[Stereotaxic technics in expanding lesions of the brain stem]

Stereotactic biopsies, according to the Talairach's system, define the histopathological data (nature, grading, spatial delimitation, evolutive potential) of brain stem lesions, precisely localized by computerized tomography scanner and magnetic resonance imaging. They are the more valued complement of the modern neuro-imaging and they prove the extreme polymorphism of theses lesions. According to this histological analysis and the volume of the lesions, it's possible to choose the best therapeutic procedure.

Transient gene expression in electroporated Picea glauca protoplasts

The reporter gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) was introduced into white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss.) protoplasts by electroporation. CAT transient gene expression was increased by increasing the concentration of pCaMVCN plasmid and was affected by the level of the applied voltage. Highest CAT activities were obtained after electroporation with a pulse of 350V.cm(-1) having an exponential decay constant of approximately 105ms. Linearized plasmid constructs gave much higher levels of CAT activity than circular plasmid. Attempts to use the Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase gene (β-GUS) as a marker gene revealed very high levels of β-GUS-like activity in electroporated protoplasts. This activity was mainly due to a small molecule and may mask successful transformation since β-GUS-like activity increased when plasmid DNA was present during electroporation.

[Lumbosacral dysraphia and "long spinal cord" of delayed appearance (9 cases)]

Urinary disorders, deformities of the feet, and sensory of trophic disturbances appearing during, or increasing in severity at adolescence, were observed in 9 patients. In seven cases there appeared to be an abnormality of the teguments of the lumbosacral region, and in all cases, as shown by straight radiological examination of a spina bifida of L5 or S1, a sacral dehiscence and wide sacral canal, and a subjacent nervous tissue abnormality was suspected. Radiculography showed the presence of a "long spinal cord" terminating in the sacrum by a tumor mass. Examination of this mass in the seven operated cases demonstrated that the tumor was an intradural lipoma with a wedge-shaped penetration into the end of the medulla, fixing the cord in the sacrococcygial region, in the absence of the filum terminale and cauda equina. The etiology of this "long spinal cord" is discussed, and it appears to be the consequence of a dysraphia, which is also the cause of the lipoma. Mechanical factors appear later and produce neurological signs.

[Acute pituitary failure as the presentation of a prolactin cell adenoma during a pregnancy made possible by bromocriptine (author's transl)]

A 21-year-old woman had sterility due to amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea with hyperprolactinaemia and hypoplastic ovaries. The sella turcica was asymmetrical but tomograms were suggestive of a congenital appearance. There was no suprasellar expansion. Treatment with bromocriptine and HMG resulted in pregnancy. Acute pituitary failure occurred at the 10th week, revealing an adenoma. The pregnancy proceeded to term after hypophysectomy. This complication, the first reported under the effects of bromocriptine, may serve as a reminder of the precautions to be taken during pregnancy in a hyperprolactinaemic woman.

[Treatment of radiculo-spinal complications of cervic arthrosis with Cloward's method. Results concerning 370 patients]

370 patients exhibiting a brachial radiculalgia or a spinal cord disease due to cervicarthrosis were submitted to surgery according to Cloward's technique; freeing or grafting were performed in 682 levels. A study of this surgical management is made and compared with the other therapeutical modalities. A consensus of the results leads to offer this kind of mangement to the initial stage of the disease before the appearing of definitive sclerotic or atrophic lesions. The arthrosic lesions interesting numerous levels, the anatomic-clinical discrepancies concerning the injured level, the misknowledge of the exact physiopathogenesis of the nervous lesions, plead in favour of anterior cervical grafts interesting numerous levels.