Factors Associated With Hospitalization or Intensive Care Admission in Children With COVID-19 in Latin America.

Background: Limited data is available from low-middle and upper-middle income countries of the factors associated with hospitalization or admission to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for children with COVID-19. Objective: To describe the factors associated with hospitalization or PICU admission of children with COVID-19 in Latin America. Method: Multicenter, analytical, retrospective study of children reported from 10 different Latin American countries to the Latin-American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE-COVID) research network from June 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. Outpatient or hospitalized children <18 years of age with COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction or antigen detection from the nasopharynx were included. Children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) were excluded. Associations were assessed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: A total of 1063 children with COVID-19 were included; 500 (47%) hospitalized, with 419 (84%) to the pediatric wards and 81 (16%) to the ICU. In multivariable analyses, age <1 year (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.78; 95% CI 1.08-2.94), native race (OR 5.40; 95% CI 2.13-13.69) and having a co-morbid condition (OR 5.3; 95% CI 3.10-9.15), were associated with hospitalization. Children with metabolic or endocrine disorders (OR 4.22; 95% CI 1.76-10.11), immune deficiency (1.91; 95% CI 1.05-3.49), preterm birth (OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.41-4.49), anemia at presentation (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.28-4.27), radiological peribronchial wall thickening (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.15-5.84) and hypoxia, altered mental status, seizures, or shock were more likely to require PICU admission. The presence of pharyngitis (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.25-0.48); myalgia (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.28-0.79) or diarrhea (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21-0.67) were inversely associated with hospital admission. Conclusions: In this data analysis reported to the SLIPE research network in Latin America, infants, social inequalities, comorbidities, anemia, bronchial wall thickening and specific clinical findings on presentation were associated with higher rates of hospitalization or PICU admission. This evidence provides data for prioritization prevention and treatment strategies for children suffering from COVID-19.

A sense of community at school and the subjective well-being of Chilean students.

Understand the degree to which a Sense of Community at School can predict the Life Satisfaction of Chilean students in the fifth and seventh grades. The classroom and school components will be presented separately. The research was designed as a descriptive study using a survey with a probabilistic sample made up of 1959 students (52.6% male and 47.4% female) in the fifth and seventh grades at elementary schools in the cities of Concepción and Santiago in Chile. A multiple linear regression analysis was done using the Multidimensional Scales of School Sense of Community (SOC-S) and Classroom Sense of Community (SOC-C) as predictors of life satisfaction measured with the Student Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS). Multigroup analysis was conducted to make comparisons by sex and grade. The dimension of "sense of belonging and emotional connection" of the SOC-C and the dimension of "belonging" of the SOC-S predict life satisfaction for fifth grade students. The additional dimension of "emotional connection" of the SOC-S scale was included for the seventh-grade students. The sense that one is part of the school community is a dimension that affects childhood life satisfaction. Its level of contribution varies by age, with the sense of belonging and emotional connection variables being the relevant ones.

Access to material resources and the subjective well-being of children in Brazil and Chile.

This article analyzes the relationships between the material conditions and the subjective well-being of 3,716 children (50.5% girls) between 10 and 12 years of age (M = 11.4) in Chile and Brazil. These are the two Latin American countries that took part in the third wave of the Children's Worlds research. The material conditions of the children were assessed using latent classes. A multivariate analysis of covariance was done next in order to test the influence of material conditions over the children's subjective well-being and interpersonal relationships. The association between gender and country variables of the children was also studied. The results showed that although the average subjective well-being scores of the children were high in general, the class analysis showed significant differences between the results for children with better material conditions than those with poorer material conditions. The latter group presented lower subjective well-being levels. MANCOVA was used to analyze the mean differences in subjective well-being levels and interpersonal relationships controlling variables of gender and country of residence. This showed that children with greater access to better material conditions showed significantly higher levels of subjective well-being levels and had a more positive view of their interpersonal relationships in all areas assessed compared to those who reported worse material conditions. These results are discussed in view of the high indices of material deprivation that exist in Latin America during childhood as well as how these findings may help better understand the well-being of children living in Latin American countries.

