Risk factors for lymphedema after breast surgery: A prospective cohort study in the era of sentinel lymph node biopsy.

INTRODUCTION: The Objective was to investigate the incidence of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment and to analyze the risk factors involved in a tertiary level hospital. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal observational study over 3 years post-breast surgery. 232 patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer at our institution between September 2013 and February 2018. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymphadenectomy (ALND) were mandatory in this cohort. In total, 201 patients met the inclusion criteria and had a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 1-54 months). Lymphedema was diagnosed by circumferential measurements and truncated cone calculations. Patients and tumor characteristics, shoulder range of motion limitation and local and systemic therapies were analyzed as possible risk factors for lymphedema. RESULTS: Most cases of lymphedema appeared in the first 2 years. 13.9% of patients developed lymphedema: 31% after ALND and 4.6% after SLNB (p < 0.01), and 46.7% after mastectomy and 11.3% after breast-conserving surgery (p < 0.01). The lymphedema rate increased when axillary radiotherapy (RT) was added to radical surgery: 4.3% for SLNB alone, 6.7% for SLNB + RT, 17.6% for ALND alone, and 35.2% for ALND + RT (p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, the only risk factors associated with the development of lymphedema were ALND and mastectomy, which had hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 7.28 (2.92-18.16) and 3.9 (1.60-9.49) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The main risk factors for lymphedema were the more radical surgeries (ALND and mastectomy). The risk associated with these procedures appeared to be worsened by the addition of axillary radiotherapy. A follow-up protocol in patients with ALND lasting at least two years, in which special attention is paid to these risk factors, is necessary to guarantee a comprehensive control of lymphedema that provides early detection and treatment.

Spatial distribution of Brazilian bovine taurine breeds associated with climatic, physical and socioeconomic variables / [Distribuição espacial de raças taurinas bovinas brasileiras associada a variáveis climáticas, físicas e socioeconômicas]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of purebred Bos taurus taurus bovine breeds raised in Brazil in association with climatic, physical and socioeconomic variables. The breeds Aberdeen Angus, Ayrshire, Braford, Brangus, Charolais, Devon, Flemish, Hereford, Pinzgauer, Shorthorn and Simental were classified according to their aptitude (milk, meat or dual-purpose). They were spatialized according to their aptitude using state and municipal information. The milk breeds were found in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, while the dual-purpose breeds were found in Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul states and the beef breeds were concentrated in the southern region. Only the Aberdeen Angus meat breed showed higher dispersion in other regions. Meat and dual-purpose breeds tended to be raised in regions with lower maximum temperature, average temperature, thermal amplitude and temperature-humidity index. Dual-purpose breeds were found in municipalities with high humidity and altitude, but with a low gross domestic product, little technical guidance received from cooperatives and the government, low control of diseases and parasites, as well as low use of pasture rotation systems. The spatial distribution of Brazilian bovine taurine breeds, regardless of aptitude, was related to climatic, physical and socioeconomic factors.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distribuição espacial de raças bovinas puras Bos taurus taurus criadas no Brasil, associadas a variáveis climáticas, físicas e socioeconômicas. As raças Aberdeen Angus, Ayrshire, Braford, Brangus, Charolês, Devon, Flamenga, Hereford, Pinzgauer, Shorthorn e Simental foram classificadas de acordo com sua aptidão (leite, carne ou duplo-propósito). Elas foram espacializadas de acordo com sua aptidão a partir de informações estaduais e municipais. As raças leiteiras foram encontradas nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina, enquanto as raças de duplo-propósito foram encontradas nos estados de Minas Gerais e Rio Grande do Sul, e as raças de carne concentraram-se na região Sul. Apenas a raça de carne Aberdeen Angus apresentou maior dispersão nas demais regiões. As raças de carne e de duplo-propósito tendem a ser criadas em regiões com menores temperatura máxima, temperatura média, amplitude térmica e índice de temperatura e umidade. As raças de duplo-propósito foram encontradas em municípios com alta umidade e altitude, mas com baixo produto interno bruto, pouca orientação técnica recebida de cooperativas e do governo, baixo controle de doenças e de parasitas e baixo uso de sistema de rotação de pastagens. A distribuição espacial das raças taurinas bovinas brasileiras, independentemente da aptidão, foi relacionada a fatores climáticos, físicos e socioeconômicos.(AU)

