Selective intraarterial DSA of the parathyroid glands in patients with hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy.

Eighteen patients with recurrent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy were prospectively examined with selective intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the brachiocephalic arteries. The results were compared with findings at reoperation. Seventeen of the 21 remaining abnormal parathyroid glands were correctly detected by selective DSA (sensitivity = 81%).

Management of caustic ingestion in adults.

The treatment of 484 adults with caustic ingestion injury is discussed. Signs and symptoms are an unreliable guide to injury and a chest X-ray and fibreoptic endoscopy should be performed as soon as possible. All of the 250 patients who developed superficial lesions of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum experienced healing without sequelae.

[Parathyroid adenoma at an atypical site, ectopic or not].

Of 800 patients undergoing operation for primary hyperparathyroidism between 1960 and 1985, 163 presented parathyroid adenomas located in other than typical sites in normal parathyroid glands. A retrospective study of case-reports is used to demonstrate the value of complementary investigations in the localization of these lesions, and to emphasize certain operative factors indispensable for their detection.

[Gastropericardial fistula. Late complication of the treatment of hiatal hernia].

An exceptional case of gastropericardial fistula is reported, the lesion developing from a gastric ulcer on an antireflux valve instituted ten years previously. A literature review showed 31 similar cases: 14 gastropericardial fistulae, 16 esophagopericardial fistulae and one jejunopericardial fistula. Three features common to all these fistulae were determined: the frequency of hiatus hernia in the genesis of these lesions, either from an ulcer on esophagitis or herniated stomach or from surgical complication; the extremely high mortality of these fistulae (68% mortality); the need for aggressive treatment.