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Resumen Las patologias tubaricas se observan en alrededor del 30% de las mujeres con infertilidad. La obstruccion tubarica distal incluye las fimosis fimbriales y los hidrosalpinges. Se produce despues de infecciones genitales e intraabdominales, adherencias postoperatorias, endometriosis o embarazo extrauterino. La cirugia de la obstruccion tubarica distal se dirige a restaurar la permeabilidad tubarica y debe realizarse en el marco de un tratamiento completo de la fertilidad tras la exploracion de las otras causas masculinas y femeninas. El estudio tubarico se basa en la ecografia pelvica, la histerosalpingosonografia y la histerosalpingografia. La cirugia tubarica distal debe realizarse por laparoscopia y consiste en una adherenciolisis completa inicial, seguida de una evaluacion del endosalpinge mediante salpingoscopia para evaluar la operabilidad de la paciente con ayuda de escalas de adherencias y mucosas. Se distingue la neosalpingostomia, cuyo objetivo es la creacion de un neoorificio tubarico cuando este ha desaparecido, de la fimbrioplastia, consistente en la reconstruccion de un infundibulo tubarico normal cuando el diametro del orificio esta disminuido (fimosis). Segun los estudios disponibles, la tasa de gestacion espontanea despues de una neosalpingostomia es del 27% en un periodo de seguimiento de 24 meses y del 20-60% tras fimbrioplastia. Esta tasa depende de la puntuacion inicial en la escala de operabilidad; los factores de buen pronostico son las adherencias anexiales finas y poco numerosas, una dilatacion tubarica menor de 3 cm y un endosalpinge de buena calidad. Para las pacientes que tengan obstrucciones tubaricas distales con criterios de mal pronostico, se prefiere la salpingectomia, debido al riesgo elevado de recidiva de hidrosalpinge y del efecto perjudicial del hidrosalpinge sobre la fecundacion in vitro.

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First-line diagnostic investigations for endometriosis are physical examination and pelvic ultrasound. The second-line investigations are: targeted pelvic examination performed by an expert clinician, transvaginal ultrasound performed by an expert physician sonographer (radiologist or gynaecologist), and pelvic MRI. Management of endometriosis is recommended when the disease has a functional impact. Recommended first-line hormonal therapies for the management of endometriosis-related pain are combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) or the 52mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS). There is no evidence base on which to recommend systematic preoperative hormonal therapy solely to prevent surgical complications or facilitate surgery. After surgery for endometriosis, a CHC or 52mg levonorgestrel-releasing IUS is recommended as first-line treatment when pregnancy is not desired. In the event of failure of the initial treatment, recurrence, or multiorgan involvement, a multidisciplinary team meeting is recommended, involving physicians, surgeons and other professionals. A laparoscopic approach is recommended for surgical treatment of endometriosis. HRT can be offered to postmenopausal women who have undergone surgical treatment for endometriosis. Antigonadotrophic hormonal therapy is not recommended for patients with endometriosis and infertility to increase the chances of spontaneous pregnancy, including postoperatively. Fertility preservation options must be discussed with patients undergoing surgery for ovarian endometriomas.

The available literature, from 2006 to 2017, on hormonal treatment has been analysed as a contribution to the HAS-CNGOF task force for the treatment of endometriosis. Available data are heterogeneous and the general level of evidence is moderate. Hormonal treatment is usually offered as the primary option to women suffering from endometriosis. It cannot be used in women willing to conceive. In women who have not been operated, the first line of hormonal treatment includes combined oral contraceptives (COC) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intra uterine system (52mg LNG-IUS). As a second line, desogestrel progestin only pills, etonogestrel implants, GnRH analogs (GnRHa) with add back therapy and dienogest can be offered. Add back therapy should include estrogens to prevent bone loss and improve quality of life, it can be introduced before the third month of treatment to prevent side effects. The literature does not support preoperative hormonal treatment for the sole purpose of reducing complications or recurrence, or facilitating surgical procedures. After surgical treatment, hormonal treatment is recommended to prevent pain recurrence and improve quality of life. COCs or LNG IUS are recommended as a first line. To prevent recurrence of endometriomas COC is advised and maintained as long as tolerance is good in the absence of pregnancy plans. In case of dysmenorrhea, postoperative COC should be used in a continuous scheme. GnRHa are not recommended in the sole purpose of reducing endometrioma recurrence risk.

