Granuloma aséptico facial idiopático: revisión actualizada de las dificultades diagnósticas y terapéuticas / Idiopathic Facial Aseptic Granuloma: Updated Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Difficulties

El granuloma aséptico facial idiopático (GAFI) es una patología específica de la edad pediátrica caracterizada por la aparición de nódulos rojizos asintomáticos en la región facial. Su etiopatogenia es aún motivo de discusión, aunque la literatura actual orienta a que se encontraría dentro del espectro de la rosácea infantil. Tiene una evolución crónica pero benigna, y hay publicaciones que documentan la resolución espontánea de las lesiones en menos de un año. A pesar de no tener un tratamiento bien definido, se prefiere que sea conservador y se eviten las intervenciones agresivas

Idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma is a pediatric skin condition involving asymptomatic reddish nodules. The etiology and pathogenesis is still under discussion, although the literature tends to place this condition within the spectrum of childhood rosaceas. The clinical course is chronic but benign, and cases have been reported to resolve spontaneously in less than a year. Even though no well-defined treatment has emerged, a conservative approach that avoids aggressive therapies is preferred

Idiopathic Facial Aseptic Granuloma: Updated Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Difficulties. / Granuloma aséptico facial idiopático: revisión actualizada de las dificultades diagnósticas y terapéuticas.

Idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma is a pediatric skin condition involving asymptomatic reddish nodules. The etiology and pathogenesis is still under discussion, although the literature tends to place this condition within the spectrum of childhood rosaceas. The clinical course is chronic but benign, and cases have been reported to resolve spontaneously in less than a year. Even though no well-defined treatment has emerged, a conservative approach that avoids aggressive therapies is preferred.

[Bleomycin-induced Flagellated dermatitis: A case report]. / Dermatitis flagelada inducida por Bleomicina; A propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Flagellated dermatitis is an infrequent pathology, with characteristic skin lesions, which is developed due to the use of bleomycin. Clinically it occurs as erythematous or hyperpigmented maculae of linear disposition with flagellar pattern, in trunk and/or upper extremities. It presents self-limited evolution, therefore, its treatment varies from expectant management to the use of topical or oral corticosteroids. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a clinical case of flagellated dermatitis secondary to bleomycin in a pediatric patient with history of central nervous system neoplasia. CLINICAL CASE: 8 years, schoolchild, female, with a history of primary intracranial mixed germ cell tumor (sellar and suprasellar) and secondary panhypopituitarism. She receives chemotherapeutic treatment according to the PEB protocol, with use of IV bleomycin during three days. After two days, intermittent pruritus begins, associated with erythematous and pigmented maculae of linear distribution, followed by a flagellated pattern, with isolated signs of excoriation, in the abdominal region and upper back. Topical treatment with mild potency corticosteroids is indicated for ten days, with a satisfactory clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: There should be a high diagnostic suspi cion in pediatric patients with a history of prior administration of the drug and the appearance of characteristic skin lesions, which will allow adequate behavior regarding its management and the continuity of chemotherapy.

Dermatitis flagelada inducida por bleomicina: a propósito de un caso / Bleomycin-induced flagellated dermatitis: a case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Dermatitis Flagelada es una patología infrecuente, con lesiones cutáneas características, que se desarrolla por el uso de Bleomicina. Clínicamente se presenta como maculas eritematosas o hiperpigmentadas de disposición lineal con patrón flagelar, en tronco y/o extremidades superiores. Presenta evolución autolimitada por lo que su tratamiento varía desde conducta expectante hasta uso de corticoides tópicos u orales. OBJETIVO: Presentación de un caso clínico de Dermatitis flagelada secundaria a Bleomicina en paciente pediátrico con antecedentes de neoplasia de sistema nervioso central. CASO CLÍNICO: Escolar de 8 años, sexo femenino, con antecedentes de tumor prima rio de células germinales mixto intracraneal (selar y supraselar) y panhipopituitarismo secundario. Recibe tratamiento quimioterapéutico según protocolo PEB, con uso de Bleomicina EV por 3 días. A los 2 días posteriores, inicia prurito intermitente, asociado a máculas eritematosas y pigmentadas de distribución lineal, siguiendo patrón flagelado, con aislados signos de excoriación, en región abdominal y dorso alto. Se indica tratamiento tópico con corticoides de moderada potencia por 10 días, con respuesta clínica satisfactoria. CONCLUSIONES: Se debe tener una alta sospecha diagnóstica en pacientes pediátricos con historia de administración previa del fármaco y aparición de lesiones cutáneas características, lo que permitirá una conducta adecuada respecto a su manejo y a la continuidad de la quimioterapia.

