Coexistencia de sarcoma pulmonar y quiste hidatídico / Coexistence of pulmonary sarcoma and hydatid cyst

Resumen Se presenta el caso de un paciente que consultó por tos, evidenciándose en los estudios de imagen una masa en el lóbulo inferior del pulmón derecho. En la broncoscopía se observó una formación endobronquial, blanquecina, irregular, de la que se aspiraron membranas blanquecinas; del material aspirado se tomaron biopsias que se enviaron para su análisis. Con el estudio cito e histopatológico se diagnosticó hidatidosis pulmonar coexistente con un sarcoma. En nuestra zona la hidatidosis continúa siendo frecuente y su localización pulmonar es, junto a la hepática, las dos formas de presentación más comunes. La complicación habitual es la rotura del quiste con la eventual siembra y la infección del mismo. En este caso se pone de manifiesto la coe xistencia de hidatidosis con un sarcoma pulmonar, hecho del que solo conocemos un informe, reportado hace más de cincuenta años. Motiva la publicación lo extremadamente infrecuente de esta asociación, resaltando la importancia de efectuar estudios histopatológicos aun cuando la sospecha clínica y de las imágenes orienten a la hidatidosis.

Abstract We present the case of a patient who consulted for cough, showing a mass in the lower lobe of the right lung on imaging studies. Bronchoscopy revealed an irregular, whitish endobronchial formation, from which whitish membranes were aspirated. Biopsies were taken from the aspirated material and sent for analysis Based on the cyto and histopathological study, pulmonary hydatid disease coexisting with a sarcoma was diagnosed. In our area, hydatid disease continues to be frequent and its pulmonary location is, together with the hepatic, the two most common forms of presentation. The usual complication is the rupture of the cyst with the eventual seeding and its infection. In this case, the coexistence of hydatid disease with a pulmonary sarcoma was revealed, a fact of which we only know of one report, more than fifty years ago. The publication is motivated by the extremely infrequent nature of this association, highlighting the importance of carrying out histopathological studies even when clinical and imaging suspicion points to hydatid disease.

[Coexistence of pulmonary sarcoma and hydatid cyst]. / Coexistencia de sarcoma pulmonar y quiste hidatídico.

We present the case of a patient who consulted for cough, showing a mass in the lower lobe of the right lung on imaging studies. Bronchoscopy revealed an irregular, whitish endobronchial formation, from which whitish membranes were aspirated. Biopsies were taken from the aspirated material and sent for analysis Based on the cyto and histopathological study, pulmonary hydatid disease coexisting with a sarcoma was diagnosed. In our area, hydatid disease continues to be frequent and its pulmonary location is, together with the hepatic, the two most common forms of presentation. The usual complication is the rupture of the cyst with the eventual seeding and its infection. In this case, the coexistence of hydatid disease with a pulmonary sarcoma was revealed, a fact of which we only know of one report, more than fifty years ago. The publication is motivated by the extremely infrequent nature of this association, highlighting the importance of carrying out histopathological studies even when clinical and imaging suspicion points to hydatid disease.

Se presenta el caso de un paciente que consultó por tos, evidenciándose en los estudios de imagen una masa en el lóbulo inferior del pulmón derecho. En la broncoscopía se observó una formación endobronquial, blanquecina, irregular, de la que se aspiraron membranas blanquecinas; del material aspirado se tomaron biopsias que se enviaron para su análisis. Con el estudio cito e histopatológico se diagnosticó hidatidosis pulmonar coexistente con un sarcoma. En nuestra zona la hidatidosis continúa siendo frecuente y su localización pulmonar es, junto a la hepática, las dos formas de presentación más comunes. La complicación habitual es la rotura del quiste con la eventual siembra y la infección del mismo. En este caso se pone de manifiesto la coexistencia de hidatidosis con un sarcoma pulmonar, hecho del que solo conocemos un informe, reportado hace más de cincuenta años. Motiva la publicación lo extremadamente infrecuente de esta asociación, resaltando la importancia de efectuar estudios histopatológicos aun cuando la sospecha clínica y de las imágenes orienten a la hidatidosis.

