function, in order to ensure both the stability and the motility of the cervical spine. The functional duality together with the complexity of the cervico-cephalic system render the study of the cervical muscles difficult, and their physiology is not fully understood in humans. This study has been carried out on ten samples from the m. longus colli, taken during a surgical procedure in patients aged between 36 to 62 years. The histological study combined enzyme histochemical (ATPases) and immunohistochemical techniques (using antibodies specific for the slow and the fast isoforms of the myosin heavy chains). Our results indicate that, in all cases, the m. longus colli is composed of muscle fibers with peripheral nuclei and with a relative dispersion in size. Histochemically, the type 1 and type 2 fibers express exclusively either the slow or the fast myosin heavy chain. From a quantitative point of view, the proportion of the slow fibers varies between extreme values of 30 and 73%; in addition, the dispersion in fiber size predominates on the fast type 2 fibers which are smaller than the slow type 1 fibers. Thus, most of the muscles that we have studied have histologically a slow predominance. This predominant expression of a slow phenotype in the m. longus colli corresponds to its important postural function, in addition to its phasic role during the flexion of the cervical spine.

[Non-functioning tumors of the endocrine pancreas. Concept, diagnosis, treatment]. / Tumeurs "non fonctionnelles" du pancréas endocrine. Concept, diagnostic, traitement.

Five cases of nonfunctioning islet cell tumors of the pancreas are reported. There were 3 males and 2 females aged from 34 to 83 years (Average: 55.8 years). Two tumors were malignant since already metastatic, one tumor was probably malignant and two tumors were judged as benign. One patient died post-operatively. The four remaining patients are alive without recurrence after from 1.4 to 7.3 years. The concepts of nonfunctioning tumors of the pancreas and APUD system are discussed in view of these 5 cases and the relevant literature. The value of tumor markers as well as the radiographic appearances of these tumors are reported. Having a better prognosis than the adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas, the nonfunctioning tumors of the endocrine pancreas are best managed by surgery. The indications and the results of surgery and chemotherapy are discussed.