[Comparative study of 230 women to determine the maximum closure pressure and functional length of the urethra at 0, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock]. / Etude comparative chez 230 femmes de la pression de clôture maximale et de la longueur fonctionnelle de l'urètre à 0, 3, 6 et 9 heures.

OBJECTIVE: The maximum closure pressure (MCP) of the urethra, measured by the urethral profile, constitutes an index of urinary continence. The objective of this study, in a large population of women, was to evaluate the possible variations of MCP and functional length (FL) of the urethra, according to the position of a urodynamic probe designed to perform lateral sectorial measurements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Measurements were performed between July and December 1998, in 230 patients with a mean age of 55 years, using a probe perfused with water and equipped with an urethral side orifice. We compared, by analysis of variance for repeated measures, MCP and mean FL at 0 o'clock (MCPm0, LFm0), 3 o'clock (MCPm3, LFm3), 6 o'clock (MCPm6, LFm6) and 9 o'clock (MCPm9, LFm9). RESULTS: The values for MCPm and LFm obtained according to the rotation of the probe were as follows: MCPm0 = 65.68 +/- 12.46 cmH20, MPCm3 = 55.44 +/- 16.97 cmH20, MCPm6 = 58.07 +/- 15.85 cmH20, and MCPm9 = 53.85 +/- 16.89 cmH20, LFm0 = 28.92 +/- 5.32 mm, LFm3 = 30.18 +/- 6.82 mm, LFm6 = 32.40 +/- 6.82 mm and LFm9 = 30.83 +/- 6.07 mm. CONCLUSION: LCP may variable considerably in the same subject according to rotation of the probe. In our series, MCPm at 0 o'clock was significantly higher than MCPm at 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock. This difference appears to increase with age. The lowest values for MCPm were observed at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. The MCPm at 6 o'clock was intermediate and the closest value to the mean pressure calculated from MCPm in the four positions. On the other hand, FL varied only slightly according to the position of the probe.

[Computed x-ray tomographic evaluation of cervico-brachial neuralgia with intravenous injection of contrast media]. / Exploration tomodensitométrique des névralgies cervico-brachiales, avec injection intraveineuse de produit de contraste.

Investigation of the cervical epidural space by a CT scan is facilitated by its filling following intravenous injection of a contrast medium. The spinal ganglia and nerve root sheaths are visualized as negative images in the intervertebral foramen. A herniated disc is seen as a focal protrusion of the anterior epidural space presenting a clearer center (60 to 80 HU) than at the periphery (100 to 120 HU). Disco- osteophytic protrusion is seen as an arthritic hypertrophy of the uncus and a more widespread overlapping of the disc, often with a posterior body osteophytosis. The spinal cord and subarachnoid space are also visualized more clearly than when injections are not given. This technique is proposed as the initial examination after standard films, for preoperative investigation of a resistant cervicobrachial neuralgia .

[Osteoblastoma of 4th cervical vertebrae. Report of a case with hypertrophy of the posterior arch of 3 vertebrae]. / Ostéoblastome de la 4e vertèbre cervicale. Un cas avec hypertrophie des arcs postérieurs à 3 niveaux.

The case of a man aged 22 suffering from pain in the right side of the neck is described. Radiographs showed marked hypertrophy of the articular processes of C3, C4 and C5. C-T scanning confirmed this and showed a protrusion into the cervical canal at C.4 level. At operation, this protrusion was found to be due to an osteoblastoma. At first it was thought that the hypertrophy of the articular processes from C.3 to C.5 were due to extension of the osteoblastoma to three levels but later it was concluded that the hypertrophy was a reactive lesion. No other similar lesion has been found in the literature.