Auditory function in symptomatic patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 and unexposed patients: An analytical cross-sectional study.

Objective: To describe audiological symptoms, audiometric profile, and distortion product otoacoustic emission in symptomatic patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RT-PCR test) and asymptomatic patients (negative RT-PCR test). Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using data obtained from clinical charts, physical examination, audiometry, and distortion product otoacoustic emission on 40 patients [case patients (CP)] recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed by a positive RT-PCR test and 22 asymptomatic participants with a negative RT-PCR test [non-case (NC)]. Results: Sixty-two patients (mean age: 31.1 and 28.2 years in the CP and NC groups, respectively) were included. All participants were young without significant comorbidities, risk factors for hearing loss or otological history. Vertigo (5%), tinnitus (17.5%) and aural fullness/hearing loss (35%) were found in the CP group. A statistically significant difference was found in specific frequencies (1000, 4000, and 8000 Hz) and pure tone average (low and high conversational frequencies with increased threshold in the PC group compared with the NC group), which was not found in distortion product otoacoustic emission. Conclusion: Audiovestibular symptoms are frequent in symptomatic patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection was consistently associated with an increased audiometric hearing threshold at specific frequencies and low tone average.

Prevalence of lung cancer in Colombia and a new diagnostic algorithm using health administrative databases: A real-world evidence study.

Reliable, timely and detailed information on lung cancer prevalence, mortality and costs from middle-income countries is essential to policy design. Thus, we aimed to develop an electronic algorithm to identify lung cancer prevalent patients in Colombia by using administrative claims databases, as well as to estimate prevalence rates by age, sex and geographic region. We performed a cross-sectional study based on national claim databases in Colombia (Base de datos de suficiencia de la Unidad de Pago por Capitación and Base de Datos Única de Afiliados) to identify lung cancer prevalent patients in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Several algorithms based on the presence or absence of oncological procedures (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery) and a minimum number of months that each individual had lung cancer ICD-10 codes were developed. After testing 16 algorithms, those with the closest prevalence rates to those rates reported by aggregated official sources (Global Cancer Observatory and Cuenta de Alto Costo) were selected. We estimated prevalence rates by age, sex and geographic region. Two algorithms were selected: i) one algorithm that was defined as the presence of ICD-10 codes for 4 months or more (the sensitive algorithm); and ii) one algorithm that was defined by adding the presence of at least one oncological procedure (the specific algorithm). The estimated prevalence rates per 100,000 inhabitants ranged between 11.14 and 18.05 for both, the contributory and subsidized regimes over years 2017, 2018 and 2019. These rates in the contributory regime were higher in women (15.43, 15.61 and 17.03 per 100,000 for years 2017, 2018 and 2019), over 65-years-old (63.45, 56.92 and 61.79 per 100,000 for years 2017, 2018 and 2019) who lived in Central, Bogota and Pacific regions. Selected algorithms showed similar aggregated prevalence estimations to those rates reported by official sources and allowed us to estimate prevalence rates in specific aging, regional and gender groups for Colombia by using national claims databases. These findings could be useful to identify clinical and economical outcomes related to lung cancer patients by using national individual-level databases.

Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and survival of children and adolescents with high-grade osteosarcoma treated based on the EURAMOS-1 protocol.

