[Delayed diagnosis of osteosarcoma in adults: a prognostic factor to be considered]. / Retraso en el diagnóstico de osteosarcoma en adultos: un factor pronóstico que debemos considerar.

INTRODUCTION: different variables have been associated with a worse prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma (OS), highlighting tumor size, location in the axial skeleton and the presence of metastases. The objective of this study is to analyze the prognostic impact of diagnostic delay in osteosarcoma in adults in the Mexican population in a center specialized in sarcomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2016, 96 patients over 21 years of age with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma were analyzed. RESULTS: the median time to diagnosis from the onset of symptoms was six months (range: 2-36). This variable was dichotomized by applying the operator-dependent curve (ROC) analysis and we determined a cut-off value greater than five months, with an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.93 [95% CI 0.86-0.97], sensitivity 93.2% and specificity 94.6%. CONCLUSION: time until diagnosis is a critical factor in the survival of adult patients with osteosarcoma, highlighting its influence on disease progression and the appearance of metastasis. The correlation between diagnostic delay and an unfavorable prognosis reinforces the need for rapid and efficient evaluation in suspected cases of osteosarcoma.

INTRODUCCIÓN: diferentes variables se han asociado con un peor pronóstico de los pacientes con osteosarcoma, destacando el tamaño tumoral, la localización en esqueleto axial y la presencia de metástasis. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto pronóstico del retraso diagnóstico en osteosarcoma en adultos en población mexicana en un centro especializado en sarcomas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio de tipo cohorte retrospectiva del 1 de Enero del 2005 al 31 de Diciembre de 2016, se analizaron 96 pacientes mayores de 21 años con diagnóstico de osteosarcoma. RESULTADOS: la mediana de tiempo al diagnóstico desde el inicio de síntomas fue de seis meses (rango: 2-36). Esta variable se dicotomizó aplicando el análisis de curva dependiente de operador (ROC) y determinamos un valor de corte mayor a cinco meses con un área bajo la curva (AUC) = 0.93 [IC95% 0.86-0.97], sensibilidad 93.2% y especificidad 94.6%. CONCLUSIÓN: el tiempo hasta el diagnóstico es un factor crítico en la supervivencia de los pacientes adultos con osteosarcoma, destacando su influencia en la progresión de la enfermedad y la aparición de metástasis. La correlación entre el retraso diagnóstico y un pronóstico desfavorable refuerza la necesidad de una evaluación rápida y eficiente en casos sospechosos de osteosarcoma.

[Prognostic factors associated with failure of modular knee arthroplasty in oncologic patients]. / Factores pronósticos asociados al fracaso de la artroplastía modular de rodilla en pacientes oncológicos.