INTRODUCTION: Flagellated dermatitis is an infrequent pathology, with characteristic skin lesions, which is developed due to the use of bleomycin. Clinically it occurs as erythematous or hyperpigmented maculae of linear disposition with flagellar pattern, in trunk and/or upper extremities. It presents self-limited evolution, therefore, its treatment varies from expectant management to the use of topical or oral corticosteroids. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a clinical case of flagellated dermatitis secondary to bleomycin in a pediatric patient with history of central nervous system neoplasia. CLINICAL CASE: 8 years, schoolchild, female, with a history of primary intracranial mixed germ cell tumor (sellar and suprasellar) and secondary panhypopituitarism. She receives chemotherapeutic treatment according to the PEB protocol, with use of IV bleomycin during three days. After two days, intermittent pruritus begins, associated with erythematous and pigmented maculae of linear distribution, followed by a flagellated pattern, with isolated signs of excoriation, in the abdominal region and upper back. Topical treatment with mild potency corticosteroids is indicated for ten days, with a satisfactory clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: There should be a high diagnostic suspi cion in pediatric patients with a history of prior administration of the drug and the appearance of characteristic skin lesions, which will allow adequate behavior regarding its management and the continuity of chemotherapy.

Evaluation of the Two-Dimensional Performances of Low Activity Planar Catalysts: Development and Validation of a True Scanning Reactor.

The development of a scanning reactor for planar catalysts is presented here. With respect to other existing models, this reactor is able to scan catalysts even with low turnover frequencies with a minimum sensed circular area of approximately 6 mm in diameter. The downstream gas analysis is performed with a quaprupole mass spectrometer. The apparatus performances are presented for two different reactions: the hydrogenation of butadiene over palladium films and the oxidation of CO over a gold/titania catalyst. With the final setup, true scans in both X and Y directions (or even in a previously defined complex directional pattern) are possible within a scan speed ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 mm/min. Finally, this apparatus aims at becoming a valuable tool for high throughput and combinatorial experimentation to test patterned active surfaces and catalytic libraries.

Urticaria Pigmentosa de presentación atípica en la infancia: reporte de un caso clínico / Pigment urticaria of atypical presentation in childhood: clinical case report

La Urticaria Pigmentosa es el tipo más frecuente de mastocitosis cutánea (MC) de inicio en la edad pediátrica, representando el 75 por ciento de las MC. Se presenta con máculas y/o pápulas de color amarillo a café-rojizo, usualmente con signo de Darier positivo y prurito. El 88 por ciento presenta compromiso de tronco. En este artículo compartimos el caso de Urticaria Pigmentosa de presentación atípica: predominio de lesiones en cara y sin compromiso de tronco.(AU)

Urticaria Pigmentosa is the most common form of cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) starting in childhood and accounts for 75 percent of all the CM cases. It presents with yellow to brown-reddish macules or papules, usually with positive Darier sign and itching. Trunk involvement is present in 88 percent of patients. In this article we describe a case of Urticaria Pigmentosa with an atypical presentation: facial predominance without trunk involvement. (AU)

Exostosis subungueal y su diagnóstico diferencial: A propósito de un caso / Subungual exostosis and its differential diagnosis: A case report

Los tumores y pseudotumores ungueales representan un desafío diagnóstico, principalmente, dada la compleja anatomía de la uña y la apariencia clínica similar de estas lesiones. La exostosis subungueal es una entidad de baja frecuencia que debe considerarse en el diagnóstico de las masas subungueales. No es un tumor verdadero, sino crecimiento anormal de hueso o una calcificación de tejido cartilaginoso. En el siguiente artículo, se comunica el caso de una exostosis subungueal y realizamos una breve discusión, enfatizando los diagnósticos diferenciales, principalmente el melanoma subungueal, que debe sospecharse siempre y derivarse en forma precoz.(AU)

Nail tumors and pseudotumors represent a diagnostic challenge, mainly due to the complex anatomy of the nail and similar clinical appearance of these lesions. Subungual exostosis is an entity of low frequency, which should be considered in the differential diagnoses of subungual masses. It is not a true tumor, but an overgrowth of bone or cartilage tissue calcification. In the following article, we report the case of a subungual exostosis and perform a brief discussion, emphasizing the differential diagnoses, including the subungual melanoma, which should always be suspected and referred in a timely manner.(AU)

