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Abstract Since feed conversion ratio (FCR) is higher in slow-growing "Label Rouge" chickens than in broiler chickens, it is important to work on its improvement in this breed. However, this involves rearing animals in cages (C), an environment very different from that used for selection (in floor pens, S) and production (outdoor, E). The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of genotype by environment (G × E) interactions between S, C, and E environments, to find the best way to select for FCR, using 2002 related animals. Growth curve parameters were estimated and body composition measured. Individual feed conversion ratios (FCR) were recorded between 8 and 10 weeks in C. The presence of G × E interactions was assessed by the genetic correlations between the same trait recorded in different environments. Moderate but significant G × E interactions were detected for carcass traits, a significant one was observed between E and S or C for growth curve parameters but none between C and S. If G × E interactions are set aside, i.e. selecting on traits recorded in C, abdominal fatness is the best indirect selection criterion for FCR but if they are taken in account then leg yield or growth curve parameters in S and growth curve parameters in E are better.

Introduction. – Ovarian vein thrombophlebitis (OVT) is a rare but potentially threatening complication of the postpartum period. Diagnosing it may be of some difficulty especially in case of symptoms mimicking appendicitis or pyelonephritis.Exegesis. – We report 2 patients with postpartum right OVT. The clinical presentation included high grade fever, and pain, lumbar in one case, of the right flank in the other. Pulmonary embolism complicated both cases.Conclusion. – Diagnostic and therapeutic management of OVT was transformed  by progresses in medical imaging during the 1980’. However, optimal duration of anticoagulant treatment and secondary prevention indications have to be determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of radiofrequency ablation treatment failure for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) next to large vessels., Materials and Methods: Between May 2000 and October 2002, from a total of 83 patients treated by radiofrequency ablation for HCC in a single center, 13 patients with tumoror=3 mm in diameter (Group A) were matched with 13 patients with similar size tumors located away from large vessels (Group B). Immediate response and recurrence rate were evaluated on CT., Results: After mean follow-up interval of 39+/-16.5 months for Group A and 39+/-14 months for Group B, local recurrence rates were 7/12 versus 1/12 respectively (p=0.03). For Group A, 6/7 local recurrences clearly contacted a large vessel., Conclusion: The cooling effect from flowing blood in large vessels markedly increases the rate of local failure of radiofrequency ablation for small HCC located near large vessels.

Unlabelled: Discal calcification in childhood is rare. Calcifications are occasionally discovered during routine examinations. Generally, the calcification process is confined to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc., Cases Report: We describe the cases of two children, five and seven years old who presented with acute low back pain. The patients underwent a CT scan, which demonstrated a posterolateral calcified disc hernia., Discussion: Only a few cases with evidence of calcification of the herniated portion of the disc have been previously described. The clinical picture is composed of pain and functional limitation. The radiographic picture consists of the association of morphological and structural alterations of vertebral bodies adjacent to one or more disc calcifications usually centrally sited, sometimes associated with anterior or posterior herniations. The surgical decompression of the nerve root could be necessary.

Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) is a new MR imaging technique using the BOLD effect (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) and the differences of susceptibility between tissues. It is a 3D gradient echo, fully velocity compensated sequence. The echo time is chosen to maximize the signal cancellation in veins and a specific post-processing is applied using the phase images as a complementary source of contrast. It is very useful for the visualization of veins either normal or abnormal. It shows hemorrhage, even of small quantity, better than conventional gradient echo sequences. Its use is still limited by a long acquisition time and some remaining artifacts.

The realization of radiological examinations in the elderly population must be adjusted to the needs of patients that usually have health problems and very little patience. Its organization must be thought as a whole: appointment, reception of an awaited patient, human accompaniment allowing good cooperation, nursing support, and prompt availability of reports. Adapted equipment facilitates the examination: stretchers to raise and carry invalid patients, digital radiography. Structural linking of radiology and geriatric units with a departmental support avoids the isolation of medical and ancillary staff, reinforce the bonds with geriatricians and facilitates the access to CT before any contrast-enhanced (barium, iodinated) examination. Teleradiology is a complementary tool of making the medical support available and reinforce the interactivity with geriatricians. The simplicity of the questions in current geriatrics makes it possible to use teleradiology in daily practice.

We report a case of cavitation of the mesenteric lymph nodes, an uncommon complication of celiac diseases. Computerized tomography is the method of choice for diagnosis and follow up after gluten free diet.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a benign chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, rarely described in the radiologic literature. Like xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, it can clinically and radiologically mimic carcinoma. This unusual entity is characterized morphologically by a broad spectrum of xanthogranulomatous changes seen from a small limited focus within yellow nodule in the gallbladder wall, to diffuse involvement of the entire gallbladder with extension of the fibrosis into surrounding tissues. It is clear that recurrent inflammation and calculi are important for the pathogenesis, which is not well understood. The clinical presentation and radiologic findings of XGC are non specific. Irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall and local extension of the process can mimic carcinoma. Diagnosis of XGC is always established by histological examination, characterized by the infiltration of round cells, lipid laden histocytes and multinucleated giant cells in the muscle layer. We report a case of 76-year-old woman who had an episode of epigastric and right upper quadrant pain, 4 months before admission. Physical examination demonstrated a palpable mass in gallbladder region. Echography and computed tomography showed a large gallbladder, a thickened wall and an infiltration of the adjacent liver. The relatively well defined gallbladder internal border and the absence of biliary tract's dilatation allowed us to suggest the diagnosis of XGC, which was confirmed intraoperatively by frozen section histology. Once the diagnosis was established, cholecystectomy was performed. Occasionally, the inflammatory reaction is so severe that a subtotal cholecystectomy is required. Postoperative recovery was, as usually, uneventful. Although a rare entity, XGC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of complex right upper quadrant masses, as well as neoplastic gallbladder disease.

