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Virtually unknown at the beginning of the century, diverticulosis has become very prevalent in western countries. The natural history of the disease is notable for its acute, sometimes recurrent, attacks of diverticulitis and the significant risk of serious complications : abscess, fistula, peritonitis. CT scanning predominates in the diagnostic evaluation. It can provide both diagnostic and prognostic information. Most mild attacks of diverticulitis respond well to medical therapy while surgical treatment is indicated in the complicated forms of the disease. Surgical therapy has gradually evolved from a complicated three stage approach to two-staged, single-staged, or even minimally invasive procedures. The current trend is to intervene surgically well after the resolution of the acute attack. To achieve this, liberal use of percutaneous drainage of collections and medical treatment are advocated. The decision to perform prophylactic sigmoid resection must be based on a balance assessment of risk factors including age, severity of attacks and their recurrence.

The aim of this prospective study conducted by the AFCE was to analyze the indications, approach and results of all adrenalectomies performed during the year 1997 in 17 centers, active or specialized in endocrine surgery.During 1997, adrenalectomy was performed in 247 patients, 149 men and 98 women (mean age: 51 years). The lesion was located in the right side in 166 patients, in the left side in 99, in both sides in 28 patients and ectopic in four patients. Pheochromocytomas (n = 61), Conn adenomas (n = 50) and Cushing syndrome lesions (n = 48) were the most frequent in this series. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in 172 patients (70%) through a transperitoneal approach in all cases except one, and by 'open' surgery in 75 patients (30%).In patients operated on by the laparoscopic approach, the mean duration of surgery was 132 min, and there were peroperative complications in 15 patients (8.7%), mainly hemorrhages. Conversion rate into laparotomy was 7%. In the postoperative course, there were three reoperations and two deaths, an early one in a patient reoperated for bleeding and a very late one in relation with necrotising acute pancreatitis. Mean duration of hospitalization was 5.8 d. Mean tumoral size was 49 mm. In patients operated on by 'open' surgery, the mean duration of surgery was 148 min. There was a postoperative complication in eight patients (10.6%), mostly hemorrhages, and two intraoperative deaths in relation with uncontrollable bleeding. Mean duration of hospitalization was 11 d. Mean tumoral size was 72 mm.Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now indicated for the majority of adrenal tumors. Several complications observed in this series were related to the learning curve in several centers. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the 'gold standard' in uni- or bilateral benign tumors no larger than 6 or 7 cm. 'Open' surgery is indicated in malignant tumors, especially in adreno-cortical carcinomas, and in all large tumors.

The advent of new computer technologies appears as a revolution of surgical teaching, as well as the planning and realisation of surgical procedures. The introduction of a camera into the body of a patient, allowing the visual display of the operative procedure through the use of miniaturised camera constitutes the greatest alteration that the surgical world has experienced at the end of this century: mini-invasive surgery is born. This revolution was announces further changes: the development of telecommunication devices applied to medicine (tele-education, teletraining, telementoring, teleproctoring and tele-accreditation) constitutes the basis of cybersurgery or virtual reality allowing the merging of the concepts of telepresence and telemanipulation. These new concepts were developed at the European Institute of TeleSurgery of Strasbourg. The TESUS project developed the use of surgical images and data transmission through the realisation of international multi-site video conferences between surgeons. The WEBS project created the first Virtual University concept placing surgical techniques at the surgeon's disposal through Internet. The HESSOS project uses virtual reality as a surgical simulation system. The MASTER project allows to develop the concept of distant telemanipulation. It is now possible to face surgical teaching outside of the restricted University frame and to conceive teaching on a world level, offering to the practitioner unimaginable possibilities of formation, training and planning of surgical procedures.

The advent of new computer technologies can appear as a revolution in surgical teaching, as well as in the planing and realization of surgical procedures. The introduction of a camera into the body of a patient, allowing the visual display of the operative procedure through the use of a miniaturized camera, constitutes the greatest change that the surgical world has experienced at the end of this century: mini-invasive surgery is born. This revolution also predicts further changes: the development of telecommunication devices applied to medicine (tele-education, tele-training, tele-mentoring, tele-proctoring and tele-accreditation), constitutes the basis of cybersurgery or virtual reality allowing the merging of the concepts of tele-presence and telemanipulation. These new concepts were developed at the European Institute of TeleSurgery at Strasbourg. The TESUS project developed the use of surgical images and data transmission through the realization of international multi-site video conferences between surgeons. The WEBS project created the first virtual university concept by placing surgical techniques at the surgeon's disposal through the Internet. The HESSOS project uses virtual reality as a surgical simulation system. The MASTER project allows the development of the concept of distant telemanipulation. It is now possible to face surgical teaching outside of the restricted University framework, and to conceive teaching on a world-wide level, offering the practitioner unimaginable possibilities of formation, training and the planning of surgical procedures.