Úlcera genital aguda de Lipschütz: caso clínico / Lipschütz acute genital ulcer: case report

La úlcera genital aguda (UGA) o úlcera de Lipschütz constituye una infrecuente entidad clínica caracterizada por la aparición de úlceras genitales en niñas y adolescentes que no han iniciado su actividad sexual. El cuadro es de inicio agudo, con formación de úlceras dolorosas habitualmente precedidas en su aparición por manifestaciones sistémicas tales como fiebre, cefalea, astenia, adinamia, mialgias y adenopatías inguinales, y donde el estudio microbiológico de la lesión descarta un posible origen infeccioso. A pesar de presentar un cuadro clínico característico, esta enfermedad constituye una entidad poco conocida y por tanto subdiagnosticada, motivo por el cual presentamos el caso de una paciente de 10 años con diagnóstico de UGA realizado en el Departamento de Dermatología de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Acute genital ulcer (AGU) or Lipschütz ulcer is a rare clinical entity characterized by the appearance of genital ulcers in children and adolescents who have not initiated sexual activity. The picture is of acute onset, with formation of painful ulcers on their occurrence usually preceded by systemic manifestations such as fever, headache, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain and inguinal lymphadenopathy, and where the microbiological study of injury rule out a possible infectious origin. Despite presenting a characteristic clinical picture, this disease is a little known entity and under diagnosed, we present the case of a 10 years old girl diagnosed with UGA conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Chile.

Validation of an isotope dilution, ICP-MS method based on internal mass bias correction for the determination of trace concentrations of Hg in sediment cores.

The development and validation of a method for the determination of mercury in sediments using a sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (SF-ICP-MS) for detection is described. The utilization of isotope dilution (ID) calibration is shown to solve analytical problems related to matrix composition. Mass bias is corrected using an internal mass bias correction technique, validated against the traditional standard bracketing method. The overall analytical protocol is validated against NRCC PACS-2 marine sediment CRM. The estimated limit of detection is 12ng/g. The proposed procedure was applied to the analysis of a real sediment core sampled to a depth of 160m in Lake Como, where Hg concentrations ranged from 66 to 750ng/g.

Optimization and validation of an automated voltammetric stripping technique for ultratrace metal analysis.

A new automated batch method for the determination of ultratrace metals (nanogram per liter level) was developed and validated. Instrumental and chemical parameters affecting the performance of the method were carefully assessed and optimized. A wide range of voltammetric methods under different chemical conditions were tested. Cadmium, lead and copper were determined by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), while nickel, cobalt, rhodium and uranium by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV). The figures of merit of all of these methods were determined: very good precision and accuracy were achieved, e.g. relative percentage standard deviation in the 4-13% for ASV and 2-5% for AdCSV. The stripping methods were applied to the determination of cadmium, lead, copper, nickel, cobalt, rhodium and uranium in lake water samples and the results were found to be comparable with ICP-MS data.

[Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in a cohort of children with cancer]. / Portación nasal de Staphylococcus aureus en una cohorte de niños con cáncer.

According to medical literature, nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric age in the general population ranges between 10 and 40 %, not being clearly established in children with cancer. In order to determine the prevalence in this group and its possible increment through successive hospitalizations, we studied the Calvo Mackennas oncologic patients below 19 years of age, with a series of nasal cultures. We took four samples for each patient in a period of one year. Of 80 patients initially included, 10 died, 9 returned to their city of origin before the end of the study and in 8 cases it was not possible to complete the follow-up. Prevalence of nasal carriage was 21.2% (17/80). From 17 children colonized, 14 lost this condition, 2 abandoned the follow-up and only 1 was positive at the end of the study. Incidence of hospitalization due to febrile neutropenia was 28.7% (23/80) and the relation between nasal carriage and the number of these events was not significant (p = 0.59). The relation between the number of hospitalizations and an increment in nasal colonization (p = 0,80) was also not significant. In conclusion, nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in children with cancer is similar to carriage described for healthy children. Carriage would be a transitory condition, variable through time for each patient, without relation to a greater number of febrile neutropenia episodes.

