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The use of in situ hybridization to detect and characterize chromosome anomalies on cytogenetic preparations is now largely applied in clinical laboratories. Its use in embryofetopathology on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues, when an aneuploid condition is suspected but a routine chromosomal analysis is not possible was assessed in the present study. Control values of hybridization signals obtained after different enzymatic digestion protocols have been established on normal fetal tissues. Tissue conservation and fetal age as well as other parameters have also been analysed. A successful hybridization has been achieved in most cases. Failure of hybridization was observed in specimens associated with extensive tissular lysis. In conclusion, the application of in situ hybridization on fetal tissues is very useful to detect chromosome anomalies in embryofetopathology.

The aim of this study was to assess the ultrasonographic abnormalities of the rectal wall and surrounding structures in patients with cirrhosis and to correlate these findings with endoscopy. From November 1992 to May 1993, 53 cirrhotic patients and 30 control subjects were examined by transrectal ultrasonography and rectoscopy. In addition to rectoscopy and transrectal ultrasonography, patients with cirrhosis underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Ultrasonography abnormalities of the rectum were detected in 32 cases of cirrhosis (60.5%): a) in 21 cases the rectal wall thickness was greater than 5 mm and the sub-mucosa was thickened (or = 2 mm) and dissected by thin echo-free elements; b) the remaining 11 patients presented, in addition to the previously described abnormalities, rounded elongated echo-free structures surrounding the rectum which were not found in the control group. All these 11 patients had rectal varices at rectoscopy. In the group of cirrhotic patients, rectoscopy showed abnormal dilated veins in 23 cases (43.5%) and rectal varices in 11 cases. Ultrasonographic and endoscopic abnormalities of the rectum were more often visualized in the group of cirrhotic patients than in the control group (P0.001). In patients with cirrhosis, the demonstration of rectal varices was associated with transrectal ultrasound abnormalities (P0.01), and in particular peri-rectal vascular formations. In cases of cirrhosis the rectal wall abnormalities were not associated with gastric varices at endoscopic inspection but were linked with large esophageal varices or gastric mucosal abnormalities demonstrated on endoscopy (P0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We report the case of a child suffering from a graft versus host disease after an allogenic bone marrow transplantation. He developed intestinal, hepatic and cutaneous symptoms. The outcome after treatment was favorable with a total normalization.

We report the case of a young man presenting clinical features of portal hypertension of unknown origin. The ultrasonographic examination showed suprahepatic blockage signs leading to the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by incomplete diaphragm of the inferior vena cava. The color Doppler examination suggested caval obstruction, showing an abrupt shift from a laminar to a bosterous flux. Secondly cavograms and surgery later confirmed the diagnosis.

We report the case of a 65 year-old woman treated by radiation therapy alone for Hodgkin's disease. She developed febricule, nonicteric cholestasis, and inflammatory syndrome two months after irradiation. The clinical record, biological and histological results allowed us to dismiss another etiology especially an hepatic location of Hodgkin's disease. Out come after a twenty months predominance of pathohistological abnormalities in the centrilobular region were in favor of a radiation-induced hepatitis.

The authors report about one case of degenerated adenoma of the liver without any inducing hormonal therapy in a male patient. This case seems to be the first known to date. The authors discuss its aspects according to the data given by the literature.

The authors report the case of a patient with acute alithiasic cholecystitis associated with viral B hepatitis revealing periarteritis nodosa. Histopathological results showed signs of focal arteritis in the gallbladder and liver. Because of the negativity of the viral DNA in serum and the lack of histopathological necrosis in hepatic specimen, the patient was treated by steroid therapy only with a rapid regression of signs of vasculitis and the disappearance of the hepatitis markers.

In order to determine the diagnostic usefulness of the dosage of carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) serum levels in pancreatic diseases, 38 patients with pancreatic lesions proved at laparotomy were studied. Pancreatic lesions were classified into two groups: a) group I: pancreatic adenocarcinoma (17 cases) b) group II: benign pancreatic diseases (21 cases). CA 19-9 serum levels were statistically higher in patients of the first group (p less than 0.001). All patients except one with CA 19-9 higher than 60 U/ml had pancreatic carcinoma. All patients except two with CA 19-9 less than 60 U/ml had a benign lesion. The sensitivity and specificity of CA 19-9 were 88 and 95 p. 100 respectively. These results show that CA 19-9 dosage is useful in distinguishing between benign and malign lesions of the pancreas.

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of an abnormal pancreaticobiliary ductal union (long common duct) in biliary tract carcinoma. Of 86 patients presenting with such a cancer, 67 had a pre- or intra-operative radiologic examination. An abnormal pancreaticobiliary ductal union was found in only one 60 year old woman having stones associated with invasive gallbladder carcinoma. Operative cholangiogram revealed an early and marked Wirsung opacification with a 1.5 cm long common duct. This low incidence in our study contrasts deeply with Japanese data and raises several questions about the correct evaluation of pancreaticobiliary ductal union, the true consequences of such an anomaly and possible interracial variations in incidence.