INTRODUCTION: reconstruction of large bone defects using modular knee arthroplasty (MKA) presents a significant challenge in terms of functionality. The objective of the present work was to identify the different prognostic factors associated with failure of MKA in cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a retrospective cohort study was conducted, including patients with a diagnosis of musculoskeletal tumor in the distal femur or proximal tibia, who underwent MKA between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. RESULTS: 49 patients were included, of which 25 (51.02%) were women and 24 (48.98%) men, with a mean age of 29.57 years. Of these, 14 (28.57%) patients experienced some type of MKA failure. The most frequent complication that led to failure was periprosthetic infection, observed in seven (14.29%) patients. Variables associated with MKA failure included biopsies performed outside our hospital (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-6.4, p = 0.02), the length of the long axis of the tumor (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-4.6, p = 0.01) and a prolonged surgical time (HR 3.37, 95% CI 1.1-8.6, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: the most significant prognostic factors associated with MKA failure in our cohort were tumor size, prolonged surgical time, and performance of the diagnostic biopsy in a center not specialized in the management of this type of patient. These findings highlight the importance of considering these variables to improve outcomes in patients undergoing MKA.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la reconstrucción de grandes defectos óseos mediante artroplastía modular de rodilla (AMR) representa un desafío significativo en términos de funcionalidad. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar los diferentes factores pronósticos asociados al fracaso de la AMR en pacientes oncológicos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva, incluyendo pacientes con diagnóstico de tumor musculoesquelético en el fémur distal o la tibia proximal, que fueron sometidos a AMR entre el 1 de Enero de 2010 y el 31 de Diciembre de 2021. RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 49 pacientes, de los cuales 25 (51.02%) eran mujeres y 24 (48.98%) hombres, con una edad media de 29.57 años. De éstos, 14 (28.57%) pacientes experimentaron algún tipo de fracaso de la AMR. La complicación más frecuente que condicionó el fracaso fue la infección periprotésica, observada en siete (14.29%) pacientes. Las variables asociadas con el fracaso de las AMR incluyeron biopsias realizadas fuera de nuestro hospital (HR 3.2, IC95% 1.4-6.4, p = 0.02), longitud del eje mayor del tumor (HR 2.1, IC95% 1.2-4.6, p = 0.01) y tiempo quirúrgico prolongado (HR 3.37, IC95% 1.1-8.6, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIÓN: los factores pronósticos asociados al fracaso de las AMR en nuestra cohorte fueron el tamaño del tumor, un tiempo quirúrgico prolongado y la realización de la biopsia diagnóstica en un centro no especializado en el manejo de este tipo de pacientes. Estos hallazgos resaltan la importancia de considerar estas variables en pacientes sometidos a AMR.

Genetic testing in severe aplastic anemia is required for optimal hematopoietic cell transplant outcomes.

Patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) can have an unrecognized inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) because of phenotypic heterogeneity. We curated germline genetic variants in 104 IBMFS-associated genes from exome sequencing performed on 732 patients who underwent hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) between 1989 and 2015 for acquired SAA. Patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants fitting known disease zygosity patterns were deemed unrecognized IBMFS. Carriers were defined as patients with a single P/LP variant in an autosomal recessive gene or females with an X-linked recessive P/LP variant. Cox proportional hazard models were used for survival analysis with follow-up until 2017. We identified 113 P/LP single-nucleotide variants or small insertions/deletions and 10 copy number variants across 42 genes in 121 patients. Ninety-one patients had 105 in silico predicted deleterious variants of uncertain significance (dVUS). Forty-eight patients (6.6%) had an unrecognized IBMFS (33% adults), and 73 (10%) were carriers. No survival difference between dVUS and acquired SAA was noted. Compared with acquired SAA (no P/LP variants), patients with unrecognized IBMFS, but not carriers, had worse survival after HCT (IBMFS hazard ratio [HR], 2.13; 95% confidence interval[CI], 1.40-3.24; P = .0004; carriers HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.62-1.50; P = .86). Results were similar in analyses restricted to patients receiving reduced-intensity conditioning (n = 448; HR IBMFS = 2.39; P = .01). The excess mortality risk in unrecognized IBMFS attributed to death from organ failure (HR = 4.88; P < .0001). Genetic testing should be part of the diagnostic evaluation for all patients with SAA to tailor therapeutic regimens. Carriers of a pathogenic variant in an IBMFS gene can follow HCT regimens for acquired SAA.

Presence of incomplete superficial axillary arch and pectoralis quartus muscle in one male body / Presencia en un individuo de un arco axilar superficial incompleto y de un músculo pectoral cuarto

SUMMARY: The anatomical variations of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM) and latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) range from agenesis to the presence of supernumerary fascicles with a variety of insertions and relationships with the muscles, fascia, vessels, nerves and skeletal components of the shoulder girdle and the axilla. Many of these variations are clinically irrelevant, but extremely interesting and revealing from the perspective of comparative anatomy, ontogeny, and phylogeny. In this report, we present two different supernumerary muscles in the chest of one adult male body, identified during dissection practice of undergraduate medical students at Universidad Surcolombiana. These supernumerary fascicles in the axillary region were caudal to the lower edge of the PMM on the right side of the chest, and in contact with the anterior edge of the LDM on the left side of the chest; each fascicle was inserted in the ipsilateral coracoid process. These observations are congruent with the pectoralis quartus muscle and an incomplete and superficial axillary arch, respectively.

