[Magnetic resonance imaging and the discoid meniscus in children]. / Imagerie par résonance magnétique et ménisque discoïde chez l'enfant.

Discoid meniscus is an uncommon dysplasia generally affecting the lateral meniscus. Its congenital or acquired origin remains a question of debate. We report 5 cases or lateral discoid meniscus in 4 girls and 1 boy, aged from 6 to 11 years. The main clinical signs were snapping knee and pain. The discoid meniscus appeared in MRI as an abnormally large meniscus extending into the joint space. It appeared as a central band giving increased signal in 3 out of 5 cases. The significance of this probably trauma-induced image was uncertain. Surgery confirmed MRI findings in 4 cases in which total resection of the meniscus was performed. No operation was performed in the fifth case.

Imaging in Cardiac Echinococcosis.

Cardiac echinococcosis is a rare disease. Its diagnosis is sometimes difficult and requires medical imaging such as echocardiography. An 18-year-old man with multiple cardiac hydatid cysts diagnosed by echocardiography and nuclear magnetic resonance is presented. The results from these imaging techniques are presented.

[Imaging in cardiac hydatid cyst. Apropos of a case]. / Apport de l'imagerie dans l'hydatidose cardiaque. A propos d'un cas.

Cardiac hydatid disease is rare. Its dificult diagnosis is based on a series of arguments in which hydatid serology and imaging play a predominant role. A young patient with multiple cardiac hydatid cysts was investigated by 2D echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. This case illustrates the value of the various noninvasive imaging techniques in the diagnosis of cardiac hydatid disease and emphasizes the importance of surgical treatment before the development of complications.

[Closed spinal dysraphism. Apropos of 3 cases]. / Dysraphisme spinal fremé. A propos de trois cas.

CASE REPORT: Closed spinal midline developmental defect was observed in three children, two girls aged 7 and 10 years and one boy aged 9 years. There were no similar cases in the families. The first signs appeared at approximately 6 months, 9 years and at birth. In the first two cases, developmental defects of the toes were followed a few months or a few years later by chronic ulcerations of the plantar surface of the foot. On physical examination there was a greater toe, amputation of the toes, perforating plantar ulceration, prolonged cauda equin and neurological disorders. Radiology revealed defective closure of the dorsal and/or lumbar vertebrae and lysis of the third phalanxes and magnetic resonance imaging showed diastematomyelia. The third child was born with a pilous nevus and a prolonged cauda equin. A soft subcutaneous tumor developed 3 years later over the lumbar area, increasing in size becoming quite voluminous and painful. In this case, there was no amputation of the toes or perforating plantar ulceration or neurological disorders. Radiography showed hemisacralization of L5 and spina bifida of S1. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a normal spinal cord with a tumor independent of the neural canal. Biopsy exeresis led to the diagnosis of neurofibroma. DISCUSSION: Closed spinal midline development defect occurs more readily in girls than in boys. Multiple and complex abnormalities are observed: diastematomyelia, diplomyelia, dermal fistulae, neuroenteral cysts, dysembryoplasic tumors, abnormal position of the spinal cord, and usually vertebral malformations. There are three types of clinical signs involving skin, bone and neurological manifestations. Radiological explorations should be completed with myelography and a computed tomography as well as magnetic resonance imaging to determine the extent of the malformations and possible surgical indications.

[Autosomal recessive spondylometaphyseal dysplasia. Apropos of 3 familial cases]. / Dysplasie spondylométaphysaire récessive autosomique. A propos de trois cas familiaux.

The spondylometaphyseal dysplasias are a group of chondrodystrophies characterised by irregularities of long bones' metaphyses associated with platyspondylia. We report three familial cases (one girl and two boys) whose parents are normal and consanguineous. Our three observations in spite of their analogy with Kozlowski's type, are distinguished by more discrete lesions of the rachis and pelvis and by their autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

[Pyknodysostosis. Classical and unusual aspects. Apropos of 7 cases]. / La pycnodysostose. Aspects classiques et inhabituels. A propos de 7 cas.

Seven cases of pyknodysostosis presenting typical clinical and radiologic features were seen between 1972 and 1982. All patients showed clinical and radiologic evidence of reputedly accessory signs. Certain atypical radiologic findings during pyknodysostosis are emphasized, and modifications in the radiologic profile in 2 patients followed up for 10 years analyzed.

[Vertebral angiography and tumours of the posterior fossa in children. 29 cases (author's transl)]. / Angiographie vertébrale et tumeurs de la fosse postérieure de l'enfant. Etude critique de 29 cas

With reference to 29 cases of tumours of the posterior fossa, the authors attempt to place the value of vertebral angiography amongst other diagnostic techniques and in particular in relation to ventriculography using iodised hydrosoluble contrast media. Whilst recognising the diagnostic possibilities offered by vertebral angiography, they feel that, in many cases, opacification of the IVth ventricle is necessary and that angiography does not therefore form part of the routine pre-operative assessment of such tumours.