Effects of throat packs during orthognathic surgery: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Throat packs are commonly used in maxillofacial surgeries. However, the evidence to support the benefits of their use is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of throat packs in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting, and their influence on the incidence of sore throat and dysphagia in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. This was a prospective double-blind randomized study with 54 patients, who were randomized to two groups: with throat pack (n=27) and without throat pack (n=27). Fifty patients (25 in each group) were included in the analysis; 66% female and 34% male, mean age 29.44±8.53 years. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (Kortilla scale), sore throat (visual analogue scale), and dysphagia were evaluated. Statistically significant differences in favour of the without-pack group were found for the variables throat pain at 24hours (P=0.002) and dysphagia at 2 hours (P=0.007) and 24 hours (P<0.001). There was no difference between the groups regarding postoperative nausea and vomiting (P=1.00). The results of this study indicate that throat packs as utilized here do not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting and are associated with worse sore throats and postoperative dysphagia.

Motociclista de urgência e emergência: reflexo dos desafios diários no atendimento pré-hospitalar / Urgency and emergency motorcyclist: a reflection of the daily challenges in prehospital care / Motociclista de emergencia y emergencia: reflejo de los desafíos diarios en la atención prehospitalaria

Objetivo: analisar e discutir as dificuldades, os riscos ocupacionais e os possíveis desafios e frustrações dos motociclistas que atuam no atendimento pré-hospitalar no serviço de urgência e emergência do Distrito Federal. Método: estudo descritivo e exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, mediado por pesquisa de campo. Resultados: foram investigados dois grupos - A, com 33 profissionais, e B, com 18 profissionais. No grupo A, são 26 técnicos em enfermagem e 5 enfermeiros, com média de atuação de 10,6 anos, visto serem servidores estatutários, com idade média de 38 anos e tempo de motolância de 5,4 anos. No grupo B, todos são militares de carreira e combatentes, com média de 34,9 anos de idade, 11,2 anos de tempo de militar e de 5,1 anos de serviço de motorresgate. Conclusão: é visível que as atividades desempenhadas pelas equipes são divergentes do ponto de vista operacional e técnico. A formação do enfermeiro colaborador e educador torna-se relevante para a educação continuada dos profissionais que atuam no atendimento pré-hospitalar, sendo assim, é necessário refletir sobre as dificuldades vivenciadas no dia a dia desses profissionais e estratégias e ações precisam ser elaboradas para auxiliar no suporte de enfrentamento de seus desafios diários vivenciados

Objective: to analyze and discuss the difficulties, occupational risks and the possible challenges and frustrations of motorcyclists who work in pre-hospital care in the urgency and emergency service of the Federal District. Method: descriptive and exploratory study, with a quantitative approach, mediated by field research. Results: two groups were investigated - A, with 33 professionals, and B, with 18 professionals. In group A, there are 26 nursing technicians and 5 nurses, with an average of 10.6 years of experience, as they are statutory servants, with an average age of 38 years and a motorcycle driving time of 5.4 years. In group B, all are career soldiers and combatants, with an average of 34.9 years of age, 11.2 years of military experience and 5.1 years of motor-rescue service. Conclusion: it is visible that the activities performed by the teams are divergent from an operational and technical point of view. The training of collaborative nurses and educators becomes relevant for the continuing education of professionals working in pre-hospital care, therefore, it is necessary to reflect on the difficulties experienced in the daily lives of these professionals, also strategies and actions need to be developed to help in support of coping with their experienced daily challenges.

