Fibroma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the heart.

Cardiac fibroma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the heart are rare lesions occurring in young patients and having pathologic similarities. We compared the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of seven cardiac fibromas, including one biopsied at birth and removed 4 years later, and two IMTs of the heart diagnosed at Marie Lannelongue Surgical Center (Le Plessis Robinson, France) between 1980 and 1999. Cardiac fibromas occurred in five females and two males and were surgically biopsied (n = 2) or removed (n = 6) between the ages of 8 days to 31 years (mean 7 +/- 12 years).

Investigation of kinetic of lead during pregnancy and lactation.

Lead concentration was estimated in peripheral blood, milk as well as in cord blood in 47 women and their infants, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean maternal blood lead concentration was 14.9 +/- 4.

Actinomycosis and other bronchopulmonary infections with bacterial granules.

Pulmonary infections with formation of bacterial granules are rare. We reviewed the clinical and pathologic data from 18 cases diagnosed using surgical specimens in our department during the last 10 years. Three clinicopathologic forms were observed: endobronchial infections complicating tuberculous sequelae or bronchiectases (n = 7), tumor-like lesions (n = 8), and diffuse pneumonia (n = 3).

Frozen section diagnosis and surgical biopsy of lymph nodes, tumors and pseudotumors of the mediastinum.

Objective: Our experience with the use of frozen section (FS) was reviewed in order to assess its interest and limits, during minimally aggressive mediastinal surgery for staging of lung carcinomas and biopsy of primary lesions.

Methods: The retrospective study was based on a series of 420 consecutive mediastinal biopsies with FS performed through cervicotomy (n = 12), mediastinoscopy (n = 345), mediastinotomy (n = 43), manubriotomy (n = 13) or videothoracoscopy (n = 7), in 417 patients, aged 8-86 years (mean: 52.5 +/- 15.

Leukotriene D4 contractions in human airways are blocked by SK&F 96365, an inhibitor of receptor-mediated calcium entry.

In human bronchial muscle preparations, nifedipine (3 microM) significantly inhibited the histamine, ACh and KCl contractions. However, the dihydropyridine did not modify the contractile responses induced by either leukotriene D4 (LTD4) or anti-human IgE (a-IgE). In human airways, SK&F 96365 (30 microM and 100 microM) markedly reduced the KCl and, at the higher concentration, LTD4 maximal contractions.

Cholinesterase activity in human pulmonary arteries and veins.

1. Human isolated pulmonary vessels were treated with cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors to determine the role of these enzymes in regulating vascular muscle tone. In addition, kinetic parameters were determined for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in human pulmonary vessel homogenates.

[Indications and results of breast implant replacement with implants pre-filled with silicone gel].

Based on a series of 74 patients, the authors report their experience of reoperation on unsatisfactory breast implants by the implant replacement technique using silicone prefilled implants. In 92 (57.8%) of the 160 cases, the implant was modified because of a peri-implant capsule, with a satisfactory aesthetic result after only a single operation.