[Percutaneous hepatic puncture biopsy in ambulatory care. 231 patients]. / Ponction biopsie hépatique transpariétale en aveugle et en ambulatoire. 231 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to verify that percutaneous liver biopsy does not require prolonged hospitalization over 24 hours and can be performed in a day care clinic without increased morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred thirty-one outpatients underwent percutaneous liver biopsies in a day care clinic from November 1, 1994 to June 30, 1996. There were 136 men and 95 women, mean age 39.5 years, age range 16-72 years. Liver biopsy was performed as part of the work-up for hepatitis C in 183 patients. The biopsy was a repeat procedure in 43 patients. RESULTS: The procedure was uneventful in 230 patients. Hospitalization for 24 hours was required in one patient with a biliodigestive anastomosis who developed chills and fever due to Eschericia coli bacteremia. Two procedures were unsuccessful. CONCLUSION: This series confirms that when performed in compliance with standard rules for strictly controlled indications, morbidity after percutaneous liver biopsy is not greater in an outpatient than a classical inpatient setting.

[Painful rib syndrome (or Cyriax syndrome). Study of 100 patients]. / Le syndrome douloureux du rebord costal (ou syndrome de cyriax). Etude de 100 malades.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse clinical expression and outcome of painful rib syndrome in a large series of 100 cases. METHODS: From 1978 to 1993, 100 consecutive patients with chronic anterior chest pain or supramesocolic abdominal pain of unknown origin underwent complete physical examination, laboratory tests and complementary explorations as required. RESULTS: Among the first 100 patients the sex ratio was 3.34 and mean age 50.6 years (21-80). Chronic pain had persisted for an average 41.2 months (15 days-30 years), predominantly on the right (81%) and exceptionally bilaterally (1%). No evidence of a cause could be identified from laboratory tests or complementary explorations. A past history of direct trauma was found in 71 patients and indirect trauma in 21. Seventy-three patients were given 1% lidocaine infiltrations (20 to 40 ml) including 14 who received 2 or 3 infiltrations. Six patients underwent surgical resection of a luxated cartilage with curative effect in 5. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of painful rib syndrome is based solely on the presence of pain upon applying pressure to the anteroinferior border of the rib cage and is related to often neglected or forgotten trauma.