Portación nasal de Staphylococcus aureus en una cohorte de niños con cancer / Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in a cohort of children with cancer

Para determinar si la prevalencia de portación nasal de Staphylococcus aureus en niños cáncer es mayor que en la población general pediátrica, donde fluctuaría entre 10 y 40%, así como demostrar si esta colonización va a aumentando con el número de hospitalizaciones, se efectuó un seguimiento durante un año, mediante cuatro cultivos nasales seriados, a todos los pacientes oncológicos bajo 19 años de edad, en control en la Unidad de Oncología del Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna. De 80 pacientes inicialmente incluidos, 10 fallecieron, 9 regresaron a su lugar de origen y en 8 no fue posible completar el seguimiento. La prevalencia inicial de portación fue de 21,2% (17/80). De los 17 niños portadores, 14 perdieron su condición, 2 abandonaron el seguimiento y sólo uno era positivo al final del estudio. La incidencia de hospitalizaciones por episodios de neutropenia febril fue de 28,7% (23/80). La relación entre portación y el número de estas hospitalizaciones no fue significativa (p = 0,59), ni tampoco la relación entre mayor número de hospitalizaciones e incremento de la colonización (p = 0,80). En conclusión, la portación nasal de S. aureus en niños oncológicos es similar a la descrita para niños sanos; transitoria y variable en el tiempo, no se relaciona con un mayor número de hospitalizaciones.

According to medical literature, nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric age in the general population ranges between 10 and 40 %, not being clearly established in children with cancer. In order to determine the prevalence in this group and its possible increment through successive hospitalizations, we studied the Calvo Mackenna’s oncologic patients below 19 years of age, with a series of nasal cultures. We took four samples for each patient in a period of one year. Of 80 patients initially included, 10 died, 9 returned to their city of origin before the end of the study and in 8 cases it was not possible to complete the follow-up. Prevalence of nasal carriage was 21.2% (17/80). From 17 children colonized, 14 lost this condition, 2 abandoned the follow-up and only 1 was positive at the end of the study. Incidence of hospitalization due to febrile neutropenia was 28.7% (23/80) and the relation between nasal carriage and the number of these events was not significant (p = 0.59). The relation between the number of hospitalizations and an increment in nasal colonization (p = 0,80) was also not significant. In conclusion, nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in children with cancer is similar to carriage described for healthy children. Carriage would be a transitory condition, variable through time for each patient, without relation to a greater number of febril neutropenia episodes.

Síndrome de PHACES / PHACES syndrome

El hemangioma es el tumor vascular benigno más frecuente de la infancia y su asociación con otras malformaciones es rara. Se ha descrito recientemente asociado al síndrome de PHACES, que corresponde a una alteración del desarrollo en la gestación precoz. Este síndrome se caracteriza por la presencia de un gran Hemangioma facial (H) asociado a otras anomalías como: malformaciones cerebrales de la fosa Posterior (P), alteraciones de las arterias cervicocraneales y Coartación de la aorta (C), defectos oculares (E) y esternón hendido y/o rafe supraumbilical (S). Afecta de preferencia al sexo femenino y la mayoría tiene sólo una manifestación extracutánea.

The hemangioma is the most common benign vascular tumor in childhood and is rarely related to other systemic malformations. It has been recently described in association with PHACES syndrome, which is an alteration in gestational development. This syndrome presents a large facial Hemangioma (H), with other anomalies like: Posterior fossa brain malformation (P), cervicocraneal arterial anomalies and coarctation of the aorta (C), ophthalmologic disorders (E), and midline abdominal and sternal defects (S). Females are more frequently affected and there is usually only one extracutaneous manifestation.

Fast transient infrared studies in material science: development of a novel low dead-volume, high temperature DRIFTS cell.

A prototype DRIFTS flow reaction chamber was designed and developed in order to find analytical application in the study of heterogeneous catalysts operating at high temperatures under fast transient gas feed conditions. Minimisation of dead-volumes allows gas replacement in 8-10s at 10mLmin(-1) total flow. To overcome problems related to the reactivity of the cell walls under alternating oxidizing/reducing gases, the cell was built with Inconel 600trade mark, which was tested to be very inert even at high temperatures. The sample holder, which was developed to closely resemble a micro plug-flow reactor, poses some problems in terms of heat transfer to the outer body of the cell (limiting then the maximum reachable temperature) and of the correct measurement of the actual sample temperature. These problems were solved with a careful re-design of the upper part of the cell. The second prototype thus derived is able to reach temperatures up to 803K and allows gas replacement in less than 4s at 10mLmin(-1). The cell is inserted in a MCT-FT-IR, which allows to collect high quality spectra with a 1s time-resolution. The downstream flow can be analysed by a quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an enclosed source and by a commercial GC. The performances of this prototype cell are presented showing some tests carried out with ceria-zirconia (Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O(2)) catalysts for CO abatement under real operando conditions.