Objetivo: analizar y discutir las dificultades, riesgos laborales y los posibles desafíos y frustraciones de los motociclistas que laboran en la atención prehospitalaria en el servicio de urgencia y emergencia del Distrito Federal. Método: estudio descriptivo y exploratorio, con enfoque cuantitativo, mediado por investigación de campo. Resultados: se investigaron dos grupos: A, con 33 profesionales, y B, con 18 profesionales. En el grupo A, hay 26 técnicos de enfermería y 5 enfermeros, con una media de 10,6 años de experiencia, por ser servidores estatutarios, con una edad media de 38 años y un tiempo de conducción en motocicleta de 5,4 años. En el grupo B, todos son soldados y combatientes de carrera, con un promedio de 34,9 años de edad, 11,2 años de experiencia militar y 5,1 años de servicio de rescate motorizado. Conclusión: es visible que las actividades realizadas por los equipos son divergentes desde el punto de vista operativo y técnico. La formación de enfermeros y educadores colaborativos cobra relevancia para la formación continua de los profesionales que laboran en la atención prehospitalaria, por ello, es necesario reflexionar sobre las dificultades que viven en el día a día de estos profesionales, además de desarrollar estrategias y acciones para ayuda en apoyo para hacer frente a sus experimentados desafíos diarios.

Ocular trauma score como predictor de agudeza visual en pacientes con trauma ocular grave: predictor de pronóstico visual en urgencia oftalmológica / Ocular trauma score as a predictor of visual acuity in patients with severe ocular trauma: visual prognosis in ophthalmological urgency

El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la relación entre el pronóstico visual según el Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) y la agudeza visual (AV) a los 6 meses de ocurrido el trauma ocular, en pacientes atendidos en la Unidad de Trauma Ocular del Hospital del Salvador, Santiago de Chile. Se hizo uso de un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, retrospectivo. Se accedió a los registros clínicos de pacientes atendidos por trauma ocular grave entre el 1 de enero de 2014 al 15 de marzo 2015. 145 pacientes conformaron una muestra de 153 ojos. Se estableció la relación entre OTS obtenido y la AV a 6 meses del trauma mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. De los ojos estudiados, el grupo mayor N=68 (44,4%) calificó para OTS 3 y el menor N=16 (10,5%) para OTS 1. Se presentaron cinco categorías de visión, en un tiempo inicial la mayoría de los casos presentaron AV de luz, mala proyección-cuenta dedos (n=89). Tras seis meses dicha distribución se desplazó hacia la categoría 20/40 - 20/20 (n=68). Se encontró una fuerte asociación (r=0,711 p=0,000) entre el OTS calculado y la AV luego de seis meses de seguimiento. El OTS demostró poseer un gran valor predictivo y es una herramienta aplicable en nuestro medio, los datos obtenidos indican que existe un mejor pronóstico visual que los obtenidos en otro estudio. Cabe destacar que es la primera instancia en que se evalúa la aplicación del OTS en Chile.

This work aimed to determine the relationship between the visual prognosis according to the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) and visual acuity (AV) 6 months after the ocular trauma in patients treated at the Eye Trauma Unit from the Hospital del Salvador, in Santiago, Chile. A descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study was performed. We accessed registers of clinical patients attended for severe eye trauma from 1 January 2014 to 15 March 2015. 145 patients constitute a sample of 153 eyes. A connection was established between the OTS obtained and the AV 6 months after the trauma via the Spearman correlation coefficient. From the eyes studied, the greatest group N=68 (44.4%) qualified for OTS 3 and the smallest N=16 (10.5%) for OTS 1. Five eye categories were presented, in the beginning, most of the cases presented visual acuity with bad projection ­ hand motion (n=89). After six months of distribution, it moved to the category 20/40 ­ 20/20 (n=68). A strong relation (r=0,711 p=0,000) was found between the estimated OTS and the AV after six months of tracking. The OTS proved to have great predictive valor and is an applicable tool in our area, the data obtained showed that there is a better visual prognosis than the obtained in other studies. It is worth noting that this is the first stage where the application of OTS is assessed in Chile.

A New Species of Ascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) Parasitizing Clinocottus analis (Pisces: Cottidae) from Baja California, Mexico.