Survival rates of advanced estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Analysis of 211 cases

ABSTRACT Background: About 80% of breast cancer (BC) cases express estrogen receptor (ER), which has been correlated with good prognosis and response to estrogen deprivation Aim: To characterize ER positive advanced BC (ABC) patients treated at our institution assessing the impact of clinical pre-sentation (stage IV, de novo disease at diagnosis versus systemic recurrence) and BC subtype on survival rates. Material and Methods: We evaluated 211 ER+ advanced BC (ABC) patients, treated between 1997 and 2017. Results: The median overall survival (OS) was 37 months. Median OS for the period 1997/2006 and 2007/2017 were 33 and 42 months, respectively (p = 0.47). Luminal A, ABC stage IV disease at diagnosis displayed better OS rates than Luminal B stage IV tumors (100 and 32 months respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Clinical presentation (stage IV vs. systemic recurrence) and tumor subtype are key determinants of OS in ABC.

Antecedentes: Casi el 80% de los casos de cáncer de mama (CM) son positivos para receptores de estrógenos (RE+). Éstos se caracterizan por una mejor sobrevida y respuesta a terapia endocrina. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con CM avanzado (CMA), RE+, y determinar sobrevida según presentación clínica y subtipos. Material y Métodos: Analizamos en nuestra base de datos los antecedentes de 211 pacientes con CMA RE+, tratados en nuestra institución en el período 1997-2017. Se evaluó el impacto de la presentación clínica (estadio IV al diagnóstico, enfermedad de novo, versus recurrencia sistémica) y subtipo de CM, en los niveles de sobrevida. Resultados: La mediana de sobrevida global (SG) fue de 37 meses. La mediana de SG para el período 1997/2006 y 2007/2017 fue de 33 y 42 meses; respectivamente (p = 0,47). Pacientes con CMA, estadio IV, Luminal A al momento del diagnóstico mostraron mejores tasas de SG frente al estadio IV del Luminal B (100 y 32 meses respectivamente (p < 0,01). Conclusiones: La presentación clínica (estadio IV, de novo, versus recurrencia sistémica) y subtipo son determinantes clave de la SG en CMA.

Mammography correlates to better survival rates in breast cancer patients: a 20-year experience in a University health institution.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women. We retrieved medical records from >2,000 Chilean BC patients over the 1997-2018 period. The objective was to assess changes in clinical presentation or prognosis of our patients throughout these 20 years of practice. Although most variables did not display significant variations, we observed a progressive increase in stage IV BC over this period. Our data showed that tumour stage III/IV or HER2-enriched subtype tumours were associated with poorer prognosis. In contrast, we found that patients diagnosed by mammography had better overall survival. We speculate that better screenings and more sensitive imaging could explain the unexpected rise in stage IV cases. Our results support mammography screenings as an effective measure to reduce BC-related mortality.

Melanocytic BAP-1-Mutated Atypical Intradermal Tumor in Two Siblings: A Case Report.

Melanocytic BAP-1-mutated atypical intradermal tumor (MBAIT) is a tumor that appears early on life. It can be the first manifestation of a tumor predisposition syndrome. Prompt diagnosis will allow for the implementation of early screening techniques for associated malignancies. We present a case of 2 siblings with MBAITs and their future management.

Survival rates of advanced estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Analysis of 211 cases.

BACKGROUND: About 80% of breast cancer (BC) cases express estrogen receptor (ER), which has been correlated with good prognosis and response to estrogen deprivation Aim: To characterize ER positive advanced BC (ABC) patients treated at our institution assessing the impact of clinical pre-sentation (stage IV, de novo disease at diagnosis versus systemic recurrence) and BC subtype on survival rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 211 ER+ advanced BC (ABC) patients, treated between 1997 and 2017. RESULTS: The median overall survival (OS) was 37 months. Median OS for the period 1997/2006 and 2007/2017 were 33 and 42 months, respectively (p = 0.47). Luminal A, ABC stage IV disease at diagnosis displayed better OS rates than Luminal B stage IV tumors (100 and 32 months respectively, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical presentation (stage IV vs. systemic recurrence) and tumor subtype are key determinants of OS in ABC.

