Diagnostic performance of immunohistochemistry markers for malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis and subtypes. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) poses diagnostic challenges due to its resemblance to benign pleural pathologies and different histological subtypes. Several immunohistochemistry markers have been employed to aid in accurate diagnosis. METHODS: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of various immunohistochemistry markers in malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis and its histological subtypes. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched the literature for articles on using different immunohistochemical markers in MPM and its histological subtypes. EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, and Virtual Health Library were searched for studies published up to August 2023. We used the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) criteria to assess the quality of the included articles. Meta-analyses were performed to determine prevalence using a random-effects model. RESULTS: 103 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a diverse range of immunohistochemistry markers. EMA and desmin-loss exhibited high sensitivity (96% and 92%, respectively) in distinguishing malignant pleural mesothelioma from benign pleural pathologies. Specificity was notably high for both BAP1-loss and survivin expression at 100%. Subtype-specific analyses demonstrated that EMA and HEG1 were sensitive markers for epithelioid mesothelioma, while GLUT1 showed high sensitivity for sarcomatoid mesothelioma. In cases comparing epithelioid mesothelioma and lung adenocarcinoma, CAM5.2 and calretinin displayed high sensitivity, while WT1 and BAP1-loss demonstrated exceptional specificity for malignant epithelioid mesothelioma. In the case of sarcomatoid mesothelioma and sarcomatoid lung carcinoma, GATA3 exhibited the most heightened sensitivity, while GATA3 and D2-40 displayed the best specificity for sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemistry markers are essential in accurately diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma and its histological subtypes. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide a comprehensive insight into the diagnostic performance of these markers, facilitating their potential clinical utility in the discrimination of malignant pleural mesothelioma from other pleural pathologies and the differentiation of malignant pleural mesothelioma subtypes.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis: An autopsy-based study.

Background: Tuberculosis is a disease of great relevance since it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is an unusual presentation. It is defined as the involvement of any segment of the digestive tract, associated viscera, and peritoneum. The study's main objective is to collect information from autopsies of patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal tuberculosis in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. A total of 4,500 autopsies were performed between January 2004 and December 2020. The inclusion criteria were authorization of a family member following local law regulations and a final autopsy diagnosis of gastrointestinal tuberculosis using microscopic visualization. Results: Forty-eight patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis autopsies were included in our study. Most of the patients were male (n = 35, 72.9%) with a median age of 40.5 years old. Human immunodeficiency virus infection history was reported in 28 cases (58.33%). The most affected gastrointestinal tract site was the terminal ileum. Ulcers and thickened epithelium were common autopsies macroscopic findings. Tuberculosis multiorgan compromise was a relevant finding in patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is a disease of great importance, being its diagnosis a clinical challenge. Underdiagnosis can be reported in a high percentage of cases, so autopsy diagnosis can help reveal more accurate data about this condition.

Clinical characteristics of early-onset gastric cancer. A study in a Colombian population.

Gastric cancer is a multifactorial disease with important genetic and environmental factors. It is the fifth most common cancer in incidence, and the fourth cause of death secondary to cancer. The incidence of early-onset gastric cancer is increasing worldwide, but clinical information on these patients has not been well established. We analyzed the association between age and clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics of gastric cancer at the time of diagnosis in a Latin American population. A retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using the database of the Gastroenterology Service of the Clínica Foscal and Clínica Foscal Internacional in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Between January 2016 and December 2019, 259 de novo gastric cancer cases were diagnosed, of which 36 patients (13.9%) were 40 years old or younger. In patients with early-onset gastric, the prevalence of gastric cancer diagnosis was lower in men. A family history of gastric cancer or any other neoplasm was not associated with a higher prevalence of gastric neoplasms. In young patients, vomiting and ascites were more common, the preferred anatomical location was the body of the stomach, and the Borrmann IV classification and the diffuse-type histology were more likely. Our study showed an approximation of the characteristics of early-onset gastric cancer in a Latin American population, where we observed that early-onset gastric cancer has different demographic, anatomical, and histological features than late-onset gastric cancer.