Surgical simulation increasingly appears to be an essential aspect of tomorrow's surgery. The development of a hepatic surgery simulator is an advanced concept calling for a new writing system which will transform the medical world: virtual reality. Virtual reality extends the perception of our five senses by representing more than the real state of things by the means of computer sciences and robotics. It consists of three concepts: immersion, navigation and interaction. Three reasons have led us to develop this simulator: the first is to provide the surgeon with a comprehensive visualisation of the organ. The second reasons is to allow for planning and surgical simulation that could be compared with the detailed flight-plan for a commercial jet pilot. The third lies in the fact that virtual reality is an integrated part of the concept of computer assisted surgical procedure. The project consists of a sophisticated simulator which must include five requirements: a) visual fidelity, b) interactivity, c) physical properties, d) physiological properties, e) sensory input and output. In this report we describe how to obtain a realistic 3D model of the liver from bi-dimensional 2D medical images for anatomical and surgical training. The introduction of a tumor and the consequent planning and virtual resection is also described, as are force feedback and real-time interaction.

Surgical simulation increasingly appears to be an essential aspect of tomorrow's surgery. The development of a hepatic surgery simulator is an advanced concept calling for a new writing system which will transform the medical world: virtual reality. Virtual reality extends the perception of our five senses by representing more than the real state of things by the means of computer sciences and robotics. It consists of three concepts: immersion, navigation and interaction. Three reasons have led us to develop this simulator: the first is to provide the surgeon with a comprehensive visualisation of the organ. The second reason is to allow for planning and surgical simulation that could be compared with the detailed flight-plan for a commercial jet pilot. The third lies in the fact that virtual reality is an integrated part of the concept of computer assisted surgical procedure. The project consists of a sophisticated simulator which has to include five requirements: visual fidelity, interactivity, physical properties, physiological properties, sensory input and output. In this report we will describe how to get a realistic 3D model of the liver from bi-dimensional 2D medical images for anatomical and surgical training. The introduction of a tumor and the consequent planning and virtual resection is also described, as are force feedback and real-time interaction.

Bleeding related to diverticular disease occurs in 10 to 30% of patients suffering from diverticular disease. Haemorrhage varies from occult to massive bleeding. Bleeding is related to mechanical aggression of the artery in the wall of a diverticulum. Bleeding prevalence is not exactly known. In 1 to 7% of cases, massive bleeding is observed; diverticular disease is thus the most common cause of major lower gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage, followed by angiodysplasias. Although 95% of diverticular involve the sigmoid colon, more than 50% of bleeding diverticular occur in the right colon. Classically, presentation of bleeding is sudden without any inflammatory diverticulitis. Bleeding from diverticula stops spontaneously in 80% of cases. For definite diagnosis, selective abdominal angiography during bleeding phase is the procedure of choice. Other explorations are not contributive. Most haemorrhages have a benign outcome. Massive, persistent or recurrent haemorrhage should benefit from surgical procedure. In case of active bleeding in which diverticular origin has been validated by angiography, intra-arterial perfusion of vasopressor agents may be attempted, as a temporary treatment before delayed colonic resection. Segmental colectomy usually prevents recurrent haemorrhage when site of diverticular bleeding has not been identified with precision by angiography. Subtotal colectomy should only be used in the last resort. Extent of surgery will be based on likely origin of bleeding.

Leiomyosarcomas are exceptional in peripheral veins. Clinical signs are not specific, secondary to effects of the tumoural mass. Computed tomography and MRI give a precise topographic diagnosis. Pathology examination on biopsy or surgical specimens establishes the histological diagnosis. Therapeutic management must take into account local tumour recurrence and metastasis. Surgical exeresis should be wider than the tumour's pseudocapsule to include micrometastases neighbouring the primary tumour. Post-operative radiotherapy (55 to 70 Gy) and chemotherapy should follow. With this management scheme, local disease is controlled in 85% of the cases with a 5-year follow-up. Local or metastatic extension usually occurs within the first 3 years. Management of venous sarcomas thus requires a multidisciplinary cooperation between the surgeon, the radiotherapists and the chemotherapist.

