[Intestinal metastasis of pulmonary cancers. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Métastases intestinales de cancers pulmonaires. A propos de 2 cas.

We report 2 new cases of intestinal metastases from lung cancer. Such metastases are not exceptional, but their clinical manifestations are rare and their diagnosis during evaluation of lung cancer is difficult. This diagnosis could be suggested by the presence of iron deficiency anaemia or melena in a patient being investigated for lung cancer. Other metastases are often present, and the prognosis is fatal at short term.

A comparison of flunisolide inhaler and beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler in bronchial asthma.

Ninety-nine patients, who had never previously taken inhaled steroids were enrolled in a randomized, single-blind, parallel study, the aim of which was to compare the efficacy and safety of flunisolide inhalation, 500 mcg twice daily, with beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler 100 mcg four times daily for the treatment of chronic asthma. The treatment period was for 6 weeks. The patients were examined clinically at entry, week 3 and week 6 and both treatment groups showed a marked improvement in almost all parameters during the course of the study. Flunisolide was statistically significantly superior to beclomethasone dipropionate for wheezing at week 6, coughing at week 6 and chest tightness at weeks 3 and 6. The number of asthma attacks per day decreased significantly more with flunisolide treatment than with beclomethasone dipropionate. The over-all evaluation of efficacy by both doctors and patients also showed flunisolide to be superior to beclomethasone dipropionate. In several other parameters there was a trend shown favouring flunisolide, and beclomethasone dipropionate did not show a superiority over flunisolide in any efficacy parameter. Both drugs were well-tolerated, with unpleasant taste being the most frequent complaint in the flunisolide group. No patient in either group withdrew from the study because of adverse events. In this study, flunisolide inhaler was more effective than beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler for the treatment of chronic asthma exhibited by patients who had never been treated with inhaled steroids.

[Continuation of the azygos vein with agenesis of the inferior vena cave]. / La continuation azygos de la veine cave inférieure agénésique.

The authors present a case of agenesis of the inferior vena cava, above the kidneys, with deviation of the venous blood into a very dilated azygos vein. This anomaly is shown on a P.A. chest film by an opacity in the right tracheobronchial angle corresponding to the azygos prominence. the existence of an anastomosis between the azygos vein and the right auricle by the supra hepatic veins is demonstrated. The authors review the normal radiology of the azygos vein and the radiological approach necessary for the diagnosis of this malformation. In this study the CT scanner is the investigation of first choice, before cavography which demonstrates the associated venous anomalies. This anomaly is latent and therapeutic intervention is not required, but it is important to recognise it on a chest radiograph.