Clinical characteristics of early-onset gastric cancer. A study in a Colombian population

Gastric cancer is a multifactorial disease with important genetic and environmental factors. It is the fifth most common cancer in incidence, and the fourth cause of death secondary to cancer. The incidence of early-onset gastric cancer is increasing worldwide, but clinical information on these patients has not been well established. We analyzed the association between age and clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics of gastric cancer at the time of diagnosis in a Latin American population. A retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using the database of the Gastroenterology Service of the Clínica Foscal and Clínica Foscal Internacional in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Between January 2016 and December 2019, 259 de novo gastric cancer cases were diagnosed, of which 36 patients (13.9%) were 40 years old or younger. In patients with early-onset gastric, the prevalence of gastric cancer diagnosis was lower in men. A family history of gastric cancer or any other neoplasm was not associated with a higher prevalence of gastric neoplasms. In young patients, vomiting and ascites were more common, the preferred anatomical location was the body of the stomach, and the Borrmann IV classification and the diffuse-type histology were more likely. Our study showed an approximation of the characteristics of early-onset gastric cancer in a Latin American population, where we observed that early-onset gastric cancer has different demographic, anatomical, and histological features than late-onset gastric cancer.

El cáncer gástrico es una enfermedad multifactorial con importantes factores genéticos y ambientales. Es el quinto cáncer más común en incidencia y la cuarta causa de muerte secundaria al cáncer. La incidencia del cáncer gástrico de inicio temprano está aumentando en todo el mundo, pero la información clínica sobre estos pacientes no está bien establecida. Analizamos la asociación entre la edad y las características clínicas, endoscópicas e histopatológicas del cáncer gástrico al momento del diagnóstico en una población latinoamericana. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de corte transversal utilizando la base de datos del Servicio de Gastroenterología de la Clínica Foscal y Clínica Foscal Internacional en Bucaramanga, Colombia. Entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2019 se diagnosticaron 259 casos de cáncer gástrico de novo, de los cuales 36 pacientes (13,9%) tenían 40 años o menos. En pacientes con enfermedad gástrica de inicio temprano, la prevalencia del diagnóstico de cáncer gástrico fue menor en los hombres. El antecedente familiar de cáncer gástrico o cualquier otra neoplasia no se asoció con una mayor prevalencia de neoplasias gástricas. En pacientes jóvenes fueron más frecuentes los vómitos y la ascitis, la localización anatómica preferida fue el cuerpo del estómago, siendo más probable la clasificación de Borrmann IV y la histología de tipo difuso. Nuestro estudio mostró una aproximación a las características del cáncer gástrico de inicio temprano en una población latinoamericana, donde observamos que el cáncer gástrico de inicio temprano tiene diferentes características demográficas, anatómicas e histológicas que el cáncer gástrico de inicio tardío.

Causes of death in patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases-a 16-year autopsy-based study.

Introduction: the autopsy is an essential medical procedure; however, its use has declined over the decades. In autoimmune and rheumatological diseases, anatomical and microscopic diagnosis is critical to diagnose of the cause of death. For this reason, our objective is to describe the cause of death in patients diagnosed with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases who underwent an autopsy in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. Materials and methods: a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. Results: between January 2004 and December 2019, 47 autopsies of patients with autoimmune and rheumatological diseases were performed. Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis were the most common diseases. The leading cause of death was related to infections, being opportunistic infections in the majority of the cases. Conclusions: our autopsy-based study was focused on patients with autoimmune and rheumatological conditions. Infections are the leading cause of death, particularly opportunistic infections, diagnosed mainly by microscopy. Thus, the autopsy should continue to be considered the "gold standard" to determine the cause of death in this population.

A postmortem study of patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: A new coronavirus produces a disease designated as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccination against COVID-19 has resulted in decreased mortality. Postmortems of vaccinated patients play an important part in the forensic analysis of adverse effects after vaccination, which is essential for determining its efficacy and security. The main objective of this study was to describe the results of autopsies of patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 carried out in two major centers in Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 121 autopsies was performed following Colombian regulations in two main hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, between March 1st and April 31st, 2021. RESULTS: 118 of the 121 patients (97.52%) had been vaccinated with CoronaVac (Sinovac); only 3 had received other vaccines. Sudden cardiac death was the leading cause of death, with pulmonary embolism another critical finding. No relation between the cause of death and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was found. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical autopsy is a vital for an accurate post-mortem diagnosis. Any relation between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the cause of death should be carefully studied in order to provide the general public with evidence-based information about the safety of the vaccination.

