[Ultrasound-guided fine-needle punctures of abdominal masses: cytology or histology? Comparative prospective study].

The aim of this study has been for one part to assess the obtaining of cytological and histological material from the same patients with the minimum amount of injections using a fine needle (diameter less than 1 mm) and also to evaluate the histological and cytological supply, individually and jointly in the diagnosis of abdominal tumors. Seventy lesions of which 58 hepatic have been punctured with fine needles of 20 (0.9 mm) to 22 G (0.

[A case of Whipple's disease with ankylosing spondylarthritis treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole].

We report the case of a patient, suffering from Whipple's disease and HLA B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis with syndesmophytes and erosive discopathy. Since spinal radiographic aspects of spondylitis due to Whipple's disease are unusual, we are debating on their relation. We, then, took an interest in the treatment given to this patient: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole which would now appear to be the best antibiotic for Whipple's disease.

[Therapeutic strategy in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux].

Management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease depends on the importance attached by the physician to symptoms and to risk of complications, ie: stricture, haemorrhage, operation- and drug-hazards. A patient who suffers rarely and during short periods could require dietary and postural recommendations and the use of the following drugs: antacids, alginates, prokinetic agents and/or H2-receptor antagonists. We consider that the rarity of stricture rules out the necessity of any change in management, whether or not erosive oesophagitis is observed at endoscopy.