Ventilación no invasiva en sala de hospitalización general / Non-Invasive Ventilation in a Regular Hospital Ward

Introducción: La experiencia clínica ha permitido la ventilación no invasiva fuera de unidades críticas. Describimos el perfil clínico y evolución de pacientes que recibieron ventilación no invasiva en sala general. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo en pacientes con soporte ventilatorio du rante un año en un hospital general. Resultados: Se utilizó ventilación no invasiva en 43 pacientes, 67,4% con hipercap nia. La relación hombre/mujer fue 1:1. La edad y el IMC fueron 68,3 ± 12,4 años y 30,1 ± 12,3 kg/m2 y los diagnósticos principales, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, enfermedad neuromuscular y obesidad-hipoventilación. Un tercio inició la ventilación no invasiva en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, y dos tercios usaban ventilación no invasiva en domicilio antes del ingreso por exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (39,5%) o progresión de la enfermedad (14%). La estancia hospi talaria fue 12,1 ± 7 d (14 ± 9 en supervivientes y 5,7 ± 3 en pacientes fallecidos). La gasometría arterial al ingreso reveló PaCO2: 52,7 ± 13,7 mmHg; PaO2: 72,2 ± 16,2 mmHg y pH de 7,36 ± 0,08. Se halló pH < 7,35 en el 18,6% y PaCO2 > 45 en el 57,4%. La PaCO2 al alta fue menor (46,1 ± 4,6; p > 0,05). El modo ST se utilizó en 34 (79%) pacientes. El período de ventilación fue 12,7 ± 10,2 días con uso de 6,9 ± 3,1 h/d. Un tercio recibió cuidados paliativos (13,9% de mortalidad). Tres pacientes (7%) fueron transferidos a la unidad de cuidados intensivos por deterioro clínico y treinta y cinco egresaron con ventilación crónica (94,6%). Conclusiones: Hubo escasas transferencias a la unidad de cuidados intensivos. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue baja y los que fallecieron tenían instrucciones anticipadas.

Introduction: Clinical experience has allowed the use of non-invasive ventilation out side the acute-care setting. We describe the clinical profile and evolution of patients who received non-invasive ventilation in a regular ward. Materials and methods: Retrospective study in patients with ventilatory support for one year in a general hospital. Results: Non-invasive ventilation was delivered to 43 patients, 67.4% of which had hy percapnia. The male/female ratio was 1:1. Age and BMI (Body Mass Index) were 68.3 ± 12.4 years and 30.1 ± 12.3 kg/m2, and the main diagnoses were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neuromuscular disease and obesity-hypoventilation. One third of patients began non-invasive ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit, and two thirds had been using non-invasive ventilation at their homes before being admitted with exacerba tion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (39.5%) or disease progression (14%). Hospital length of stay was 12.1 ± 7 d (14 ± 9 in survivors and 5.7 ± 3 in deceased patients). Arterial blood gas analysis on admission showed: PaCO2 (partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide), 52.7 ± 13.7 mmHg; PaO2 (partial pressure of arterial oxygen), 72.2 ± 16.2 mmHg, and pH, 7.36 ± 0.08. A pH level < 7.35 was found in 18.6%, and PaCO2 > 45 in 57.4%. PaCO2 values upon discharge were lower (46.1 ± 4.6; p > 0.05). The ST (spontaneous-timed) mode was used in 34 patients (79%). The ventilation period was 12.7 ± 10.2 days, using 6.9 ± 3.1 h/d. One third of patients received palliative care (13.9% of mortality). Three patients (7%) were transferred to the Intensive Care Unit due to clinical decline, and thirty-five were discharged with chronic ventilation (94.6%). Conclusions: there were few referrals to the Intensive Care Unit. Hospital mortality was low, and patients who died had advance directives.

Proteinosis alveolar secundaria: reporte de un caso / Proteinosis alveolar secundaria: case report

La proteinosis alveolar es un enfermedad caracterizada por el acúmulo anormal de surfactante en el espacio alveolar lo que conlleva a disrupción en el intercambio gaseoso. Su fisiopatogenia es variada y en los adultos la forma secundaria es la más frecuente. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con leucemia mieloide aguda en tratamiento compasivo con gemtuzumab ozogamicina, e infecciones respiratorias a repetición que se presenta con disnea progresiva y tos seca. Luego de descartar causa embólica y cardíaca, se realiza tomografía que evidencia opacidades en vidrio esmerilado de distribución difusa y engrosamiento de septos, por lo que ante la sospecha de infección se realiza lavado broncoalveolar que revela líquido blanquecino evidenciando en la citología inclusiones en macrógrafos PAS positivo. Con el diagnóstico de proteinosis alveolar secundaria a enfermedad de base, se reinició tratamiento quimioterápico. Presentó progresión de infiltrados y mayor requerimiento de oxígeno falleciendo pocos días después. (AU)

[Synchronous pulmonary adenocarcinoma and primary lymphoma of lung mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue]. / Adenocarcinoma pulmonar sincrónico y linfoma primario de tejido linfoide asociado a mucosa pulmonar.

The lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), are uncommon entities, of low grade of malignancy with very infrequent or no lymph node involvement. They represent about 80% of the primary pulmonary lymphomas. The synchronous appearance with lung adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare finding. We present the case of an ex-smoker 68-year-old man, in whom, in the follow-up of a pulmonary nodule, a second pulmonary nodule was found. The surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of both neoplasms.

Los linfomas derivados del tejido linfoide asociado a las mucosas (MALT) son entidades poco frecuentes, de bajo grado de malignidad con escaso o nulo compromiso ganglionar y representan cerca del 80% de los linfomas primarios pulmonares. La aparición sincrónica con adenocarcinoma de pulmón es un hallazgo extremadamente infrecuente. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 68 años, ex-tabaquista, en quien durante el seguimiento de un nódulo pulmonar se identificó un segundo nódulo y la biopsia quirúrgica confirmó el diagnóstico de ambas neoplasias.

Adenocarcinoma pulmonar sincrónico y linfoma primario de tejido linfoide asociado a mucosa pulmonar / Synchronous pulmonary adenocarcinoma and primary lymphoma of lung mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Los linfomas derivados del tejido linfoide asociado a las mucosas (MALT) son entidades poco frecuentes, de bajo grado de malignidad con escaso o nulo compromiso ganglionar y representan cerca del 80% de los linfomas primarios pulmonares. La aparición sincrónica con adenocarcinoma de pulmón es un hallazgo extremadamente infrecuente. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 68 años, ex-tabaquista, en quien durante el seguimiento de un nódulo pulmonar se identificó un segundo nódulo y la biopsia quirúrgica confirmó el diagnóstico de ambas neoplasias.

The lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), are uncommon entities, of low grade of malignancy with very infrequent or no lymph node involvement. They represent about 80% of the primary pulmonary lymphomas. The synchronous appearance with lung adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare finding. We present the case of an ex-smoker 68-year-old man, in whom, in the follow-up of a pulmonary nodule, a second pulmonary nodule was found. The surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of both neoplasms.

[Hospital admissions in patients with chronic home ventilation]. / Internaciones en pacientes con ventilación domiciliaria crónica.

Home mechanical ventilation represents a standard of care in the insufficiency of the ventilatory pump. The follow-up model could change the hospitalization rate. In order to study hospitalizations in patients with home mechanical ventilation, a descriptive study was designed on a systematic collection database. Participants were patients with non-invasive ventilation or invasive mechanical ventilation consecutively included in a day hospital program between July 2014 and December 2016. Hospitalizations and their modality one year before and after the program were analyzed. Ninety four patients participated; 52 men (55%), age 64.4 ± 15.9 years; mean body mass index; 28.60 ± 8.46 kg/m2; 50% had obesity. Eighty patients (85%) received home mechanical ventilation; non-invasive in 77 cases and invasive in three (4%). Thirty two patients were re-admitted to the hospital in one year of follow-up. There were significant differences between the global admission rate before and after the program (0.68 ± 0.47 vs. 0.42 ± 0.50 hospitalizations per patient) p 0.044, intensive care unit hospitalizations; 32 vs. 14, p 0.005 and days in ICU (12.9 ± 7.75 vs. 10.57 ± 7.5) p 0.048. The population to whom home mechanical ventilation was offered had a high hospitalization rate that was reduced by this follow-up model.