Ten patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for typical perforated peptic ulcer symptomatology. Two conversions to open surgery were due to technical problems related to delayed hospital admission. Nine patients underwent duodenal suture reinforced with fibrin glue, and one perforation was only glued. The postoperative course was uneventful without abdominal septic or abdominal wall complications in the eight patients treated by laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery may become the method of choice for the treatment of perforated peptic ulcer.

Recent improvements in miniaturization of implantable pumps and the ability of their control by teletransmission allow implantation of autonomous pumps which administer insulin into the peritoneal cavity. Fifty-six patients with diabetes mellitus underwent implantation of 66 pumps with a mean function life of 21.8 months per patient. No patient has died to date. Tolerance of implanted components was good. Morbidity was limited to local events, in this series 4 cutaneous erosions, two of them leading to final pump explantation. Mean global blood-sugar, pre- and post-prandial blood-sugar, and glycosylated hemoglobin assays were all lower versus pre-implantation assays. A statistically significant difference was demonstrated regarding mean global blood-sugar. The frequency of severe hypoglycemia incidents (2 in our series) and biochemical hypoglycemia (blood-sugar65 mg/100 ml) was decreased, representing a major benefit of the technique. The patients well-being and quality of life were notably improved. Implantable insulin-pump may be offered as alternative treatment to conventional insulin-therapy, especially in cases of diabetes which are difficult to control and particularly in cases with frequent hypoglycemic malaise.

The case of a series of grave complications after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reported: a common bile duct section diagnosed rather late, hemoperitoneum, inappropriate common bile duct reconstruction and late anastomic leakage, stenosis of an hepatico-jejunal anastomosis, haemorrhage through the external biliary drainage and iterating sepsis. The final outcome was good. The stenotic hepatico-jejunal anastomosis was dilated by a Gianturco self-expanding prosthesis percutaneously placed. As an evidence, this alternative treatment is only exceptional, the treatment of choice for postsurgical benign strictures being surgical repair.

Spontaneous rupture of esophagus is a rare affection resulting from barotrauma to lower esophagus during the effort of vomiting. The diagnosis is suggested by the presence of violent retrosternal pain after a bout of vomiting following the partaking of a copious meal by an alcoholic patient. Prognosis is dependent on the rapidity of treatment, always surgical and completed by long-term antibiotic therapy. Complementary examinations should be limited to a standard chest x ray and esophageal imaging with water-soluble contrast. Recovery is now the rule for patients treated within 24 hours. Mortality is high in patients diagnosed at a late stage, but this could be reduced by improved recognition of the syndrome.

Ten patients presenting with hiatus hernia and gastro-oesophageal reflux underwent laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication. All patients had either medical treatment failure or invalidating reflux. At present, complete fundoplication is the most effective surgical treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux. The laparoscopic procedure was rigorously identical with the habitually used "open" procedure, the only difference being the abdominal access. No laparotomy was necessary in our patients, and no major complication was observed. The follow-up showed good clinical results. Laparoscopy has been reported to decrease postoperative pain and ventilatory disorders. Morover, this minimally invasive surgical technique enables rapid resumption of social and professional activities.

In order to set up a common and objective language for everyone, the authors have laid the foundation of anatomoclinical classification which can be used as a reference in the study of varicose veins in lower limbs. They are comparing a group of patients with varicose veins to a control group of healthy patients. The groups are classified in four stages according to the importance of the varicose pathology and the histological characteristics. The conclusion is the following: there is no parallelism between these four clinical stages and the histological characteristics. According to the authors, it is necessary to make a distinction between fibrous reaction veins and muscular wall veins. This phenomenon is reported to have particular therapeutic implications in the prescription of substances of exciting venous tonicity.

Six laparoscopic abdominal operations were performed in five patients with chronic renal failure with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Coelioscopic exploration and operation disclosed several advantages including peritoneal dialysis catheter salvage, abdominal exploration in peritonitis or before catheter implantation, early dialysis after surgery, hence avoiding the need for transient hemodialysis. Furthermore, laparoscopy was reported to decrease postoperative pain and ventilatory disorders. This minimal invasive surgical technique allows rapid recovery of social and professional activities.

