A unique case of bleeding from esophageal varices as the first sign of essential thrombocythemia.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common cause of hospital admission and variceal hemorrhage is responsible for many UGIB cases. Esophageal and gastric varices are caused by portal hypertension (PHT), mostly due to liver cirrhosis. Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an important cause of non-cirrhotic PHT and can be associated with several diseases, including myeloproliferative disorders such as essential thrombocythemia (ET). PVT may become apparent due to complications of PHT, including variceal bleeding (VB). We report the case of a 43-year-old male admitted with esophageal VB. Etiologic work-up for chronic liver disease was negative and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed chronic PVT with cavernous transformation and a non-cirrhotic liver. JAK2 mutation was found, and the bone-marrow biopsy was consistent with ET, without peripheral blood alterations. This is a unique case of ET diagnosed in a variceal bleeding setting, remembering the necessity for high clinical suspicion.

The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Rectal Ulcers after Argon Plasma Coagulation.

Chronic radiation proctitis usually develops 3 months after therapy. Despite the lack of standard guidelines regarding treatment, argon plasma coagulation is often a safe and effective endoscopic therapy. However, rectal ulcers are a common complication after argon plasma coagulation. Nevertheless, most patients are asymptomatic and do not require additional monitoring or treatment. We report a case of an argon plasma coagulation-induced ulcer with relevant symptoms and refractory to medical treatment. The patient was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and had complete resolution of the rectal ulcer. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has shown efficacy in severe chronic proctitis and radiation-induced rectal ulcers, but no clinical report has ever been published on using hyperbaric oxygen therapy for ulcers after argon plasma coagulation. In this case, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was an effective alternative option and can be considered in patients with refractory argon plasma coagulation-induced rectal ulcers.

A proctite rádica crónica desenvolve-se habitualmente 3 meses após radioterapia. Não obstante a ausência de recomendações em relação ao tratamento desta patologia, a terapêutica endoscópica com árgon-plasma é segura e eficaz. Contudo, as úlceras retais são uma complicação frequente, apesar da maioria dos doentes serem assintomáticos e não requerem vigilância e/ou tratamento. Os autores apresentam um caso clínico de um doente com o diagnóstico de proctite rádica crónica, submetido a terapêutica com árgon-plasma com posterior desenvolvimento de úlcera retal refratária a tratamento médico conservador. O doente foi submetido a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica com resolução completa da úlcera retal. De acordo com a literatura, a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica apresenta eficácia na proctite rádica crónica grave e nas úlceras retais induzidas por radioterapia. Contudo, a utilização da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica nas úlceras retais secundárias a terapêutica com árgon-plasma ainda não foi descrita. Neste caso, a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica foi uma opção terapêutica eficaz, podendo ser considerada nas úlceras retais refratárias secundárias a terapêutica com argon-plasma.

