Calidad de vida y funcionalidad en pacientes pediátricos intervenidos de tumores óseos en miembros inferiores: cirugía reconstructiva versus amputación / Quality of life and functionality in pediatric patients operated on for lower limb bone tumors: limb salvage surgery versus amputation

Objetivo. Analizar las diferencias en cuanto a funcionalidad y calidad de vida relacionadas con la salud en pacientes intervenidos de un tumor óseo maligno en edad infantil según el tipo de cirugía practicada. Material y método. Estudio descriptivo transversal de pacientes mayores de 14 años tratados por osteosarcoma o sarcoma de Ewing en miembro inferior y que recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico en edad infantil tras una evolución mínima de 2 años. Se realizó una evaluación de funcionalidad y calidad de vida utilizando las escalas de Enneking y Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36. Comparamos los resultados funcionales según la técnica quirúrgica. Resultados. Nuestra muestra quedó formada por 17 pacientes (8 hombres y 9 mujeres) con una edad media actual de 22 años. El tumor más frecuente fue el osteosarcoma, y la localización, el tercio distal del fémur y proximal de la tibia. En relación a la técnica quirúrgica, en 8 pacientes se colocó endoprótesis, 4 se trataron mediante injerto y/u osteosíntesis y 5 fueron amputados en cirugía inicial. Cinco pacientes tuvieron que ser amputados en un segundo momento debido a complicaciones. La puntuación expresada en mediana y percentiles obtenidos en la escala de Enneking sobre la totalidad de la muestra fue del 83,33% (66,66-88,33%). En pacientes no amputados fue del 83,33% (73,33-86,66%), frente al 90% (80-93,33%) en pacientes amputados inicialmente. En los que se realizó amputación posterior tras complicación, la puntuación fue de 56,66% (51,66-73,33%). Conclusiones. En nuestra muestra no encontramos diferencias significativas en cuanto a funcionalidad y calidad de vida de los pacientes tratados mediante cirugía reconstructiva en comparación con amputación inicial, aunque sí peores resultados en los pacientes que sufren una amputación tardía debido a una complicación tras cirugía de salvamento inicial (AU)

Objective. To analyze the differences in functionality and quality of life related with outcome of a malignant bone tumor intervention in childhood age according to type of surgery performed. Material and methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional study of patients over 14 years treated for osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma in lower limb during childhood after a minimum of two years evolution. Functionality and quality of life were evaluated with the Enneking and Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 scales. The functional results were compared according to surgical technique. Results. Our sample consisted of 8 men and 9 women, with a current average age of 22 years. The most common type of tumor was osteosarcoma and most common location was distal third of the femur and proximal tibia. In relation to the surgical technique, stent was placed in 8 patients, 4 were treated by graft and/or osteosynthesis and 5 patients underwent amputation as initial surgery. Five more patients had to under amputation at a second time due to complications. The score, expressed as median and percentiles obtained in the scale of Enneking on the entire sample, was 83.33% (66.66%-88.33%). In non-amputees, it was 83.33% (73.33%-86.66%), compared with 90% (80%-93.33%) in patients who were initially amputees. In those in whom the amputation was performed later after a complication, the median Enneking score was 56.66% (51.66%-73.33%). Conclusions. In our sample, we did not find significant differences in terms of functionality and quality of life of patients treated by reconstructive surgery compared with initial amputation although there were worse results in those patients who underwent a later amputation due to a complication after the initial life-saving surgery (AU)

Brucellosis infection presenting with cholestasis.

Brucellosis is a relatively common disease in the Mediterranean area and may present with prolonged fever without focus, however it remains an important diagnostic challenge to most pediatricians. We report the case of a 10-year-old male patient who presented with fever without a focus of 10-day duration, hepatomegaly, ascites, a small elevation in transaminases and acute-phase reactants indicating cholestasis, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Imaging tests showed many small, rounded, hypodense focal lesions in the liver and spleen. After eliminating a wide range of diseases, positive results for the Rose Bengal test and indirect immunofluorescence assay for Brucella melitensis made it possible to establish a diagnosis of hepatosplenic brucellosis. A review of the family history revealed direct contact with farm animals. The patient made good progress on treatment with doxycycline and streptomycin, with complete resolution of both clinical symptoms and imaging signs. The prevalence of brucellosis is gradually increasing, mainly due to migratory movements. It should always be eliminated as a source of unknown fever in endemic areas and should also be taken into account in other geographical areas where it is not common whenever a patient presents with prolonged fever and unspecific symptoms. Standard therapy is highly effective, even in relapse cases, and early diagnosis leads to a rapid recovery and favorable outcome. The unusual presentation in the case reported here reminds us that it is possible to encounter a Brucella infection in a case of fever without a focus, irrespective of the existence of a clear epidemiological history, which is very often omitted by the family. All differential diagnostic protocols for fever without a focus should include a diagnostic test for Brucella in order to achieve early detection of the disease and initiate therapy promptly.