BACKGROUND: High-grade osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and overall and event-free survival rates in patients < 21 years of age with a diagnosis of conventional osteosarcoma. METHODS: We conducted an analytical and observational study of a cohort of patients < 21 years old with a diagnosis of conventional osteosarcoma treated with the OS INC-2009 protocol (based on EURAMOS-1). Descriptive analysis was performed, and overall and event-free survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Between April 2009 and October 2016, 84 patients with conventional osteosarcoma (mean age 13.5 ± 3.2 years) were admitted. Metastatic disease at diagnosis was observed in 36 patients (42.8%). Of the 41 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (50.6%), 15 (36.6%; confidence interval [95% CI]: 49.9-75.6) were classified as good responders and 26 (63%; 95% CI: 22.5-58.0) as poor responders. The 5-year overall and event-free survival rates in good responders were 88.8% (95% CI: 43.3-98.3) and 81.4% (95% CI: 43.5-95.0); in poor responders it was 66.5% (95% CI: 40.7-83.1) and 31.4% (95% CI: 13.8-50.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Good responders' evaluation of histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed improved overall and event-free survival rates. Specialized centers with multidisciplinary and comprehensive management are required to make the application of high-toxicity protocols feasible.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El osteosarcoma de alto grado es el tumor óseo maligno más común en niños y adolescentes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la respuesta histológica a la quimioterapia neoadyuvante y la supervivencia global y libre de eventos en pacientes menores de 21 años con diagnóstico de osteosarcoma convencional. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional analítico de una cohorte de pacientes menores de 21 años con diagnóstico de osteosarcoma convencional tratados con el protocolo OS INC-2009 (basado en EURAMOS-1). Se realizó el análisis descriptivo y se calcularon la supervivencia global y la supervivencia libre de eventos por el método de Kaplan-Meier. RESULTADOS: Entre abril de 2009 y octubre de 2016 se analizaron 84 pacientes con osteosarcoma convencional, cuya edad promedio fue de 13.5 años (desviación estándar: ± 3.2). La enfermedad metastásica al diagnóstico se observó en 36 pacientes (42.8%). De los 41 (50.6%) pacientes que recibieron terapia neoadyuvante, 15 (36.6%; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 49.9-75.6) se clasificaron como buenos respondedores y 26 (63%; IC95%: 22.5-58.0) como malos respondedores. Las supervivencias global y libre de eventos a 5 años en los buenos respondedores fueron del 88.8% (IC95%: 43.3-98.3) y el 81.4% (IC95% 43.5-95.0), y en los malos respondedores fueron del 66.5% (IC95%: 40.7-83.1) y el 31.4% (IC95%: 13.8-50.7), respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: La evaluación de la respuesta histológica a la quimioterapia neoadyuvante de los pacientes buenos respondedores muestra unas mejores supervivencias global y libre de eventos. Se requieren centros especializados con manejos multidisciplinarios e integrales para hacer factible la aplicación de protocolos con alta toxicidad.

Hipocalcemia posterior a tiroidectomía total: Análisis de dosis para suplemento rutinario profiláctico / Hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy: Dose analysis for routine prophylactic supplementation

Introducción. La hipocalcemia es la complicación más frecuente de la tiroidectomía. La profilaxis con calcio/calcitriol es una alternativa costo-efectiva, sencilla y expedita para disminuir esta situación, sin alterar la función paratiroidea residual. Lo que no está claro es si hay superioridad de una dosis frente a otra, por lo que el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el comportamiento entre diferentes esquemas de profilaxis para hipocalcemia. Métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de adultos operados en un hospital de cuarto nivel, entre febrero de 2017 y diciembre de 2020. Se calculó la tasa de síntomas, la hipocalcemia e hipercalcemia bioquímica en el control postquirúrgico durante las siguientes dos semanas. Se hizo análisis bivariado y multivariado entre dosis de calcio/calcitriol, otros factores asociados y los desenlaces mencionados. Resultados. Se incluyeron 967 pacientes. El 10 % presentaron síntomas. No hubo diferencias significativas en el calcio sérico del control posquirúrgico entre los grupos con distintas dosis de calcio. La dosis de carbonato de calcio >3600 mg/día y el calcio en las primeras 24 horas de cirugía se asociaron a la presencia de síntomas. La dosis de calcitriol <1 mcg/día y el bocio aumentaron el riesgo de hipocalcemia bioquímica, mientras que la dosis de 1,5 mcg/día lo disminuyó. Ninguna variable evaluada se asoció a hipercalcemia bioquímica. Conclusiones. Podemos establecer que dosis altas de carbonato de calcio no se asocian con menos hipocalcemia bioquímica, lo cual está a favor de usar dosis intermedias (3600 mg/día). De forma similar, la dosis de calcitriol de 1,5 mcg/día disminuye el riesgo de este desenlace. La identificación de variables que aumentan o disminuyen el riesgo de hipocalcemia posterior a tiroidectomía, como bocio o el nivel de calcio en las primeras 24 horas para este estudio, pueden determinar ajustes individuales en la dosis rutinaria profiláctica de calcio/calcitriol.

