[Ectatic tumoral thrombosis of the superior vena cava revealing thyroid cancer].

Microscopic angio-invasion by carcinoma of the thyroid is known. Extension into the great veins is much more uncommon. Most of the cases which have been previously described were discovered on post-mortem examination.

[Extrapancreatic hypoglycemic tumors. Apropos of a case of pleural fibrosarcoma].

The authors report a case of pleural fibrosarcoma associated with severe hypoglycaemia. Chromatography of the patient's serum and tumour fragments revealed a substance with a high molecular weight and an insulin-like activity. Professor Poffengarger's laboratory identified this substance as Non Suppressible Insulin-Like Protein or NSILAp which induces insulin-like effects on various tissues.

Treatment of thymomas. A report of 67 cases.

From 1979 to 1989, 126 patients were treated for thymic tumors. Of these, 67 (53%) had thymomas occurring in 27 men and 40 women; the mean age was 46 years: 24 patients had no symptoms and myasthenia gravis was present in 21 cases. A complete resection was performed in 45 patients, associated in 22 with postoperative adjuvant treatment (radiotherapy, 2; radio- and chemotherapy, 20).

[Ectatic tumoral thrombosis of the superior vena cava revealing thyroid cancer].

Microscopic angio-invasion by carcinoma of the thyroid is known. Extension into the great veins is much more uncommon. Most of the cases which have been previously described were discovered on post-mortem examination.

[Non-malignant esophagotracheal fistulas in adults. Experience with 35 cases].

Esophagotracheal fistula always constitutes a serious, life-threatening complication. Fistulae occurring during medical intensive care with mechanical ventilation are currently the most frequent. Their diagnosis was strongly suspected by clinical examination of the patient, but was always confirmed by endoscopy which revealed their exact site in relation to the vocal cords or carina, essential information for the choice of incision when it is decided to perform surgery.

[Prolonged epidural analgesia following thoracotomy. Clinical study and serum levels over five days].

Prolonged continuous epidural analgesia allows perithecal infusion with fentanyl and bupivacaine for 5 postoperative days after thoracic surgery. This study included 27 thoracotomized patients randomised into two groups: group X consisted of 15 subjects, group Y consisted of 12 subjects. Each patient received 33 micrograms/hr or fentanyl for 48 hours, associated with 0.

Acute Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic failure and obstruction of the inferior vena cava as presenting manifestations of hereditary protein C deficiency.

The protein C system is essential in limiting the activation of coagulation in vivo. We report on a 29 year old woman with Budd-Chiari syndrome and occlusion of the inferior vena cava who presented with acute liver failure. She was successfully treated with an emergency mesoatrial shunt.