[Epidermoid cysts of the spleen. Apropos of two cases: review of the literature]. / Kystes épidermoïdes de la rate. A propos de deux cas: revue de la littérature.

Benign cysts of the spleen (excepting parasites) are rare. Less than 10% of the cases involve epidermoid cysts, as the two cases reported here. These lesions are often asymptomatic and can lead unspecific clinical manifestations. The diagnosis is based on echography and abdominal computed tomography. Generally, imagery can eliminate a hydatic cyst of the spleen but cannot differentiate between different types of non-parasite cysts. Major complications including rupture and intracystic haemorrhage, malignant transformation and the impossibility of obtaining a preoperative histological diagnosis make surgery the only possible treatment. A conservative approach with partial splenectomy is the usual option, but total splenectomy may be required. The question of whether surgery is always necessary for small asymptomatic cysts of the spleen in under debate. Certain authors suggest that only regular echographic monitoring is necessary.

[Surgery of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. Clinical study and surgical results. Apropos of a series of 54 cases]. / La chirurgie des anévrysmes de l'aorte abdominale. Etude clinique et résultats chirurgicaux. A propos d'une série de 54 cas.

54 patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm were hospitalized between 1969 and 1980 in the Clinic of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Rennes (Pr. Y. Logeais): 35 were ruptured aneurysms, 19 non-ruptured. The average age of the patients was 70.6 years. 48% of patients showed signs of atheroma in at least one other site. 24% had arterial hypertension. Arteriography was carried out in 51.5% of the non-ruptured aneurysm cases and in 26% of the ruptured cases. Both ultrasound and tomography are regarded presently as very useful tests. The intervention carried out in 41 patients always involved the insertion of a by-pass graft (aortic only in 7 cases; aorto-biiliac in 19 cases; aorto-bifemoral in 15 cases). Mortality was 7.7% for the non-ruptured aneurysms. 59% for the ruptured aneurysms, the deaths above all being related to the degree of visceral ischaemia. Secondary mortality was comparable for all the aneurysms operated on. More than 80% of patients were surviving 5 years after surgery.