Regional intravenous sympathetic nerve blocks.

The assessment of the possible efficacy of regional intravenous blocks or sympathetic blocks, in general, raises a number of questions that may be answered after studying the techniques of regional pharmacologic segmental blocks and their effects on the sympathetic system. The authors present an original clinical study evaluating the capacity of regional intravenous guanethidine to induce a sympathetic blockade compared with other techniques.

Clinical studies of the vibration syndrome using a cold stress test measuring finger temperature.

Since nine years multicentre, transversal and longitudinal clinical studies on hand-arm, vibration-exposed patients are being performed in cooperation with French occupational medicine centers and social security institutions. These studies are based upon current clinical assessment and standardized, temperature-measuring cooling tests. Data acquisition uses a portable, 10-channel, micro-processor-based temperature recorder and miniature thermal sensors.

[Vasomotor disorders of the hand and carpal tunnel syndrome].

Clinical electrophysiological and chronothermodynamic examinations were performed on 71 patients with paresthesiae and pain of the hands. In 35 patients, the electromyographic examination confirmed the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome on the basis of clear signs of chronic compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. In the other 36 patients, the electro-physiological findings were normal.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome. Can it still be a controversial topic?].

The authors studied two aspects of the carpal tunnel syndrome. As far as the diagnosis is concerned, clinical signs and provocative manoeuvres compared to the accepted standard of electrophysiological studies proved to be insufficient to settle a surgical indication in 85 carpal tunnel syndromes. When surgery is needed, post-operative course is frequently bothered by pillar pain and decreased strength postponing return to manual activities.

Computerized chronothermodynamic breast examinations under ambulatory conditions.

A new approach to the assessment of breast health was developed based upon continuous ambulatory recording of breast temperature for 24 hrs. A new data acquisition system consisting of a portable, multi-channel, microprocessor-based recorder worn on a belt was developed to record temperatures. Dramatic thermal fluctuations were noted during the recordings in response to multiple stimuli (physiological, behavioral, environmental).

Thermovascular changes associated with in situ and minimal breast cancers. Results of an ongoing prospective study after four years.

A four-year prospective study was conducted on more than 25,000 women, both asymptomatic (59%) and symptomatic (41%), with a view to investigating the thermal and vascular disorders associated with early stages of breast malignancy. All the patients underwent thermographic, mammographic and physical examinations performed under standard conditions and, when indicated, complementary radiographic (spot/magnified pictures), ultrasound and cytologic tests. Of the 294 in situ, microinvasive and nonpalpable cancers diagnosed in this study, 60-70% generated significant thermal anomalies that, in most cases, consisted of distorted thermovascular patterns.

Active microwave tomographic imaging of isolated, perfused animal organs.

The relative transparency of biological materials to high-frequency electromagnetic waves has encouraged the development of new systems for imaging. This report describes experiments of microwave tomography conducted on a prototype. The object to be analyzed is submerged in water and is illuminated by a plane wave.

[Thermobiologic evaluation of benign and malignant breast diseases].

This paper is a review of the recent technical and clinical advances in the area of breast thermography. Emphasis is placed upon thermal imaging using liquid crystal films, and computer-assisted analysis of breast thermograms. New data are presented concerning the value of thermography for the identification of women at high risk of developing breast cancer, the early detection of mammary carcinomas, and the detection of cancer in fibrocystic breasts.

Thermobiological assessment of benign and malignant breast diseases.

The recent technical and clinical advances in breast thermography are reviewed in this article. Emphasis is placed upon liquid crystal thermal imaging and computer-assisted analysis of breast thermograms. New data are presented concerning the value of thermography for the early detection of mammary carcinomas, the identification of women at high risk of developing breast cancer, and the detection of cancer in fibrocystic breasts.

[The future of women with isolated abnormal infrared thermogram of the breast (author's transl)].

Abnormal infra-red thermograms of the breast are called "isolated" when they are not accompanied by other clinical or paraclinical abnormalities. They occur in asymptomatic women systematically examined or in women consulting for mammary symptoms other than palpable nodules. Their incidence is about 10-15%.

[Microwave hyperthermia: influence of blood flow and thermoregulation processes (author's transl)].

Various problems are encountered during production of local, deep-seated microwave hyperthermia, involving the technology of the irradiating system, and the complexity of heat transfer in living tissues. Before starting investigations on patients, preliminary studies were conducted on different models. Taking the influence of the blood flow into account, the thermal effects of microwaves were simulated on a numerical model, and a perfused phantom.

Breast thermography and cancer risk prediction.

Thermography makes a significant contribution to the evaluation of patients suspected of having breast cancer. The obviously abnormal thermogram carries with it a high risk of cancer. This report summarizes the results of patients with questionable or stage Th III thermograms.

[State of the art and prospects on the use of radiofrequency and microwave hyperthermia in cancer treatment (author's transl)].

The use of microwave hyperthermia for cancer treatment is dealt with, first analyzing the present state of the art, second from a prospective viewpoint. Follow current topics are considered: a) biological data from experiments in vitro and of animals; b) fundamental therapeutic modalities: total body hyperthermia, local hyperthermia; c) technological problems: irradiation frequency, applicators, dosimetry (non-interfering probes, microwave radiometers); d) results of preliminary clinical investigations. Prospects refer to following topics: a) technological: improvement or design of systems for producing and controlling hyperthermia; b) fundamental: models, phantoms and postoperative specimens; dielectric and thermal properties on tissues; part of the vascularization; c) clinical: treatment procedures, long-term therapeutic trials (exclusive or combined hyperthermia, cancerous and healthy tissues).

Millimeter-wave thermography--application to breast cancer.

Thermographic studies of 14 patients with breast carcinoma were performed using two millimeter wave scanners for 30 and 68 GHz. Small correlation with infrared thermograms was observed indicating the depth sensing capabilities of millimeter waves. Correlation with mammographic and other clinical findings was good for tumors with medium subcutaneous depth.