[Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in a psychiatric population in Central Africa].

In an African population of 292 women, hospitalised for psychiatric reasons, the seropositivity for HIV was clearly found higher than in the general corresponding population; this was particularly significant for first hospitalisations; furthermore, the seropositivity became twice as high in the group hospitalised several times. The HIV, known for neurotropism, seems responsible for a psychic fragility factor, favorising psychiatric breakdowns as well as their recurrences. No specific psychiatric diagnosis appears to be related to the seropositive patients.

[Extracorporeal gallbladder lithotripsy: technology, practical methods, results and current value].

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of gallstones is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Patients are now treated without general anesthesia and, increasingly, on an outpatient basis. Skin petechiae and transient hematuria are the most common side effects.

[Liver abscess and appendicular foreign body].

We report a case of liver abscess secondary to appendicitis which was due to a wire within the appendix. Appendicitis was asymptomatic, probably because of its retrocaecal position and/or previous antibiotic treatment. The abscess was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and percutaneous drainage, followed by a second stage appendicectomy.

[Microsurgical approach to the lacrimal ducts. Technical aspects--indications--reasons for failure].

The dacryocystorhinostomy is an operation that connects directly the lacrymal sac to the nasal cavity. In 1904, Toti described the external approach but one had to wait until the development of the sinus surgery to have a new interest in the endonasal approach. It appears to be a safe, efficacious and a less traumatizing procedure preserving the lacrymal function without skin incision.

[Association of idiopathic hemochromatosis and tardive cutaneous porphyria].

Porphyria cutanea tarda is a disorder of porphyrin metabolism that results from a deficiency of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, resulting in a characteristic pattern of porphyrin excretion. Elevated serum iron values are frequently observed among patients with porphyria cutanea tarda. The hypothesis has been advanced that a hemochromatosis allele is implicated in the clinical manifestation of porphyria cutanea tarda.

Anatomical variations of the carotid bifurcation: implications for digital subtraction angiography and ultrasonography.

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography was used to determine prospectively the positional variations of the common carotid bifurcation in 100 consecutive patients with clinically suspected arteriosclerotic disease. The most common position (97/200, 48.5%) of the external carotid artery was anteromedial to the internal carotid artery.

[Is the institution of a homograft bank of stripped saphenous veins possible?].

The long-term cryopreservation of viable human venous allografts is discussed. The preservation technique includes immersion in a 15 p. cent Dimethylsulfoxide solution, followed by deep hypothermia in liquid nitrogen at - 196 degrees C.

[Hepatic abscess complicating ileal Crohn disease in remission. Efficacy of antibiotherapy].

Liver abscess is a rare complication of Crohn's disease. The authors describe a case of liver abscess associated with inactive regional enteritis which recovered completely under antibiotic treatment alone.

[Esophagorespiratory tract fistula treated by primary suture. Apropos of 2 cases of esophago-pleural fistula and 2 cases of esophagobronchial fistula].

We describe two oesophago-pleural fistulas arriving respectively 40 months and 15 years after pneumonectomia, and two oesophago-bronchial fistulas due to perforated oesophageal diverticula. We evaluate diagnostic methods and discuss etiology of these oesophageal fistulas. Pleural fistulas treatment associate thoracic drainage, direct surgical treatment of the fistula with primary suturing of oesophagus.

Pharmacological approach to smoking cessation.

At present, the possibilities of pharmacological intervention in smoking cessation remain limited. Some products, like smoking deterrants, lobeline, amphetamine and sedatives, definitely seem to have been rejected. The efficiency of other drugs aiming to treat the withdrawal syndrome (e.

CT findings of perforated duodenal diverticulitis.

The diagnosis of duodenal diverticulitis is rarely made preoperatively by upper gastrointestinal series or plain abdominal films. We describe a case of perforated duodenal diverticulitis diagnosed by CT.

[Limb pain due to congenital trapping of the popliteal artery].

Two patients with popliteal artery entrapment including one bilateral were operated on in the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit at the UCL between January 1987 and February 1988. Both patients complained of severe intermittent claudication. One of the entrapments resulted from internal deviation of the vessel.

Neuralgia following lumbar sympathectomy.

Between March and October 1986, 33 consecutive patients underwent unilateral lumbar sympathectomy in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgical Unit of the Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium. Ten patients experienced postsympathectomy neuralgia. After a single epidural injection of fentanyl, 50 micrograms, and methylprednisolone 80 mg, pain disappeared completely in six patients.

Metabolic and psychological evolution of insulin dependent diabetic patients during a 6 months insulin-pen treatment.

The aim of the study is to assess whether an insulin pen-treatment (NovopenR) could be of interest in 10 type I insulin dependent diabetic patients (C-peptide: 0.04 +/- 0.01 pmol/ml, mean +/- SEM), with metabolic and psychological parameters being together taken into account.

Pitfalls of digital angiography in the diagnosis of right aortic arch.

The authors describe the difficulties using intravenous digital subtraction angiography, in diagnosing on a left anterior oblique view a right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left descending aorta. The proximal topography of the left common carotid artery ostium is a useful sign in the diagnosis of this kind of abnormality.

[Vocal cord paralysis in the intermediary and paramedian position. Etiology and treatment].

The purpose of this paper is to recall the neuroanatomical bases of the motrice laryngeal innervation and the consequences of a lesion at that level. On the other hand, the type of management and effective therapy our service uses in those cases of unilateral of bilateral vocal cord paralysis. The management is principally based on the E.