[Cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. Apropos of a case]. / Le carcinome neuroendocrine cutané. A propos d'une observation.

Cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma (CNEC) is a rare tumour. We report the case of a 75-year old woman affected with a rapidly progressive CNEC of the right cheek which kept recurring despite surgical excision followed by radiotherapy. The clinical features of CNEC are not specific. The tumour is located in the dermis, and the tumoral cells (Merkel cells) have a monotonous appearance. Gould's classification of these carcinomas into three types has a prognostic value. Immunohistochemistry is a mandatory complement to light microscope examination. It is very difficult to distinguish between CNEC and metastasis from a visceral small cell carcinoma. Treatment consists of surgery combined with radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was very successful in our patient and should be considered in other cases.

[Osteosis deformans of thyroid origin. Radiological, histomorphometric and pathophysiological study (author's transl)]. / Ostése thyroöidienne déformante. Etude radiologique, histomorphométrique et physiopathologique.

A 73-year-old woman with severe, old standing thyrotoxicosis developed osteosis with deformities of the lower limbs and spine resembling osteomalacia. All the well-known radiological, and histomorphometric features of thyroid osteosis were caricaturally present in this patient who, in addition, exhibited curvatures of the lower limbs that are exceptionally described in hyperthyroidism. A study of standard phosphorus/calcium values, 25 OH D values, circulating parathyroid hormone levels and fractional absorption of 47Ca before and after thyroidectomy enables the authors to discuss the current pathophysiological concepts concerning phosphorus/calcium and bone metabolism in hyperthyroid conditions. A possible action of thyroid hormones on vitamin D metabolism or peripheral effects is envisaged.