Resume Objectif L’objectif de ce travail est d’evaluer la place des nouveaux traitements dans la prise en charge de l’endometriose en dehors du contexte d’infertilite. Methodes Une revue de la litterature a ete effectuee en consultant les donnees Medline jusqu’en juillet 2017. Resultats Le dienogest est efficace par rapport au placebo a court terme (NP2) et long terme (NP4) pour le traitement de l’endometriose douloureuse. En comparaison aux agonistes de la GnRH, le dienogest est aussi efficace en termes de diminution de douleur et d’amelioration de la qualite de vie chez les patientes non operees (NP2), de meme que pour la recidive des lesions d’endometriose et la symptomatologie en postoperatoire (NP2). Les donnees concernant les antagonistes de la GnRH, les modulateurs selectifs des recepteurs a la progesterone de meme que les inhibiteurs selectifs (anti-TNF-α, inhibiteurs des metalloproteases matricielles, inhibiteurs des facteurs de croissance de l’angiogenese) sont insuffisantes pour apporter une preuve de l’interet en pratique clinique pour la prise en charge de l’endometriose douloureuse (NP3). Conclusion Le dienogest est recommande en seconde intention pour la prise en charge de l’endometriose douloureuse (Grade B). En l’absence de donnees suffisantes, les anti-aromatases, l’elagolix, les SERM, les SPRM et les anti-TNF-α ne sont pas recommandes pour la prise en charge de l’endometriose douloureuse (Grade C).

Resume Objectif Etablir des recommandations de bonne pratique pour la prise en charge medicale de l’endometriose douloureuse chez les patientes sans infertilite. Methodes Revue de la litterature depuis 2006, etablissement des niveaux de preuve, relecture externe et gradation des recommandations par un groupe d’expert selon la methodologie de la HAS. Resultats Les traitements hormonaux recommandes en premiere intention pour le traitement de l’endometriose douloureuse sont la contraception par oestro-progestatifs (COP) et le systeme intra-uterin au levonorgestrel 52 mg (SIU au LNG) (grade B). Les traitements recommandes en deuxieme intention sont la contraception microprogestative au desogestrel, l’implant a l’etonogestrel, les agonistes de la GnRH (GnRHa) et le dienogest (grade C). En cas de prescription de GnRHa, il est recommande de prescrire une add-back therapie comportant un estrogene (grade B). En postoperatoire, hors desir de grossesse, il est recommande de prescrire un traitement hormonal par COP ou SIU au LNG en premiere intention (grade B). Apres chirurgie d’endometriome, la COP est recommandee pour reduire le risque de recidive (grade B) mais la prescription de GnRHa n’est pas recommandee dans ce but (grade C). La COP en prise continue est recommandee en cas de dysmenorrhee (grade B). Chez les adolescentes, la prescription de GnRHa n’est pas recommandee en premiere intention en raison des risques de demineralisation osseuse (grade B). L’endometriose est responsable de douleurs chroniques dont la prise en charge necessite une evaluation interdisciplinaire. Les therapeutiques non-medicamenteuses ameliorant la qualite de vie peuvent etre proposees (accord d’expert). D’autres therapeutiques medicamenteuses sont actuellement en cours d’evaluation.

Resume Objectif Analyser la litterature sur le traitement de l’endometriose douloureuse de l’adolescente. Methode Revue de la litterature entre janvier 2006 et decembre 2017. La recherche bibliographique etait realisee sur les bases de donnees Medline (Pubmed) et Cochrane database. Les meta-analyses, revues de la litterature, essais randomises controles, etudes de cohorte et etudes retrospectives etaient retenues. Les etudes traitant des dysmenorrhees de l’adolescente sans endometriose etaient exclues. Resultats Les etudes sont de qualite heterogene. Le dienogest et les agonistes de la GnRH (GnRHa) sont les seuls traitements evalues specifiquement pour le traitement de l’endometriose chez l’adolescente. Ils permettent une reduction des douleurs liees a l’endometriose. Les contraceptifs oestroprogestifs sont efficaces sur les dysmenorrhee de l’adolescente mais n’ont pas ete etudies dans les contextes d’endometriose. La densite minerale osseuse et la qualite de vie des patientes traitees par GnRHa est significativement meilleure sous add-back therapie comportant un œstrogene. Conclusion Le traitement medical de l’endometriose de l’adolescente comporte des specificites et des risques liees a l’âge. Le choix du traitement doit tenir compte des effets indesirables de chaque molecule.