Recent improvements in miniaturization of implantable pumps and the ability of their control by tele transmission allowed implantation of autonomous pumps which administer insulin into the peritoneal cavity. Fifty-six patients with diabetes mellitus underwent implantation of 66 pumps with a mean function life of 21.8 months per patient. No patient died to this day. Tolerance of implanted components was good. Morbidity was limited to local events, in this series 4 cutaneous erosions, two of them dictating final pump explantation. Dosages of mean global blood-sugar, pre- and post-prandial blood-sugar, and glycosylated hemoglobin were all lower versus dosages before implantation. Statistically significant difference was demonstrated regarding mean global blood-sugar. Frequency of sever hypoglycemia incidents (4 in our series) and of biological hypoglycemia (blood-sugar65 mg/100 ml) was decreased, representing major benefit of the technique. The patients well-being and quality of life were notably amended. Implantable insulin-pump may be offered as a treatment alternative to conventional insulin-therapy, especially in cases of diabetes which are difficult to balance and particularly in cases with frequent hypoglycemic malaise.

The aim of this work was to verify experimentally the reliability of 3D CT scan in measuring hepatic volumes. Eight livers were dissected from corpses. The referring liver volume was determined by measure of its hydric shift. The correlation coefficient R was 0.93 (p0.001) on 5 mm/5 mm 3D sections, 0.92 (p0.001) on 10 mm/10 mm 3D sections and 0.94 (p0.0006) on 5 mm/10 mm 3D sections. The paired t-test also showed a 5% risk correlation between the two measurements. Although in vivo imaging is slightly different from in vitro, 3D CT scan seems to be a reliable method to determine an hepatic volume without increased X-ray irradiation.

The "revisionist" approach to therapy of gastric cancer needs a previous demonstration of the qualitative comparability of Japanese and western treatments of gastric adenocarcinoma. Early gastric cancer is far more common in Japanese than in Occidentals, but its character is the same, and for identical stages and treatments, the prognosis is the same. But many western studies show serious methodological deficiencies (staging, anatomopathological examination...), as well as a serious lack of interest in adjuvant therapy, a potential source of progress. We propose a 4-point therapeutic approach inspired by the Japanese example: a greater methodological rigor, standardization of lymphadenectomies, the definition of therapeutic subgroups to receive optimal treatments, the development of new adjuvant treatments.

The aim of this study was to prospectively study the complication rate of our 100 initial laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The ultimate goal was to obtain a morbidity rate comparable to open cholecystectomy. No major complications were noticed. The conversion rate to open cholecystectomy was 8%, slightly higher in comparison with the literature. Absence of major complications could be explained by: a) indications limited to symptomatic non complicated cholelithiasis; b) assistance at the beginning of our experience of gynecologists used to laparoscopic techniques; c) conversion to open cholecystectomy in case of technical difficulties. Application of these principles allows the digestive surgeon to start laparoscopic cholecystectomy without submitting the patient to additional risks.

Among upper abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans, 0.6 per 1000 fortuitously reveal an adrenal tumour, an "image pathology" now known as "adrenal incidentaloma". Should the clinician avoid useless, iatrogenic surgery or run the risk of failing to identify a malignant adrenocortical tumour? We outline a clinical procedure aimed at distinguishing between solid vs liquid, secreting vs non-secreting and primary vs metastatic tumour. Nevertheless, in the end the diagnosis may be uncertain, in which case tumour size becomes the deciding factor. For tumours of less than 3 cm close surveillance is advocated, whereas surgery is necessary for tumours larger than 3 cm; for tumours in between these sizes only the individual clinician can decide.

Photoreflexometry measures the filling time of the intradermic venous plexus and quantifies the function of the venous pump in the leg. Thus it completes the other methods of venous functional investigation and provides data-figures on the seriousness of post-phlebitic illness. The essential interest of the non-invasive examination is that it makes it possible to read the phlebographic and therapeutic indications more discerningly.