Internaciones en pacientes con ventilación domiciliaria crónica / Hospital admissions in patients with chronic home ventilation

La ventilación mecánica domiciliaria representa un estándar de cuidados en la insuficiencia de la bomba ventilatoria. El modelo de seguimiento podría modificar la tasa de internaciones. Con la finalidad de estudiar las internaciones en pacientes con ventilación mecánica domiciliaria se diseñó un estudio descriptivo, sobre una base de datos de recolección sistemática. Participaron pacientes con ventilación no invasiva o asistencia respiratoria mecánica invasiva incluidos en forma consecutiva en un programa de hospital de día entre julio 2014 y diciembre 2016. Se analizaron internaciones y modalidad de las mismas, un año antes y después del programa. Participaron 94 pacientes; 52 hombres (55%), edad 64.4 ± 15.9 años; índice de masa corporal medio 28.60 ± 8.46 kg/m². El 50% presentaba obesidad. Recibían ventilación mecánica domiciliaria 80 participantes (85%); no invasiva en 77 casos e invasiva en tres (4%). En un año de seguimiento fueron re-admitidos al hospital 32 pacientes. Existieron diferencias significativas entre la tasa de internación global antes y después del programa (0.68 ± 0.47 vs. 0.42 ± 0.50 internaciones por caso), p 0.044, internaciones en terapia intensiva; 32 vs. 14, p 0.005 y días en UTI (12.9 ± 7.75 vs. 10.57 ± 7.5) p 0.048. La población a la que se ofreció ventilación mecánica domiciliaria presentó una elevada tasa de internaciones que se redujo mediante este modelo de seguimiento.

Home mechanical ventilation represents a standard of care in the insufficiency of the ventilatory pump. The follow-up model could change the hospitalization rate. In order to study hospitalizations in patients with home mechanical ventilation, a descriptive study was designed on a systematic collection database. Participants were patients with non-invasive ventilation or invasive mechanical ventilation consecutively included in a day hospital program between July 2014 and December 2016. Hospitalizations and their modality one year before and after the program were analyzed. Ninety four patients participated; 52 men (55%), age 64.4 ± 15.9 years; mean body mass index; 28.60 ± 8.46 kg/m²; 50% had obesity. Eighty patients (85%) received home mechanical ventilation; non-invasive in 77 cases and invasive in three (4%). Thirty two patients were re-admitted to the hospital in one year of follow-up. There were significant differences between the global admission rate before and after the program (0.68 ± 0.47 vs. 0.42 ± 0.50 hospitalizations per patient) p 0.044, intensive care unit hospitalizations; 32 vs. 14, p 0.005 and days in ICU (12.9 ± 7.75 vs. 10.57 ± 7.5) p 0.048. The population to whom home mechanical ventilation was offered had a high hospitalization rate that was reduced by this follow-up model.

Ambulatory positional obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of positional (PP) OSA patients using self-administered home-based respiratory polygraphy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 month retrospective study based on RP records. RESULTS: 200 PR records: 70.5% men 29.5% women. 76% were diagnosed with OSA and 54.6% with PP OSA. There were no significant differences in Epworth Sleepiness Scale, apnea hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index. PP OSA patients were younger, had a lower BMI (30.3±0.9 vs. 35.3±1.2) (p<0.0001), and the time they spent with oxygen saturation <90% (T<90) was lower (8.8 vs. 28.7±6.7, p=0.0038). The PP OSA group spent 43% of total recording time in the supine position. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PP OSA patients studied with RP is similar to the one described by sleep laboratories. They have lower BMI, present mostly mild OSA with less desaturation, and are less likely to receive CPAP therapy.

Titulaciones de CPAP autoajustable domiciliarias y correlación entre un algoritmo automático y la fórmula de Hoffstein / Auto-adjusting CPAP Titrations at Home and Correlation between an Automatic Algorithm and the Hoffstein Formula

Introducción: La presión positiva en la vía aérea (CPAP) ha demostrado ser eficaz en el síndrome de apneas e hipopneas obstructivas durante el sueño (SAHOS). La presión efectiva se adquiere tradicionalmente con polisomnografía (PSG). El desempeño de estrategias no convencionales, como la CPAP autoajustable (APAP) y fórmulas de titulación (Ft) varía según la población donde se aplican. Objetivo: Describir la titulación con APAP y correlacionar la presión media en la vía aérea (Pmed), la Pef y la presión por Ft de Hoffstein y Mateikas (Fhoff). Resultados: Incluimos 192 pacientes; 52 mujeres (27%) y 140 hombres, edad; 60.2 años ± 11.7 e IMC de 33.8 ± 6.7 kg/m². El índice de apneas e hipopneas (IAH) fue: 33.1 ± 16.6 en mujeres y 36.5 ± 16 en varones (p > 0.24) y 190 casos (98.9%) presentaron IAH > 15 ev/hora. El cumplimiento medio con APAP fue: 380 minutos ± 101 mujeres y 370 ± 91.2 en hombres (p > 0.54). Menos del 10% de la población tuvo criterios de inaceptabilidad del registro. Hallamos correlación entre Pmed y la Pef; rho: 0.73 (IC95% 0.57-0.84) p < 0.001. Sin embargo entre Pef y Fhoff; β: 0.519 y r²: 0.269 (p < 0.001) existió subestimación por Fhoff: - 1.98 cm H2O (IC95% 1.48-2.49) e índice de correlación intraclase: 0.60 (IC95%: 0.47-0.80) p < 0.0001. Conclusiones: Una elevada proporción de pacientes titulan en domicilio con APAP sin vigilancia y con criterios de aceptabilidad. No hallamos adecuada correlación entre Fhoff y Pef en nuestra población.