Tolerogenic dendritic cell transfer ameliorates systemic lupus erythematosus in mice.

Current treatments for systemic autoimmune diseases partially improve the health of patients displaying low pharmacological efficacy and systemic immunosuppression. Here, the therapeutic potential of transferring tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) generated with heme-oxygenase inductor cobalt (III) protoporphyrin IX (CoPP), dexamethasone and rosiglitazone for the treatment of systemic autoimmunity was evaluated in two murine models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), MRL-Faslpr and NZM2410 mice. Dendritic cells treated ex vivo with these drugs showed a stable tolerogenic profile after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Regular doses of tolDCs were administered to anti-nuclear antibody-positive mice throughout 60-70 days, and the clinical score was evaluated. Long-term treatment with these tolDCs was well tolerated and effective to improve the clinical score on MRL-Faslpr lupus-prone mice. Additionally, decreased levels of anti-nuclear antibodies in NZM2410 mice were observed. Although tolDC treatment increased regulatory T cells, no significant reduction of renal damage or glomerulonephritis could be found. In conclusion, these results suggest that the transfer of histone-loaded tolDCs could improve only some SLE symptoms and reduced anti-nuclear antibodies. This is the first study to evaluate antigen-specific tolDC administration to treat SLE. Our report strengthens the clinical relevance of tolDC generation with CoPP, dexamethasone and rosiglitazone and the use of these modified cells as a therapy for systemic autoimmunity.

Breast lesions with atypia in percutaneous biopsies, managed with surgery in the last 10 years.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal management of breast lesions with atypia (BLA), detected in percutaneous biopsies after screening mammograms, is a controversial issue. The aim of this paper is to compare histological diagnosis by percutaneous biopsy with the results of the surgical biopsy of these lesions and to analyse the changes to clinical approach this would imply. METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out on patients operated on between June 2007 and June 2017 with a diagnosis of BLA. One hundred and forty-seven patients were identified with a pre-operative diagnosis of flat epithelial atypia (FEA), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ and other atypia. RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis of BLAs was 52 ± 9.4 years. Radiologically, the lesions presented as microcalcifications in 79%, nodules in 15.6% and other lesions 5.4%. 73.5% of these were biopsied by means of digital stereotaxis. All of the patients analysed underwent a partial mastectomy. Changes in a biologically high-risk lesion were observed in 26.5% of the surgical specimens, of which 75.5% corresponded with ADH and FEA. In the percutaneous biopsies consistent with ADH (40.1%), ductal carcinoma was discovered in 6.8% (5.1% in situ and 1.7% invasive), which implied specific, multi-disciplinary management. Of the FEAs, 84.8% required a second treatment (surgery and/or hormone therapy ± radiotherapy, depending on whether it concerned FEA 59.6%, ADH 21.2% or ductal carcinoma in situ 3.8%). CONCLUSION: These data show the clinical relevance in the diagnosis of ADH and FEA in percutaneous biopsies. For the diagnosis of FEA in particular, the associated risk of biologically high-risk lesions and ductal carcinoma is made evident.

The Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Luminal B Breast Cancer.

Objective: Tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer (BC) patients is a predictor for overall survival. The aim of our study was to determine a relationship between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) prior to NAC, BC subtypes and the probability of a pathologic complete response (pCR). Materials and Methods: Medical records were collected retrospectively from Centro de Cancer at Red Salud UC-Christus. Clinical data collected included peripheral blood cell counts, BC subtype at diagnosis and the pathology report of surgery after chemotherapy. Results: A total of 88 patients were analyzed. Approximately, a 25% had a pCR, and displayed a significant correlation between BC subtype and pCR (p= 0.0138 Chi2); this was more frequent in epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) enriched subtype patients (54%). Luminal B BC patients with a pCR had significantly lower NLR levels (t test, p= 0.0181). Conclusions: HER2-enriched tumors had a higher probability of pCR. In Luminal B tumors, NLR had a statistically significant relationship with the probability of pCR. In this subtype, NLR could be a useful biomarker to predict tumor response to NAC. Further studies including other clinical parameters for systemic inflammation such as platelet counts, intratumoral NLR or body mass index could help identify patients that would get the most benefit from NAC.

