[Cutaneous manifestations of malabsorption diseases (author's transl)].

Malabsorption (M) is characterized by absorption defect of one or several nutriments in small bowel. Its clinical expression is rarely obvious and biological signs are: anaemia, low serum protein, albumin and lipid rates, low serum calcium, phosphorus and potassium level, and hypoprothrombinaemia. But only 4 simple and reliable tests are needed for diagnosis: i.

[Rectoscopy: a useful tool to diagnose pseudomembranous colitis (author's transl)].

The authors have performed nine rectoscopies in 14 cases of pseudomembranous colitis. A rectoscopic appearance enables eight times out of nine to diagnose the disease, which asserts itself in all cases by biopsies. Out of the nine cases, two had previously undergone an unnecessary laparotomy, and for three cases the diagnosis of rectal tumour established on rectal digital examination is twice set right by rectoscopic appearance and three times by biopsies.