[Lesions of the colon secondary to pancreatitis].

Pathological involvement of the colon secondary to acute and chronic pancreatitis is a rare complication of major clinical interest. Contiguity with the tail of the pancreas and certain anatomical relationships, particularly at the level of the peritoneal reflections, explain the involvement of, particularly, the left corner of the colon and the adjacent part of the transverse colon. The clinical forms may be listed as follows: 1) Adynamic ileus of the transverse colon associated, on direct radiological examination, with the picture of proximal colon distension with clear-cut interruption at the level of the transverse colon or left flexure.

[Ménétrier's disease. Apropos of 2 personal cases].

Two cases of Ménétrier's disease are presented. Gastric resection was adopted due to necessity in one case, and total gastrectomy in the other. Gastric and digestive exploration, particularly gastroscopy, are regarded as indispensable diagnostic steps.

[Spontaneous rupture of the subdiaphragmatic esophagus].

Personal experience with an extremely rare clinical picture, spontaneous rupture of the subdiaphragmatic oesophagus is reported. In the case in question, the laceration occurred in a free peritoneum, unlike what occurred in the first reported case, that of Strauch and Lynch in 1965, where the lesion was retroperitoneal. On the basis of this experience, certain pathogenetic and diagnostic factors are discussed, but most attention is paid to the surgical treatment of this exceptional lesion.

[Embolisms of the upper extremities].

6 cases of upper extremity embolism observed over the past three years are reported. Fogarty embolectomy was carried out in all patients, favourable revascularization results being obtained in 5. Forearm amputations was necessary in 1 case owing to the presence of ischaemic lesions that were already advanced at admittance, further proof that results depend above all on the vitality of the extremity rather than on the duration of the arterial occlusion.

[Hemobilia caused by rupture of a false aneurysm of the left branch of the hepatic artery].

The pathogenetic and diagnostic features of false aneurysm of the left branch of the hepatic artery are discussed in the light of a personal case. It is felt that ligation of the vessel constitutes the treatment of choice, whereas hepatic resection should be undertaken in the case of very peripheral aneurysms.

[Benign tumors of the stomach].

Personal experience in cases of benign tumour of the stomach is presented. Diagnosis cannot be based on the clinical evidence alone, but must be supported by radiological examination and, more particularly, by endoscopic biopsy. Endoscopic resection and continuous follow-up examinations provide an alternative to radical surgery and gastrotomic resection.