Heme-Oxygenase-1 Is Decreased in Circulating Monocytes and Is Associated With Impaired Phagocytosis and ROS Production in Lupus Nephritis.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Based on studies showing the potential role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of heme and has anti-inflammatory properties in SLE development, we decided to explore HO-1 in LN. Accordingly, we evaluated HO-1 levels and function in circulating and infiltrating monocytes and neutrophils of LN patients. HO-1 levels were assessed in peripheral monocytes of LN patients and controls by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. Phagocytosis and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated to determine the effect of HO-1 in monocyte function. In addition, renal biopsies with proliferative LN were used to identify HO-1 in infiltrating cells and renal tissue by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Biopsies of healthy controls (HC) and patients who underwent nephrectomy were included as controls. Circulating pro-inflammatory monocytes and activated neutrophils were increased in LN patients. HO-1 levels were decreased in all subsets of monocytes and in activated neutrophils. LN monocytes showed increased phagocytosis and higher production of ROS than those of HC. When HO-1 was induced, phagocytosis and ROS levels became similar to those of HC. HO-1 was mostly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEC). Renal tissue of LN patients showed lower levels of HO-1 than HC, whereas infiltrating immune cells of LN showed lower levels of HO-1 than biopsies of patients who had renal surgery. HO-1 is decreased in circulating monocytes and activated neutrophils of LN patients. HO-1 levels modulate the phagocytosis of LN monocytes and ROS production. HO-1 expression in RTEC might be an attempt of self-protection from inflammation.

Coryneform Bacteria in Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis: Morphological Diagnosis in Breast Biopsies.

Granulomatous lobular mastitis is a rare disease whose origin is still unknown and shows an increase in its frequency. Morphological, microbiological, and molecular biology studies have linked this disease to lipophilic and fastidious corynebacteria, suggesting its possible infectious etiology. This series describes and reviews in detail the distinctive morphological characteristics of the bacteria present in the granulomas of this disease, the usefulness of histochemical techniques for their identification, and our proposal for a tissue quantification score for the bacteria. The MacCallum-Goodpasture method of Gram's stain turned out to be the gold standard for examination, but we also highlight the efficiency of hematoxylin and eosin stain when it is exhaustively examined as well as the Grocott stain to evaluate the bacterial pleomorphism method, which is often underutilized.

Características clínicas y pronóstico de pacientes con cáncer de mama HER2 positivo avanzado, en la era antes y después de terapias anti-HER2 / Survival of patients with advanced HER2+ breast cancer. Analysis of a cancer center database

Background: HER2+ breast cancer (BC) subtype overexpresses the Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor type-2 (HER2) and is characterized by its aggressiveness and its high sensitivity to monoclonal antibody-based HER2-targeted therapies. Aim: To assess the prognosis and evaluate the impact of novel anti-HER2 therapies on advanced HER2+ BC patients treated at our institution over the last decades. Material and Methods: Analysis of the patient database at a cancer center of a university hospital. Information about the subtype of cancer was obtained in 2,149 of 2,724 patients in the database. Eighteen percent of the latter were HER2+. We analyzed data of 83 of these patients with advanced disease. Results: Median overall survival (OS) was 24 months. For patients treated between 1997-2006 median OS was 17 months and for those treated in the period 2007-2017 median OS was 32 months (p = 0.09). Conclusions: A non-significant trend towards better survival in the last decade was observed. HER2+ BC overall survival has improved in our center. This can be probably attributed to the use of novel more effective anti-HER2 therapies.