A new species of nematode, Ascarophis morronei n. sp. (Cystidicolidae), is described from the stomach wall of the woolly sculpin Clinocottus analis (Cottidae) collected in the rocky intertidal from northwestern Baja California, Mexico. Collected nematodes were studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Sequence fragments for 18S rDNA molecular markers were obtained from the new nematode species, in order to test its position within the family Cystidicolidae under a phylogenetic context. Main characters distinguishing this new species include the reduced labia and the morphology of the eggs, distances of nerve ring and excretory pore from the anterior end, and left spicule of males. The new species described here is the second for the genus Ascarophis reported as adult in the Southern California Bight, and the first one recorded for the fish genus Clinocottus.

Association of high-fat diet with neuroinflammation, anxiety-like defensive behavioral responses, and altered thermoregulatory responses in male rats.

Overweight and obesity are a worldwide pandemic affecting billions of people. These conditions have been associated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state that is recognized as a risk factor for a range of somatic diseases as well as neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and affective disorders. We previously reported that the ingestion of a high-fat diet (HFD; 45% fat kcal/g) for nine weeks was capable of inducing obesity in rats in association with increased reactivity to stress and increased anxiety-related defensive behavior. In this study, we conducted a nine-week diet protocol to induce obesity in rats, followed by investigation of anxiety-related defensive behavioral responses using the elevated T-maze (ETM), numbers of FOS-immunoreactive cells after exposure of rats to the avoidance or escape task of the ETM, and neuroinflammatory cytokine expression in hypothalamic and amygdaloid nuclei. In addition, we investigated stress-induced cutaneous thermoregulatory responses during exposure to an open-field (OF). Here we demonstrated that nine weeks of HFD intake induced obesity, in association with increased abdominal fat pad weight, increased anxiety-related defensive behavioral responses, and increased proinflammatory cytokines in hypothalamic and amygdaloid nuclei. In addition, HFD exposure altered avoidance- or escape task-induced FOS-immunoreactivity within brain structures involved in control of neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses to aversive stimuli, including the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and dorsomedial (DMH), paraventricular (PVN) and ventromedial (VMH) hypothalamic nuclei. Furthermore, rats exposed to HFD, relative to control diet-fed rats, responded with increased tail skin temperature at baseline and throughout exposure to an open-field apparatus. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that HFD induces neuroinflammation, alters excitability of brain nuclei controlling neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses to stressful stimuli, and enhances stress reactivity and anxiety-like defensive behavioral responses.

The role of posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth on online information use in breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: Changes perceived as both positive (eg, posttraumatic growth [PTG]) and negative (eg, posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS]) have been associated with intensive Internet use among breast cancer survivors. In this multicenter study, we analyzed the role of PTG and PTSS on the amount of time spent looking for online cancer information, its content, and its psychological impact. METHODS: Posttraumatic stress symptoms and PTG were assessed in 182 breast cancer survivors by using the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory questionnaires. Subjects also completed a questionnaire about their behavior when looking for online illness-related information (ie, time spent, type of contents, and psychological impact). RESULTS: Posttraumatic stress symptoms positively correlated with the amount of time spent looking for cancer-related information, including both medical and psychosocial content. By contrast, PTG showed no relationships with the amount of time, but with a predominant search for cancer-related psychosocial information. The psychological impact of online information was associated with participants' levels of PTG and/or PTSS. Whereas PTG was related to a decrease of women's hope, PTSS was linked to the perception of being less conscious or inadequately informed about the illness, thereby increasing feelings of distress. CONCLUSIONS: Posttraumatic stress symptoms and PTG show relationships with the amount of time spent online, the type of information accessed online, and the psychological impact of Internet use. Health professionals should prescribe online information according to the psychological response to cancer. There is a need for professional-led online resources to provide patients with timely information as well as support sites to facilitate psychological adjustment.

Protective effect of black relative to white race against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with severe obesity, independent of type 2 diabetes.

