[Pseudomyxoma of the peritoneum. Apropos of 4 cases]. / Maladie gélatineuse du péritoine. A propos de quatre cas.

Peritoneal pseudomyxoma is a rare disease (400 published cases). In 60% of all cases, an ovarian tumor is the cause of the disease. The second cause is appendicular mucocele. We report about four personal cases after a longer time lapse. No clinical or biological sign is specific. Ultrasonography associated to CT may allow establishing the preoperative diagnosis. Peritoneal pseudomyxoma has several main features: it is insidious, recurrent, obstinate and severe. Recent work has shown that peritoneal pseudomyxoma is secondary to malignant mucosecretory tumors, mainly of ovarian (cystadenocarcinoma) or appendicular origin, with intraperitoneal cell implants. Surgery is the only treatment with proven effectiveness. The effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy has not been established.

[Spontaneous intramural hematoma of the esophagus. Apropos of a case]. / Hématome intramural spontané de l'oesophage. A propos d'un cas.

Spontaneous intramural haematoma of the oesophagus is a rare condition which usually produces a clinical picture marked by chest pain, dysphagia and haematemesis of moderate severity. The authors report a new case in a woman aged 70 years, under anticoagulant treatment for viral meningitis and presenting with repeated vomiting. Endoscopy of the upper alimentary tract and oesophageal radiography showed a pseudotumoral appearance of the middle and lower portions of the thoracic oesophagus. Progress was favourable under medical management, with uncomplicated recovery. A review of the 38 cases previously published emphasizes in particular the favourable outcome and the conservative medical treatment of this condition.