Patient inflammatory status and CD4+/CD8+ intraepithelial tumor lymphocyte infiltration are predictors of outcomes in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most prevalent and aggressive histologic type of ovarian cancer. To date, there are no reliable biomarkers to effectively predict patient prognosis. Studies have demonstrated inflammation and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) correlate with a bad and good prognosis, respectively. Here, we sought to evaluate systemic inflammation and TILs as early prognostic markers of survival. METHODS: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were used as indicators of systemic inflammation. NLR, serum LDH, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), PDL1 and quality of debulking surgery were evaluated as determinants of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a cohort of 128 HGSOC patients. RESULTS: Initial univariate analysis showed that systemic inflammation measures (NLR and serum LDH), debulking surgery, and intra-epithelial TILs have a significant impact on both PFS and OS. After adjustment for several variables, multivariate analyses confirmed intraepithelial CD4+ T-cells, systemic inflammation measures, PDL1 and debulking surgery as determinants of better OS and PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammation and TILs are early determinants of OS in HGSOC. Other variables such as the quality of debulking surgery and PDL1 also improve survival of patients. Regarding TIL sub-populations, intraepithelial CD4+ cells are associated to an increase in both PFS and OS. We also confirmed previous reports that demonstrate intraepithelial CD8+ cells correlate with an increase on PFS in ovarian cancer. A combined score using systemic inflammation and TILs may be of prognostic value for HGSOC patients.

Can Histological Grade and Mitotic Index Replace Ki67 to Determine Luminal Breast Cancer Subtypes?

Introduction: Breast cancer can be classified into subtypes based on immunohistochemical markers, with Ki67 expression levels being used to divide luminal BC tumors in luminal A and B subtypes; however, Ki67 is not routinely determined due to a lack of standardization. Objective: To evaluate histological grade and Eliminate: the mitotic index to determine if they can be used as an alternative method to Ki67 staining for luminal subtype definition. Methods: We evaluated estrogen receptor positive breast cancer tissue samples. Pathological analysis included determination of Ki67. A low level of Ki67 was defined as <14% positive cells. Results: We evaluated 151 breast cancer samples; 24 (15,9%) were classified as I; 74 as HG II (49%), and 53 (35,1%) as HG III. The median value for Ki67 was 13% (range: <1% - 82%) and for MI was 2 (0-12). Histological grade I tumors exhibited Ki67 values significantly lower than HG II and III tumors (Anova, Tamhane test p=0,001). A higher Ki67 value was related to a higher MI (Rho Sperman p=0,336; R2= 0,0273). ROC curve analysis determined that a MI ≥ 3 had a sensibility of 61.9% and specificity of 66.7% in predicting a high Ki67 value (≥14%) (area under the curve: 0,691; p =0,0001). A HG I tumor or HG II-III with MI ≤2, had a high probability of corresponding to a LA tumor (76,3%), as defined using Ki67 expression, while the probability of a LB subtype was higher with HG II-III and a MI ≥3 (57.4%). Global discrimination was 68.1%. Conclusions: For the LA subtype, our predictive model showed a good correlation of HG and MI with the classification based on Ki67<14%. In the LB subtype, the model showed a weak correlation; therefore Ki67 determination seems to be needed for this group of patients.

[Survival of patients with advanced HER2+ breast cancer. Analysis of a cancer center database]. / Características clínicas y pronóstico de pacientes con cáncer de mama HER2 positivo avanzado, en la era antes y después de terapias anti-HER2.

BACKGROUND: HER2+ breast cancer (BC) subtype overexpresses the Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor type-2 (HER2) and is characterized by its aggressiveness and its high sensitivity to monoclonal antibody-based HER2-targeted therapies. AIM: To assess the prognosis and evaluate the impact of novel anti-HER2 therapies on advanced HER2+ BC patients treated at our institution over the last decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the patient database at a cancer center of a university hospital. Information about the subtype of cancer was obtained in 2,149 of 2,724 patients in the database. Eighteen percent of the latter were HER2+. We analyzed data of 83 of these patients with advanced disease. RESULTS: Median overall survival (OS) was 24 months. For patients treated between 1997-2006 median OS was 17 months and for those treated in the period 2007-2017 median OS was 32 months (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: A non-significant trend towards better survival in the last decade was observed. HER2+ BC overall survival has improved in our center. This can be probably attributed to the use of novel more effective anti-HER2 therapies.

