[Cystic lymphangioma of the lesser omentum].

Introduction: Cystic lymphangiomas of the abdomen are rare tumors. These tumors are discovered fortuitously or during a complication.

Observation: In a 5 year-old child, examined in an emergency because of suspected appendicitis, two cystic lymphangiomas of the small omentum were discovered, one measuring 10 cm and the other 7 cm and attached to the first with posterior extension in the lesser sac of the peritoneum.

Colonic perforation due to colonoscopy: a retrospective study of 48 cases.

Background And Study Aims: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze data on the treatment of 48 cases of colonic perforation, with a view to defining the criteria for choosing between medical and surgical treatment.

Patients And Methods: A questionnaire requesting information about complications of colonoscopy and their treatment was sent out to four hospital gastroenterological and surgical units.

Results: From January 1979 to December 1993, we reviewed the records of 48 cases of colonic perforation following colonoscopy (24 perforations occurred after diagnostic colonoscopy and 24 after therapeutic colonoscopy).

[Primary anorectal malignant melanomas. 2 cases].

Two cases of primary ano-rectal melanoma are reported. Primary melanoma of the anorectum is an uncommon and highly malignant disease (the survival rate is about 7 to 12 percent at 5 years). The tumour may be difficult to diagnose when it is not pigmented (16 to 53 percent of the cases).

[Enteral nutrition in patients with chronic obstructive bronchopathy treated by artificial ventilation. Effect of conventional feeding on anthropometric and biochemical parameters].

The influence of conventional gastric tube feeding on anthropometric and biochemical parameters was studied prospectively during 12 months in 14 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease put on mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure. The anthropometric parameters were: body weight, tricipital skin fold, brachial and brachial muscle circumferences. The biochemical parameters included albumin, transferrin, retinol binding protein, transthyretin, acid alpha-1-glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, fibronectin and amino acids in blood, and 3-methylhistidine in urine.

[Nonsecreting or so-called malignant adrenocortical tumors. Contribution of immunohistochemistry].

The authors mention two cases of adreno cortical carcinoma treated by surgery. They insist upon complete hormonal exploration in order to assert the characteristic non functioning of these growths. An immuno histo clinical examination of the operated part could complement these biological explorations.

[Prolonged survival in retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Apropos of a case with 27 years' survival. Prognostic value of the histological type and role of repeat surgery].

The authors report a case of differentiated myxoid liposarcoma with a survival of 27 years as a result of repeated resections. They emphasise the value of a precise study of the histological type and grade: well differentiated and/or myxoid forms of liposarcomas appear to have a more favourable long term prognosis. This prognosis justifies repeated operations.

[Left internal paraduodenal hernia: a case in a young adult].

The authors report the case of a left paraduodenal hernia which involved almost the entire small intestine in a 15 year old girl who presented with recurrence episodes of acute abdominal pain associated with König's syndrome. Radiologic examination (plain film of the abdomen and upper GI series with small bowel follow-through) was suspicious, but did not establish the diagnosis due to unfamiliarity with the radiologic appearance of the condition. The roentgenograms are shown as well as the intraoperative findings.

[Duodenal varices. Review of the literature apropos of a case].

The authors report a case of digestive hemorrhage secondary to isolated duodenal varicosities, in a patient with ethylic cirrhosis. The diagnosis done through optical fibroscope was confirmed by arteriography. The evolution was unfavorable.

Small bowel deposition of crystals associated with the use of clofazimine (Lamprene) in the treatment of prurigo nodularis.

A 46-year-old woman with widespread prurigo nodularis was treated with 300 mg clofazimine a day for six months. Ten months after stopping the drug she complained of weight loss and gastrointestinal side effects which were shortly improved by a gluten-free diet, but relapsed one year later. At laparotomy, all tissues were stained bright orange-yellow, and histological examination showed crystals deposited in the chorion of intestinal villi and in the mesenteric lymph nodes.

[Exudative enteropathy caused by clofazimine: apropos of a case].

The authors report a case of a forty-six year old woman suffering from generalized prurigo nodularis. This dermatosis was associated with a cellular immunodeficiency; therefore a clofazimine therapy 300 mg/a day was instituted for six months. Ten months after the cessation of the clofazimine therapy, there appeared a malabsorption syndrome that was temporarily improved by gluten--free diet the real etiology was only ascertained during laparotomy, when masses of crystals in the small intestine mucosa as well as in mesenteric lymph nodes were observed.

[Cystohepatic ducts. Surgical problems and review of the literature. About 10 operated cases (author's transl)].

The authors are reporting 10 cases of operated cystohepatic ducts. In each case there is a unic duct, leading five times in the gallbladder, and once in the cystic duct. In 8 cases this abnormality was shown intraoperatively.

[Primary closure and healing of the perineal wound in abdomino-perineal resection of the rectum for carcinoma (author's transl)].

The results of primary perineal closure after rectal resection for cancer are reported, about a series of 105 patients male and female; to whom this technique was systematically applied. The healing of the wound was primarily obtained in 77.2% of the cases (82.

[Enteropathy due to clofazimine treatment. A case report with an ultrastructural study].

The authors report a case of enteropathy due to clofazimine treatment for prurigo nodularis. The drug usually restricted to the treatment of leprosy has sometime been given to patients suffering from skin diseases because of its assumed anti-inflammatory effects. When high dosage of clofazimine treatment is carried on during a long period, and drug accumulates in the tissues and precipitates as a solid.

[Colorectal anastomotic stricture : transanal resection using the E.E.A. autostapler (author's transl)].

Anastomotic stricture is an unusual complication of the colo-rectal surgery ; this can be very difficult to manage, particularly in low anastomosis. About one case successfully treated, the authors suggest an original non operative treatment : a resection with simultaneous anastomosis only performed through a transanal approach, with upper coloscopic control.

Blunt traumatic rupture of the right ventricle, with intrapericardial rupture of the diaphragm: successful surgical repair.

The authors report a case of chest injury causing rupture of the right ventricle and diaphragm, discovered during laparotomy for haemoperitoneum. This type of injury to the heart has rarely been cited in the literature since survival rates are low and the diagnosis often overlooked.

[Cases of devascularization of the liver in hepatic metastases of carcinoid tumors. Two cases (author's transl)].

The authors report two cases of hepatic artery's ligature in patients suffering from pan-hepatic metastases in carcinoid tumor of the bowels. They have come to believe that the hepatic devascularization (by removing the carcinoid syndrome and associated hepatalgia) offers a more comfortable chance of survival to the patient, giving him often the illusion that he is cured.