Characterization of the active bacterial community involved in natural attenuation processes in arsenic-rich creek sediments.

Acid mine drainage of the Carnoulès mine (France) is characterized by acid waters containing high concentrations of arsenic and iron. In the first 30 m along the Reigous, a small creek draining the site, more than 38% of the dissolved arsenic was removed by co-precipitation with Fe(III), in agreement with previous studies, which suggest a role of microbial activities in the co-precipitation of As(III) and As(V) with Fe(III) and sulfate. To investigate how this particular ecosystem functions, the bacterial community was characterized in water and sediments by 16S rRNA encoding gene library analysis.

Tracheal sleeve resection for iatrogenic stenoses (subglottic laryngeal and tracheal).

Since 1975 200 tracheal sleeve resections for iatrogenic tracheal and subglottic laryngeal stenoses have been performed in our institution. Preoperative Nd:YAG laser is of paramount help in opening the stenoses. Tracheography is usually performed to specify the length of the stenosis and the distance from the vocal cords.

[Injection of collagen in recurrent paralysis after thoracic surgery].

The author describes a new technique of treatment of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis by intra-cordal injection of collagen after thoracic surgery. After description of the collagen used and the technique of injection, the author presents the results. It is a new method, simple, efficient, well tolerated, giving patients a voice, and treating their swallowing troubles.

Laser in bronchology: methods of application.

The method of application for the endoscopic resection by Nd-YAG-Laser closely depends on the choice of indications. The use of rigid bronchoscope is compulsory in the field of Laser, because of tracheobronchial obstruction in patients which are more or less on the verge of asphyxia. The resection is achieved under general anesthesia.

[Pulmonary papillomatosis].

The authors report a case of a 30 year old woman with juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis (JLP) who subsequently developed intra-alveolar papillomas. These papillomas demonstrated a marked pseudo-neoplastic loco-regional invasive activity, but did not possess the histological criteria of malignancy and were treated by pneumonectomy and lobectomy.

[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea. Treatment by combined laser therapy and surgery].

In the group of adenomas of the trachea and bronchi, cystic adenocarcinomas or cylindromas are malignant tumours, whose outcome is much slower than those of the usual type of cancer. An unusual case is reported in which treated was firstly carried out with laser therapy and then surgery.

Indications and technique for endoscopic laser resections in bronchology. A critical analysis based upon 2,284 resections.

Over a period of 6 years, we have treated 1,310 patients in 2,284 sessions using a neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser. Indications are more often palliative than curative, with the primary goal to relieve an obstructed airway in a single treatment. The effectiveness of such resections is widely recognized, but indications for such a technique with its limitations deserve emphasis.

[The treatment of tracheobronchial amyloidosis using a bronchial laser. Apropos of a series of 13 cases].

We have encountered and successfully treated thirteen cases of tracheobronchial amyloidosis using a laser. The clinical data, radiology, endoscopic and histological appearance of these patients were similar to that described in the literature (48 published cases). A YAG laser was used, introduced through a rigid bronchoscope.

[The YAG-Nd laser in bronchology. Its role in noncancer pathology].

Whereas the CO2 laser has rapidly become an essential tool in laryngology, only a few teams use the YAG-Nd laser in bronchology. This is due to several factors, these explaining the reason for the slow diffusion of a method that has been available for 5 years. Firstly, indications are and will be very limited, and are mainly palliative in scope, particularly for tracheobronchial cancer, which represents half of the cases treated.

[Diffuse hepato-pulmonary hydatidosis. Apropos of a case].

The authors report a case of diffuse hydatid disease of the lung and liver. This association accounts for about 20 per cent of cases. Diffuse lesions are, on the other hand, exceptional.

[Malignant ameloblastoma. Apropos of a case].

Ameloblastoma is a locally invasive, histologically nonmalignant tumor that may on very rare occasions give rise to metastases. A patient with a mandibular ameloblastoma presenting typical histologic appearances developed a pulmonary metastasis confirmed by histology as arising from the primary tumor. Two groups of these extremely rare malignant ameloblastomas can be distinguished: those without histologic signs of degeneration that give rise to metastases identical to the primary lesion, and those with degenerative signs provoking metastases with the histologic appearance of undifferentiated carcinoma.

[Diaphragmatic eventration in adults. Apropos of 20 cases].

Twenty adults with a mean age of 49 were operated on between 1972 and 1980 for eventration of the diaphragm. The etiology was probably traumatic in 11 cases; it was congenital in 2 and degenerative in 7. The functional signs were usually respiratory (55%) or digestive (10%).

Bronchoscopic management of tracheal lesions using the neodynium yttrium aluminium garnet laser.

We report our first clinical trials with the NdYAG laser in the treatment of tracheal and bronchial tumours and stenoses. The beam is carried through a flexible fibre delivering a power of 50 to 90 watts. It can be introduced through the biopsy channel of a standard bronchoscope, or through a fibrescope.

[Neurogenic endothoracic tumours (author's transl)].

123 nervous thoracic tumours have been operated without immediate postoperative death. From 1964, 86 are the subject of a new study. 80 % were situated in the posterior gutter and were involving the sympathetic chain and intercostal-nerves.

Anaesthetic management of tracheal surgery using the neodymium-yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser.

A new technique for the management of tracheal or bronchial lesions (tumours or stenosis) using the NdYAG laser and bronchoscopy, was used in 55 patients without complications. The anesthetic problems are discussed. In some circumstances the procedure may be performed using sedation and topical anaesthesia.