Tumor de células granulares de la mama. Presentación de un caso / Granular cell tumor of the breast. Case presentation

El tumor de células granulares (TCG) es una neoplasia muy infrecuente y usualmente benigna, que afecta preferentemente a la lengua.En sólo un 6% por ciento de los casos publicados ha sido primario de la mama. Desde el punto de vista clínico e imagenológico, se plantea el diagnóstico diferencial con un carcinoma mamario invasor. Por ende, el examen anatomopatológico de muestras por punción o quirúrgicas, es crucial para establecer el diagnóstico e intentar subclasificarlo para predecir su conducta biológica. Se presenta el caso de una mujer chilena de 54 años con un TCG de la mama izquierda:(AU)

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is an uncommon and usually benign neoplasm that mostly occurs on the tongue. In only 6 percent of all published cases, GCT has been primary of the breast. From a clinical and radiological point of view, a differential diagnosis with an invasive breast carcinomais considered. Therefore, the anatomopathological examination of core biopsie or surgical samples is crucial to establish a diagnosis and tryto subclassify it in order to predict its biological behavior. We present the case of a 54-year-old chilean woman with a GCT in her left breast.(AU)

Quiste esplénico no parasitario: revisión de la experiencia en un hospital clínico universitario / Non parasitic splenic cysts: single-center experience at a university hospital

Introducción: Las lesiones quísticas esplénicas son poco frecuentes; pueden ser clasificadas en primarias y secundarias según la presencia de revestimiento epitelial. Los quistes parasitarios son provocados por especies de Equinococcus y su manejo es específico. Suelen ser lesiones asintomáticas y el tratamiento depende de su tamaño y de la aparición de manifestaciones clínicas. El abordaje quirúrgico tradicional ha sido la esplenectomía, pero con el reconocimiento de las complicaciones inmunológicas, han tenido auge las alternativas que conservan parénquima esplénico. Objetivo: Comunicar la experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de esta enfermedad en nuestro centro. Resultados: Se presenta la serie de 11 casos de quistes esplénicos no parasitarios que recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico durante los últimos 15 años. La mayoría de las intervenciones fueron laparoscópicas y no se registró morbimortalidad. Discusión: En el tratamiento de los quistes del bazo no parasitarios actualmente se reconoce el valor de preservar parénquima y función esplénica. La esplenectomía, cirugía cuyo estándar actual es mediante laparoscopia, ha sido progresivamente desplazada por alternativas conservadoras. Las opciones terapéuticas dependen del desarrollo de síntomas, del tamaño y de la ubicación de las lesiones. Conclusiones: Los quistes esplénicos son poco frecuentes. Ante la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico el abordaje laparoscópico y las cirugías que conservan parénquima esplénico deberían ser de elección.

Introduction: Splenic cysts are rare. They have been classified in primary or secondary lesions based on the presence or absence of an epithelial lining. Parasitic cysts are caused by Echinococcus spp. and have a particular management. Splenic cysts are usually asymptomatic, treatment depends on the development of symptoms and diameter. Traditionally, splenectomy has been the standard surgery, but updated knowledge about the role of the spleen in preventing some infections has led to more conservative options. Objective: To report our experience in surgical management of the disease. Results: Our series includes 11 patients with non-parasitic splenic cysts treated surgically, during the last 15 years. Most were laparoscopic interventions and no morbidity or mortality was registered. Discussion: Surgical treatment for non-parasitic splenic cysts actually favours conservative techniques; salvage of the spleen whenever possible is fully justified based on updated knowledge of the role it plays in promoting protection against infection. Splenectomy, nowadays performed by laparoscopy, has been partially displaced. Treatment options depends on the cyst diameter, development of symptoms and localization. Conclusions: Splenic cysts are unfrequent. If surgical treatment is needed, laparoscopy and interventions conserving splenic parenchyma should be the election.