[Idiopathic cyclic edema. The role of capillary hyperpermeability and its correction by Ginkgo biloba extract]. / Oedèmes cycliques idiopathiques. Rôle de l'hyperperméabilité capillaire et correction par extrait de Ginkgo biloba.

Idiopathic cyclic oedema is a frequent and often unrecognized condition in young women. It is characterized by water and sodium retention with secondary hyperaldosteronism due to capillary hyperpermeability. Treatment is not easy. It includes spironolactone, sometimes sympathomimetics and hygienic-dietetic measures. Thiazide diuretics and laxatives must be avoided. Correcting the capillary defect is of paramount importance. This defect is detected and measured by Landis' labelled albumin test. The authors have tried Ginkgo biloba extract administered either orally or by intravenous infusion. Full correction of the biological anomaly was obtained in 10 cases in which Landis' test was performed before and after oral treatment, and in the 5 cases treated by intravenous infusion.

[Calcium nephrolithiasis and phosphate therapy. Long term study (65 cases) (author's transl)]. / Lithiase rénale calcique et phosphothérapie. Etude à long terme (65 cas).

Protected phosphate therapy was used in 65 cases of recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis. Mean duration treatment was 2 years and 1 month (more than 3 years in 17 cases). Mean lithiasis episodes by year-patients were 1,55 renal colics and 0.34 stone formation before phosphate treatment, versus 0.66 renal colics and 0.10 stone formation (more than 60% reduction), during treatment. There was simultaneously decrease of hypercalciuria (24 cases out of 42), of asthenia (16 cases out of 19), of signs of spasmophilia (12 cases out of 18) and disappearing of bone pains (4 cases out of 6). Side effects were rare. Minor digestive troubles were observed in 11 cases: diarrhea (3 cases) or gastralgias (9 cases). These side-effects necessitated discontinuation of thiazide therapy in only two cases and reduction of doses in 6 other cases. From our data, phosphate therapy appears an efficient drug in recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis. It acts in reducing levels of calciuria and enhancing urinary pyrophosphates excretion, inhibitors of calcium crystallization.