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By making use of the film of the substractive screen in contact printing, it is possible to reverse the films into negatives, and to obtain in this manner excellent slides at low cost.

Since Parkinson’s original description, the C5 collaterals are always presented as originating from a common trunk (meningo-hypophyseal). This is the least frequent anatomical variation. In fact, the posterior (C5) group of collaterals corresponds to the remnant of two transient embryonic vessels (primitive maxillary and trigeminal arteries), branches of which will give rise to the two main groups of collaterals originating from this area: medially, the inferior hypohyseal and the medial clival arteries; laterally, the basal tentorial and lateral clival arteries, which are constantly anastomosed with the ascending pharyngeal artery.

No single technique exists for lumbar phlebography. Whilst catheterisation of the ilio-lumbar veins is always the first step, it should be routinely followed by injection of the lateral sacral veins whenever the leel L5-S1 is clinically suspicious. Finally, when only poor opacification of the longitudinal epidural plexuses is obtained by filateral injection of the ilio-lumbar or ilio-lumbar and sacral systems, catheterisation of the vein in L2 on the right or L3 on the left makes it possible in virtually all cases to obtain satisfactory filling of the lumbar plexuses. It may be considered at the present time that, from a technical standpoint, failures of lumbar phlebography by bilateral femoral catheterisation do not exceed 1% of cases.

During the last 4 years, 31 infants (ranging from 4 months and half to 15 years of age) were angiographied for different head and neck pathologies. 20 of them were embolized, among which 11 did not received additional treatment, and are still followed by the neuroradiologist. 45 superselectives arteriographies by femoral approach were performed, no morbidity nor mortality was noted. The authors emphasize the need to pay attention to the advantages of this technique when realized in specialised centers. The vascular characters of a lesion is not necessary nor a sufficient sign to make it a good indication for an embolization procedure. Finally, the neuroradiologist can be considered as a diagnostic and therapeutic specialist, the most competent to indicate (or contra indicate) an endovascular approach in a given situation.

The middle meningeal artery can sometimes supply the complete vascularisation of the posterior fossa, i.e., the dura mater of the cerebellar fossa and the tentorium cerebelli. The authors present an anatomic and radiologic correlative study based upon an unusual case where the middle meningeal artery arose from the ascending pharyngeal artery and vascularised the entire posterior cerebellar fossa.

Angiography was employed in 32 patients with cutaneous or subcutaneous angiomas of the face and scalp in order to establish diagnosis and assess results of therapy. Pre-treatment angiographic appearances as a function of their location are discussed, and the results of embolisation reported. Total surgical excision was possible whenever initial therapy had included embolisation, no complications being noted after embolisation, and no lesions becoming worse.

Early experimental studies have shown that it is possible to obtain vascular obliteration and clot formation using monopolar direct current electrocoagulation. There is a major risk of rupture of blood vessels if alternating current is used. Using a co-axial bipolar electrode and high frequency alternating current it was possible to obtain valid, reproducible, and safe vascular obliteration in the distal digestive tract arteries in dogs. The obliteration is due to lesions of the intima and the formation of a clot in situ.

Signs of a fracture of the mandible and a submaxillary hematoma were present in a patient wounded by a bullet. Selective carotid arteriography by femoral catheterization revealed the presence of sectioning of the facial artery at its origin and underlying external carotid stenosis. Hemorrhagic complications or aneurysm formation could have occurred if the lesion had not been demonstrated. Though arteriography is not without risks, it is irreplaceable for investigating cervicofacial injuries when a vascular lesion is suspected.

Twenty cases of intrapetrous lesions were studied by a 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) unit. In all cases, comparisons were made between MR, CT and clinical findings. Our present material included 9 cholesteatomas, 1 cholesterol cyst, 3 primary epidermoid carcinomas, 2 metastatic neoplasms, 1 glomus jugulare tumor and 4 facial neurinomas. Gadolinium was injected in 7 cases and seemed to be the best method for studying the intrapetrous tumors. MR permitted accurate topographic study and assessment of tumoral extension, as well as a ready demonstration of tumor vascularity. The present findings also showed that MR is not capable of defining small bony detail or calcifications.

Correlations between ultrasonographic and clinical and histological findings were studied in 74 patients presenting with echogenic gallbladder sludge. The majority of patients in whom bile examinations had been performed had either pus, blood, biliary sediment, or microcalculi in the bile, but precise identification of the nature of the sludge does not appear to be possible on ultrasonography. Calculi were present in the gallbladder in 39 p. cent of these patients, only 9 p. cent demonstrating the presence of sludge without established liver or biliary lesions. This ultrasonographic image appears, therefore, to be a clinically significant valid finding.

Diagnosis of a vertebral artery loop in the transverse canal, suggested by a CT scan image, is dependent mainly on results of angiography (preferably computer assisted and by the venous route). This lesion is a differential diagnosis of a neuroma, when the cervical intervertebral foramen is enlarged.

Systematic lymphographic studies in 13 cases of infection with Onchocerca volvulus have enabled a "lymphographic diagram" to be made for each infected patient. The images obtained are similar to those observed in wuchereriasis. The microfilariae in onchocerciasis, however, are not transmitted in the lymphatic system, and the lesions, which vary according to the degree of infestation, show little progression. They are found mainly in the inguino-crural ganglia which are the first main ganglionic relay system for the lower limbs.

The middle meningeal artery can sometimes supply the complete vascularisation of the posterior fossa, i.e., the dura mater of the cerebellar fossa and the tentorium cerebelli. The authors present an anatomic and radiologic correlative study based upon an unusual case where the middle meningeal artery arose from the ascending pharyngeal artery and vascularised the entire posterior cerebellar fossa.