The authors report on various diagnostic pitfalls on 102 patients having undergone exploratory cervicotomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. A false positive diagnostic error was made on 2% of the cases, bringing to 100 the number of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. False negative diagnosis was made on 4% of the patients: two late diagnoses leading to an acute toxic state and death postoperatively in both cases; two pure psychiatric variants leading to repetitive hospitalizations in psychiatry. Error in diagnosis because of a masking effect was made in 4% of the cases:--one association with a clear cell nephro--epithelioma--one association with a multiple myeloma--two associations with a benign monoclonal gammapathy. The absence of hypercalcemia, a diagnostic pitfall in the modern form of this disease was found in 7% of the cases. PTH hypersecretion which is virtually a constant finding in the normocalcemic form of the disease obviates in most cases the need of a bone biopsy and quantitative histomorphometric analysis. The association with another endocrinopathy was found in 12% of the cases (2 MEN I, 1 MEN II, 9 hyperthyroidism). Because of its high frequency in the aged (22% greater than 75 years) the diagnosis of this disease is difficult for its signs are mimicked as well by the aging process. The preoperative topographic diagnostic error is avoided since there doesn't seem to be any test which would preclude the normal surgical procedure of carefully exploring all 4 topographic sites of the parathyroid. Surgical errors can be numerous but minimized with the increasing experience of the operator. Histological errors are seen mainly in the normocalcemic variety where only electron microscopy can detect the typical signs of cellular hyperactivity.

To control hemorrhage and eliminate the ulcerogenic mechanism, some surgeons have favored gastric resection and others have preferred the more conservative approach of a vagotomy. The analysis of our 50 cases has shown a high frequency of hemorrhage by arterial erosion. All the patients have been treated by transfixing the ulcer with a local suture, associated with a truncular vagotomy and a gastric drainage, the global mortality rate was 26%. The mortality rate in the group of patients with massive bleeding forcing emergency operation is 33%. No death was observed in the group of patients where bleeding was controlled firstly by non operative measures and operated on later. The patient's chances of survival are markedly improved in the group of younger patients. The analysis of literature have shown that the incidence of rebleeding is the same following vagotomy or partial gastrectomy. The post operative mortality rates after these two types of emergency operative procedures are also quite similar. In conclusion, direct ligation of the ulcer base in massive bleeding, coupled with vagotomy, seems to be the operation of choice.

On the forehead, the epicranial fascia or aponeurosis (galea) splits to enclose the musculus frontalis. The superficial fascia, thin and transparent, separates the muscle from the fatty layer (panniculus) of the overlying skin. The deep fascia, thick and fibrous, is separated from the periosteum by a loose areolar tissue which allows the whole skin to move over the skeleton. The two bellies of the m. frontalis are anchored jointly on the midline, where their superficial and deep fasciae are tightly joined together. The loose areolar tissue beneath the galea is a cleavage plane facilitating plastic surgery of the scalp. On the scalp and forehead of adult male patients, benign, well differentiated and encapsulated lipomas may develop in this deep plane. This localization seems to be particularly frequent but has seldom been described. According to the available literature, 1.9 to 14.5 per cent of cutaneous lipomas are situated on the head and neck. In a retrospective review of 246 skin lipomas from our own files, we found 20 lipomas of the forehead (8 per cent), and among these 12 were located beneath the galea, between the frontal muscle and the periosteum. While the M/F sex ratio is approximately 2:1 for the cervico-cephalic lipomas, subfascial lipomas of the forehead prevail in adults and old men (90 per cent). Clinically, the "subfacial forehead lipoma" presents as a round or oval, smooth, flat or dome-shaped tumour. The skin is raised above the lesion, glides over its surface, and the parallel pattern of its wrinkles remains unaltered. The lesions are usually symptom-free and are ascribed by some patients to a minor, woundless trauma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The biliary excretion of cefotaxime (CTX) and its metabolite desacetylcefotaxime (DSCTX) was measured by HPLC in 9 recently cholecystectomized-patients following the IV injection of 15 mg/kg body weight of CTX. The totality of bile was collected by an original procedure: the inflated balloon of a Fogarty catheter was introduced into the distal branch of a Kehr drain T-tube. Biliary clearance of CTX and DSCTX was measured for 8 h. Cefotaxime peaked at 90 min. after injection at 34.5 +/- 15.3 micrograms/ml; in the 7-8 h sample it was 2.7 +/- 1.7 micrograms/ml. DSCTX peaked at the same time at 49.3 +/- 17.0 micrograms/ml, and was 4.6 +/- 3.2 micrograms/ml at 8 h. The bile/serum ratio of CTX and DSCTX concentration was 1 from the 1st to the 8th hours (range: 1.35 +/- 1.08 to 11.0 +/- 3.1). The biliary clearance of CTX was 0.190 ml/min. The total amounts of CTX and DSCTX eliminated in bile were respectively 1050 +/- 472.8 micrograms and 1902.7 +/- 804.1 micrograms (0.093 +/- 0.041 p. 100 of the dose and 0.186 +/- 0.077 p. 100 of the dose). Considering the minimum inhibitory concentration of the pathogens currently encountered in the biliary sepsis, CTX should be a suitable antimicrobial agent for the treatment of biliary infections.

