Hyperthyroïdie et hypersécrétion de gonadotrophine chorionique au cours d'un adénocarcinome gastrique

We report a case of hyperthyroidism complicating and revealing a metastatized adenocarcinoma of the stomach with high circulating levels of human chorionic gonadotropin and its beta component. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a non-trophoblastic tumor with hyperthyroidism and secreting quantities of these hormones. High circulating levels of beta component in such patients have been considered to be a sign of malignancy. The mechanisms of thyroid stimulation could be related to the biological activity of certain forms of the human chorionic gonadotropin.     

Breast lesions: differential diagnosis using digital subtraction angiography

To evaluate its potential for differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions, digital subtraction angiography of the breast (DSAB) was performed in 23 women with mammographic evidence of disease, and the results were compared with surgical biopsy findings. The DSAB technique employed breast immobilization with modest compression and bolus injection; following the injection of contrast material, 30-40 sequential subtraction images were obtained over a 5-minute interval. The average technical settings were 50 k Vp and 10 mAs, resulting in an estimated radiation dose to the breast of 0.05 mrad (0.5 mu Gy) per exposure. DSAB consistently demonstrated retention of contrast material and abnormal vasculature in malignant lesions but not in benign lesions. In the 22 breast lesions for which there was histopathologic correlation, DSAB correctly categorized eight of nine malignant and 11 of 13 benign lesions. Although this series is small, the initial results of DSAB suggest its potential for differentiating benign from malignant lesions.     

Retinal vascular involvement in acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis

The present study deals with the retinal vascular involvement in 64 patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis during the acute phase of the disease and its evolution. Vascular involvement was noted in all 64 eyes during the acute phase of the disease. In 59 (92%) out of 64 cases the vascular involvement was located in the same retinal quadrant as the active toxoplasmic lesion. In the remaining 5 eyes (8%) the vascular participation was found in all four retinal quadrants. In 3 (5%) out of 64 cases, the vascular infiltration was extremely severe and resulted in retinal vascular obstruction. In all three cases the vessel traversed the active toxoplasmic lesion.In 35 (55%) out of 64 patients the initial vascular picture changed in the course of the acute phase of the disease. In these patients, the lesions had extended to the adjacent vessels or to other parts of the involved vessel. In the further course of the evolution of the active toxoplasmic lesion, the vascular involvement did not persist indiscriminately. It was noted that in 14 (22%) out of 64 cases the vascular lesions gradually regressed and eventually disappeared together with the active toxoplasmic lesion and the formation of the retinochoroidal scar. In the remaining 50 (78%) out of 64 cases the vascular involvement either disappeared after the establishment of the retinochoroidal scar in 3–12 months (29 cases) or remained permanently (21 cases).     

Long-term management of abetalipoproteinaemia. Possible role for vitamin E

Eight patients with abetalipoproteinaemia have been followed for 3-4 to 15-8 years. Management included dietary fat restriction and supplements of the fat-solublevitamins A, E, and K. In the 3 oldest patients serial studies of retinal and neurological function suggest that treatment with large doses of oral vitamin E may have delayed the development or progression of the neurological and retinal lesions.