Digestive Oncology in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

INTRODUCTION: Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been widespread concern regarding the possible delay in the diagnosis/treatment of cancer patients. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with digestive cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including patients with an inaugural digestive cancer diagnosis discussed for the first time at our center during the weekly digestive oncology reunion (DOR) meeting. The study group was enlisted from March to August 2020, and a control group was sourced from the equivalent period of 2018. Patients with a previous digestive cancer diagnosis/discussion in the DOR were excluded. The following data were collected: demographics, referral origin, tumor staging, first DOR discussion timing, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients were included: 107 in the study group (65.4% male, mean age 71.59 years); 128 in the control group (54.7% male, mean age 68.16 years). The mean number of clinical discussions per week was higher in 2018 (13.65 vs. 10.67, p = 0.040), without a difference in the mean number of patients discussed for the first time (inaugural diagnosis) between groups (p = 0.670). In the 2020 study group, more patients were referred to DOR from the emergency room (ER), fewer from the outpatient clinic/hospital wards (p < 0.001), and more were referred after urgent surgery (p = 0.022). There was no difference in the mean waiting time from diagnosis to first DOR discussion (p = 0.087). Tumor staging in colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancer was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0897, p = 0.168, and p = 0.717). More patients in the study group presented with stage IV pancreatic cancer (p = 0.043). There was no difference in the time span from DOR until the beginning of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.680) or elective surgery (p = 0.198), or from surgery until adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.396). Also, there was no difference in 30-day mortality from the first DOR date between the groups (p = 0.742). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 era there was a reduced number of clinical discussions in the DOR, but the number of debated patients with an inaugural digestive cancer diagnosis was similar. In the study group more patients were referred to DOR from the ER, and were referred after urgent surgery, suggesting a delayed demand for clinical attention. Study group patients were not significantly affected by the pandemic regarding timely DOR discussion, beginning of treatment, or 30-day mortality, reflecting the maintenance of the quality of care for digestive cancer patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: Desde o início da pandemia por COVID-19, desenvolveu-se a preocupação com o possível atraso no diagnóstico/tratamento dos doentes oncológicos. O nosso objetivo foi avaliar o impacto da pandemia no diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico dos doentes com cancro digestivo. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospetivo, incluindo doentes com diagnóstico inaugural de cancro digestivo, discutidos pela primeira vez na reunião semanal de oncologia digestiva (ROD) do nosso hospital, de Março-Agosto 2020 (grupo de estudo) e do período equivalente de 2018 (grupo controlo). Excluídos doentes com diagnóstico prévio de cancro digestivo/discussão prévia na ROD. Colheram-se: dados demográficos, origem da referenciação, estadio tumoral ao diagnóstico, data da primeira discussão na ROD, tratamento e prognóstico. RESULTADOS: Incluídos 235 doentes, 107 no grupo de estudo (65.4% homens, idade média 71.59), 128 no grupo controlo (54.7% homens, idade média 68.16). Número médio de discussões clínicas semanais na ROD foi superior em 2018 (13.65 vs. 10.67, p = 0.040). Sem diferença estatisticamente significativa no número de doentes discutidos pela primeira vez na ROD (diagnóstico inaugural) entre os grupos (p = 0.670). Mais doentes referenciados à ROD do Serviço de Urgência (SU) em 2020, menos a partir do ambulatório/ enfermaria (p < 0.001) e mais doentes referenciados após cirurgia urgente em 2020 (p = 0.022). Sem diferença entre os dois grupos no tempo médio de espera desde diagnóstico até a primeira discussão na ROD (p = 0.087). O estadio tumoral do cancro colorretal, gástrico e esofágico não foi significativamente diferente nos dois grupos (p = 0897, p = 0.168 e p = 0.717). Mais doentes apresentaram cancro pancreático em estadio IV no grupo de estudo (p = 0.043). Sem diferença no tempo desde ROD até início de quimioterapia neoadjuvante (p = 0.680) ou cirurgia eletiva (p = 0.198), nem da cirurgia até quimioterapia adjuvante (p = 0.396). Sem diferença na mortalidade aos 30 dias após primeira discussão na ROD nos dois grupos (p = 0.742). CONCLUSÃO: Durante a pandemia, o número de discussões clínicas na ROD foi inferior, mas o número de doentes com diagnóstico inaugural de cancro digestivo foi semelhante. No grupo de estudo, mais doentes foram referenciados à ROD do SU e mais após cirurgia urgente, sugerindo maior demora dos doentes para procurar atenção médica. Em 2020, os doentes não foram significativamente afetados pela pandemia relativamente à discussão atempada na ROD, início de tratamento ou mortalidade aos 30 dias, refletindo a manutenção da qualidade do suporte clínico aos doentes com cancro digestivo.