First-line diagnostic investigations for endometriosis are physical examination and pelvic ultrasound. The second-line investigations are: targeted pelvic examination performed by an expert clinician, transvaginal ultrasound performed by an expert physician sonographer (radiologist or gynaecologist), and pelvic MRI. Management of endometriosis is recommended when the disease has a functional impact. Recommended first-line hormonal therapies for the management of endometriosis-related pain are combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) or the 52mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS). There is no evidence base on which to recommend systematic preoperative hormonal therapy solely to prevent surgical complications or facilitate surgery. After surgery for endometriosis, a CHC or 52mg levonorgestrel-releasing IUS is recommended as first-line treatment when pregnancy is not desired. In the event of failure of the initial treatment, recurrence, or multiorgan involvement, a multidisciplinary team meeting is recommended, involving physicians, surgeons and other professionals. A laparoscopic approach is recommended for surgical treatment of endometriosis. HRT can be offered to postmenopausal women who have undergone surgical treatment for endometriosis. Antigonadotrophic hormonal therapy is not recommended for patients with endometriosis and infertility to increase the chances of spontaneous pregnancy, including postoperatively. Fertility preservation options must be discussed with patients undergoing surgery for ovarian endometriomas.

First-line investigations to diagnose endometriosis are clinical examination and pelvic ultrasound. Second-line investigations include pelvic examination performed by a referent clinician, transvaginal ultrasound performed by a referent echographist, and pelvic MRI. It is recommended to treat endometriosis when it is symptomatic. First-line hormonal treatments recommended for the management of painful endometriosis are combined with hormonal contraceptives or levonorgestrel 52mg IUD. There is no evidence to recommend systematic preoperative hormonal therapy for the unique purpose of preventing the risk of surgical complications or facilitating surgery. After endometriosis surgery, combined hormonal contraceptives or levonorgestrel SIU 52mg are recommended as first-line therapy in the absence of desire of pregnancy. In case of initial treatment failure, recurrence, or multiple organ involvement by endometriosis, medico-surgical and multidisciplinary discussion is recommended. The laparoscopic approach is recommended for the surgical treatment of endometriosis. HRT may be offered in postmenopausal women operated for endometriosis. In case of infertility related to endometriosis, it is not recommended to prescribe anti-gonadotropic hormone therapy to increase the rate of spontaneous pregnancy, including postoperatively. The possibilities of fertility preservation should be discussed with the patient in case of surgery for ovarian endometrioma.

First-line investigations to diagnose endometriosis are clinical examination and pelvic ultrasound. Second-line investigations include pelvic examination performed by a referent clinician, transvaginal ultrasound performed by a referent echographist, and pelvic MRI. It is recommended to treat endometriosis when it is symptomatic. First-line hormonal treatments recommended for the management of painful endometriosis are combined with hormonal contraceptives or levonorgestrel 52mg IUD. There is no evidence to recommend systematic preoperative hormonal therapy for the unique purpose of preventing the risk of surgical complications or facilitating surgery. After endometriosis surgery, combined hormonal contraceptives or levonorgestrel SIU 52mg are recommended as first-line therapy in the absence of desire of pregnancy. In case of initial treatment failure, recurrence, or multiple organ involvement by endometriosis, medico-surgical and multidisciplinary discussion is recommended. The laparoscopic approach is recommended for the surgical treatment of endometriosis. HRT may be offered in postmenopausal women operated for endometriosis. In case of infertility related to endometriosis, it is not recommended to prescribe anti-gonadotropic hormone therapy to increase the rate of spontaneous pregnancy, including postoperatively. The possibilities of fertility preservation should be discussed with the patient in case of surgery for ovarian endometrioma.