A postmortem study of patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 in Colombia / Autopsias clínicas en pacientes vacunados contra el SARS-CoV-2: estudio post mortem en una población colombiana

Introduction and objective: A new coronavirus produces a disease designated as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccination against COVID-19 has resulted in decreased mortality. Postmortems of vaccinated patients play an important part in the forensic analysis of adverse effects after vaccination, which is essential for determining its efficacy and security. The main objective of this study was to describe the results of autopsies of patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 carried out in two major centers in Colombia. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 121 autopsies was performed following Colombian regulations in two main hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, between March 1st and April 31st, 2021. Results: 118 of the 121 patients (97.52%) had been vaccinated with CoronaVac (Sinovac); only 3 had received other vaccines. Sudden cardiac death was the leading cause of death, with pulmonary embolism another critical finding. No relation between the cause of death and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was found. Conclusions: A clinical autopsy is a vital for an accurate post-mortem diagnosis. Any relation between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the cause of death should be carefully studied in order to provide the general public with evidence-based information about the safety of the vaccination.(AU)

Introducción y objetivo: Un nuevo virus del linaje de los coronavirus produce una enfermedad que se designó como enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Actualmente se están aplicando vacunas contra la COVID-19 y han mostrado disminución de la mortalidad en pacientes infectados. El análisis de los efectos adversos tras la vacunación ha sido fundamental para conocer la eficacia y la seguridad tras la administración. El examen forense y patológico de las muertes después de la vacunación representa un componente crítico. El objetivo principal del estudio fue describir una serie de casos de pacientes con inmunización previa contra el SARS-CoV-2 que fallecieron y a los que se les realizó una autopsia clínica en dos centros de referencia en Colombia para estudios post mortem. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal basado en autopsias siguiendo la normatividad colombiana en dos hospitales de alta complejidad de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia, durante el período comprendido entre el 1 de marzo de 2021 y el 31 de abril de 2021. Se analizaron un total de 121 autopsias. Resultados: Un total de 118 pacientes (97,52%) fueron vacunados con CoronaVac (Sinovac). La muerte cardíaca súbita fue la principal causa de fallecimiento en la población del estudio, y la embolia pulmonar fue otro hallazgo crítico encontrado en el estudio forense. No se pudo determinar la relación entre las causas de muerte y la vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2. Conclusiones: La autopsia clínica es una herramienta vital en las instituciones de salud para brindar un diagnóstico post mortem. Consideramos que el estudio de la causalidad de la vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2 y las muertes es fundamental para futuros estudios, con la intención de proporcionar información basada en evidencia a la población para apoyar el concepto de vacunación segura contra la COVID-19.(AU)

Causes of death in patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases—a 16-year autopsy-based study

ABSTRACT Introduction the autopsy is an essential medical procedure; however, its use has declined over the decades. In autoimmune and rheumatological diseases, anatomical and microscopic diagnosis is critical to diagnose of the cause of death. For this reason, our objective is to describe the cause of death in patients diagnosed with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases who underwent an autopsy in a Pathology reference center in Colombia. Materials and methods a retrospective and descriptive study of autopsy reports. Results between January 2004 and December 2019, 47 autopsies of patients with autoimmune and rheumatological diseases were performed. Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis were the most common diseases. The leading cause of death was related to infections, being opportunistic infections in the majority of the cases. Conclusions our autopsy-based study was focused on patients with autoimmune and rheumatological conditions. Infections are the leading cause of death, particularly opportunistic infections, diagnosed mainly by microscopy. Thus, the autopsy should continue to be considered the "gold standard" to determine the cause of death in this population.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal inheritance disease characterized by 100 or more adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum with a high risk of developing colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The management of this disease is based on early screening and timely follow up, with subsequent planning of risk-reducing or therapeutic surgeries. We present a case of a patient with a strong family history of FAP with a "de novo" diagnosis of CRC. Furthermore, a literature discussion of current and future perspectives of treatment is performed.