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has proven to be effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Effective pressure is traditionally acquired with a polysomnography (PSG). The performance of unconventional strategies, such as auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) and titration formulas (Tf) varies according to the population where they are applied. Objective: To describe the APAP titration and correlate the mean airway pressure (Mean p), the Eff p and the Hoffstein and Mateika Tf pressure (Hoff f). Results: We included 192 patients, 52 female (27%) and 140 male; age, 60.2 years old ± 11.7 and BMI (body mass index) of 33.8 ± 6.7 kg/m². The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was: 33.1 ± 16.6 in females and 36.5 ± 16 in males (p > 0.24); and 190 cases (98.9%) had an AHI > 15 ev/hour. Mean compliance with APAP was: 380 minutes ± 101 in females and 370 ± 91.2 in males (p > 0.54). Less than 10% of the population presented unacceptability criteria. We found a correlation between the Mean p and the Eff p; rho: 0.73 (95% CI [confidence interval] 0.57-0.84) p < 0.001. However, between the Eff p and the Hoff f β: 0.519 and r²: 0.269 (p < 0.001) there was an underestimation by Hoff f: - 1.98 cm H2O (95% CI, 1.48-2.49) and intraclass correlation index: 0.60 (95% CI: 0.47-0.80) p < 0.0001. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients titrate at home with APAP without supervision and with acceptability criteria. We did not find a suitable correlation between the Hoff f and the Eff p in our population.

Auto-adjusting CPAP Titrations at Home and Correlation between an Automatic Algorithm and the Hoffstein Formula

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has proven to be effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Effective pressure is traditionally acquired with a polysomnography (PSG). The performance of unconventional strategies, such as auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) and titration formulas (Tf) varies according to the population where they are applied. Objective: To describe the APAP titration and correlate the mean airway pressure (Meanp), the Effp and the Hoffstein and Mateika Tf pressure (Hofff). Results: We included 192 patients, 52 female (27%) and 140 male; age, 60.2 years old ± 11.7 and BMI (body mass index) of 33.8 ± 6.7 kg/m2. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was: 33.1 ± 16.6 in females and 36.5 ± 16 in males (p > 0.24); and 190 cases (98.9%) had an AHI > 15 ev/hour. Mean compliance with APAP was: 380 minutes ± 101 in females and 370 ± 91.2 in males (p > 0.54). Less than 10% of the population presented unacceptability criteria. We found a correlation between the Meanp and the Effp; rho: 0.73 (95% CI [confidence interval] 0.57-0.84) p < 0.001. However, between the Effp and the Hofff ß: 0.519 and r2: 0.269 (p < 0.001) there was an underestimation by Hofff: - 1.98 cm H2O (95% CI, 1.48-2.49) and intraclass correlation index: 0.60 (95% CI: 0.47-0.80) p < 0.0001. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients titrate at home with APAP without supervision and with acceptability criteria. We did not find a suitable correlation between the Hofff and the Effp in our population

[Pulmonary embolism after endoscopic injection with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for gastric varices]. / Embolismo pulmonar después de obturación de várices gástricas con N-butil-2-cianoacrilato.

Gastric varices occur in one-third of patients with portal hypertension. Bleeding from gastric varices remains a significant cause of death. Currently the first-line of treatment for gastric varices is endoscopic obliteration with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Though relatively safe, this option has several well-known complications. We report the case of a 61-year-old male patient with cryptogenic cirrhosis, who presented with fever, tachycardia and hypoxemia after endoscopic obliteration with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Radiographic findings were consistent with pulmonary embolism of the sclerosing substance. The aim of this case report is to emphasize the clinical and radiological findings of this complication in order to distinguish it from other similar medical conditions and prevent a delay in diagnosis.

