[Sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of severe fecal incontinence: long-term quality of life and functional outcomes].

BACKGROUND: The aim is to determine whether good functional and quality of life results of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) in patients with severe fecal incontinence are maintained in the long-term. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive cohort of patients with severe fecal incontinence not responding to conservative (drugs and/or biofeedback) or surgical (sphincteroplasty) treatment, undergoing SNS between 2002 and 2013. Patients with a definitive implant were individually assessed in consultation throughout the follow-up, until January 2016. Defeca-tory function was assessed by Wexner score and stool diary, and perceived quality of life by FIQL and EQ-5D question-naires. RESULTS: Acute percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE) was performed on 93 patients; a temporary electrode was implanted in 91 (79.1% women, mean age 62.5 years), obtaining a good functional response in 64. A permanent implant was per-formed in 61 patients, with a mean follow-up of 78.1 months (SD: 35.4; range 1-161); at the end of the study 42 patients remained in follow-up. A significant decrease was observed in the number of days per week with an incontinent episode, from 4.98 (SD 2.1) to 1.25 (SD 1.7), and in Wexner score from 16.88 (SD 2.74) to 6.95 (SD 3.54). Specific FIQL and generic EQ-5D questionnaires showed a significant improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSION: Long-term functional and quality of life outcomes of SNS for the treatment of severe faecal incontinence is maintained, with individual follow-ups that reach 10 years.

Tratamiento del asma severo con omalizumab: experiencia pediátrica en Chile y revisión de la literatura / Omalizumab treatment on severe asthma patients: pediatric experience in Chile and literature review

This paper presents clinical experience with Omalizumab treatment in 8 pediatric patients in Chile. All children presented difficult to control asthma despite receiving high intensity treatment, with low quality of life. All patients were studied in order to discard errors in asthma diagnosis and to evaluate asthma treatment adherence and inhalation technique. After evaluation, patients proven to have severe therapy resistant asthma were indicated treatment with Omalizumab. Significant clinical improvement was observed, with reduced asthma symptoms and number of exacerbations, as well as an improved quality of life. Omalizumab showed a good safety profile with mild and transient adverse reactions in 6 administrations of a total of 122.

Se presenta la experiencia clínica con el uso de Omalizumab en 8 pacientes pediátricos en nuestro país. Todos los pacientes presentaban asma sin control a pesar de recibir terapia de alta intensidad, asociado a una muy deficiente calidad de vida. La totalidad de los pacientes fueron sometidos en cada centro a un estudio exhaustivo para poder descartar error en el diagnóstico y se evaluó la adherencia y la técnica inhalada. Al comprobarse que estos pacientes tenían asma severo resistente a tratamiento se indicó Omalizumab, el cual produjo una mejoría clínica significativa. Se observó una reducción de las exacerbaciones y de los síntomas de asma acompañado de una mejoría de la calidad de vida, asociado a un buen perfil de seguridad. Se observaron reacciones adversas leves y transitorias en 6 administraciones de un total de 122.

Corticosteroids for Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis).

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and oedema of the facial nerve are implicated in causing Bell's palsy. Corticosteroids have a potent anti-inflammatory action which should minimise nerve damage and thereby improve the outcome of patients suffering from this condition. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effect of steroid therapy in the recovery of patients with Bell's palsy. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group register (searched December 2003) for randomised trials, as well as MEDLINE (January 1966 to April 2003), EMBASE (January 1980 to April 2003) and LILACS (January 1982 to April 2003). We contacted known experts in the field to identify additional published or unpublished trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing different routes of administration and dosage schemes of corticosteroid or adrenocorticotrophic hormone therapy versus a control group where no therapy considered effective for this condition was administered, unless it was also given in a similar way to the experimental group. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility, trial quality, and extracted the data. MAIN RESULTS: Four trials with a total of 179 patients were included. One trial compared cortisone acetate with placebo; one compared prednisone plus vitamins, with vitamins alone; one compared high-dose prednisone administered intravenously against saline solution, and one, not-placebo controlled, tested the efficacy of methylprednisolone. Allocation concealment was appropriate in two trials, and the data reported allowed an intention-to-treat analysis. The data included in the meta-analyses were collected from three trials with a total of 117 patients. Overall 13/59 (22%) of the patients allocated to steroid therapy had incomplete recovery of facial motor function six months after randomisation, compared with 15/58 (26%) in the control group. This reduction was not significant (relative risk 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.47 to 1.59). The reduction in the proportion of patients with cosmetically disabling sequelae six months after randomisation was also not significant (relative risk 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.38 to 1.98). The trial not included in the meta-analysis showed a non-significant difference in outcomes between the arms. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence from randomised controlled trials does not show significant benefit from treating Bell's palsy with corticosteroids. More randomised controlled trials with a greater number of patients are needed to determine reliably whether there is real benefit (or harm) from the use of corticosteroid therapy in patients with Bell's palsy.

[Peripheral facial paralysis. The value of clinical neurophysiology]. / Parálisis facial periférica. Utilidad de la neurofisiología clínica.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to review the value of neurophysiological exploration in peripheral facial paralysis in the literature and in our own experience. METHOD: Peripheral facial paralysis is a frequently occurring cranial neuropathy with an acute presentation. Its striking clinical expression is usually in strong contrast to its benign prognosis, except for a small percentage of cases in which the existence of acute injury to the nerve (axonotmesis) will cause it to progress unfavourably, either due to the absence of nerve regeneration or because this is inadequate or insufficient. A neurophysiological study aids diagnosis and the functional and prognostic assessment. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the utilisation of standardised studies involving a comprehensive electromyographic and electroneurographic evaluation of the facial territory, including reflexology (blink reflex). Use of a suitable methodology in the neurophysiological study of this neuropathy will allow us to complete the diagnosis and to evaluate progress, even from very early days (early surgical approach prior to the onset of nerve degeneration), all of which is decisive in the prognosis of injury throughout the process.