Severe obesity (body mass index ⩾35 kg m-2) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are potent and additive risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Scant available evidence indicates that black relative to white patients with severe obesity are less susceptible to NAFLD, but it is unclear if T2D abolishes this apparent racial disparity. Therefore, we compared biopsy-proven NAFLD and its progression between black (n=71) and white (n=155) patients with severe obesity stratified by presence or absence of T2D. Although prevalence of T2D was similar between races (37%, P>0.9), whites were significantly more likely than blacks to have NAFLD, NASH and advanced fibrosis (defined as bridging fibrosis and/or cirrhosis). Importantly, T2D was associated with increased odds of NAFLD, NASH and advanced fibrosis (defined as bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis) in whites only (P<0.05). In turn, a higher proportion of blacks than whites with T2D were free of NAFLD (58 versus 22%, P<0.01). These preliminary findings question translation of the powerful interconnection between T2D and NAFLD in whites with severe obesity to blacks and point to an important role of race in the pathophysiology and treatment of these diseases.

Peptides isolated from animal venom as a platform for new therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that deeply affects patients, their family and society. Although scientists have made intense efforts in seeking the cure for AD, no drug available today is able to stop AD progression. In this context, compounds isolated from animal venom are potentially successful drugs for neuroprotection, since they selectively bind to nervous system targets. In this review, we presented different studies using peptides isolated from animal venom for the treatment of AD. This is a growing field that will be very helpful in understanding and even curing neurodegenerative diseases, especially AD.

Membrana de látex natural de Hevea brasiliensis auxilia no processo de reparação tecidual em bovinos / Natural latex rubber from Hevea brasiliensis aids tissue repair of bovine

Feridas cutâneas em bovinos são um constante desafio clínico cirúrgico por desencadearem perdas econômicas bastante significativas. O látex proveniente da seiva da seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis) apresenta potencial terapêutico para incrementar o processo de reparação tecidual. Portanto, pretendeu-se com esse estudo avaliar o tipo de reação tecidual e os possíveis mecanismos de angiogênese desencadeados pelo implante de uma membrana de látex natural em bovinos. Para tal, foram utilizados seis bovinos da raça Nelore, submetidos ao implante subcutâneo experimental de três fragmentos de membranas de látex natural. Foram coletadas amostras de tecido e da membrana aos 15, 30 e 45 dias após a implantação, para avaliações histológicas, ultraestruturais por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e imunoistoquímicas com anticorpos antimarcador de macrófagos (MAC), CYR 61 e VEGF. O implante de látex proporcionou aumento da angiogênese e reparação tecidual em bovinos, não mediada pela expressão do VEGF e CYR 61.(AU)

Cattle wounds are a constant surgical and clinical challenge, leading to important economical losses. The latex from the sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) has therapeutic potential to enhance tissue repair process. Therefore, we evaluated the type of tissue reaction and possible mechanisms of angiogenesis triggered by implanting natural latex rubber in bovine species. Six Nelore bovines were subjected to subcutaneous experimental implant of three fragments of natural rubber latex membranes. Tissue and rubber membrane samples were harvested at 15, 30 and 45 days implantation for histology, scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemical evaluation with anti macrophage marker (MAC), anti CYR 61, anti VEGF antibodies. The latex membrane estimulates tissue reaction and repair and significant angiogenesis stimuli without activating CYR 61 and VEGF pathways.(AU)

[Evaluation of an instrument assessing the satisfaction of ophthalmological emergency service users in Chile]. / Satisfacción usuaria en urgencia oftalmológica: evaluación de la consistencia interna y validez de constructo de un instrumento aplicado en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Ocular trauma is a distressing condition feared by the general public. AIM: To evaluate the construct validity and internal consistency of an instrument to measure the level of user satisfaction in patients treated at an Ocular Trauma and Ophthalmological Emergency Unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey to measure user satisfaction was applied to patients consulting at the Ocular Trauma Unit in a public hospital on April 2014. Internal consistency and construct validity from the estimated Cronbach alpha coefficient and factor analysis were assessed. RESULTS: Surveys answered by 138 patients aged 45 ± 15 years (93% men), were analyzed. The reliability obtained for the final questionnaire was 0.88. The factor analysis yielded four factors responsible for explaining 74.1% of the total variance, related to "quality of clinical information", "treatment by health care personnel", "lighting conditions, environment and noise" and "waiting time and overall assessment of service". CONCLUSIONS: These results allow to consider the instrument as a useful and reliable tool that can be applied to ophthalmological emergency service users in Chile.

