Ultrasound contribution in the analysis of the newborn and infant normal and clubfoot: a preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of ultrasound in the preoperative assessment of clubfoot and follow-up growth. We first studied 50 normal newborns and infants (aged 1 day to 1 year). The normal values established were reliable, dynamic and reproducible measurements allowing the assessment of osteo-articular relationships and cartilage morphology. Ultrasound appears to be more useful than radiography because it allows delineation of cartilaginous structures (which are not visible on conventional radiographs) and dynamic study of foot positions, and has no danger from radiation. A future paper will contain preliminary results of cases of clubfoot studied by ultrasound.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava. Diagnostic difficulties]. / Léiomyosarcomes de la veine cave inférieure. Difficultés diagnostiques.

As leiomyosarcomas of the inferior vena cava are extremely infrequent, the preoperative diagnosis of such tumors is rarely established. We report two cases in which the diagnosis was suggested by modern imaging prior to surgery. Three examination techniques allo contemplating this diagnosis. Ultrasound and cavography show either an intraluminal, multilobulated, roughly hyperechogenic lacuna on one of the segments of the vena cava, without any remote thrombosis image, or a complete obstruction of the vena cava with collateral circulation and a hyperechogenic right paraaortic mass. Computed tomography demonstrates the extraluminal extension. It reveals the presence of a right lateroaortic tumor with heterogeneous tissue density, in which the vena cava is concealed. The association of an intraluminal lacuna and of a tumoral syndrome on CT is highly suggestive. These three techniques are equally essential for the assessment of this tumor, which is primarily based on vascular findings. Exeresis is always difficult and the prognosis very poor.

[The association of 2 histologically different neuroepithelial tumors]. / Association de deux tumeurs neuro-épithéliales histologiquement différentes.

The association of two primary brain tumours is seen in phacomatoses. Tumours may also be induced by radiotherapy or a primary tumour may be associated with a secondary tumour. The presence of two histologically different primary neuro-epithelial tumours in a subject with no particular medical history appears to be very rare with a undefinable frequency.