Introduction. Hypocalcemia is the most frequent complication of thyroidectomy. Calcium/calcitriol prophylaxis is a cost-effective, simple and expeditious alternative to reduce this situation, without altering residual parathyroid function. It is not clear whether there is superiority of one dose over another, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior between prophylaxis doses for hypocalcemia. Methods. Retrospective cohort study of adults operated in a fourth level hospital, between February 2017 and December 2020. The rate of symptoms, biochemical hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia was calculated in the post-surgical control during the following two weeks. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed between calcium/calcitriol dose, other associated factors, and the mentioned outcomes. Results. Out of the 967 patients included, 10% presented symptoms. There were no significant differences in postoperative control serum calcium between the groups with different doses of calcium. The dose of calcium carbonate > 3600 mg/day and calcium in the first 24 hours of surgery were associated with the presence of symptoms. The dose of calcitriol <1 mcg/day and goiter increased the risk of biochemical hypocalcemia, while the dose of 1.5 mcg / day decreased it. No variable evaluated was associated with biochemical hypercalcemia. Conclusion. We can establish that high doses of calcium are not less associated with biochemical hypocalcemia, which is in favor of intermediate doses (i.e. 3600mg/day). In a similar way, the calcitriol dose of 1.5mcg/day decreases the risk of this outcome. The identification of variables that increase or decrease the risk of this complication (goiter or the 24h serum calcium in this study) can decide settings in the rutinary prophylactic dose of calcium/calcitriol.

Anatomical description and variations of the anterior arterial brain circulation in Colombian cadaveric specimens / Descripción anatómica y variaciones de la circulación cerebral arterial anterior en especímenes cadavéricos colombianos

SUMMARY: Understanding microsurgical neuroanatomy is a fundamental part of the training of neurosurgeons. Notwithstanding the fact that throughout history the study in cadavers has been a fundamental part of training, the publication of these studies has never marked a trend, and in our country the available studies are limited. A descriptive anatomical study was carried out on 22 specimens regarding the anatomical arrangement of the anterior circulation arteries of the brain and the most frequent anatomical variants in the sample used. To this end, bilateral pterional and bifrontal approaches were performed, obtaining a total of 132 arteries, including supraclinoid internal carotid arteries (ICA), anterior cerebral arteries in their A1 segment (ACA), and middle cerebral arteries in their M1 segment (MCA). measurements in each of these segments were made and anatomical variants were documented. Out of 22 cadaveric specimens, 17 (77 %) were male. the mean age was 59 years (range 36-81 years). Internal carotid artery mean length was 12.73 and 12.86 in the right and left side respectively. Anatomical variants identified were hypoplasia of segment A1 in 1 (4.5 %) specimen, duplication in 1 (4.5 %) and trifurcation of segment M1 in 3 (13.6 %) specimens. A similarity was found between our data and data reported by literature, with some differences, especially in the anterior communicating artery.

RESUMEN: Entender la neuroanatomía microquirúrgica es una parte fundamental de la formación de los neurocirujanos. A pesar de que, durante la historia, el estudio en cadáveres ha sido parte fundamental del entrenamiento, no ha sido tendencia la publicación de estos estudios, y en nuestro país son limitados los que se encuentran. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo anatómico en 22 especímenes acerca de la disposición anatómica de las arterias de la circulación cerebral anterior y las variantes anatómicas más frecuentes en población colombiana. Para dicho objetivo se realizaron abordajes bilaterales pterionales, y bifrontales obteniendo un total de 132 arterias incluyendo las arterias carotídeas internas supraclinoideas (ACI), arterias cerebrales anteriores en su segmento A1 (ACA) y las arterias cerebrales medias en su segmento M1 (ACM), se realizaron mediciones en cada uno de estos segmentos y se documentaron las variantes anatómicas. De los 22 especímenes cadavéricos, 17 (77 %) eran masculinos, la edad media fue de 59 años (rango 36-81 años). La longitud media de la arteria carótida interna fue de 12,73 mm en el lado derecho y de 12,86 mm en el lado izquierdo. Las variantes anatómicas identificadas fueron hipoplasia del segmento A1 en 1 (4,5 %), duplicación de A1 en 1 (4,5 %) y trifurcación del segmento M1 en 3 (13,6 %) muestras. Se encontró una similitud entre nuestros datos y los reportados por la literatura, con algunas diferencias, especialmente en el segmento de la arteria comunicante anterior.

Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: Evaluation of the Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) has rapidly become the best alternative to open nephrectomy for living kidney donation. As more centers continue to adopt the laparoscopic technique, the safety of the initial transplants must be ensured while ascending the learning curve (LC). This study looks to determine the safety of HALDN and to describe the results of the LC in our center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 500 HALDNs performed in our center from July 2003 to July 2017. We analyzed demographic and perioperative characteristics and complications during the first postoperative month. We divided HALDNs into 2 groups: before and after completing the LC (50 nephrectomies). For each group, we assessed operating room time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and complication and conversion rates. RESULTS: A total of 500 HALDNs were performed in the study period. Of those, 454 were analyzed in the 2 groups. The median operating room time was 2 hours, length of stay was 2 days, and blood loss was 50 cc. The overall rate of complication was 6.8%. There were significant differences between the 2 groups in operating time, blood loss, and length of stay (P < .05). No differences were found in terms of complication (P = .42) and conversion (P = .28) rates. CONCLUSION: There was a significant decrease in operating time, blood loss, and length of stay in patients who underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy by an experienced laparoscopist. However, no differences were found in complication and conversion rates, which suggests that improvement in surgical training can be accomplished without altering the donor safety.

Acute Rejection in Kidney Transplantation and Early Beginning of Tacrolimus.

BACKGROUND: Although tacrolimus is an effective immunosuppressive drug used for preventing biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR) in kidney transplanted patients, its nephrotoxicity may compromise renal function and lead to delayed initiation because of its side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of early initiation of tacrolimus in the occurrence of BPAR during the first 90 days post transplant. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 315 patients who underwent kidney transplantation from 2015 to 2017. Comparisons were performed between 2 groups according to whether the start time of tacrolimus therapy was delayed or not delayed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between variables and the occurrence of BPAR. RESULTS: The incidence of BPAR was 14.9% (n = 47) and it was significantly higher in the delayed group (19.4% vs 6.4%; P = .002). Delayed initiation tacrolimus group was significantly associated with the risk of BPAR (hazard ratio: 2.95; P < .036). The overall mortality rate was 2.5% (n = 8) and there was no association between delayed initiation therapy and death (P = .56). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that delayed initiation of tacrolimus in patients with delayed graft function is associated with a high risk of BPAR.

Strongyloides stercoralis: REPORTE DE UN CASO EN EL POST-TRASPLANTE RENAL / Strongyloides stercoralis: REPORT OF A CASE ON THE RENAL POSTPLASPLANT / Strongyloides stercoralis: RELATO DO CASO EM PÓS-TRANSPLANTE RENAL

La hiperinfección por Strongyloides spp (HS) es una enfermedad rara dentro de la población inmunocompetente, pero puede presentarse en pacientes inmunocomprometidos como los pacientes trasplantados renales por lo que al realizar un análisis de la literatura actual acerca del tema se hace importante. En el presente artículo presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente trasplantado renal que después de iniciar la terapia inmunosupresora, presenta síntomas y signos de HS, diagnosticado y tratado de forma exitosa.

Hyperinfection strongyloidiasis is a pretty uncommon disease within immunocompetent individuals but it can affect immunosuppressed patients like post renal transplantation and that is because it is important to review the literature about it. In this article, we will write about the case report of a transplanted patient who developed hyperinfection strongyloidiasis after started the Immunosuppressive Therapy. This patient was diagnosed and treated successfully.

Hiperinfecção a forteoidilidíase é uma doença bastante incomum em indivíduos imunocompetentes, mas pode afetar pacientes imunossuprimidos, como transplante pós-renal, e é porque é importante revisar a literatura sobre isso. Neste artigo, iremos escrever sobre o relato de caso de um paciente transplantado que desenvolveu hiperinfecção da solidioclíase após o início da terapia imunossupressora. Este paciente foi diagnosticado e tratado com êxito.