[Value of video-assisted thoracic surgery in internal medicine. Apropos of 7 cases].

Since a few years, the medical thoracoscopy has already been used specially for the diagnostic and therapeutic taking up of the pleural pathology. Behind it, the video-assisted thoracic surgery has been improved since 1990. As a surgical technology, it proved its interest refering to the classical thoracotomy by lessening operative morbidity and mortality.

[Simultaneous hepatic cholangiocarcinoma and bone fibrosarcoma 45 years after ingestion of Thorotrast].

This case of a 63 year old man reports the simultaneous development of hepatic cholangiocarcinoma and fibrosarcoma of the sacrum 45 years after the systemic injection of Thorotrast. The characteristic radiologic aspect was an important criteria for diagnosis. Biopsies have confirmed the histology of both tumors.

[Acute myelitis after vaccination against hepatitis B].

A 56-year old man was hospitalized for spasmodic paraparesis with sphincter disorders. After exclusion of spinal cord compression and all other inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic causes, the possibility of a connexion with an hepatitis B vaccination performed with a recumbent vaccine three weeks before the neurological disorders appeared was considered. The pathogenesis of such a myelitis remains uncertain.

[Genetic hemochromatosis disclosed by isolated increase of aminotransferases].

The authors report five cases of genetic hemochromatosis in asymptomatic patients with elevated serum aminotransferases. They precise the interest of liver biopsy and hepatic iron concentration especially of hepatic iron index.

[Sarcoidosis and sarcoid reaction associated with Hodgkin's disease].

The authors report a case of Hodgkin's disease associated with pulmonary and mediastinal sarcoidosis, and they recall the frequency of sarcoid reactions in lymphoma, notably in Hodgkin's disease. The Hodgkin's disease-sarcoidosis association is much less common and sometimes raises difficult diagnostic problems. The physiopathological mechanisms that are possibly involved are analyzed.

[Viral hepatitis in patients over 60 years of age. Clinical, etiologic and developmental aspects].

The authors report a retrospective study of 78 cases of acute viral hepatitis observed from 1971 to 1985 in patients over 60. Viral hepatitis involved males as often as females. A, B, delta and non-A, non-B viruses were responsible for 11.

[Yellow nail syndrome with chylous effusions].

Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by a yellow discolouration of the nails associated with idiopathic lymphoedema and pleuropulmonary manifestations. Pleural effusions are usually of the exudate type with a normal lipid content. The case reported here of a 74-year old man who had yellow nails together with chylothorax and chylous ascites provides an opportunity to discuss the origin of these rare effusions which, like the syndrome itself, were most probably due to primary abnormalities of the lymphatic system.

[Hepatic manifestations in Still's disease].

In children, as in adults, Still's disease usually presents with a hectic fever, a characteristic rash and arthralgia or arthritis. Visceral involvement is however classical; the hepatic manifestations were studied with respect to two cases. Biochemical changes are common, often mild: the commonest abnormality is cytolysis.

[Hepatic amebiasis: study of 152 cases].

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyse retrospectively the clinical, serological, anatomical and evolutive features of 152 cases of hepatic amebiasis in young adults, treated and followed up in France from 1969 to 1983. The disease was revealed 3 times out of 4 by tender hepatomegaly with fever, but only in 6 cases by complications. Serological tests (immunofluorescence or hemagglutination) were always positive for amebiasis, whereas Entamoeba histolytica was absent from stools in 96.

[Disseminated Histoplasma duboisii histoplasmosis in a female inhabitant of the Ivory Coast].

The authors describe a disseminated multivisceral form of african histoplasmosis due to H. duboisii in a 45 years old black woman. Clinical examination shows characteristic lesions of skin, bones and lymph glands.

[Hepatic amebiasis in France. Apropos of 152 case reports].

The authors report upon 152 cases of hepatic amebiasis (H.A.) observed in France between 1969 and 1983, among young european men (average age 29,2) who were hospitalised in the initial phase of their illness.

[Gout and hyperuricemia in Tananarive (Madagascar) (author's transl)].

Review of 41 cases observed in "Girard et Robic hospital", Tananarive (35 cases of plain articular gout either acute or chronic, and 6 cases of latent hyperuricemia).--Gout and hyperuricemia are frequently observed within Malagasy high-lands Merina population.--Women and even, in exceptional cases, children may be affected.

[Two cases of ankylosing spondylitis in Negroes from Indian Ocean (author's transl)].

Are reported: the first one, observed in Tananarive, on a 26 years old man born in Madagascar, with involvement of sacroiliac articulation and rachis. The second one, observed in Marseille on a 20 years old man who was born in la Reunion, with serious right coxitis and sacroileitis. In the second case, the investigation of HLA B27 antigen was positive.

[Distribution of HBs antigen in Tananarive (author's transl)].

This survey has been conducted among blood donors and patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver carcinomas and various causes of liver dysfunction or enlargement. The frequency is 5,4 p. 100 among blood donors and 50 p.