Imaging procedures offer an important contribution to the syndrome of the abused child that F.N. Silverman himself proposes to call the Ambroise Tardieu syndrome. First they disclose and analyse the lesions which may involve bones, encephalon or spinal cord, viscera, soft tissues. Then they must answer four questions: Traumatic lesion or normal variant? If traumatic, are there arguments pointing to abuse, for instance multiple bone lesions of different ages and more specifically fractures of ribs, clavicle, spine, pelvis, phalanxes? Is there a possibility of a general disease explaining such traumatic lesions? Etiologies are revised including sensibility deficits. Finally are the bad treatments inflicted with an intention of hurting, injuring or destroying? The answer results of a discussion with clinicians and social interveners but some lesions, as phalanx fractures, may be determining. In this situation that involves the vital prognosis and may induce severe sequellae the imaging strategy, fully described, is of paramount importance.

Ultrasonography of the hip in high risk newborns is the natural extension of clinical examination to the diagnosis of congenital dislocation and dysplasia of the hip. At the end of the first month, ultrasonography allows a better adjustment of therapeutic to the orthopaedic status.

The authors report 8 cases of patients with synovial cysts (3 cases) or diverticuli (5 cases) of the lumbar joints, compressing the sciatic roots. They describe the radiological aspects of the two sides of the degenerative pathology of the posterior articular processes, which are relatively unrecognized (14 cases in the literature). They insist on the advantage of saccoradiculography which is the only test to be able to demonstrate dynamic alterations in relation with diverticuli, if performed in a standing position. The authors show the advantage of tomodensitometry which supports the diagnosis of cyst in the presence of a fibrous wall image. They emphasize the value of the arthrography of the posterior joint; it presents a diagnostic role by visualizing the cavities, and a therapeutic role by permitting the injection in situ of steroids and/or local anesthetics.

Problems encountered during pre-operative embolization in 21 patients with spinal affections could be differentiated as a function of the 3 main regions affected: cervical, dorsolumbar, and lumbosacral. The distinction between the totally different problems raised was based on histologic and angiographic studies of the vascularization of the spinal cord and vertebral column. Whenever possible, and particularly when it can be complete, embolization markedly facilitates the surgical procedure.

The authors present 3 preliminary case reports of congenital perilymphatic fistula and describe their approach, which in the presence of clinical symptoms composed of progressive or fluctuating deafness, should suggest the diagnosis of congenital perilymphatic fistula leading to examination of the cochlear aqueduct by high resolution computed tomography. An anomaly detected on the CT scan, particularly on the intermediate and internal segments, is a decisive argument in the decision to operate on these congenital perilymphatic fistulae.

We report twenty case of perilymphatic fistulae in children. A fistula was discovered in every case where the cochlear aqueduct is larger than normal on high resolution CT scan of the temporal bone. The surgical treatment of these fistulae allowed only a significant improvement of hearing in the cases were an asymmetry or a dilatation of the cochlear aqueducts and a fluctuating deafness coexisted. Unfortunately these improvements do not look permanent.

A case of recurrent infantile cortical hyperostosis in a 3 1/2 year-old girl is reported. Nine other late cases have been previously described. When compared with Caffey's disease, this delayed form of the illness constitutes a distinct homogeneous syndrome of unknown etiology.

The authors have studied retrospectively 32 children with malignant bone tumor. All patients underwent conventional arteriography just before surgery. Distal foci of hypervascularisation and venous thrombosis, not seen at CT, may alter surgical treatment. When large extension to soft tissues is present, the arteriography remains unchallenged to evaluate the venous involvement.

CT scan imaging findings are described in 22 patients with lumbar spine joint synovial cysts, of intraspinal development, provoking sciatica or lumbosciatica from nerve compression in spinal canal. Diagnosis was suggested by a mass at the posterior joint level, of variable density, sometimes with peripheral calcification, presenting a vacuum appearance on occasions, and with enhanced image with contrast. Differential diagnosis is from excluded hernia and postoperative fibrosis. Posterior intraarticular arthrography can confirm diagnosis and allow treatment with prolonged action corticoid infiltrations.

Findings on arthrography of posterior lumbar spine joints in 55 patients were compared with those reported in the literature. Two major degenerative lesions of these joints, diverticula and cysts, can provoke back pain and symptomatic nerve compression. Whereas diagnosis of a cyst is dependent mainly on computed tomography imaging, that of a diverticulum is ensured by arthrography, an investigation which also has a therapeutic aim since it allows infiltrations to be performed.

Historical aspects and anatomophysiologic features of posterior lumbar vertebral joints are summarized and results of arthrography of 55 joints presented, together with a simple, original method for performing this examination. Normal anatomic appearances condition understanding of principal lesions encountered, particularly with respect to compression of adjacent nerve structures.

The purpose of this study was to show that clinical and biological data can help in the diagnosis of benignity and malignancy in liver tumors seen on ultrasound. Three hundred and ninety-four patients with liver masses detected by ultrasound (270 malignant, 124 benign) were prospectively studied. Clinical and biological data were tested by univariate and multivariate analysis. The most important variables were gamma-glutamyl-transferase, sedimentation rate, known primary cancer, proven cirrhosis, abnormal abdominal palpation, ascites and weight loss. A regression model was used and a score was defined with these variables. Using this score, 94.8 p. 100 of the liver masses were accurately classified as benign and malignant tumors.