RESUMEN: Las variaciones anatómicas del músculo pectoral mayor (MPM) y del músculo latísimo del dorso (MLD) van desde la agenesia hasta la presencia de fascículos supernumerarios con una variedad de inserciones y relaciones con los músculos, fascias, vasos, nervios y componentes esqueléticos de la cintura escapular y la axila. Clínicamente, muchas de las variaciones son irrelevantes, pero extremadamente interesantes y reveladoras desde la perspectiva de la anatomía comparada, la ontogenia y la filogenia. En este estudio, presentamos dos músculos supernumerarios diferentes en la pared torácica de un hombre adulto, identificados durante la práctica de disección de estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad Surcolombiana. Estos fascículos supernumerarios en la región axilar estaban caudales al margen inferior del MPM en el lado derecho del tórax y en contacto con el margen anterior del MLD en el lado izquierdo del tórax; cada fascículo se insertaba en el proceso coracoides ipsilateral. Estas observaciones son congruentes con el músculo pectoral cuarto y un arco axilar incompleto y superficial, respectivamente.

Age determination in subadults using histological analysis of bones / Determinación de la edad en subadultos usando análisis histológico de los huesos

Abstract Introduction: According to the literature, the amount of osteons has been suggested as a good proxy to determine the age of death in adults. However in subadults research has not been carried out yet. Objective: To determine the accuracy of the histomorphometric technique predicting the age at death in subadults using bone remains. Methodology: The information of static histomorphometric parameters from about 120 iliac bones retrieved from the exhumed remains of subadults whose age at death was known was taken from the Granada collection. In order to predict the age at death we performed a step by step linear regression to estimate the fittest model. Results: The most closely and significantly associated biopsy findings with age were: the osteon count, the internal cortical width, and the trabecular bone volume. Pearson's correlation index indicated a weak linear association among these variables. To assess the accuracy of the model we used a coefficient of determination with a 0.32 value. 32% of the age variation in the subadults was explained by the three variables. Conclusion: This regression model explains a percentage of the total age variation in the subadult population. However this model is not enough to determine the age at death.

Resumen Introducción: La capacidad de predicción de las osteonas para determinar la edad de muerte de los individuos ha sido descrito en la literatura científica. No obstante, no se ha determinado dicha capacidad en individuos subadultos. Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia de lo parámetros histomorfometricos en población subadulta. Metodología: Se realizaron biopsias de hueso ilíaco en los restos de 120 subadultos, de la Colección Osteológica de Granada, con edad conocida en el momento de la muerte. Para establecer la capacidad de predicción se utilizó el R2 obtenido a partir de regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: Las variables con mayor nivel predictivo y significativo para la estimación de la edad fueron: recuento de osteonas tipo 2 de la cortical interna y externa, y el volumen óseo trabecular; En la evaluación del modelo, se obtuvo un coeficiente de determinación de 0.32, es decir, el 32% de la variación en la edad de los subadultos se explica por el modelo. Sin embargo, se evidenció diferencias en la capacidad de predicción por sexo. Conclusión: Este modelo de regresión explica un porcentaje sustancial de la varianza de la edad de los individuos en la muestra. No obstante, no es suficiente para garantizar una adecuada predicción de la edad al momento de muerte de los individuos subdultos.

High incidence of anti-cytokine autoantibodies in dogs with immune diseases suggests important immuno-regulatory functions.

Autoantibodies against cytokines have been associated with immunodeficiency, susceptibility to infectious diseases, autoimmunity and inflammation in humans, but have not yet been investigated in the Veterinary field so far. The aim of the current study was to determine the presence of anti-cytokine autoantibodies in canines suffering from various conditions including recurrent infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer in comparison to healthy controls. This is the first report of the presence of autoantibodies against cytokines in dogs. A total of 101 serum samples (51 patients and 50 clinically healthy dogs) from the state of Mexico and surroundings were analysed using a multiplex bead-based flow cytometry assay. Results show significant levels of various anti-cytokine autoantibodies in diseased dogs but not in healthy controls. In addition we show distinct associations of various disease types to the specificity of anti-cytokine autoantibodies and to response complexities. Apart from the direct functional/causal implication of anti-cytokine auto-antibodies on disease processes, this findings point to the possibility to use anti-cytokine response patterns as diagnostic tools.