The authors report 11 cases of hemorrhage due to vascular ulcerations arising early or late in the course of acute pancreatitis. The seriousness of these hemorrhages, the difficulties of their therapy are pointed out. In all cases, bleeding should be controlled by surgery. Therefore, attention is drawn to the need for prompt laparotomy in all the shocked patients who failed to respond to conservative measures, for in such cases, a fatal outcome may rapidly occur. The respective advantages and inconveniences of the 2 main surgical treatments, ligation of bleeding vessels or pancreatectomy removing the source of bleeding, are discussed, basing on the presently reported cases and the data of the literature.

The authors compare the efficacy of two perfusates, Collins' solution and Perfudex, for conservation of kidneys for short periods by perfusion and hypothermic immersion. 22 dog kidneys, removed by lombotomy, were preserved for 24 hours with one or other of these solutions and then re-implanted into their host. Radio-isotopic renography, the uptake of Hg 197 Cl3 and a hippuran renogram, used to assess the function of the transplants, suggested the functional superiority of kidneys preserved with Collins solutions. Histological controls carried out beyond the 10 th post-operative week, confirmed these results. The correlations observed between these various findings also assessed the reliability of radio-isotope examinations in the exploration of renal function.

An early diagnosis of the Verner-Morrison syndrome will greatly enhance the chances of curative resection. There is a striking need for a simple diagnostic test. A number of suggestions have been made for the presumed hormone mediator of this syndrome. Numerous reports have led to a wide acceptance that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is the responsible mediator for the pharmacologic actions of this peptide are similar to the physiological characteristics noted in the watery diarrhea syndrome. A raised plasma VIP concentration, on the other hand, would suggest the presence of a tumour. These observations argue for the radioimmunoassay measurement of plasma VIP in a patient with the watery diarrhea syndrome.

Changes in the intestinal motility were studied in dogs after different surgical operations performed on the small bowel. Electrodes were implanted on the intestine and the electrical activity of the bowel was recorded after transection of the bowel and after jejunoileal shunt. The results showed that the transection of the bowel provoked a slowing of the propagation of the intestinal contractions. This phenomenon was particularly important at the level of the ileum. The jejunoileal shunt was followed by a strong increase of the level of the motor activity, probably related with an increase of the intraluminal content at the level of the ileum. These results gave an explanation for the slowing of the intestinal transit which is observed after some operations which involve a transection of the small bowel.

The authors report a case of pseudocyst of the spleen. This is a rare entity which is part of nosological type of nonparasitic splenic cysts. It has most often a post-traumatic origin. The diagnosis is evoked in front of a mass of the left hypochondrium and has to be confirmed by further examinations, in particular by sonography and scanner. A microscopic examination of the surgical specimen is the only way to establish the diagnosis of a pseudocyst. The histological characteristic of pseudocyst is absence of epithelium. The splenic pseudocysts require a surgical treatment. In most cases, a splenectomy is performed. A the moment, cyst resection and partial splenectomies are performed by a few authors. This is the type of technique that we prefer especially when the patient is young.

Angiectasia of the right colon is a new entity which must be considered in cases of lower intestinal haemorrhage. Moore's classification is the one that is generally accepted today; it distinguishes between 3 types the most interesting and best individualized of which is type I. It consists of acquired lesions occurring after the age of 60, often multiple, localized in the right colon and frequently associated with aortic stenosis and atheroma. The diagnosis of these vascular malformations is usually delayed because the lesions are submucosal and not visible at endoscopy. Bimesaraic arteriography may show typical images where extravasation of contrast medium is associated with vascular tuft or "tuff". Even the anatomicopathological confirmation of the diagnosis is difficult, since the lesion can only be located by special techniques, such as intra-arterial injection of a silicone-containing substance. Owing to the failure of modern techniques such as embolization, the only possible treatment is surgical, based on resection of the colonic segment involved.