The available literature, from 2006 to 2017, on hormonal treatment has been analysed as a contribution to the HAS-CNGOF task force for the treatment of endometriosis. Available data are heterogeneous and the general level of evidence is moderate. Hormonal treatment is usually offered as the primary option to women suffering from endometriosis. It cannot be used in women willing to conceive. In women who have not been operated, the first line of hormonal treatment includes combined oral contraceptives (COC) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intra uterine system (52mg LNG-IUS). As a second line, desogestrel progestin only pills, etonogestrel implants, GnRH analogs (GnRHa) with add back therapy and dienogest can be offered. Add back therapy should include estrogens to prevent bone loss and improve quality of life, it can be introduced before the third month of treatment to prevent side effects. The literature does not support preoperative hormonal treatment for the sole purpose of reducing complications or recurrence, or facilitating surgical procedures. After surgical treatment, hormonal treatment is recommended to prevent pain recurrence and improve quality of life. COCs or LNG IUS are recommended as a first line. To prevent recurrence of endometriomas COC is advised and maintained as long as tolerance is good in the absence of pregnancy plans. In case of dysmenorrhea, postoperative COC should be used in a continuous scheme. GnRHa are not recommended in the sole purpose of reducing endometrioma recurrence risk.

To provide clinical practice guidelines for the management of painful endometriosis in women without infertility.Systematic review of the literature literature since 2006, level of evidence rating, external proofreading and grading of the recommendation grade by an expert group according to HAS methodology.Combined hormonal contraceptives (COP) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterin system (LNG-IUS) are recommended as first-line hormonal therapies for the treatment of painful endometriosis (grade B). Second-line therapy relies on oral desogestrel microprogestative, etonogestrel-releasing implant, GnRH analogs (GnRHa) and dienogest (grade C). It is recommended to use add-back therapy containing estrogen in association with GnRHa (grade B). After endometriosis surgery, hormonal treatment relying on COP or LNG-IUS is recommended to prevent pain recurrence (grade B). COP is recommended to reduce the risk of endometrioma recurrence after surgery (grade B) but the prescription of GnRHa is not recommended (grade C). Continuous COP is recommended in case of dysmenorrhea (grade B). GnRHa is not recommended as first line endometriosis treatment for adolescent girl because of the risk of bone demineralization (grade B). The management of endometriosis-induced chronic pain requires an interdisciplinary evaluation. Physical therapies improving the quality of life such as yoga, relaxation or osteopathy can be proposed (expert agreement). Promising medical alternatives are currently under preclinical and clinical evaluation.

To analyse the literature on the treatment of adolescent painful endometriosis.This work is based on a Review of the literature between January 2006 and December 2017. The Medline (Pubmed) and Cochrane database were searched for meta-analyzes, randomized trials, literature reviews, controlled, not controlled and retrospective studies published on the subject. Studies concerning adolescent's dysmenorrhea without endometriosis were excluded.Study quality is heterogeneous. Dienogest and GnRH agonists (GnRHa) are the only treatments specifically evaluated for the treatment of adolescent endometriosis. They reduce the pain associated with endometriosis. Combined oral contraceptives have not been studied in the context of endometriosis but they are effective on dysmenorrhea. Add back therapy, containing estrogens improves bone mineral density and quality of life for young women treated with GnRHa.Medical treatment of endometriosis in adolescent is associated with risks related to the young age. The therapeutic strategy should take into account the adverse effects of each treatment.

The objective of this work is to evaluate the place of new treatments in the management of endometriosis outside the context of infertility.A review of the literature was conducted by consulting Medline data until July 2017.Dienogest is effective compared to placebo in short term (NP2) and long term (NP4) for the treatment of painful endometriosis. In comparison with GnRH agonists, dienogest is also effective in terms of decreased pain and improved quality of life in non-operated patients (NP2) as well as for recurrence of lesions and symptomatology postoperatively (NP2). Data on GnRH antagonists, selective progesterone receptor modulators as well as selective inhibitors (anti-TNF-α, matrix metalloprotease inhibitors, angiogenesis growth factor inhibitors) are insufficient to provide evidence of interest in clinical practice for the management of painful endometriosis (NP3).Dienogest is recommended as second-line therapy for the management of painful endometriosis (Grade B). Because of lack of evidence, aromatase inhibitors, elagolix, SERM, SPRM and anti-TNF-α are not recommended for the management of painful endometriosis (Grade C).