Multiple mutations in the EGFR gene in lung cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Lung cancer is a public health problem worldwide. Currently, identifying genetic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has brought significant changes in diagnosing and managing patients with lung cancer. The presence of multiple mutations, defined as the presence of more than one EGFR mutation, has been reported in a few studies. Therefore, we carried out this systematic review to describe the most common multiple mutations in the EGFR gene. Methods: We conduct a systematic review of descriptive studies, cohorts, and clinical trials published in Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, and Virtual Health Library literature. The inclusion criteria for the systematic review were descriptive studies, cohorts, and clinical trials with the presence of multiple mutations in the EGFR gene. It was followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: In the systematic review, 41 articles were included. Four hundred and forty-six cases with multiple mutations in the EGFR gene were found (0.95% of the patients included in the studies). The most prevalent dual mutations observed were T790M + L858R and deletions in exon 19 + T790M. Triple mutations were found in 9 cases (2.017%). According to reports, the presence of T790M mutation in the multiple mutations has been associated with poor clinical outcomes. Discussion: The presence of multiple mutations in the EGFR gene is rare. It is of great importance to consider the T790M mutation since it generates resistance to pharmacological management and has worse outcomes. The most important limitation was that clinical information data and follow-up could not be collected in a large percentage of patients. Therefore, future work should be focused on clinical characteristics, follow-up and repercussions in the treatment of patients with multiple mutations.

Adenocarcinoma primario de pulmón con células en anillo de sello y reordenamiento de ALK. Reporte de dos casos / Primary adenocarcinoma of the lung with signet-ring cells and ALK rearrangement. Two case reports.

El adenocarcinoma primario de pulmón con células en anillo de sello representa una variante rara y muy agresiva de cáncer de pulmón. El carcinoma de células en anillo de sello es un tipo particular de adenocarcinoma secretor de mucina, que se deposita intracitoplasmáticamente y desplaza el núcleo hacia la periferia de la célula. El origen pulmonar de este subtipo tumoral es raro y el hallazgo de reordenamiento de ALK es una asociación común. Presentamos dos casos de adenocarcinomas mucinosos primarios de pulmón con células en anillo de sello y reordenamiento de ALK. Todos los pacientes con cáncer de pulmón deben contar con estudios histopatológicos, inmunohistoquímicos y de biología molecular con los que se puedan obtener las principales características del tumor, que permitan ofrecer la mejor opción terapéutica para el paciente.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the lung with signet-ring cells represents a rare and highly aggressive variant of lung cancer. Signet­ring cell carcinoma is a particular type of mucin­secreting adenocarcinoma, which is deposited intracytoplasmatically and displaces the nucleus towards the periphery of the cell. The pulmonary origin of this tumor subtype is rare, and the finding of ALK rearrangement is a common association. We present two cases of primary mucinous adenocarcinomas of the lung with signet-ring cells and ALK rearrangement. All patients with lung cancer must have histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular biology studies with which the main features of the tumor can be obtained, which allow the clinician to offer the best possible treatment for the patient.

Opportunistic infections as a cause of death in patients with autoimmune diseases: An autopsy-based study / Infecciones oportunistas como causa de muerte en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes: estudio basado en autopsias

Background: Infections are an important cause of mortality in patients with autoimmune diseases and opportunistic infections account for a large percentage of these cases. It is often a clinical challenge to find a balance between immunosuppressive therapy and the risk of developing an infectious process. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of autopsy reports. Results: 15 patients with a premortem diagnosis of autoimmune disease were included. All patients died due to an opportunistic infection. The most commonly reported infection was tuberculosis, followed by invasive fungal infections. Conclusions: The most prevalent pathogens were found in our autopsy-based study of patients with autoimmune diseases and opportunistic infections. Prevention and early detection strategies are vital in order to reach a correct diagnosis and begin the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.(AU)