Comparative study between two different staging systems (AJCC TNM VS BALLANTYNE'S) for mucosal melanomas of the Head & Neck.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal melanoma (MM) of head and neck (H&N) is a rare entity with a quite poor prognosis. Ballantyne's staging system has been commonly used since 1970. In the 7th edition of the AJCC Staging Manual a new chapter for the staging of TNM Classification system for mucosal melanoma (MM) of the head and neck (H&N) has been introduced to reflect the particularly aggressive biological behavior of this neoplasm. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare among Ballantyne's staging system vs TNM H&N in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in a consecutive population of patients with MM in a cancer centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of demographic, clinical and pathological variables of MM of the Head & Neck were performed. We compared the survival curves for both systems according to the Kaplan-Meier method using the Log-rank test. RESULTS: An up-staging migration effect from Ballantyne's localized disease to moderate-ly and very advanced disease according to AJCC staging system. The 5-year DFS and OS for Ballantyne's Localized Disease and AJCC Stage III were 31% and 36% vs. 47% and 50%, respectively. For locoregional disease the 5-year DFS / OS were 5% / 10% for Ballantyne's system vs. 13.8% / 17.8% and 0 / 0% for AJCC Stages IVA and IVB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, the TNM staging system for MM of the H&N predicted the prognosis of the disease when comparing with Ballantyne's system.

Induction chemotherapy followed by supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) in T3NO arytenoid fixation-related glottic cancer.

Induction chemotherapy followed by supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEF) in T3NO arytenoid fixation-related glottic cancer. OBJECTIVE: Arytenoid fixation in the larynx has been considered a contraindication for performing organ preservation surgery (OPS). We present a retrospective series of cases of arytenoid fixation-related T3N0 glottic cancer treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by OPS. MATERIAL: Retrospective review of 19 patients (from 2008 to 2012) with T3NO glottic cancer who received two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluoruracil (PPF), with a 21-day interval between each cycle, followed by supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP). RESULTS: Sixteen patients with a mean age of 56.4 years received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a clinical response (7 partial response/9 complete response) and radiologic response by computed tomography (CT) (7 partial response/7 complete response/2 cases without CT) were treated with SCPL-CHEP and removal of the arytenoid cartilage in the tumour site (10 left/6 right), bilateral neck dissection of levels II to V and searching of the Delphian node. There was one patient who died after a recurrence in the larynx and who also had an additional concomitant second primary tumour, and a second patient with a second primary tumour in the lung, who is still alive after treatment. Disease-free survival (DFS) was 82.5% at 5 years and overall survival (OS) was 80% at 5 years. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy proved beneficial in patients waiting for surgery, helped maximize the oncologic benefit of the surgery provided (good local control using SCPL with CHEP), improved regional and distant control, minimized side effects by avoiding treatment with radiotherapy whenever possible, and proved feasible even in the presence of ipsilateral arytenoid fixation. Our results are encouraging, although a multi-centre randomized clinical trial should be performed in order to identify the true impact of this approach.