Satisfacción usuaria en urgencia oftalmológica: evaluación de la consistencia interna y validez de constructo de un instrumento aplicado en Chile / Evaluation of an instrument assessing the satisfaction of ophthalmological emergency service users in Chile

Background: Ocular trauma is a distressing condition feared by the general public. Aim: To evaluate the construct validity and internal consistency of an instrument to measure the level of user satisfaction in patients treated at an Ocular Trauma and Ophthalmological Emergency Unit. Material and Methods: A survey to measure user satisfaction was applied to patients consulting at the Ocular Trauma Unit in a public hospital on April 2014. Internal consistency and construct validity from the estimated Cronbach alpha coefficient and factor analysis were assessed. Results: Surveys answered by 138 patients aged 45 ± 15 years (93% men), were analyzed. The reliability obtained for the final questionnaire was 0.88. The factor analysis yielded four factors responsible for explaining 74.1% of the total variance, related to “quality of clinical information”, “treatment by health care personnel”, “lighting conditions, environment and noise” and “waiting time and overall assessment of service”. Conclusions: These results allow to consider the instrument as a useful and reliable tool that can be applied to ophthalmological emergency service users in Chile.

Gingival granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) as a primary manifestation of the disease.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a potentially lethal disease characterized by systemic necrotizing vasculitis, which affects small- and medium-sized blood vessels and is often associated with serum cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. The upper and lower respiratory tract and kidney are the most involved sites, but oral lesions can be identified in 6-13% of the cases, whereas in only 2% of the cases, oral manifestations represent the first signal of the disease usually as gingival swellings or unspecific ulcerations. Without treatment, the mainstay of which is the combination of immunosuppressants and systemic corticosteroids, GPA may run a fatal course. In this report we describe an original case of GPA affecting a 75-year-old female patient referred to our service due to a gingival swelling with 3-month duration. Although the patient was correctly diagnosed and promptly treated, she died 3 months after the initial diagnosis.

Pie diabético / Diabetic foot

The prevalence of diabetes has increased considerably, constituting a global epidemic today. Many of these patients will develop chronic complications of diabetes, including diabetic foot, which aggravates the patient’s clinical condition, decreases the quality of life and has a great socioeconomic impact. The most important action to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this pathology is the prevention of this complication, performing a propermetabolic management and serial control of the patient, educating about self-care of the feet. Once diabetic foot ulcer is present, the cornerstones of treatment are debridement of the wound, management of any infection, revascularization procedures when indicated, and discharge of the ulcer, all of the above in order to avoid amputation. This article intends tomake a review about the epidemiology, pathophysiology, classification, diagnosis, prevention and management of diabetic foot oriented to the primary care doctor.

Síndrome ligamento arcuato medio / Median arcuate ligament syndrome

Background: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (SLAM) is caused by extrinsic compression of the celiac artery by fibrous bands of this ligament and periaortic lymph node tissue. Case report: We report a 59 years old man with a history of weight loss, epigastric pain and a postprandial murmur. The syndrome was diagnosed by CT angiography. The patient was operated, performing a midline laparotomy and releasing the extrinsic compression. An early and sustained remission of symptoms was achieved.

Introducción: El síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio (SLAM), es causado por la compresión extrínseca del tronco celíaco por bandas fibrosas de este ligamento y tejido ganglionar periaórtico. Caso clínico: Reportamos el caso de un hombre de 59 años con historia de baja de peso, dolor postprandial y soplo epigástrico, al cual se le diagnostica SLAM por medio de angioTC. Se realiza abordaje quirúrgico, con laparotomía media y liberación de la compresión extrínseca, logrando remisión de los síntomas de forma inmediata y sostenida. El SLAM es una causa infrecuente de dolor abdominal, requiere estudio por imágenes para su diagnóstico, la resolución quirúrgica constituye su tratamiento.