Antecedentes: Las infecciones son una causa importante de mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes. Las infecciones oportunistas engloban un gran porcentaje de estos casos. Encontrar un equilibrio entre la terapia inmunosupresora y el riesgo de desarrollar procesos infecciosos normalmente constituye un desafío clínico. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de informes de autopsias. Resultados: Se incluyó a 15 pacientes con diagnóstico pre mortem de enfermedad autoinmune. Todos los pacientes fallecieron debido a infecciones oportunistas. La infección más frecuentemente reportada fue la tuberculosis, seguida de infecciones fúngicas invasivas. Conclusiones: En este estudio basado en autopsias, realizado en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes e infecciones oportunistas, se recogieron los patógenos más prevalentes. Es clave establecer estrategias de prevención y detección temprana en estos grupos de pacientes para realizar un diagnóstico precoz e introducir con prontitud el tratamiento adecuado.(AU)

Tumor fibroso solitario intrapulmonar de patrón adenofibromatoso: un reporte de caso / Solitary intrapulmonary fibrous tumor with an adenofibromatous pattern: A case report

El tumor fibroso solitario es una neoplasia de origen mesenquimal que suele darse en la pleura y que normalmente tiene un curso benigno. La localización intrapulmonar es rara y aún más raro es el patrón adenofibromatoso. Presentamos un caso de un tumor fibroso solitario intrapulmonar con características adenofibromatosas en un paciente con antecedente de adenocarcinoma de próstata. El tumor mostró características inmunohistoquímicas de positividad para STAT6, CD34 y Bcl-2.(AU)

Solitary fibrous tumor is a neoplasm of mesenchymal origin that generally occurs in the pleura and is usually benign. An intrapulmonary location is rare and the adenofibromatous pattern is even more infrequent. We present a case of a solitary intrapulmonary fibrous tumor with adenofibromatous characteristics in a patient with a history of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for STAT6, CD34 and Bcl-2.(AU)

Opportunistic infections as a cause of death in patients with autoimmune diseases: An autopsy-based study.

BACKGROUND: Infections are an important cause of mortality in patients with autoimmune diseases and opportunistic infections account for a large percentage of these cases. It is often a clinical challenge to find a balance between immunosuppressive therapy and the risk of developing an infectious process. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of autopsy reports. RESULTS: 15 patients with a premortem diagnosis of autoimmune disease were included. All patients died due to an opportunistic infection. The most commonly reported infection was tuberculosis, followed by invasive fungal infections. CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent pathogens were found in our autopsy-based study of patients with autoimmune diseases and opportunistic infections. Prevention and early detection strategies are vital in order to reach a correct diagnosis and begin the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

[Solitary intrapulmonary fibrous tumor with an adenofibromatous pattern: A case report]. / Tumor fibroso solitario intrapulmonar de patrón adenofibromatoso: un reporte de caso.

Solitary fibrous tumor is a neoplasm of mesenchymal origin that generally occurs in the pleura and is usually benign. An intrapulmonary location is rare and the adenofibromatous pattern is even more infrequent. We present a case of a solitary intrapulmonary fibrous tumor with adenofibromatous characteristics in a patient with a history of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for STAT6, CD34 and Bcl-2.

Análisis clínico e histopatológico de la prevalencia de enfermedades cardiacas en muerte súbita. Estudio en autopsias / Clinical and histopathological analysis of the prevalence of cardiac diseases in sudden death: a study based on autopsies

Introducción: un evento de muerte súbita supone un gran impacto para la sociedad, siendo importante su estudio para aportar conocimiento y fortalecer estrategias de promoción y prevención. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de los diagnósticos anatomopatológicos cardiacos definitivos y los hallazgos histopatológicos asociados con la muerte súbita de origen cardíaco en los pacientes sometidos a autopsias clínicas realizadas en el Hospital de San José de Bogotá DC, Colombia, durante el período 2015 a 2018. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal retrospectivo en pacientes a quienes se les realizó autopsia con diagnóstico de muerte súbita de origen cardiovascular en el servicio de patología del Hospital de SanJosé, Bogotá DC, Colombia. Resultados: se incluyeron 178 autopsias con diagnóstico de muerte súbita cardíaca. El promedio global de edad fue 56.1 años (DE: 15.06) con una relación hombre-mujer de 3:1. El hallazgo macroscópico más frecuente fue cardiomegalia (promedio 428.1 g (DE 112.8), acompañado de la presencia de coronariopatía esclerótica (p=0.000) con obstrucción de la luz de las arterias coronarias mayores de 80% (p=0.037). Conclusiones: los diagnósticos anatomopatológicos definitivos prevalentes en la muerte súbita cardiaca fueron cardiopatía isquémica crónica complicada (65%) e infarto agudo de miocardio (16%), datos similares a los reportados a nivel mundial. La cardiomegalia es un hallazgo frecuente que debe valorarse en forma cuidadosa.