Factores y determinantes del consumo de comida chatarra en estudiantes de la facultad de medicina, enfermería, nutrición y tecnología medica, La Paz- Bolivia 2016 / Determining factors and junk food consumption of students of the faculty of medicine, nutrition, enfermery and tecnolgy medical, La Paz – Bolivia, 2016

La comida chatarra se ha convertido en parte de los hábitos alimentarios de nuestra sociedad, siendo un factor determinante del sobrepeso y obesidad, entre otras enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, que atentan contra la buena salud que deberían gozar los estudiantes para un óptimo rendimiento académico. Una investigación realizada en Chile a estudiantes mostró que el 58,6 % consume comida chatarra debido a una ingesta inadecuada del desayuno, la omisión de ciertos tiempos de comida; el consumo de alimentos de mala calidad preparados en cafeterías de la misma universidad o lugares aledaños a causa de la falta de tiempo por la distancia hasta sus hogares. La misma realidad se ha observado en nuestra ciudad, de ahí la importancia de realizar y obtener resultados con este estudio. OBJETIVO: Identificar factores y determinantes de consumo de comida chatarra en estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina, Nutrición, Enfermería y Tecnología Médica de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés - 2016. METODOLOGÍA: Descriptivo - transversal el análisis estadístico se utilizó SPSS Vr. 19 RESULTADOS: De 100 encuestados 69% son mujeres y 31% varones, el promedio de edad de la población estudiada fue de 22 años, 43% estudian medicina, 58% residentes en La Paz, 59% realiza actividad física, el 28% de las mujeres consume bocaditos, 38% sabe que la comida chatarra causa ECNT y su consumo en La Paz llega al 28% siendo el mayor, 36% consume al menos una vez/semana bebidas gaseosas y el 50,7% del sexo femenino reemplaza el almuerzo por comida chatarra frente al sexo masculino de 48,38%. El consumo de agua es bajo en mujeres, el 32% de 1 a 3 veces/día, el 48% reemplaza el almuerzo por comida chatarra y el 38% de medicina y 28% de nutrición tienen conocimiento de las ECNT que causan la comida chatarra.

Junk food has become part of the eating habits of our society; being a determinant of overweight and obesity are chronic non communicable diseases. According to research students in Chile was observed that 56.8% consumes junk food due to inadequate intake of breakfast, the omission of certain meal times, the consumption of this type of food do in snacks at the university or in surrounding areas because of the lack of time for the trip they make to their homes. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors and determinants of consumption of junk food students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of San Andres 2016. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using the survey to students of the Faculty of Medicine for the descriptive analysis of data SPSS 19 was used. RESULTS: Sample of 100 students 69% female and 31% are male, The mean age of the study population was 22 years, 43% from medicine, 58% live in the city of La Paz, the total 59% do physical activity, females have a frequency of 28% consumption of snacks, 38% know that junk food causes chronic disease, eating junk reaches 28% in La Paz being the highest, 36% consumes once / week fizzy drinks and 50.7% female replaced by junk food lunch male versus 48.38%. water consumption is low in women of 32% from 1 to 3 times / day, 48% replaces lunch for junk food and 38% medical and 28 % knowledge of nutrition have chronic disease causing junk food.

Análisis digital comparativo de diferentes hábitos cristalinos de fenitoina / Comparative digital analysis of different phenytoin crystal habits

Background: Description of the external shape of the particles for pharmaceutical use has usually been subjective, cumbersome or slow, even when the techniques have used digital image processing. This study sought to evaluate the crystal habit of raw material of phenytoin by two digital techniques, one of them based on the edges definition of particles images, using conventional geometric descriptors, and the other one describing the surface texture. These estimates were optimized using multivariate statistical analysis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate an appropriate way to characterize the crystalline habit of raw materials used in the pharmaceutical industry, from information obtained when it used some digital measuring techniques. Methods: Classical and mathematical descriptors were used, in addition to a modified method of texture analysis technique based on the gray levels co-occurrence matrix (GLCM). Phenytoin was used as the raw material model, since this showed different crystal habits when some conditions were changed in the recrystallization process. The evaluation of measurements was made previously calibrating the meaning of the descriptors with different geometric shapes, and then solving it with the help of multivariate analysis techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (ACJ). Results: Calibration figures were grouped into two descriptors based on the degree of homogenization depicted in images of the particles. The crystal habits of phenytoin were defined by compaction and by elongation and irregularity, which was also found with the technique of Matrix Co-occurrence of gray levels of texture measurement. Conclusion: It decreased the subjectivity of the definition of crystalline habits of phenytoin when using a combination of less than four classical and mathematical descriptors, obtained through multivariate analysis.

