[Reliability of the transcutaneous PO2 measurement in the adult by the TCM 1 radiometer electrode].

The accuracy of transcutaneous PO2 measurements (PtcO2; Radiometer TCM 1) was evaluated by comparison with arterial PO2 (PaO2) on 115 recordings in 35 patients: 20 during exercise testing (group I) and 14 during assisted ventilation at different FIO2 values (group II). The correlation coefficient between PaO2 and PtcO2 was satisfactory (r = 0.977; n = 115).

[Contribution of nocturnal polygraphy to the diagnosis of Pickwickian syndrome. 10 cases].

The authors studied a series of 10 obese patients with respiratory failure referred for treatment because of sleep disorders and diurnal, sometimes uncontrollable, episodes of somnolence. 8 parameters were recorded in the polygraphic study performed during a night of hospitalization: electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, electro-oculogram, chin electromyogram, thoracic movements, and nasal and buccal air flows. SaO2 and transcutaneous PO2 were recorded simultaneously.

[Respiratory pathology of isocyanates].

Isocyanates are chemical compounds used in making polyurethane (for flexible or rigid foam, paint, varnish, glue and textiles). In strong concentrations isocyanates are powerful irritants producing chemical bronchopulmonary lesions. In weak doses they are responsible for occupational asthma and more rarely allergic alveolitis.

[Clinical aspects of 27 cases of severe primary infectious lung diseases].

The authors report 27 cases of severe primary pulmonary infections which resulted in acute respiratory failure and which were treated in a Respiratory Medicine Intensive Care Unit. A bacteriological specimen (blood culture, transtracheal aspiration, fibroscopy, pleural tap) and/or a serological examination permitted the responsible agent to be identified in 20 of the 27 cases (74%). Apart from antibiotics and symptomatic treatments, 13 patients also received oxygen therapy and 14 other patients were intubated and ventilated.

[Asbestos exposure and pleural calcification : functional effects in 34 patients].

Respiratory function disturbances were evaluated in 34 patients, mostly retired naval shipyard workers, with asbestos-related pleural calcifications. All patients had spirography tests, while 20 of them were studied by CO transfer in steady-state and measurements of arterial gases. Results were correlated with previous clinical history (chronic bronchopathy and/or pleural effusions), smoking habits, and the duration of exposure to asbestos dust.

[Oxygen enrichers and different ways of using them].

Different ways of using oxygen enrichers have been studied. First, the performances of two different devices were tested: the results were very similar to the constructors' previsions. Second, oxygen concentrations in venturi masks connected to enrichers were measured with a mass spectrometer.

[Primary lymphosarcoma of the lung secreting immunoglobulin (author's transl)].

A case of primary lymphosarcoma of the lung with monoclonal seric dysglobulinemia of IgM type is reported in a 48-year-old man. This bilateral tumour consisted of lymphocytes with some plasmacytoïd and plasma-cells. There was no bone, liver or lymph node involvement.

Tuberculosis therapy and enzyme induction in man.

The enzymatic inducing effect of an antituberculous treatment (Rifampicin, Isoniazid and Ethambutol) is tested by recording variations in the urinary D-glucaric acid elimination and in the antipyrine half-life test, measured before starting treatment and after two weeks of treatment. This study concerns 21 patients: 14 are slow acetylators and 7 are rapid acetylators of isoniazid. After two weeks of treatment an increase of the urinary glucaric acid elimination is observed but variations in the antipyrine half-life test are not univocal and allow us to separate two categories of patients: 10 have a significant decrease of antipyrine half-life, 11 have not.

[Two-year assisted ventilation at home experiment study of 15 patients (author's transl)].

Assisted ventilation at home requiring volume relaxators affected 15 patients suffering from a restrictive syndrome (cyphoscoliosis or after effects of tuberculosis). The blood gases of 8 patients who had been looked after for more than one year, at home by the physio-therapist and in hospital by repeated controls, improved (especially the PaO2). The most important fact is the noteworthy decline in the annual time of hospitalisation.

[Value of isotope study with ytterbium-169 citrate in the diagnosis of pulmonary opacities of cancerous nature].

Out of 60 observations, the authors deduct the value of the isotopic study with Ytterbium169 citrate in the diagnosis of cancerous pulmonary opacities. Ytterbium169 is a radiolanthanide with a period of 32 days. Patients receive intravenously 500 muCi of Ytterbium169 citrate.

[Asbestosic pleural calcifications and the associated pathology (study of 32 cases)].

The presence of calcified pleural plaques together with asbestos professional exposition is the sign of patent dust inhaling and can be related to asbestos pathology. The observations on a homogeneous group of 32 cases of asbestosic pleural calcifications are analyzed. The frequency of malignant pleural and bronchial tumours (2 pleural mesothelioma, 3 bronchial epithelioma) is classical.

[Effects of asbestos on respiratory pathology. 27 cases observed in 6 years in a pneumo-phthisiology department in Nantes].

A search for respiratory disease due to asbestos permitted the authors, during a review of 6 years' activity on a Chest Unit in Nantes, to collect 27 cases which represents 2.4% of all cases examined. They were male subjects usually aged about 60 years exposed to dust mildly but continuously during a long career as metal workers, mainly in the shipyards.

[Diagnostic value of ytterbium 169 citrate in cancerology].

Several radio-nuclides are used in Cancerology for their tumoral tropism and, in fact, 67 gallium citrate and 57Co bleomycin almost exclusively. But, these nuclides have some disadvantages, such as we tried to evaluate the interest to 169 ytterbium citrate; this radiolanthanide has already been studied in animals for its affinity for tumoral and normal tissues by HISADA and al. [5].