Introduction: a sudden death incident has a great impact on society and its study is important to provide understanding for strengthening promotion and prevention strategies. Objective: to determine the prevalence of definitive anatomopathological cardiac diagnoses and histopathological findings associated with sudden death due to a cardiovascular cause based on autopsies performed at Hospital de San José in Bogotá DC, Colombia, during the period between 2015 and 2018. Methods: retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study of cases of sudden cardiac death of cardiovascular origin diagnosed in autopsies performed at the pathology service of Hospital de San José, Bogotá DC, Colombia. Results: 178 autopsies with a diagnosis of sudden cardiac death were included. The overall mean age was 56.1 years (SD: 15.06). Male/female ratio was 3:1. The most frequent macroscopic finding was cardiomegaly (average 428.1 g (SD 112.8), with the presence of sclerotic coronary artery disease (p=0.000) with a blockage greater than 80% (p=0.037) in the major coronary arteries. Conclusions: the prevalent definitive anatomopathological diagnoses in SCD were complicated chronic ischemic heart disease (65%) and acute myocardial infarction (16%). Data obtained in this study is similar to that reported worldwide. Cardiomegaly is a frequent finding that should be carefully evaluated.

Prevalence and Demographic Characteristics of Prostate Cancer Patients in Colombia: data from the National Health Registry from 2015 to 2019 / Prevalencia y características demográficas de pacientes con cáncer de próstata en Colombia: datos del Registro de Salud Nacional de 2015 a 2019

Background and Objective Prostate cancer is a multifactorial disease and is among the top five causes of death in men worldwide. The Colombian Ministry of Health has adopted the Integrated Information System on Social Protection (Sistema Integrado de Información de la Protección Social, SISPRO, by its Spanish acronym) registry to collect comprehensive information from the Colombian health system. The system provides close to universal coverage (around 95%). We aimed to establish the prevalence of prostate cancer in Colombia and to describe its demographics, based on data provided by SISPRO, openly available for scientific analysis. Methods Using the SISPRO data from 2015 through 2019, we analyzed the prevalence and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Results We identified a total of 43,862 patients with prostate cancer in the 5-year period and estimated a prevalence of 4.54 cases per 1,000 habitants, using as denominator males over 35 years old. We calculated a prevalence of early-onset prostate cancer (i.e., 35­54 years) of 0.14 per 1,000 habitants (791 cases in 5 years). The highest prevalence was observed in patients>80 years (33.45 per 1,000 habitants). The departments with the highest prevalence were Bogotá, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Boyacá, and the region with the lowest prevalence was Amazonas.

Antecedentes y Objetivo El cáncer de próstata es una enfermedad multifactorial, y se encuentra entre las cinco principales causas de muerte en hombres a nivel mundial. El Ministerio de Salud de Colombia ha adoptado el Sistema Integrado de Información de la Protección Social (SISPRO) para la recopilación de la información integral del sistema de salud colombiano. El sistema proporciona una cobertura casi universal (alrededor del 95%). El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la prevalencia del cáncer de próstata en Colombia y describir su demografía, con base en los datos proporcionados por el SISPRO, disponibles de forma abierta para el análisis científico. Métodos Utilizando los datos del SISPRO de 2015 a 2019, se analizaron la prevalencia y las características demográficas de los pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer de próstata. Resultados Se identificó un total de 43,862 pacientes con cáncer de próstata en el período de 5 años, con una prevalencia de 4,54 casos por cada mil habitantes, utilizando como denominador hombres mayores de 35 años. La prevalencia de cáncer de próstata de inicio temprano (es decir, paciente de 35 a 54 años) fue de 0.14 por mil habitantes (791 casos en 5 años). La mayor prevalencia se observó en pacientes > 80 años (33,45 por mil habitantes). Los departamentos con mayor prevalencia fueron Bogotá, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, y Boyacá. Y la región con menor prevalencia fue Amazonas. Conclusión Describimos la prevalencia y la demografía del cáncer de próstata y el cáncer de próstata de inicio temprano en Colombia utilizando la base de datos del sistema nacional de salud. Observamos una distribución desigual de la prevalencia entre las regiones, que puede estar relacionada con factores raciales, ambientales, o de acceso, que justifican más estudios.