Anemia and Hematopoietic Factor Deficiencies in Patients after Endoscopic Gastrostomy: A Nine-Year and 472-Patient Study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) may present protein-energy malnutrition, anemia and deficiencies of hematopoietic factors, e.g., iron, folate and vitamin B12. There are no comprehensive studies on anemia or other hematological changes in PEG-patients. Our aim was to evaluate the hematological status of dysphagic patients that had undergone PEG and its association with clinical outcome. METHODS: This research comprises a retrospective study of patients followed by our Artificial Feeding Team, submitted to PEG from 2010 to 2018. Patients were divided into two etiological groups: neurological dysphagia (ND) and head/neck or esophageal disorders (HNE). Laboratory data included serum albumin, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, ferritin, transferrin, iron, vitamin B12 and folate. Survival after PEG was recorded in months, until death or December 2018. RESULTS: We evaluated 472 patients; 250 (53%) presented anemia at the moment of gastrostomy, mostly normocytic (n = 219), with laboratory data suggestive of anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Six patients (1.3%) presented vitamin B12 deficiency and 57 (12.1%) presented folate deficit. No statistically significant difference in hemoglobin was found between the etiological groups (p = 0.230). Folate and vitamin B12 levels were lower in the HNE group (p < 0.01). A positive correlation between hemoglobin and survival was present (p < 0.01, r = 0.289), and hemoglobin levels were lower in the deceased population (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Anemia is frequent in PEG-patients, mostly with the features of ACD or multifactorial. It is associated with significant decrease in survival and may be viewed as a marker of severe metabolic distress, signaling poor outcome.

Feasibility, safety and outcome of endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with esophageal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Background and aims: esophageal cancer (EC) is an important health problem worldwide with high morbidity and mortality. EC patients are likely to develop malnutrition. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding in EC cancer, and to identify risk factors associated with poor prognosis. Methods: a retrospective observational study was performed using records from EC patients referred for PEG. Age, gender, cancer histologic subtype, indication for gastrostomy, and mortality data were recorded. NRS 2002, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, serum albumin, transferrin and total cholesterol were collected at the day of PEG. An association between anthropometric, clinical and laboratorial data with patient survival was assessed. Results: data were obtained for forty-one EC patients (36 men and 5 women) aged 39-88 years (mean, 62 years). Gastrostomy was possible in all patients referred to PEG (27 patients selected for curative treatment and 14 patients for palliative nutrition). No major complications occurred. Mean survival after PEG was 18.1 months, and mortality rate at 3 months was 31.7 %. Most patients (34; 82.9 %) died under PEG feeding. Mean BMI was 21.3 kg/m2 and 14 patients (34.1 %) patients had low BMI. Serum albumin, transferrin and total cholesterol were low in 10 (24.4 %), 20 (48.8 %) and 18 (43.9 %) patients, respectively. Higher BMI (R = 0.30), serum albumin (R = 0.41) and transferrin (R = 0.47) tended to be positively correlated with survival (p < 0.005). Conclusions: PEG is a feasible and safe technique for enteral feeding in EC patients. Higher BMI, serum albumin and transferrin levels at admission predict a better outcome. Enteral feeding through PEG should be considered early in EC patients due to their higher risk of malnutrition, which is associated with shorter survival.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción y objetivos: los pacientes con EC presentan una elevada probabilidad de desarrollar desnutrición. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la viabilidad y seguridad de la alimentación por gastrostomía endoscópica (PEG) en los EC e identificar los factores de riesgo asociados con un peor pronóstico. Métodos: estudio observacional retrospectivo utilizando registros de pacientes con EC remitidos para PEG. Se registraron edad, género, subtipo histológico del cáncer, indicación de gastrostomía y datos de mortalidad. El NRS 2002, el índice de masa corporal (IMC), la hemoglobina, la albúmina sérica, la transferrina y el colesterol total se recogieron el día de la PEG. Se evaluó la asociación de los datos antropométricos, clínicos y de laboratorio con la supervivencia del paciente. Resultados: se obtuvieron datos de 41 pacientes con EC (36 hombres y 5 mujeres), con edades entre 39 y 88 años (media 62 años). La gastrostomía fue posible en todos los pacientes remitidos a PEG (27 pacientes seleccionados para tratamiento curativo y 14 pacientes para nutrición paliativa). No ocurrieron complicaciones mayores. La supervivencia media después de la PEG fue de 18,1 meses y la tasa de mortalidad a los 3 meses fue del 31,7 %. La mayoría de los pacientes (34; 82,9 %) murieron bajo alimentación con PEG. El IMC medio fue 21.3 kg/m2 y 14 pacientes (34,1 %) pacientes presentaron un IMC bajo. La albúmina sérica, transferrina y colesterol total fueron bajos en 10 (24,4 %), 20 (48,8 %) y 18 (43,9 %) pacientes, respectivamente. El IMC alto (R = 0,30), la albúmina sérica (R = 0,41) y transferrina (R = 0,47) tienden a correlacionarse positivamente con la supervivencia (p < 0,005). Conclusiones: la PEG es una técnica factible y segura para la alimentación enteral de los pacientes con EC. Los niveles más altos de IMC, albúmina sérica y transferrina al ingreso predicen un mejor resultado. La alimentación enteral a través de PEG debe considerarse temprano en pacientes con EC debido al mayor riesgo de desnutrición, que se asocia a supervivencia más corta.

