Indications for digital fluorography and storage-phosphor plates in pediatrics: certainties and questionable points.

We have used two digital imaging systems: digital fluorography and the phosphor plates system. The respective indications for each technique in pediatric practice are presented hereafter. Digital fluorography is highly recommended by dynamic examinations, and phosphor plates are highly recommended for conventional studies, if the spatial resolution is mandatory. Either digital fluorography or phosphor plates can be used for contrast studies. In pediatric radiology, if the spatial resolution is not mandatory, digital fluorography is suggested to reduce the radiation dose, and if using a small fields of view is possible, digital fluorography may be carefully discussed. Digital radiography is supported neither to be better than classical radiology nor to compensate for technician's mistakes. It is aimed to improve the department's functioning and, above all, to accommodate future innovations. Images can be transferred or archived through networks. This is a main prospect in the coming years.

[Contribution of computed tomography in the staging of abdominal malignant lymphomas (author's transl)]. / Bilan d'extension sous-diaphragmatique des lymphomes malins par scanographie.

The authors present their experience of Computed Tomography in the staging of abdominal sub-diaphragmatic extension in 144 cases of malignant lymphoma of the lymph nodes (76 cases of Hodgkin's disease and 68 non-Hodgkin lymphomas). The method provides accurate information on sub-mesocolic lymph node involvement, particularly when hypertrophy is pronounced. It may also be used to assess supra-mesocolic extension of the disease, which is inaccessible to lymphography, and to study the size and, mainly, the structure of the liver and spleen tissues. Easy to perform reliable and non-invasive, the scanner constitutes a new and important means of assessing the extension, course and response to treatment of malignant lymphomas.

[The contribution of whole body scanning in the exploration of haematological diseases. Preliminary study of 100 patients (author's transl)]. / Scanographie du corps entier dans l'exploration des maladies hématologiques. Résultats préliminaires (100 cas).

One hundred patients suffering from haematological diseases were explored by whole body scanning. The diagnosis was a lymphoma in the majority of cases (77). Analytical study of the images obtained was made on the basis of the various sections made systematically in the protocol of the study. Scanning proved to be of particular value in the thorax in the study of pleural and juxta-pleural lesions. In the abdomen, study of the liver, spleen and retro-peritoneal space benefited from the use of this means of investigation. Supra-mesocolic sections were felt to be of the greatest value, making it possible to demonstrate lymphadenopathies not revealed by lymphography. Scanning, perfectly harmless, provides a valuable contribution in determining the extent of lymphoma spread and facilitates the therapeutic surveillance of haematological disorders.

[Surgical results in prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (a propos of 40 personal observations)]. / Résultats chirurgicaux dans les adénomes hypophysaires à prolactine (à propos de 40 observations personnelles).

The authors present a serie of 40 histologically verified prolactin secreting adenomas. Thirty-four women and six men were explored using the usual techniques and operated by the transphenoidal approach with biological follow-up 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Results were a function of tumor size and invasive potential. Although amelioration of the tumoral syndrome always resulted, fonctional and biological normalization were inconstant. Complementary anti-prolactin treatment (C.B. 154) was begun in the non-normalized patients, especially in the cases of invasive adenoma. --Normalization was achieved in 95% of enclosed adenomas, --In 61% of invasion adenomas. In those patients normalized following surgery a return to normal rythmic prolactin secretion was observed.

[Presentation of a simple apparatus enabling easier tomography in Hirtz's position (author's transl)]. / Présentation d'un appareillage simple permettant de réaliser plus facilement des tomographies en incidence de Hirtz

By means of a smiple and hardly burdensome apparatus, owing to a tomograph with hypocycloidal or better spiral scanning a detailed study of the boney structures of the base of the skull can be obtained in a position which up to now has been reputed to be difficult.