Pulmonary Sequestration Associated with Actinomycosis: A Case Report.

Background: Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation of the lower respiratory tract; it consists of a nonfunctioning mass of lung tissue that is irrigated by an anomalous systemic artery. The association with Actinomyces superinfection has not been well established. Methods: We present the case of a 35-year-old woman with a history of recurrent episodes of pneumonia. Based on radiological and histopathological examination, she was diagnosed with intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration associated with Actinomyces infection. Promoting clinical suspicion is essential to diagnose pulmonary actinomycosis in patients with recurrent pneumonia, to improve early recognition and timely management.

Displasia arritmogénica del ventrículo derecho / Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

La displasia arritmogénica del ventrículo derecho (DAVD) es una cardiomiopatía caracterizada por el reemplazo de miocitos por tejido fibroadiposo con herencia autosómica dominante. Ocupa el segundo lugar como muerte súbita en adultos jóvenes y es causante de un gran porcentaje en atletas. Su clínica es variable, debido a que puede presentarse en reposo o luego de actividad física con síntomas inespecíficos como palpitaciones, síncope y dolor torácico. Se presentan tres casos autópsicos de diferentes instituciones cuya manifestación clínica fue muerte súbita.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a cardiomyopathy inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern characterized by replacement of myocytes with fibrofatty tissue. ARVD is the second cause of sudden death in young adults and accounts for a great proportion of deaths in athletes. Clinical presentation is variable, it may occur during rest or after physical activity involving unspecific symptoms such as palpitations, syncope and chest pain. We here report three autopsy cases, referred from various healthcare institutions, in which sudden death was the first manifestation

La autopsia molecular en la muerte súbita cardiaca / Molecular autopsy in sudden cardiac death

Resumen Actualmente hay un porcentaje importante de autopsias que quedan sin un diag nóstico concluyente del fallecimiento, especialmente cuando este evento letal se produce súbitamente. El análisis genético se ha ido incorporando recientemente al campo de la medicina forense, sobre todo en aquellos pacientes que han fallecido de forma repentina, y donde no se identifica causa concluyente del fallecimiento tras una autopsia médico-legal completa. En estos casos las enfermedades eléctricas primarias son las principales responsables del fallecimiento. Hasta la fecha se han descrito más de 40 genes asociados a afecciones arritmogénicas causantes de muerte súbita cardiaca. Las principales enfermedades arritmogénicas son el síndrome de QT largo y la taquicardia ventricular; estudios genéticos post-mortem no solo permiten llevar a cabo un diagnóstico de la causa del fallecimiento, sino que también permiten una traslación clínica hacia los familiares, focalizado en la identificación precoz de individuos en riesgo de síncope, así como adopción de medidas terapéuticas personalizadas para la prevención de un episodio arrítmico letal.

Abstract Currently, there are a significant percentage of autopsies left without a conclusive diagnosis of death, especially when this lethal event occurs suddenly. Genetic analysis has been recently incorporated into the field of forensic medicine, especially in patients with sudden death and where no conclusive cause of death is identified after a complete medical- legal autopsy. Inherited arrhythmogenic diseases are the main cause of death in these cases. To date, more than 40 genes have been associated with arrhythmogenic disease, and causing sudden cardiac death has been described. The main arrhythmogenic diseases are Long QT Syndrome, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Brugada Syndrome, and Short QT Syndrome. These post-mortem genetic studies, not only allow a diagnosis of the cause of death, but also allow a clinical translation in relatives, focusing on the early identification of individuals at risk of syncope, as well as adopting personalised therapeutic measures for the prevention of a lethal arrhythmic episode.