Análise da demanda e implicação dos pais no tratamento infantil / Analysis of demand and parent involvement in children's treatment / Análisis de la demanda y la participación de los padres em el tratamiento de los niños

O trabalho em equipe da Residência Integrada Multiprofissional em Saúde (RIMS) visa ao atendimento integral do indivíduo. Na área da criança, a maioria dos casos acolhidos por uma equipe de RIMS evidenciou queixas relacionadas à hipótese diagnóstica de transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) e dificuldades de aprendizagem. Este artigo objetivou relatar os resultados de uma pesquisa qualitativa que visou compreender, sob a ótica da Psicologia, as demandas presentes no atendimento de cinco crianças de idade entre seis e oito anos com as características citadas. Para tanto, foram revistos os prontuários e as anotações da equipe e realizadas entrevistas com os cuidadores. Observaram-se demandas que suplantavam a queixa inicial, relacionadas aos aspectos da história de vida da criança e dificuldades pessoais dos cuidadores. Houve influência dessas dificuldades, dos padrões sociais de tratamento e da medicalização nos resultados das intervenções.

The work of the Multiprofessional Integrated Residency in Health (RIMS) team is aimed at the comprehensive care of the individual. In the children's area, most cases received by a team of RIMS reveals complains related to the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities. This article looks to report the results of a qualitative research aimed to understand, from a Psychological perspective, the present demands on the treatment of five children between six and eight years old with these diagnoses. To accomplish this, we reviewed the medical records, interview's notes from staff and carers. We observed demands that outweigh the initial complaint related to aspects of the history of children's lives and personal problems of caregivers. There was influence of these difficulties, social standards of treatment and the medicalization in the interventions results.

El trabajo en equipo multiprofesional integrado en la Residencia en Salud (RIMS) está dirigido a la atención integral de la persona. En el área de los niños, la mayoría de los casos recibidos por un equipo del RIMS quejas reveló el diagnóstico de Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) y problemas de aprendizaje. Este artículo pretende informar sobre los resultados de una investigación cualitativa dirigida a comprender la perspectiva de la psicología, las demandas actuales en el cuidado de cinco niños entre seis y ocho años con estos diagnósticos. Para ello, se revisaron los registros médicos notas, de entrevistas con el personal y los cuidadores. Demanda observada a entender que superan la denuncia inicial, en relación con los aspectos de la historia de la vida de los niños y los problemas personales de los cuidadores. Hubo influencia de estas dificultades, las normas sociales de tratamiento y resultados en la medicalización de las intervenciones.