Fecal pulmonary embolism: a case report and literature review.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cause of death in hospitalized patients. These emboli are usually related to deep venous thrombosis, but other etiologic factors may be the cause. A 60-year-old male was diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma and treated by surgical rectal resection. After surgery, he presented with a decreased level of consciousness and hypoxia with no signs of bleeding. PE was ruled out by pulmonary angiography. Given the hemodynamic instability, contrast-enhanced CT was performed, showing a discrete leak related to the rectal anastomosis, which required urgent surgery. The patient suffered cardiorespiratory arrest prior to surgery, and once resolved, the surgical procedure was limited to disconnecting the intestinal anastomosis, leaving the colon and rectal stumps free in the abdomen and keeping the abdominal cavity open with negative-pressure therapy. The patient suffered from another cardiorespiratory arrest after surgery, with abdominal distension and serous-hemorrhagic material discharge through the negative-pressure device. On a new surgical revision, no bleeding was identified, so the symptoms were attributed to coagulopathy. The patient died and autopsy was performed. The autopsy revealed no surgery-related complications. The lungs were increased in weight and showed a normal macroscopic appearance; in contrast, the histological study revealed multiple and bilateral thrombo-embolisms affecting small distal arteries. Those thrombi were composed of intestinal contents, including vegetal particles, mucinous and biliary material, fibrin, and bacterial structures. Fecal PE is an extremely infrequent event. Isolated cases have been described in association with communications between the digestive tract lumen and the systemic circulation, with a generally fatal prognosis.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pathology training: a survey among Spanish residents.

This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the training of Spanish pathology residents by conducting an online survey. It was distributed among the pathologists who had been residents during the pandemic and consisted of 31 questions about the demographics and the impact of the pandemic on their pathology training. In total, 114 residents completed the survey; they reported a decrease in the number of biopsies, cytology samples, autopsies, research activities, sessions, case corrections, and courses, as well as the detrimental effect this had on their training. Half of the residents had to cancel rotations and 32% were redeployed to other departments. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected pathology training, and our results can be used to understand the challenges residents have faced and mitigate their impact.

[Olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19, a review of the evidence and implications for pandemic management]. / Alteraciones del olfato en la COVID-19, revisión de la evidencia e implicaciones en el manejo de la pandemia.

There is debate as to whether olfactory dysfunction should be considered a symptom of COVID-19 infection. We undertook a systematic literature review of the articles indexed in PubMed on olfactory disorders in viral respiratory tract conditions, with special emphasis on COVID-19. The main objective was to find evidence of clinical interest to support the relationship between anosmia and COVID-19. Olfactory disorders in upper respiratory tract infections are frequent, most caused by obstruction due to oedema of the nasal mucosa. Occasionally, post-viral sensorineural olfactory dysfunction occurs, with a variable prognosis. The evidence on anosmia in COVID-19 patients is extremely limited, corresponding to a level 5 or D of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. According to the available evidence, it seems reasonable to apply isolation, hygiene and social distancing measures in patients with recent olfactory disorders as the only symptom, although the usefulness of diagnostic tests for this type of patient should be studied.

[Olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19, a review of the evidence and implications for pandemic management]. / Alteraciones del olfato en la COVID-19, revisión de la evidencia e implicaciones en el manejo de la pandemia.

There is debate as to whether olfactory dysfunction should be considered a symptom of COVID-19 infection. We undertook a systematic literature review of the articles indexed in PubMed on olfactory disorders in viral respiratory tract conditions, with special emphasis on COVID-19. The main objective was to find evidence of clinical interest to support the relationship between anosmia and COVID-19. Olfactory disorders in upper respiratory tract infections are frequent, most caused by obstruction due to oedema of the nasal mucosa. Occasionally, post-viral sensorineural olfactory dysfunction occurs, with a variable prognosis. The evidence on anosmia in COVID-19 patients is extremely limited, corresponding to a level 5 or D of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. According to the available evidence, it seems reasonable to apply isolation, hygiene and social distancing measures in patients with recent olfactory disorders as the only symptom, although the usefulness of diagnostic tests for this type of patient should be studied.

Repair of post-laryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulas using a pectoralis major flap / Reparo de fístulas faringocutâneas pós-laringectomia utilizando retalho do músculo peitoral maior

Abstract Introduction: The pectoralis major flap is a reconstructive option to consider in the treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistula after a total laryngectomy. There are not large studies assessing variables related to pharyngocutaneous fistula recurrence after removal of the larynx. Our objectives were to review the results obtained with this type of treatment when pharyngocutaneous fistula appears in laryngectomized patients, and to evaluate variables related to the results. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our results using either a myocutaneous or fasciomuscular pectoralis major flap to repair pharyngocutaneous fistula in 50 patients. Results: There were no cases of flap necrosis. Oral intake after fistula repair with a pectoralis major flap was restored in 94% of cases. Fistula recurrence occurred in 22 cases (44%), and it was associated with a lengthening of the hospital stay. Performing the flap as an emergency procedure was associated with a significantly higher risk of fistula recurrence. Hospital stay was significantly shorter when a salivary tube was placed. Conclusions: The pectoralis major flap is a useful approach to repair pharyngocutaneous fistula. Placing salivary tubes during fistula repair significantly reduces hospital stay and complication severity in case of pharyngocutaneous fistula recurrence.