Decomposition of the organometallic precursor [In(η5-C5H5)] in toluene in the presence of methanol (8 vol.-%) at room temperature leads to the immediate formation of aggregates of indium nanoparticles of 15 ± 2 nm mean diameter. The aggregates are roughly spherical with a mean size of 400 ± 40 nm. The particles were characterized by means of transmission electron and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies (TEM and HRTEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicate that the powder consists of the tetragonal phase of indium. The thermal oxidation in air of these nanoparticles yields well-crystallized nanoparticles of In2O3 with unchanged morphology (aggregates of nanoparticles of 16.6 ± 2 nm mean diameter with aggregate mean size of 400 ± 40 nm) and without any sign of coalescence. XRD pattern shows that the powder consists of the cubic phase of In2O3. The electrical conductivity measurements demonstrate that this material is highly sensitive to an oxidizing gas such as nitrogen dioxide and barely sensitive to a reducing gas such as carbon monoxide. Its association with SnO2-based sensors allows the selective detection of carbon monoxide (30 ppm) and sub-ppm amounts of nitrogen dioxide (400 ppb) in a mixture at 21 °C and at a relative humidity of 60 %.

Micromachined silicon platforms have been specially created to be coated with a drop of tin oxide sensitive layer. Design of the silicon substrate includes a thin dielectric membrane for mechanical and thermal insulation purpose. A passivation layer covers the silicon front side structures except bonding pads and sensitive layer contacts and allows an easy drop deposition (no short circuit risk with heater electrode). The deposition material is a suspension of tin dioxide nanoparticles mixed in a solvent. A novel drop deposition technique is used and first characterizations under CO and CH4 gases are related and show high sensitivity and reliability level.

We studied the effect of body tilt on the orientation selectivity of single neurons in the visual cortex of an alert monkey. The monkey performed a visual fixation task either in the upright position or with its whole body tilted about the naso-occipital (roll) axis by ±25° or ±30°. We determined the preferred stimulus orientation for 51 of 117 neurons in two or, if possible, three body positions (i.e. with the whole body upright, and tilted either left ear or right ear down). In striate cortex, most of the neurons were of a non-compensatory type, showing a change in the preferred orientation according to the body tilt and the estimated counterrolling of the eye. By contrast, about 40% of the neurons in prestriate cortex were of a compensatory type, preferring similar orientations in all body positions. This suggests that mechanisms which produce orientation constancy with respect to the direction of gravity are implemented at an early stage of cortical processing.

We present a compact-size, high-performance, single-branched ortho-mode transducer (OMT), operating in the 17-18.5 GHz frequency band designed and optimized entirely at the computer level. We have used an hybrid approach which employs both the mode-matching technique (generalized scattering matrix) and an integral equation approach (admittance type representations). This hybrid approach not only provide increased confidence with the computed response by checking the results obtained with the two different techniques, but also allows the designer to optimize part of the structure with one technique and part with the other, thus enhancing flexibility, efficiency and reliability of the final design. The OMT has been designed, fabricated, measured and, due to its very satisfactory performance, subsequently included in a compact range in order to test the transmit and receive circuitry of satellites operating within the specified frequency band.

This review aims at highlighting and discussing some recent neurophysiological and psychological findings and hypotheses about early cortical integration of visual and extra-retinal information which is involved in the stability of visual perception in spite of the change of body orientation and distance to objects and eye movements. Within this framework, the possible role of some cortical and cortico-thalamic loops between earlier and later stages of visual processing is also emphasized. A complete study of multimodal processing is beyond the scope of this review.

Thresholds for the perception of linear vection were measured. These thresholds allowed us to define the spatiotemporal contrast surface sensitivity and the spatiotemporal domain of the perception of rectilinear vection (a visually induced self-motion in a straight line). Moreover, a Weber's law was found, such that a mean relative differential threshold in angular velocity of about 41% is necessary to perceive curvilinear vection. This visually induced self-motion corresponds to the sensation of moving in a curved path. It is proposed that curvilinear vection is induced when the apparent velocity difference is detectable. The spatiotemporal domain of perception of rectilinear vection and its spatiotemporal contrast surface sensitivity are centered on low spatial frequencies. Concurrently, the values which correspond to the relative differential thresholds of curvilinear vection are low spatial frequencies. Accordingly, the peripheral ambient visual system seems to be involved in perceiving linear vection. It is argued further that the central ambient system might also be involved in the processing of linear vection.