Embolismo pulmonar después de obturación de várices gástricas con N-butil-2-cianoacrilato / Pulmonary embolism after endoscopic injection with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for gastric varices

Las várices gástricas están presentes en cerca de un tercio de los pacientes con hipertensión portal y el sangrado de las mismas representa una causa significativa de mortalidad. El tratamiento de primera línea es la obturación con N-butil-2-cianoacrilato, que si bien es seguro no está libre de complicaciones. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 61 años de edad con antecedente de cirrosis criptogénica que se presentó a la consulta febril, taquicárdico e hipoxémico después de la obturación endoscópica con N-butil-2-cianoacrilato. Las imágenes mostraron embolia pulmonar bilateral del material obturante. El objetivo de este trabajo es destacar las manifestaciones clínicas y las imágenes de esta situación para ayudar a su diagnóstico precoz y diferenciarla de otras entidades que requieren un tratamiento específico.

Gastric varices occur in one-third of patients with portal hypertension. Bleeding from gastric varices remains a significant cause of death. Currently the first-line of treatment for gastric varices is endoscopic obliteration with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Though relatively safe, this option has several well-known complications. We report the case of a 61-year-old male patient with cryptogenic cirrhosis, who presented with fever, tachycardia and hypoxemia after endoscopic obliteration with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Radiographic findings were consistent with pulmonary embolism of the sclerosing substance. The aim of this case report is to emphasize the clinical and radiological findings of this complication in order to distinguish it from other similar medical conditions and prevent a delay in diagnosis.

[Noninvasive diagnosis of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients]. / Diagnóstico no invasivo de la presencia de várices esofágicas en pacientes cirróticos.

INTRODUCTION: Variceal bleeding is a frequent and serious complication of cirrhosis. Early detection of varices by videogastroscope (VGC) is recommended in all patients with cirrhosis to determine the need for prophylactic treatment. Have been described noninvasive markers of the presence of esophageal varices, which could prevent the realization of VGC for that purpose. OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare noninvasive (longitudinal diameter of spleen, platelet count, platelet reason / spleen) as predictors of the presence of esophageal varices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 125 patients with cirrhosis from any cause. They had VGC, blood count and abdominal ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracy for determining the presence of esophageal varices or large varices according to the different variables was studied using the area under the ROC curve (AUROC). RESULTS: The prevalence of esophageal varices was 63.2% and 42.4% were diagnosed with large varices. The reason platelets/spleen and platelet count showed an AUROC of 0.74 for the detection of esophageal varices. The cut-off for the ratio platelets / spleen was 1.010 (sensitivity 72.15% and specificity 71.74%) for the presence of varices and 870 for the presence of clinically significant varices (sensitivity 62.26% and specificity 62.50%). The analysis according to these breakpoints showed that 23.6% of patients with scores higher than 1,010 had large varices and 45% of patients with values lower than 870 had not large varices. CONCLUSIONS: Although the reason platelets/spleen showed an AUROC acceptable, its implementation would entail a risk of not diagnosing large varices in almost a quarter of the population studied.

Diagnóstico no invasivo de la presencia de várices esofágicas en pacientes cirróticos / [Noninvasive diagnosis of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients].

INTRODUCTION: Variceal bleeding is a frequent and serious complication of cirrhosis. Early detection of varices by videogastroscope (VGC) is recommended in all patients with cirrhosis to determine the need for prophylactic treatment. Have been described noninvasive markers of the presence of esophageal varices, which could prevent the realization of VGC for that purpose. OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare noninvasive (longitudinal diameter of spleen, platelet count, platelet reason / spleen) as predictors of the presence of esophageal varices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 125 patients with cirrhosis from any cause. They had VGC, blood count and abdominal ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracy for determining the presence of esophageal varices or large varices according to the different variables was studied using the area under the ROC curve (AUROC). RESULTS: The prevalence of esophageal varices was 63.2

were diagnosed with large varices. The reason platelets/spleen and platelet count showed an AUROC of 0.74 for the detection of esophageal varices. The cut-off for the ratio platelets / spleen was 1.010 (sensitivity 72.15

) for the presence of varices and 870 for the presence of clinically significant varices (sensitivity 62.26

). The analysis according to these breakpoints showed that 23.6

of patients with scores higher than 1,010 had large varices and 45

of patients with values lower than 870 had not large varices. CONCLUSIONS: Although the reason platelets/spleen showed an AUROC acceptable, its implementation would entail a risk of not diagnosing large varices in almost a quarter of the population studied.

