[Zosteriform cutaneous metastasis in melanoma]. / Mélanome avec métastases cutanées zostériformes.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous metastases are common in patients with malignant melanoma. In rare cases, they are distributed on a dermatome, in which case they are known as zosteriform metastases. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a patient with zosteriform metastasis of a malignant melanoma, progressing unfavourably despite surgical excision and immunotherapy. DISCUSSION: The physiopathology of this condition continues to be poorly understood.

[Gangliocytic paraganglioma of the pancreas with bone metastasis]. / Paragangliome gangliocytique du pancréas avec métastase osseuse.

We report the case of a 50-years-old man who underwent sequential curative resection for gangliocytic paraganglioma of the pancreas with metachronous sternal metastasis. Gangliocytic paraganglioma are mainly located on the duodenum but several localizations have been reported, including on the digestive tract. Locoregional lymph node metastases are possible and prove their malignant potential but, to our knowledge, this observation is the first documented case of distant metastasis. Their usually good prognosis supports complete resection of these tumors.

Non-MALT marginal zone B-cell lymphomas: a description of clinical presentation and outcome in 124 patients.

Marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL) is a recently individualized lymphoma that encompasses mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, splenic lymphoma with or without villous lymphocytes, and nodal lymphoma with or without monocytoid B-cells. If the clinical description and outcome of MALT lymphoma is well known, this is not the case for the other subtypes. We reviewed 124 patients presenting non-MALT MZL treated in our department to describe the morphologic and clinical presentation and the outcome of these lymphomas. Four clinical subtypes were observed: splenic, 59 patients; nodal, 37 patients; disseminated (splenic and nodal), 20 patients; and leukemic (not splenic nor nodal), 8 patients. These lymphomas were usually CD5-, CD10-, CD23-, and CD43-, but the detection of one or, rarely, two of these antigens may be observed. Bone marrow and blood infiltrations were frequent, except in the nodal subtype, but these locations were not associated with a poorer outcome. Splenic and leukemic subtypes were associated with a median time to progression (TTP) longer than 5 years, even in the absence of treatment or of complete response to therapy. Nodal and disseminated subtypes were associated with a median TTP of 1 year. However, in all these subtypes, survival was good with a median survival of 9 years, allowing these lymphomas to be classified as indolent. Because of the retrospective nature of this analysis, no conclusion may be drawn on the therapeutic aspects, but conservative treatments seem recommended for leukemic and splenic subtypes. (Blood. 2000;95:1950-1956)

[Results of attempted isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis in 2,000 specimens (author's transl)]. / Résultats de 2,000 essais d'isolement de Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated in cultured L cell lines. 29.5% of 1115 specimens from the male urethra were positive; specimens included 13 samples of semen, with 7 positive results. 39.9% of 771 specimens from the female genital tract were positive. In this group, 46 samples (with 17 positive results) were either biopsy specimens from the Fallopian tubes or their adhesions, or samples from culdocentesis. The remaining samples came from cervical swabs. The difference in the prevalence of positive results between male and female patients is statistically significant and may result from a better sampling technique in women. Isolation of chlamydia in pelvic specimens and in 19 out of 49 pharyngeal samples from neonates illustrates the main complications of chlamydial infection: sterility may result from salpingitis and neonatal pneumonia from contamination during birth. Among 57 specimens from the conjunctiva, 26 were positive. Isolation of chlamydia is the best diagnostic procedure in chlamydial infection: the serotypes of isolated strains should be determined.