Serratia marcescens: Descripción de un brote de infección intrahospitalaria / Serrtia marcesceens: description of a nosocomial outbreake

We describe a nosocomial outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in different departaments, which occurred between May and December 2001. It involved 85 patients, 72 with clinical infections and 13 in which the strains isolated were found as colonization. The most common site was urinary tract infection. Thirty six percent of the infections were severe (including pneumonia and bacteremia), occurring in patients older than 65 years, with predisposing conditions, previous antibiotic usage, prolonged hospitalisation and invasive procedures. Global lethality was 2,8%. All the cases had genetically the same strain, so a common source of infection was thought. The environmental and water microbiological studies yielded no growth of Serratia, except for the water faucet in the Neurology ward, where the index case was detected, and probably where the epidemic originated.

Se describe un brote de infección intrahospitalaria por Serratia marcescens ocurrido entre mayo y diciembre del 2001 en el Hospital Del Salvador, comprometiendo a varios servicios clínicos. Este brote involucró 85 pacientes con 72 infecciones y 13 colonizaciones. La localización más frecuente de las infecciones fue la urinaria. El 36% de las infecciones fue grave (neumonías y bacteremias), afectando a pacientes sobre 65 años de edad, con patologías predisponentes como: hospitalización prolongada, procedimientos invasores, cirugía y uso de antimicrobianos previos. La letalidad global fue de 2,8%. Todos los casos correspondieron genéticamente a la misma cepa por lo que se planteó una probable fuente común de infección. El estudio microbiológico de las muestras ambientales y de las aguas no detectó S. marcescens, a excepción de un grifo del lavamanos del Servicio de Neurología donde se detectó el caso índice, por lo cual se puede deducir que probablemente éste fue el origen del brote epidémico.

Encuesta telefónica sobre posición al dormir en lactantes menores de un año que asisten a una muestra de salas cuna privadas en Santiago de Chile / Telephonic survey on infant sleeping position in private day care centers at Santiago de Chile

El síndrome de muerte súbita infantil es causa significativa de mortalidad infantil en Chile y otros países. Un factor de riesgo conocido es colocar lactantes en prono para dormir. Un estudio reciente en Estados Unidos demostró fallas al respecto ya que en 49 por ciento de salas cuna encuestadas lactantes dormían en prono. Objetivo: conocer las conductas que dice adoptar el personal de una muestra de salas cuna de Santiago, respecto de la posición en que son colocados a dormir lactantes menores. Pacientes y Métodos: realizamos una encuesta telefónica a 126 salas cuna de Santiago para determinar la posición al dormir de los lactantes. No se visitó las salas cuna para validar las respuestas. Resultados: Obtuvimos respuesta de 91 en que dijieron atender el lactante menores. Sesenta y tres declararon tener normas sobre el tema, pero solamente 20 eran escritas (22 por ciento). Entre las salas cuna que dijieron tener norma, 38 por ciento incluía la posición prona como única alternativa. Cicuenta y siete salas cuna (63 por ciento) declararon tener lactantes menores durmiendo en prono y en 17 (19 por ciento) exclusivamente en prono. Conclusión: Un alto porcentaje de salas cuna mantienen el factor de riesgo para muerte súbita "posición prona al dormir" presente en la práctica diaria. Se debe mejorar la información sobre el tema para disminuir este factor de riesgo de muerte súbita

On the effect of catalyst status in the quantitative determination of platinum in Pt-Sn/MgO materials.

The development of an analytical method for the determination of platinum in MgO based Pt/Sn catalysts is described. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETAAS) was chosen because of its high sensitivity and robustness against spectral interferences. All the sources of chemical interferences were statistically analyzed and corrections were adopted for the presence of magnesium oxide support. The effectiveness of different mineralization procedures was critically evaluated as a function of the chemical of the solid catalyst. Microwave digestion allowed recovery of metal of 100% for all the catalysts analyzed and exhibited significant better precision values than other digestion methods, which could nevertheless be utilized under proper conditions in selected cases.