The perception of form requires a generalized representation of contours both with regard to the quality by which they are defined on the retina (e.g. discontinuities of luminance, color, motion, or texture) and with regard to their position and orientation in space. Earlier studies from this laboratory showed that contour generalization with regard to image quality begins early in visual processing, in monkey visual cortex at the level of area V2. While neurons in area V1 preferred continuous contrast lines or edges, we found neurons in area V2 that were orientation selective for contours defined by occlusion cues (illusory contours) as they were for contours defined by luminance contrast (for a review see Peterhans and von der Heydt, 1991). Other neurons were orientation selective for lines defined by coherent motion as they were for lines defined by luminance contrast (Peterhans and Baumann, 1994). These neurons were found in area V2 and in the area V3/V3A complex. Subsequently, contour generalization for simple, geometrical forms has been reported for neurons in monkey inferotemporal cortex (Sary et al., 1993).

Approximately linear relationships were observed between contrast, spatial frequency, temporal frequency, or velocity of stimulation and perceived velocity of curvilinear vection—that is, a visually induced self-motion in a curved path. Similarly, linear relationships were also found between the perceived degree of curvature of curvilinear vection and spatial frequency or velocity of stimulation. Since the perceived velocity of curvilinear vection varies with contrast, spatial frequency, temporal frequency, and angular velocity, and the perceived degree of curvature of curvilinear vection varies only with spatial frequency and angular velocity, peripheral vision is not sufficient for computing accurately the curvilinear component of induced self-motion in a curved path. Concurrently, it was shown that the perceived direction of curvilinear vection is not always unambiguously perceived (Sauvan & Bonnet, 1989). Consequently, it is suggested that two different types of visual processing, which involve the peripheral or the central vision, underlie the processing of curvilinear vection.

of the original article: According to the traditional inferential theory of perception, percepts of object motion or stationarity stem from an evaluation of afferent retinal signals (which encode image motion) with the help of extraretinal signals (which encode eye movements). According to direct perception theory, on the other hand, the percepts derive from retinally conveyed information only. Neither view is compatible with a perceptual phenomenon that occurs during visually induced sensations of ego motion (vection). A modified version of inferential theory yields a model in which the concept of extraretinal signals is replaced by that of reference signals, which do not encode how the eyes move in their orbits but how they move in space. Hence reference signals are produced not only during eye movements but also during ego motion (i.e., in response to vestibular stimulation and to retinal image flow, which may induce vection). The present theory describes the interface between self-motion and object-motion percepts. An experimental paradigm that allows quantitative measurement of the magnitude and gain of reference signals and the size of the just noticeable difference (JND) between retinal and reference signals reveals that the distinction between direct and inferential theories largely depends on (1) a mistaken belief that perceptual veridicality is evidence that extraretinal information is not involved, and (2) a failure to distinguish between (the perception of) absolute object motion in space and relative motion of objects with respect to each other to distinguish between (the perception of) absolute object motion in space and relative motion of objects with respect to each other. The model corrects these errors, and provides a new, unified framework for interpreting many phenomena in the field of motion perception.

A broadband microstrip patch concept is presented. Fed using electromagnetic coupling, but over a single layer of dielectric substrate, this simple mechanical structure permits antenna applications in structurally and thermally severe environments. One S-band application is presented for such elementary patch and for a cylindrical ‘belt’ microstrip antenna of omnidirectional pattern built around this elementary principle.

A father and daughter had typical clinical features of the keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome, as described by Skinner et al in 1981. To our knowledge, ours is the first observation of a vertical transmission of this syndrome. The mechanism of inheritance is uncertain. These two patients as well as the 26 previously described exhibited a typical hyperkeratotic eruption, which should not be confused with ichthyosis. The characteristic features are diffuse hyperkeratosis, keratotic plaques, reticulated hyperkeratosis on the face, peribuccal grooves, and heavy-grain leatherlike keratoderma. The occurrence of multiple squamous cell carcinomas underlines the seriousness of this congenital ectodermal defect. Etretinate can relieve the lesions without actually improving the chances of survival.

We present a radiating element operating in the UHF and L-bands; its dimensions are smaller than those of conventional square or circular elements. For this type of antenna, good matching is obtained with a coaxial feed, and the omni-directional radiation pattern is achieved using linear polarisation. The bandwidth, however, remains somewhat narrow.