[Thoracic computed tomography data and cytology of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in an adult case of Niemann-Pick disease. The physiognomy of the disease in Tunisia]. / Manifestation tomodensitométrique thoracique et cytologie du liquide de lavage broncho-alvéolaire dans un cas adulte de maladie de Nieman-Pick. Physionomie de la maladie en Tunisie.

From a personal observation of a case of the chronic type-B form Niemann-Pick's disease in a 23 year old adult, the authors decided to review all the Tunisian published cases. They bring to light, in a review of the literature, the pulmonary disorder that occurs during this disease and discuss the contribution of computed tomography and the value of broncho-alveolar lavage as a method of diagnosis and prognosis in this disorder.

[Gastric xanthelasma. Apropos of 2 of our cases]. / Le xanthélasma gastrique. A propos de deux observations personnelles.

On the basis of two personal cases and a review of the literature, we have attempted to define endoscopic and histologic features in gastric xanthelasma. The various etiopathogenic hypotheses published in the literature are reviewed and others are suggested. Attention is drawn to the differential diagnosis with mucus-secreting cell carcinoma. Use of stains for mucus in such lesions is recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

[Mucosal pseudo-lipomatosis of the colon. Apropos of a case with a review of the literature]. / La pseudolipomatose muqueuse du côlon. A propos d'une observation avec revue de la littérature.

Mucosal pseudolipomatosis of the colon is an infrequent condition that occurs mainly in elderly males, usually involves the left colon, and is manifested clinically by passage of blood per rectum. Among the 26 cases reported in the literature, radiological and endoscopic investigations revealed a dolichosigmoid in the two cases where this feature was mentioned. Colonoscopy shows solitary or multiple whitish-yellowish plaques, which are localized or involve several segments. Histologic studies demonstrate microscopic cavities measuring 20 to 240 mu in diameter. Histochemical stains show that these cavities contain no lipids, suggesting that they are filled with gas. The genesis of these lesions may involve injury to the colonic mucosa followed by penetration of gas during endoscopic and biopsic procedures.