[Ankylosing spondylarthritis and partial cauda equina syndrome. Apropos of 4 cases and review of the literature].

Four new cases of ankylosing spondylitis complicated by a cauda equina syndrome are reported. Similarly to the previous descriptions, the patients present with long-standing and severe spondylitis at the time when neurological symptoms, mainly radicular pain, develop. Computed tomography of the lumbar spine demonstrates in all cases typical laminar erosions and posterior arachnoid diverticula.

New modes of administration of salmon calcitonin in Paget's disease. Nasal spray and suppository.

In volunteers the activity of various doses of a nasal spray and of a suppository of salmon calcitonin was compared to a placebo and to the parenteral route of administration. Both new modes of administration were found to be active on the kidney (and the suppository was found to affect bone turnover as well). The parenteral route proved more effective, but the nasal and/or rectal routes were devoid of systemic side effects and had minimal local intolerance.