[Postoperative pulmonary leukostasis responsible for fatal respiratory distress]. / Poumon hyperleucocytaire postopératoire responsable d'une détresse respiratoire fatale.

A case is reported of a 78-year-old woman with a history of chronic leukemia and who developed after emergency appendicectomy a fatal respiratory distress syndrome related to pulmonary leukostasis. Clinically, the patient had fever, dyspnea and severe hypoxaemia. Chest x-ray showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. The patient died from progressive respiratory failure despite ventilatory support. Post mortem lung biopsies were taken for pathologic examination. They showed thrombi composed of leukaemic blast cells which obstructed and distended the lumens of pulmonary arterioles and capillaries. The respiratory distress is attributed to pulmonary leukostasis. Toxic substances released from the leukostatic leukaemic cell or local hypoxia due to vascular occlusion produce this endothelial cell and basement membrane damage. An infectious origin or endogenous pyrogen substances released from leukaemic monocytes may explain the fever. The frequent occurrence of pulmonary leukostasis in patients with leukocyte count greater than 100,000/mm3 point out the need for prevention or therapy of pulmonary leukostasis in these high-risk patients. They need chemotherapy and, if rapid reduction is not observed, leukopheresis which may favourably influence the outcome of patients.

[Perforation of a solitary diverticulum of the transverse colon. Contribution of preoperative x-ray computed tomography and echography]. / Perforation d'un diverticule solitaire du côlon transverse. Apport de la tomodensitométrie et de l'échographie en pré-opératoire.

Diagnosis of perforation of a solitary diverticulum of transverse colon followed the discovery at operation of an abdominal mass, ultrasound and CT scan imaging demonstrating a heterogeneous mass of enhanced density provoking apparent extrinsic compression of colon. A literature review showed the rarity of this complication, only 22 cases being reported but associated almost constantly with a pseudo-tumoral abscess centered on the diverticulum. This was the case in the patient reported but current imaging methods (ultrasound and particularly CT scanning) allowed correct evaluation of the nature and relations of the mass preoperatively, eliminating, its neoplastic nature by precise morphologic criteria. Despite its rarity, the diagnosis of perforation of an isolated transverse colon diverticulum should be evoked systematically by an extrinsic mass developed in contact with its wall, the nature of which is now simple to define preoperatively by CT scan imaging.

[Reprogramming of a pacemaker induced by electrocautery]. / Reprogrammation d'un stimulateur cardiaque induite par le bistouri électrique.

A case is reported of reprogramming of a ventricular unipolar permanent pacemaker induced by electrocautery during biliary surgery. After skin incision and use of the unipolar electrosurgery unit, the CPI model 505 multiprogrammable pulse generator previously set at 70 b X min-1 abruptly fired at 120 b X min-1. Application of a magnet over the pacemaker reduced the heart rate to 100 b X min-1. After surgery, the pulse generator was successfully reprogrammed to a rate of 65 b X min-1. Based on the analysis of this case and of previous reports, it is suggested, so as to avoid such complications, that the unipolar electrocautery be avoided when the surgical field is near the pulse generator or lead: that the bipolar electrocautery be preferred; that a magnet and non-invasive programmer be available during and after surgery; and that a postoperative assessment of the pulse generator be carried out.