Combinatorial treatment of bone marrow stem cells and stromal cell-derived factor 1 improves glycemia and insulin production in diabetic mice.

Transdifferentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells for the treatment of diabetes have shown promising but inconsistent results. We examined the potential for attracting bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to the pancreas using a chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). SDF-1 treatment markedly increased the number of GFP labeled BMSCs in the pancreas, but surprisingly, the majority was observed in liver. The liver cells had typical pancreatic endocrine cell gene expression including insulin I, insulin II, PDX-1, somatostatin, and glucagon. Combined treatment with SDF-1 and BMSC transplant reduced hyperglycemia and prolonged the long-term survival of diabetic mice, and a sub group had complete normoglycemia (<150 mg/dl), restored blood insulin levels, and normal glucose tolerance. Our results suggest that SDF-1 could potentially be used to improve the homing of stem cells and ß-cell regeneration. The mechanism appears to involve an increase in insulin producing cells mainly in the liver.

Incidence of complications and mortality in a type 2 diabetes patient cohort study followed up from diagnosis in a primary healthcare centre.

AIMS: To determine the microvascular and macrovascular complications and mortality incidence rates and to identify the related factors in patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 1991 and 2000 and followed until 2006. METHODS: Retrospective longitudinal study in a primary healthcare center. Patients without any measure of glycaemia in the 3 years previous to diabetes diagnosis were excluded. Annual incidence rates for microvascular and macrovascular complications and mortality were estimated. Analysis of KaplanMeier survival curves and Cox proportional risk models by gender were done. RESULTS: Of 469 patients [mean age: 60.4 (SD 10.7) years, 53.9% women], 80 died principally of tumoral (38.7%) and cardiovascular (30%) causes. The mean follow-up period was 8.81 years. (SD 3.21). The complication rates per 1000 patients/year (95% CI) were: microvascular complications 29.11 (22.97-36.38), macrovascular complications 24.10 (19.05-30.08) and mortality 19.23 (15.25-23.93), all of those being significantly greater in males except for cerebrovascular disease. Complications and mortality were associated with age, HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking with a different significance for each gender. HbA1c was related to microvascular complications in both sexes and to macrovascular complications only in women. CONCLUSION: The annual rates for death and complications in a Mediterranean type 2 diabetic patient cohort followed from diagnosis were lower than those published in Anglo-Saxon countries. Males showed higher death and complication rates except in terms of cerebrovascular disease. Predictors of complication and death were different depending on gender. In terms of mortality, unlike in other studies, only one-third of the deaths were for cardiovascular causes.

Disseminated nocardiosis: a rare infectious complication following non-heart-beating donor liver transplantation.

Nocardiosis is an infrequent disease that affects patients who display a cellular immunodeficiency, such as transplant recipients on immunosuppressive treatment, but uncommonly associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Disseminated Nocardiosis affecting the central nervous system (CNS), abdomen, skin, and lungs has been described in bone marrow, lung, and kidney transplant recipients. However, to our knowledge, no cases involving all of these structures have been reported in liver transplant recipients. Herein, we have reported a case of CNS, pulmonary, and cutaneous nocardiosis in a liver transplant recipient who experienced hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and received the organ from a non-heart-beating donor. At posttransplantation month 7 the patient was admitted to the emergency department with poor general health status, fever, edema, and subcutaneous nodules in the legs. A computed tomography scan revealed multiple nodules disseminated through both lungs, abdomen, brain, and subcutaneous tissue. A needle biopsy was performed into one of the subcutaneous nodules. Cultures of the material tested positive for Nocardia farcinica. Thus, we started treatment with intravenous sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP), shifting after 1 month to oral therapy. Radiological examination performed after 2 weeks of treatment showed a 70% reduction in subcutaneous, pulmonary, and cerebral lesions. After 6 months of SMZ-TMP treatment, the patient remained free of the symptoms with involution of the subcutaneous nodules and significant radiological improvement. Among opportunistic infections appearing in liver transplant recipients, Nocardia species should have special consideration according to the success of early treatment and the bad prognosis in cases of delayed diagnosis.

Tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: recurrence pathway and prognostic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation (OLT) has been advocated as a good management option for patients with carcinoma hepatocellular (HCC). More recurrences are extrahepatic due to many pathological factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1986 to December 2003, we performed 95. OLTs for HCC including 73% men of mean age of 54.7 years and 25.3% not filling Mazzaferro's criteria. RESULTS: The recurrence incidence was 15.8% (n = 15), including only extrahepatic lesions in 11 (mainly lung recurrence, seven) and hepatic plus extrahepatic in four. Main late mortality was due to tumor recurrence (n = 12, 33.3%). No differences were observed among sex, preoperative chemoembolization, age, Child, Okuda, etiology, or satellite nodules. A greater incidence of tumor recurrence was observed with a preoperative biopsy (45.5% vs 5.9%, P = .0001); and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) > 200 ng/mL (37.5% vs 13.3%, P = .08); known HCC (25.5% vs 3.1%, P = .008); vascular invasion (42.1% vs 10.3%, P = .001); > 5 cm single nodule (50% vs 13%, P = .004); more than three nodules (50% vs 13.9%, P = .01); moderately to poorly differentiated tumors (37.5% vs 12.7%, P = .01); pTNM IV (50% vs 8.7%, P = .0001); and not meeting Milan criteria (40.9% vs 9.2%, P = .001). These are the same factors for extrahepatic recurrence. For hepatic recurrence the prognostic factors were: vascular invasion (15.8% vs 1.5%, P = .008), more than three nodules (25% vs 2.5%, P = .004), moderately to poorly differentiated tumors (18.8% vs 1.4%, P = .003), pTNM IV (16.7% vs 1.4%, P = .006), and not meeting Milan criteria (13.6% vs 1.5%, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence incidence with Milan criteria was less than 10%, mainly extrahepatic (lung). Prognostic factors for tumor recurrence were pathological features, namely vascular invasion, more than three nodules, size larger than 5 cm, moderately to poorly differentiated tumors, pTNM IV stage. The use of preoperative chemoembolization did not decrease the recurrence rate. A preoperative biopsy increased the incidence of extrahepatic recurrence.

Second case of neurocysticercosis in a patient with liver transplantation (first case in Spain): a case report.

BACKGROUND: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a disorder caused by the Taenia solium larva. It is the most common parasitosis of the central nervous system (CNS). Its distribution is universal, but it is endemic in many developing countries and in the third world. In Spain most patients come from countries where the condition is endemic. However, sporadic cases occur among the population of rural regions. NCC in transplant recipients is uncommon. One renal transplant recipient developed NCC but responded to treatment with praziquantel. Recently, it has been reported to complicate a liver transplantation. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 49-year-old Ecuatorian man who received a cadaveric donor liver graft in June 2001 due to acute liver failure induced by toadstool and was under treatment with FK506. In January 2006, the patient presented with a generalized onset of a tonic-clonic seizure for 1 minute without sphincter incontinence, headache, fever, or previous brain trauma. Neurological evaluation did not show evidence of organic brain dysfunction. The neuroimaging findings (brain) computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging were compatible with NCC: many cystic lesions intra- and extraparenchymatous with a scolex visible in three of them. Serology for cysticercosis in plasma was initially indeterminate but positive afterward. The patient was treated with anticonvulsivants (valproic acid) and albendazole. Systemic steroids were added in order to reduce the edema produced upon death of the cyst. Treatment lasted 3 weeks and it was completed without complications or neurological symptoms. Liver function was not affected. One year later the patient remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: NCC is a condition that must be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with CNS involvement and cystic lesions on neuroimaging investigations in transplant recipients, especially patients originating from or traveling to endemic areas. First-line therapy for active cysts includes antiparasitic drugs (albendazole or praziquantel) as well as steroids and anticonvulsivants. In our patient, this therapy was effective.