[Meningioma of the ear simulating a glomus tumor: report on two cases (author's transl)]. / Méningiomes de l'oreille simulant une tumeur glomique. Deux nouveaux cas.

Two further cases of a meningioma of the ear simulating a glomus tumor are reported, pathological features in the first case leading to intensive discussion. Two such cases had been previously described in great detail in a paper published in 1977. In those patients, the differential diagnosis froma jugular glomus tumor was only established two and a half years later in one case, when excision was necessary because of an intracranial recurrence, and following-re-examination of all sections of jugular glomus tumors previously operated upon, in the other case. Factors enabling detection of meningiomas simulating glomus tumors were also discussed in the original report. Theses included discordance of clinical finding, -minimal signs on arteriography, -the primordial value of contrast computed tomography, -systematic alerting of the pathologist.

[Value of the transpalatine approach for surgical access to nasopharyngeal fibromas (author's transl)]. / Intérêt de la voie transpalatine pour l'abord chirugical des fibromes naso-pharyngiens.

Present special investigations offer the possibility of very good assessment of the extension and vascularisation of nasopharyngeal fibromas. It is no longer logical to seek to treat all tumours via wide surgical approaches since tumour size and spread vary from one case to another. Amongst the various surgical approaches available, the transpalatine technique is extremely valuable in the excision of small limited tumours limited to the cavum or to remove the sphenoidal prolongation of a large tumour. In such a case, a combined transpalatine and transantral approach facilitates the operation and ensures perfect control of the whole excision process, which considerably reduces the risk of recurrence.

[Management in pollinosis and false pollinosis]. / Conduite à tenir face aux pollinoses et aux fausses pollinoses.

Typical cases of pollen allergen (hayfever, allergic asthma), together with isolated non-respiratory "equivalent" manifestations (urticaria, eye conditions, headache, etc.), are easy to detect on the basis of skin tests and the clinical history. Such manifestations may also occur in "false pollen allergy", related in most instances by atmospheric moulds (Dematiaceae), sometimes by house dust or dermatophytes (Candida Albicans, Trichophyton sp), by food or by a bacterial infection or allergy. A combination of pollen allergy and false pollen allergy is common. In cases of false pollen allergy the proportion of negative skin reactions would appear to worsen with the repeated use of prolonged action corticosteroid injections, given on a preventive basis. Similarly, these disorders, initially seasonal, change to more chronic manifestations throughout the year. Desensitization with aqueous extracts of allergens ensured the most complete protection against the causes of pollen allergy and false pollen allergy. Allergen extracts percipitated with alun (semi-retard extracts), more effective than tyrosine adsorbates (Pollinex) have the advantage of offering more rapid treatment without the risk of dangerous reactions. The best therapeutic results have obtained over the course of the last ten years, by the authors, combining on each occasion a semi-retard allergen with an aqueous allergen, thereby acquiring the benefit of the adjuvant effect of the first, in a course of ten to fifteen injections per year. Non specific therapy (antihistamines, cromoglycate, theophylline, etc.) retains all of its symptomatic indications. Oral corticosteroid therapy is better metabolized in the organism and has less of a disturbing effect on the circadian rhythm of cortisol, and is hence to be preferred to injections of delyaed action corticosteroid suspensions.

[Deafness in the Muckle-Wells syndrome]. / La surdité dans le syndrome de Muckle et Wells

Typical of the syndrome described by Muckle and Wells is a combination of progressive perceptive deafness appearing at various ages in a family, but usually at the same age in the same family, arthralgia, urticarious eruption and renal amyloidosis. The existence of incomplete forms, either without deafness or without renal amyloidosis should be known. This perceptive deafness is very probably due to lesion of the internal ear but the histological characteristics do not seem to be very clear at the present time. Finally, as certain of our observations show, in a few cases, conduction may be impaired, either in isolation, or associated with impairment of perception. Only an analysis of a large number of cases will enable the audiological characteristics of this curious syndrome to be defined.