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Jugulo-tympanic chemodectomas are usually treated by means of surgical ablation and radiotherapy, these two techniques being used either in isolation or association. The recent advent of embolization, which has undergone considerable development in the field of vasular neuro-radiology within the last few years, open up new therapeutic possibilities for these vascular tumours. A study of three personal cases, followed up after a substantial lapse of time, gives a good idea of the importance of embolization in the therapeutic armoury. In fact, although embolization used alone can cause a reduction in functional symptomatology and even and objective clinical improvement (disappearance of some lesions of the cranial pairs, for exemple), it is regularly followed by repermeabilization of the various pediculi. Embolization used in isolation should therefore be reserved for patients who are inoperable for reasons for extension or associated deficiencies. Embolization appears to be of value before the operation as it results in less haemorrhage and may also be of value before radiotherapy.

Three cases of arteriovenous fistulas (A.V.F.) of the cranial dura mater are reported. The authors point out that the first symptom is often in the O.R.L. field: vascular tinnitus with sometimes headaches. Diagnosis can be perform by selective arteriography. In the same time, embolization is possible.

The authors remind surgical technique and indications of the hemipharyngolaryngectomy for treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. About 20 cases, functionnal postoperative disorders with their causes and their treatment are exposed.

Aspirin intolerance brings on cutaneous and/or respiratory reactions. The mechanisms are to be elucidated precisely, but are not IgE-mediated. 193 patients with nasal polyps are studied. With systematic aspirin oral challenge, 27% belong to the classical triad: asthma, polyps and aspirin sensitivity. Other drugs or chemicals intolerance are associated in 42%: alcohol, metabisulfites, benzoates, tartrazine, codeine... A link with the non-allergic eosinophilic rhinitis is suggested. A short review of several pathogenic hypothesis is discussed. Among a comparative study, the authors showed that the aspirin-intolerant patients' platelets have a quite normal arachidonic acid metabolism. The clue is probably towards an abnormal instability of cells membranes and excessive receptors sensitivity to leukotrienes.

The authors describe the clinical picture of the aspirin idiosyncrasy and propose to call this peculiar entity: syndrom of Widal and Lermoyez. They compare 25 cases of aspirin nasal polyposis with 26 other cases of various etiologies. Other substances than aspirin seem to be charged. The complications are regular with severe asthma and infection. The pathogenesis is discussed, excluding an allergic mechanism; it remain not quite clear. Essentially prophylactic, the treatment is poor and difficult.

The more frequent practise of X-ray examination shows that symphalangism may be involved by other synostosis. Maroteaux described in 1972 "multiplex synostosis disease". Seven personal cases (all female) in two families are described with particular problem of deafness and vertebral fusion. Dominant autosomic inheritance.

The Urbach-Wiethe disease is a rare condition, where a hyaline substance of an unknown biochemical nature is accumulated in both teguments and mucous membranes. It has an autosomic and recessive genetic transmission. Cutaneous and mucous lesions (especially on the upper digestive tract) are described, insisting about the laryngeal location and the neurological troubles (with their main symptom: intracranial calcifications). The association of the disease with congenital indifference to pain is to be noted. Two particular cases are reported.

The classification of types of vasomotor rhinitis remains controversial. Too frequently, the presence of salvoes of sneezing leads to a diagnosis of allergy. The authors point out the only relatively accuracy of skin tests and show that marked local histamine liberation may occur in the absence of allergy. They have perfected a battery of vasomotor tests using nicotinic acid, histamine, 48/80 and acetylcholine. On this basis, they propose a pragmatic clinical classification of types of vasomotor rhinitis. Underlying tendency to tetany is the most common aetiology, going hand in hand with increased histamine sensitivity.

The nasal valve is anatomically well defined, but, on a clinical point of view, it is more appropriate to talk about the nasal valve area. If the valve itself represents a three-step dynamic structure, its air-flow regulating function may be disturbed by minor adjacent structures deformations. It is of utmost importance to recognize the nasal valve dysfunction among patients with nasal obstruction complaints and to avoid any iatrogenic action at this level during rhinoplastic procedures. The various abnormalities of the nasal valve area described. Some general rules are outlined to repair this very delicate structure. In severe cases, good results are difficult to be reached. It is far better to adopt preventive rhinoplastic procedures.

If the most part of the patients with septal perforation have an history of previous surgery, only few of them present symptoms and require surgical repair in spite of the various techniques described in the literature. Bilateral naso-septal mucosal flaps with temporalis fascia interposition graft give the best results. That's why the use of more complicated process remain the exception. Owing to the dubiousness of these reconstructions, it seems advisable to point out the value of preventive actions in order to preserve the nasal physiology.