[Primary biliary cirrhosis: clinical and epidemiological features in an Uruguayan population]. / Cirrosis biliar primaria: aspectos clinico- epidemiológicos en una población uruguaya.

INTRODUCTION: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic, autoimmune, liver disease produced by inflammation and destruction of the interlobular bile ducts. It is more frequent among female patients and is usually diagnosed in the fifth decade of life. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with PBC in Uruguay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This descriptive study included patients from 3 medical centers diagnosed with PBC in the period January 2002 to September 2011. The diagnosis was based on the presence of at least two of the following requirements: cholestasis, antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) (or AMA subtype 2) or positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) (anticentromere pattern) and compatible biopsy. Data recorded were sex, age, symptoms, related illness, laboratory results, images and histology at the moment of the diagnosis. RESULTS: We included 81 patients, 94% were women and the mean age was 56 years old (range: 31 to 79 years old). Symptoms were present in 59 patients (73%) and pruritus, found in 51 of them (86%), was the most frequent symptom. Positive AMA was found in 84% of cases. Histological study was available in 35 patients (43%) and 13 of them (37%) had cirrhosis. The mean survival according to the presence or absence of cirrhosis was 9.17 years (95% confidence interval: 6.79-11.56) and 10.7 years (95% confidence interval: 9.27-12.14), respectively (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Female predominance and frequent association with other autoimmune diseases were confirmed in this group. Although there was a high percentage of symptomatic and cirrhotic patients at diagnosis, only the presence of cirrhosis was associated with a lower survival.

Cirrosis biliar primaria: aspectos clinico- epidemiológicos en una población uruguaya / [Primary biliary cirrhosis: clinical and epidemiological features in an Uruguayan population].

INTRODUCTION: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic, autoimmune, liver disease produced by inflammation and destruction of the interlobular bile ducts. It is more frequent among female patients and is usually diagnosed in the fifth decade of life. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with PBC in Uruguay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This descriptive study included patients from 3 medical centers diagnosed with PBC in the period January 2002 to September 2011. The diagnosis was based on the presence of at least two of the following requirements: cholestasis, antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) (or AMA subtype 2) or positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) (anticentromere pattern) and compatible biopsy. Data recorded were sex, age, symptoms, related illness, laboratory results, images and histology at the moment of the diagnosis. RESULTS: We included 81 patients, 94

were women and the mean age was 56 years old (range: 31 to 79 years old). Symptoms were present in 59 patients (73

) and pruritus, found in 51 of them (86

), was the most frequent symptom. Positive AMA was found in 84

of cases. Histological study was available in 35 patients (43

) and 13 of them (37

) had cirrhosis. The mean survival according to the presence or absence of cirrhosis was 9.17 years (95

confidence interval: 6.79-11.56) and 10.7 years (95

confidence interval: 9.27-12.14), respectively (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Female predominance and frequent association with other autoimmune diseases were confirmed in this group. Although there was a high percentage of symptomatic and cirrhotic patients at diagnosis, only the presence of cirrhosis was associated with a lower survival.

[Effectiveness of pegylated interferon alfa 2a and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C in clinical practice]. / Efectividad del interferón peguilado alfa 2a más ribavirina para la hepatitis crónica C en la práctica.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, combination therapy with peginteferon plus ribavirin is the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C. This scheme achieves, according to randomized and controlled trials, viral eradication in 54% to 56% of treated patients (42% to 46% of patients infected with genotype 1 and 76% to 82% of those with genotypes 2 or 3). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of combined treatment with peginteferon alpha 2a and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C, in daily clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated by the authors with combined treatment (peginteeferon alpha 2a plus ribavirin), from January 2001 to July 2008, were included. Patients who completed the treatment as well as those that ended it earlier were included in the analysis. RESULTS: In this retrospective and multicentric study 75 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alpha 2a plus ribavirin were enrolled (male gender represented 60%, average age was 42.3 years, genotype 1 meant 58.6% and 31.5% of patients had cirrhosis). The global sustained virological response, according to intention-to-treat analysis, was observed in 37 patients (49%). CONCLUSIONS: The global results in daily clinical practice showed a viral eradication rate close to that published by controlled and randomized studies.