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This retrospective study considers the diagnostic reliability of 97 cyto-biopsies performed with a fine needle and guided by ultrasonography in 92 patients with one or several suspicious liver lesions. The results of the cyto-biopsy were compared with the final diagnosis obtained by histological examination or by the evolution. In 65 confirmed malignant tumors, fine needle biopsy was concordant in 54 cases. The sensitivity of this method in the diagnosis of malignant liver lesions was 83% with a specificity of 93%. In 54 malignant cytologies, the differentiation between primary or secondary lesions was possible in 31 cases (57%). In 32 confirmed benign lesions, fine needle biopsy was concordant in 30 cases. This study confirms the advantage of cyto-biopsy guided by ultrasonography in the positive and etiological diagnosis of malignant liver tumors.

Frequent complication of advanced cirrhosis, spontaneous or in response to different causes, FRF is chiefly characterized by hyponatraemia, progressive azotaemia, hyperkalaemia and severe oliguria. Its functional nature is proved but its mechanism remains doubtful: it may be due to decreased "effective" plasma volume or renal arteriolar constriction. Its treatment is disappointing and in spite of new technics, gives only transitory improvements.

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of an abnormal pancreaticobiliary ductal union (long common duct) in biliary tract carcinoma. Of 86 patients presenting with such a cancer, 67 had a pre- or intra-operative radiologic examination. An abnormal pancreaticobiliary ductal union was found in only one 60 year old woman having stones associated with invasive gallbladder carcinoma. Operative cholangiogram revealed an early and marked Wirsung opacification with a 1.5 cm long common duct. This low incidence in our study contrasts deeply with Japanese data and raises several questions about the correct evaluation of pancreaticobiliary ductal union, the true consequences of such an anomaly and possible interracial variations in incidence.

Twenty-one patients whose condition required mechanical ventilation with nasogastric intubation were investigated for oesophagitis before the 3rd day and on the 15th day of treatment, including endoscopy and biopsy. Lesions of oesophagitis were detected in 14 cases during the initial examination and in 19 cases on the second endoscopy. The course of the lesions varied from one patient to another and appeared to be unrelated to the course of the primary disease. Oesophagitis in these patients is probably due to frequent episodes of gastro-oesophageal reflux encouraged by cough, impaired consciousness and the presence of a tube. Reflux may also be the cause of inapparent and recurrent lung aspiration.