Preoperative assessment and classification of benign laryngotracheal stenosis: a consensus paper of the European Laryngological Society.

Adult and pediatric laryngotracheal stenoses (LTS) comprise a wide array of various conditions that require precise preoperative assessment and classification to improve comparison of different therapeutic modalities in a matched series of patients. This consensus paper of the European Laryngological Society proposes a five-step endoscopic airway assessment and a standardized reporting system to better differentiate fresh, incipient from mature, cicatricial LTSs, simple one-level from complex multilevel LTSs and finally "healthy" from "severely morbid" patients. The proposed scoring system, which integrates all of these parameters, may be used to help define different groups of LTS patients, choose the best treatment modality for each individual patient and assess distinct post-treatment outcomes accordingly.

Electroconvulsive therapy as a treatment for refractory neuropsychiatric lupus with catatonia: three case studies and literature review.

Neuropsychiatric disorders associated with systemic lupus erythematosus are very common. Treatment generally consists of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive therapy; however, some cases are unresponsive. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a recognized treatment modality in psychiatry and is an option for refractory cases of neuropsychiatric lupus. This report describes three cases of neuropsychiatric lupus that improved with ECT after failure of antipsychotics and immunosuppressive therapy. All cases met DSM-5 criteria for catatonia (case 1: agitation, stereotypies, and grimacing; case 2: stupor, mutism, and grimacing; case 3: agitation, mutism, and stereotypies); therefore, ECT was indicated. This case series shows that ECT can be a therapeutic option in patients with neuropsychiatric lupus, especially when associated with catatonia and unresponsive to conventional treatment.

Disección espontánea de arteria mesentérica superior / Spontaneous dissection of superior mesenteric artery

Introduction: Spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (AMS) is a infrecuent pathology, representing the main frequency of isolated peripheral artery dissection, it is more common in males and occurs in the fifth decade of life. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cases analysis of patients with spontaneous dissection of AMS that were handled in our hospital, in last two years. Results: Two patients were diagnosed in this period, both active smoking and hypertensive pathology, appearing with severe abdominal and back pain. The diagnosis was made by CT angiogram of the abdomen and pelvis; establishing medical management of hypertension and standard heparin anticoagulation. Both patients had dissections at new imaging controls and one patient required exploratory laparotomy with bowel resection and intestinal anastomosis. Patients recovered satisfactorily and are in control. Conclusions: Spontaneous dissection of the SMA is a rare disease with uncertain evolution, it may occur in middle age of life, associated with smoking and hypertension. The suspected diagnosis is clinical and can be confirmed by CT angiography. Initial management remains conservative and occasionally is surgical.

Introducción: La Disección espontánea de la arteria mesentérica superior (AMS) es una patología infrecuente, representando la primera frecuencia de disección de arteria periférica aislada, ocurre más en varones en la quinta década de la vida. Material y Método: Casos en los últimos 2 años revisados en forma retrospectiva. Resultados: Dos pacientes fueron diagnosticados en este período, presentándose ambos por dolor abdominal y lumbar de gran intensidad al Servicio de Urgencia del hospital; ambos tabáquicos activos y con hipertensión arterial (HTA). El diagnóstico fue realizado por angioTC de abdomen y pelvis, instaurándose manejo médico de HTA y anticoagulación con heparina estándar. Los 2 pacientes presentaron nuevas disecciones en los controles imagenológicos y un paciente requirió laparotomía exploradora con resección intestinal y anastomosis por isquemia intestinal. Los pacientes evolucionaron satisfactoriamente y se encuentran en control. Conclusiones: La disección espontánea de la AMS es una enfermedad poco frecuente de evolución incierta, que ocurre en la edad media de la vida, asociada a tabaquismo e HTA, la sospecha es clínica y el diagnóstico por imágenes. El manejo inicial sigue siendo médico y ocasionalmente es quirúrgico.