[50 years of stereophlebography]. / Cinquante années de stéréophlébographie.

The utilization criteria of stereophlebography since his creation by Cid dos Santos fifty years ago are analysed. During many years it was applied on all varicose and thrombophlebotic patients. At present, it is used only in cases where history, physical signs and non-invasive tests are not able to give a perfect knowledge of the situation. A replacement of the phlebography in its actual fashion in future time by some non-invasive technics like duplex-scan may be admitted. However, at present, it is still the more efficient and the most exact method for diagnosis of the venous disease of the limbs.

[Lymphography in the clinical picture of lymphedema]. / La lymphographie dans la clinique des lymphoedèmes.

The value of lymphography in the clinical treatment of lymphatic edemas is examined. Since its invention by Hernani Monteiro, lymphography has not enjoyed the same success as clinical phlebography, which has benefited from anatomical and physiological knowledge and has clarified several problems. Great gaps still exist in our knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and physiopathology of the lymphatic system, and this explains the limited development of lymphography so far, and the difficulty of interpreting and characterizing cases of lymphatic stasis. This situation has also hindered the development of logical and effective therapies. We believe that new techniques should be developed for use in lymphography, as was necessary in phlebography.

[False diagnosis of acute phlebothrombosis]. / Diagnostic erroné de phlébothrombose aigue.

The authors present three clinical cases in which the initial diagnosis of acute phlebothrombosis has been made with its therapeutic corollary of anticoagulant medication. In the first case, there was a known tumour in the popliteal region. In the other two cases, the tumour was only recognized later. In all three cases, it was later found, by stereophlebography, that the deep venous system was intact. The authors consider that the institution of anticoagulant treatment resulting from this diagnostic error can not be regarded as a mistake since this attitude does lead to the avoidance of potentially fatal pulmonary embolisms or an acute venous thrombosis which may have already given rise to the chronic situation of post-phlebitic syndrome.