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Of the 235 renal cancers treated between 1975 and 1984, twenty five cases were complicated by thrombus of the vena cava. Analysis by Kaplan-Meier's method shows a satisfactory survival rate for isolated thrombus of the vena cava (80 per cent at two years, and 45 per cent at five years). But associated lesions to the perirenal fat or lymph nodes considerably diminishes the survival rate, so that the overall survival rate in this series was only 37 per cent at two years and 20 per cent at five years. 57 per cent of the patients who seemed free of distant metastases during the preoperative investigations, nonetheless died within two years postoperatively, from a lung, liver or bone metastasis. CT scan at present allows diagnosis of renal cancer and assessment of the extension to the fatty capsule and the vena cava. It is to be hoped that nuclear spin electronic resonance will provide a better assessment of the prognostic factors, and, in particular, the lymph node extension.

Renal and perirenal staphylococcal suppurative processes are rare since antibiotic era. Three cases are reported. Gram negative organisms are nowadays the most prevalent bacterial species: a urinary tract disease must then be suspected. Early diagnosis is easier with recent event of new imaging techniques. (Ultrasonography and computerized tomography). Percutaneous drainage with the help of antibiotics is the treatment of choice: it is actually a very safe and efficient procedure.

One mucopolysaccharidosis I-H (Hurler's Syndrome) found in 3 months infant, was complicated with an hydrocephalus at the age of 5 months. If macrocephaly is known in several genetic inborn errors of metabolism, specially in the different mucopolysaccharidosis, hydrocephalus is quite more rare. It is probably communicating and due to accumulation of storage material in the piaarachnoid causing an impairment in CSF absorption. It occurs in the evolution of the disease and the reported cases concern only older children; our case is special by the early beginning of hydrocephalus.

The authors present seven cases of apparently isolated spontaneous haematomas of the brain stem detected by computerized tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients, and in three of these on two occasions at different stages of the lesion. Changes in MRI signal according to the moment this examination was carried out (acute, subacute or chronic stage) are described. In two of three patients operated upon the haematoma was found to be due to an occult vascular malformation.

In this preliminary study, the authors studies MR imaging in four patients with malignant hepatic tumours before and after intravenous injection of 20 mumols/kg of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SIO). They obtained spin-echo sequences (SE 500/28/4, SE 2 000/28, 56/2) before and after injection and systematically compared the results with ultrasonography and computed tomography data. In every case, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SIO) resulted in a marked decrease in T2 and consequently in the signal of healthy hepatic and splenic tissue, considerably improving the visualisation of malignant lesions which remained unchanged. If the detectability of lesions is considered to depend on the contrast obtained between tumours and healthy tissue, these preliminary results are very promising.

CT scan examinations done in 356 children for epilepsy or occasional seizures showed normal results in over 50% of cases and abnormal results in 40%. The remaining 10% reflect the difficulties in ascertaining that a CT scan examination is normal, particularly regarding pericerebral spaces or ventricular size. The anomalies disclosed on CT scan are of little practical significance. Many of the abnormal results are not specific. An incidence on management was recorded in 5 cases. Other problems which may arise are the connexion between some CT scan findings and epilepsy, or the nature (tumoral or not) of abnormal images. In a few cases, diagnostic investigations or biopsies, which were negative in some instances, were carried out after demonstration of localized decreased density without signs of a space-occupying lesion. The differences in results between the various groups of epileptic patients underscore the necessity of a clinical selection of cases in which a CT scan is required.

CT and MRI features of a multicystic mediastinal teratoma, which was surgically and pathologically confirmed, are presented. CT found 4 cystic tumors of mediastinum with water density content and thick capsule. One kyste contained a fat density area and peripheric calcifications. MRI showed will defined high signal intensity on Spin-echo T1 weighted images. CT and MRI are not reliables in predicting or excluding adherence to adjacent structures. The particularity of this case was the presence of a communication between the anterior right cyst and the posterior left one. This communication passed by the transverse sinus of pericardium.