Thirty five cases of hepatic arterial embolisation are reported. The analgesic effect in association with tumour pathology (27 cases) was virtually constant (80% of cases). Arterial embolisation should thus replace surgical disarterialisation in the management of malignant tumours of the liver. It improves the quality of survival in painful tumours, above all when they are hypervascularised. Two fatal complications as a result of the technique emphasise the absolute need to respect its contraindications: portal thrombosis, even segmental, or hepatic failure. Two cavernous haemangiomas and one angioma with arterioportal fistula complicated by haemobilia were also successfully embolised. Five traumatic vascular lesions, two of which resulted in severe haemobilia, also benefited from superselective embolisation.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nowadays plays a predominant role in the diagnosis and evaluation of spinal canal pathologies and has reduced the other exploratory methods, including computerized tomography (CT) and myelography, to an ancillary role. These pathologies are divided into three groups: those where MRI is the only imaging method (syringomyelia, tumours in the spinal canal, phakomatoses, external pachymeningitis, spinal cord injuries, myelitis); those where MRI is the initial method and is completed by other examinations (vascular malformations, dysraphism, myelopathies due to cervical osteoarthritis) and those where MRI still play a lesser role than CT (degenerative lesions of the lumbar column).

MR has no known adverse effects on the body. However, some contraindications to the use of a very intense magnetic field should be absolutely respected: Pacemakers, electrical neurostimulators. Ferromagnetic implants likely to be displaced by the magnetic field (intracranial vascular clips, metallic foreign bodies in soft tissues, etc.)

A recent publication noted the apparent lack of serious complications of dilatation of salivary canals, based on a review of 16 cases. This is contested by the report of three cases of dilatation of Stensen's duct complicated by lithiasis and stenosis, with associated canalar pseudo-cysts. Surgical excision was required and allowed study of histopathology of this affection.

Four cases of non-surgical extraction of iatrogenic vascular foreign bodies are reported, in two of which a basket sound was used, and two others a metallic collar. The percutaneous route was used without denuding the veins. A review of the literature showed 83 cases of non-surgical extraction of vascular foreign bodies, and the methods and materials used are discussed.

Results of diagnostic ultrasonography in 29 patients with pancreatic duct dilatation were able to define the value of this procedure in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and particularly cancer of the pancreas. Dilatation of the duct may in fact be the only ultrasonographic sign of a pancreatic lesion. It is now possible to study the pancreatic duct by ultrasonography, and this method of exploration should be employed whenever the pancreas has to be investigated.

Many arguments lead us to think that a possible etiologic factor in idiopathic Bell’s palsy is the ischemia of the facial nerve and that angiography could help in diagnosis: (1) the rapid progress of the paralysis; (2) the correlation between Bell’s palsy occurring after embolization of the internal maxillary artery, the middle meningeal artery, the occipital or posterior auricular artery, and their participation in the blood supply of the facial nerve; (3) the already known ischemic third nerve paralysis reported in diabetes and extending further to the facial nerve.

Since Parkinson's original description, the C5 collaterals are always presented as originating from a common trunk (meningo-hypophyseal). This is the least frequent anatomical variation. In fact, the posterior (C5) group of collaterals corresponds to the remnant of two transient embryonic vessels (primitive maxillary and trigeminal arteries), branches of which will give rise to the two main groups of collaterals originating from this area: medially, the inferior hypophyseal and the medial clival arteries; laterally, the basal tentorial and lateral clival arteries, which are constantly anastomosed with the ascending pharyngeal artery. Only in some cases (10%) do these two groups arise in common from the C5 carotid siphon. Apart from these branches the so-called Bernasconi's artery may originate from eight different pedicles, the C5 siphon representing only one of them.

The authors report ten cases of intra-arachnoid metastases affecting the spinal cord and its roots. These cases illustrate all the myelographic appearances seen: multiple nodular appearances, striated appearance related to thickening of the roots, failure to visualise one or more root sheaths, filling defect of varying regularity preferentially seen in the dural cul-de-sac, but also in the terminal part of the cord associated with varying degrees of block. Myelographic technique is essential of they are to be visualised: water soluble opaque agents and tomography, if possible by complex scanning alone ensure accurate analysis of the roots. This type of involvement raises a pathogenic problem regarding the exact mechanism of such metastases. The prognosis is very poor despite treatment based upon radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Changes in CT scan and NMR imaging findings are reported in a patient with cerebral radiation lesions affecting first the left and then the right frontal cerebral cortex. This case is exceptional since voluntarily and by necessity the radiation dose for an inextirpable frontal sinus tumor had been very high. As a result of this radiotherapy, a survival of about 10 years was obtained under good conditions, with cerebral lesions provoking relatively moderate functional consequences.

A statistical study compared a group of 38 patients with clinically and bacteriologically confirmed bacterial pneumonia with a control group of 33 subjects. Results facted to demonstrate any significant role for buccodental infection in the genesis of bronchopulmonary infections capable of inciting stomatologists to adopt drastic measures with respect to mortified teeth within the framework of pulmonary disease.

Nine cases of recurrent petrous cholesteatomas have been studied by a 1,5 T MR unit. Gadolinium was injected in 1 case. In all cases, comparison between MR, CT and clinical findings were made. MR allows for accurate topographic study and assessment of cholesteatomas extension, in particular in the posterior fossa and skull base. Relationships with the internal carotid artery and the jugular vein are clearly depicted.