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A prospective study in 60 consecutive patients evaluated gain in quality of image using ECG servo-assistance during pulmonary digital subtraction angiography (PDSA). Two groups of 30 comparable patients were randomly allocated to examination with ECG servo-assistance or three images per second technique. Criteria for assessment of quality of image were defined and used to compare results. No significant difference were noted and ECG servo-assistance failed to improve images during PDSA.

The authors describe 5 cases of bi-apical pulmonary fibrosis occurring during the course of ankylosing spondylitis. In 4 patients the lesions were advanced and detected during pneumological investigations. In the 5th patient, the lesions were at an early stage and were discovered during a retrospective study of 100 case-reports of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Radiological signs were morphologically similar: localized pulmonary lesions of the two apices, of the retractile type and with a fibrous hilar framework, bullous images that were more or less extensive, raising of the two hili with compensatory distention at both bases, and pleural lesions consisting of thickening of both pleurae at the apices. The mean age of the patients at the time these lesions appear is 60 years, and they occur about 20 years after the onset of the articular disorder. These fibro-bullous lesions can be complicated by aspergillosis (20%) of pneumothorax (8%). The principal differential diagnosis is advanced tuberculous disease in the lung apices, and this explains why these patients have often been prescribed antituberculosis therapy.

The frequency and appearance of anastomoses between the spermatic veins and the inferior vena cava and portal vein, are analyzed in a series of 171 patients examined by retrograde spermatic phlebography. Spermatocaval anastomoses are divided into those that occur above the scrotum: direct (spermatocaval and iliospermatic) and indirect (perivertebral and ureteric); and those seen at the level of the scrotum (with the scrotal veins, veins of the vas deferens, and those from the contralateral scrotal area). Spermatoportal anastomoses are frequent but difficult to confirm because of the existence of proximal valves. Three cases are also reported which give examples where the spermatic vein played an important part in the collateral circulation (inferior vena cava thrombosis, left renal vein thrombosis, portal hypertension).

The authors report on 10 cases of complications during punch-biopsy of the liver, an arterio-portal fistula being the one most frequently encountered (8 out of 10 cases). The clinical condition improved in 9 cases out of 10. The authors stress the frequency of arterioportal fistula after punch-biopsy of the liver (60% it arteriography is carried out during the first week). They recall the benign character of these fistulae and their tendency towards spontaneous healing.

The authors report on 5 cases of diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis. This disease occurs in women during the period of genital activity and usually presents with pulmonary signs (9/10) : dyspnoea, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and hemoptysis. It is also found in association with renal angiomyolipomas and uterine fibromyolipomas. X-ray films of the lungs show : an interstitial syndrome, gas or fluid pleural effusions, and thoracic distention. None of these signs is constant, but the association of an interstitial syndrome with thoracic distention in a young woman appears to be specific for this affection.

The authors report a case of a West-Indian with sarcoidosis and peripheral, mediastinal and, above all, sub-diaphragmatic lymph nodes. The latter were very large and palpable through the abdomen, confirmed by lymphography and found to be due to S. Mansomi schistosomiasis. Liver biopsy carried out under peritoneoscopy, showed schistosomal granulomatosis with sarcoidosic granulomatosis. The authors consider that the rareness of this association is only apparent and does not correspond to the frequency of bilharziasis nor that of sarcoidosis in these subjects. They emphasize the mistakes which may result in interpretation of liver biopsy. They recall a few special characteristics of sarcoidosis in West-Indians, in particular, the possibility of failure of corticosteroid therapy as in their case, due to the onset of miliary lung disease under treatment, and show the lymphographic appearances of sarcoidosis.

A 23 year old man, expert in karate, complained of sudden movements of right hip during "circular kicks", followed by persistent pain. Arthrography showed synovial plication in joint at upper border femoral neck, with a tongue-like projection from upper recess extending to head/neck junction and provoking bone erosion visible on standard images. Recovery followed resection of the fold. This is probably the first case of this type to be published. The lesion recalls the internal synovial plica of knee but differs from "frenula capsulae" and does not appear to have been described by anatomists. As in the knee it is probably an embryonic relic.

The results of 18 abdominal arteriographies (general aortography, selective renal, superior mesenteric, and coeliac arteries) in 11 patients with polyarteritis nodosa (P.A.S.), are reported and analyzed. In all tissues, the frequency of the lesions was 66% for micro-anéurisms, 100% for stenoses, and 83% for thromboses. These are seen mainly in the kidney, but isolated lesions may occur in the liver and gastro-intestinal tract. As they vary with time and the area affected, selective contrast studies of the main stems of the abdominal aorta and, in some cases, repeated arteriographic examinations, are necessary.

Lymphographic data in 23 negro immigrants with lymph nodes tuberculosis almost always mediastinal and/or superficial are reported. In six cases, including two cases with abdominal latero-aortic lymph nodes clinically obvious, lymphography showed abnormalities without doubt. These aspects are compared with data of literature and discussed according to interpretation and significance in tuberculosis very peculiar in negro immigrants.20

The authors present the results of selective bronchial and parietal arteriography of pulmonary systemic hypervascularization, in 83 cases. They emphasize the advantages of previous pulmonary venous angiography and overall aortography for the success of selective injections. Failures are evaluated at 6 to 7%. On occasions, a medullary branch was opacified. No medullary accidents were noted. The angiographic appearances of the lesions encountered are described. A comparative study of the angiographic results of non-tumoral acquired lesions was carried out in those patients with hemoptysis and in those who were free from them.

Three cases of polyarteritis nodosa (P.A.N.) studied by abdominal arteriography with a follow-up examination between the 6th and 9th month are reported. In the first case, the initial arteriogram showed only the appearances of endarteritis. The second arteriogram, 9 months later, following a worsening of general condition, revealed diffuse aneurysms in the abdomen. In the second patient, who had multiple aneurysms at the time of the initial examination, arteriography agter 6 months following a new episode of the disease with an acute abdominal syndrome and collapse revealed, alongside the multiplication of the aneurysms with rupture of one of them, the disappearance of some ectasias with the obliteration of certain arteries. In the third patient, the follow-up arteriogram after treatment showed disappearance of the renal arteriograms which the first study had revealed 7 months before. These three cases give an idea of the different radiological appearances of P.A.N. The appearance of endarteritis with no specific characteristics indicates and inflammatory localisation of the disease. This is an initial stage leading to ectasia. Aneurysms may progress to rupture or may multiply. Endarteritis and ectasia may also progress towards scarring and disappear. A method of early diagnosis, arteriography makes it possible to institute treatment before the lesions reach a stage at which they must inevitably develop either into aneurysms or lead to obstruction with distal ischaemia.