[Cystic lymphangioma of the lesser omentum].

Introduction: Cystic lymphangiomas of the abdomen are rare tumors. These tumors are discovered fortuitously or during a complication.

Observation: In a 5 year-old child, examined in an emergency because of suspected appendicitis, two cystic lymphangiomas of the small omentum were discovered, one measuring 10 cm and the other 7 cm and attached to the first with posterior extension in the lesser sac of the peritoneum.

Colonic perforation due to colonoscopy: a retrospective study of 48 cases.

Background And Study Aims: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze data on the treatment of 48 cases of colonic perforation, with a view to defining the criteria for choosing between medical and surgical treatment.

Patients And Methods: A questionnaire requesting information about complications of colonoscopy and their treatment was sent out to four hospital gastroenterological and surgical units.

Results: From January 1979 to December 1993, we reviewed the records of 48 cases of colonic perforation following colonoscopy (24 perforations occurred after diagnostic colonoscopy and 24 after therapeutic colonoscopy).

[Primary anorectal malignant melanomas. 2 cases].

Two cases of primary ano-rectal melanoma are reported. Primary melanoma of the anorectum is an uncommon and highly malignant disease (the survival rate is about 7 to 12 percent at 5 years). The tumour may be difficult to diagnose when it is not pigmented (16 to 53 percent of the cases).