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Intraoperative molecular assay Gene Search BLN Assay (BLN) detects sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in breast cancer. Our objective was to compare BLN to the definitive conventional histologic methods and to experiment the management of BLN in routine.Each SLN was cut into alternate slabs. Half slabs were analysed with the intraoperative BLN molecular method, and the other slabs with the definitive histologic method.Two hundred and thirty four SLN have been analysed (124 patients). Thirty-five SLN had metastasis for 29 patients (23.4%). BLN correctly identified 28 patients. Two cases of discordance between BLN and standard method were found, probably explained by a sample bias. The sensibility of BLN is 96.4%, the sensitivity is 99%, the predictive positive value is 96.4%, the predictive negative value is 99% and the concordance is 98.4%. The surgery time increases and there is a need to adapt the theatre organization accordingly.The Gene Search BLN Assay gives a great interest for the patient, the surgeon and the pathologist because it increases the quality of the intraoperative analysis by comparison with the intraoperative conventional histology.

The aim of this study is to validate the liquid cell preservation solution Easyfix for DNA detection of the HPV oncogene using the Hybrid Capture II method. 256 specimens were selected for the cytological study, possible biopsy and HPV oncogene search with the Easyfix fixative fluid and the Cervical Sampler transport medium. The results obtained with both mediums are comparable regardless of the cytological type. The relevance of a cytological study combined with the HPV search is stressed. To conclude, it is possible to put forward that the liquid cell preservation solution Easyfix can be used to detect the HPV oncogene using the Hybrid Capture II method.

The association of pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) and rapidly fatal persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) has been observed in two male siblings. PUJO was also observed in a maternal uncle, whose daughter suffered from vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR). In both patients, histopathologic study of the lungs showed misalignment of pulmonary veins (MAPV), which is a rare autosomal recessive condition leading to severe PPHN and death within the neonatal period. It has occasionally been described associated with PUJO. The authors point out that: i: MAPV has to be carefully searched in case of PPHN; ii: PUJO could be an important finding associated with MAPV, and the only prenatal indication of this lethal condition.

The introduction of computed tomography (CT) has modified the radiologic approach to silicosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis considerably, allowing earlier recognition and more precise characterization of pulmonary abnormalities than chest radiography. An optimal approach to CT recognition requires an understanding of the main physiologic and pathologic features that are known to occur in both pneumoconioses. This report focuses on the most common CT features of simple and complicated forms of silicosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis as well as on the optimal scanning protocol. The respective roles of chest radiographs and CT scans in the recognition of pneumoconiosis and follow-up of exposed workers are discussed.

One hundred and thirteen patients with untreated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were evaluated for Sjögren's syndrome (SS) using clinical and biological parameters, and a minor salivary gland biopsy. Concomitant immunophenotyping for T and B cells, and kappa and lambda chains was performed on both minor salivary gland and lymphomatous tissues. Patients with a positive focus score on examination of their minor salivary gland biopsy had a second biopsy, when possible, at the end of induction therapy. Fourteen of the 113 patients had SS according to the Greek criteria, and 4 of these 14 patients had an identical monotypic infiltrate in both their minor salivary gland and lymphomatous tissues. In all four cases this infiltrate disappeared from both locations when the lymphoma was in complete remission (CR). The 10 other patients with criteria for SS had a mixed infiltrate which persisted unchanged when the lymphoma was in CR. Among the 99 patients without SS, 12 had a positive focus score and an identical monotypic infiltrate in both their minor salivary gland and lymphomatous tissue. This infiltrate disappeared from both locations when the lymphoma was in CR. Among the remaining 87 patients, 82 had no minor salivary gland infiltrate, and 5 had a positive focus score with mixed lymphocytic infiltrate. Long term follow up and a large cooperative study are needed to better understand the immunopathologic lesions of patients of this latter type.

Among 841 autopsies realized between january 1982 and september 1988, by the Pathological the department of Amiens University Hospital the ten patients dead of infectious endocarditis have been autopsied. Macroscopic and microscopic observations have two cases of acute endocarditis and eight of subacute endocarditis. For the two patients dead of acute endocarditis, autopsy affirms the cardiovascular etiology of death. For the eight cases of subacute endocarditis, necropsic findings differs from the germs. In the three cases where the germ is a Staphylococcus aureus, the diagnosis of endocarditis was made before death and the cardiovascular etiology of death was affirmed by autopsy. For the other germs (3 Streptococcus sp, 1 Salmonella typhimurium, and 1 germ unknown), the diagnosis of endocarditis was made by autopsy, but necropsy disclosed the cause of death in only two cases.