[Spontaneous pneumothorax: drainage by catheter or chest tube?].

One hundred and fourteen spontaneous pneumothorax, idiopathic or with chest disease, were retrospectively analysed in order to compare the efficacy of suction drainage by small lumen IV catheter and by chest tube. Age, importance and tolerance of spontaneous pneumothorax were similar in both groups. Frequency of recidive and failure as well as duration of drainage were also not different.

[Contribution of the determination of soluble antigens to the diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumopathies].

We studied the diagnostic value of the detection of soluble pneumococcal antigens by counter-immunoelectrophoresis (ES) in patients with pneumonia. Pneumococcal antigens were detected in blood, urine and pleural fluid. 59 patients were distributed into 3 groups: (Group 1) - 19 patients with a non-pneumococcal, but bacteriologically-proven pneumonia, (Group 2)-32 patients with a bacteriologically confirmed pneumococcal pneumonia, (Group 3)-8 patients with a non-bacteriologically proven pneumonia, but with pneumococcal antigens.