Resumo Introdução: O retalho do músculo peitoral maior é uma opção a ser considerada no fechamento de fístula faringocutânea pós-laringectomia total. Não há grandes estudos que avaliem as variáveis relacionadas à recorrência da fístula faringocutânea após esse procedimento. Nossos objetivos foram avaliar os resultados obtidos com esse tipo de tratamento em pacientes laringectomizados com fístula faringocutânea e as variáveis relacionadas aos resultados. Método: Revisamos retrospectivamente os nossos resultados em 50 pacientes nos quais um retalho miocutâneo ou fasciomuscular do músculo peitoral maior foram utilizados para reparar a fístula faringocutânea. Resultados: Não houve casos de necrose de retalho. Após o reparo da fístula com um retalho do músculo peitoral maior, a ingestão oral foi restaurada em 94% dos casos. Houve recorrência da fístula em 22 casos (44%), a qual foi associada à duração da hospitalização. O uso do retalho como procedimento de emergência foi associado a um risco significativamente maior de recorrência da fístula. A permanência hospitalar foi significativamente menor quando utilizado um tubo de derivação salivar. Conclusões: O uso do retalho do músculo peitoral maior é uma abordagem útil para reparar a fístula faringocutânea. A colocação de tubos de derivação salivar durante o reparo da fístula reduz significativamente o tempo de hospitalização e a gravidade das complicações em caso de recorrência da fístula faringocutânea.

Repair of post-laryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulas using a pectoralis major flap.

INTRODUCTION: The pectoralis major flap is a reconstructive option to consider in the treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistula after a total laryngectomy. There are not large studies assessing variables related to pharyngocutaneous fistula recurrence after removal of the larynx. Our objectives were to review the results obtained with this type of treatment when pharyngocutaneous fistula appears in laryngectomized patients, and to evaluate variables related to the results. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our results using either a myocutaneous or fasciomuscular pectoralis major flap to repair pharyngocutaneous fistula in 50 patients. RESULTS: There were no cases of flap necrosis. Oral intake after fistula repair with a pectoralis major flap was restored in 94% of cases. Fistula recurrence occurred in 22 cases (44%), and it was associated with a lengthening of the hospital stay. Performing the flap as an emergency procedure was associated with a significantly higher risk of fistula recurrence. Hospital stay was significantly shorter when a salivary tube was placed. CONCLUSIONS: The pectoralis major flap is a useful approach to repair pharyngocutaneous fistula. Placing salivary tubes during fistula repair significantly reduces hospital stay and complication severity in case of pharyngocutaneous fistula recurrence.

Bola fúngica sinusal: análisis de nuestra casuística / Fungus ball of the paranasal sinuses: Analysis of our serie of patients

Introducción y objetivos: La bola fúngica es la forma más frecuente de rinosinusitis fúngica. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es analizar las características clínicas y los resultados de la cirugía en nuestra serie de pacientes. Métodos: Se analizaron retrospectivamente 35 pacientes con bola fúngica tratados en nuestro centro entre 2006 y 2014. Resultados: La edad media fue de 55 años. El 49% de los pacientes fueron varones y el 51% mujeres. El 75% se localizaron en el seno maxilar y el 25% restante en el seno esfenoidal. La clínica más frecuente fue obstrucción nasal, rinorrea y algias craneofaciales. El 69% de pacientes mostró microcalcificaciones intrasinusales en la tomografía computerizada. Todos los pacientes fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente, sin registrarse recidivas. Conclusiones: Las manifestaciones clínicas de la bola fúngica son muy inespecíficas, por lo que el diagnóstico de sospecha se hace mediante endoscopia y estudio de imagen. El estudio histopatológico confirma el diagnóstico. La cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal es la base del tratamiento de la bola fúngica, limitándose a la apertura del seno (o senos) afecto, y exéresis completa de la lesión. La tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias es muy baja, y no es necesario tratamiento antifúngico oral o tópico concomitante (AU)

Introduction and objectives: The fungus ball is the most frequent type of fungal rhino-sinusitis. The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical and surgical features of our patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 35 patients with fungus ball treated in our centre between 2006 and 2014. Results: Mean age was 55 years old. 49% were men and 51% women. 75% involved the maxillary sinus, whereas 25% involved the sphenoid. 69% of our patients showed microcalcifications in the CT study. All the patients were surgically treated, with no cases of recurrence. Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of fungus ball are non-specific, therefore endoscopy and image study are mandatory. The definitive diagnosis is made by histopathological study of the lesion. Endoscopic sinus surgery is the treatment of choice, with opening of the diseased sinus and complete removal of the fungus ball. The frequency of complications is very low. No oral or topical antimycotic treatments are necessary (AU)

Fungus ball of the paranasal sinuses: Analysis of our serie of patients. / Bola fúngica sinusal: análisis de nuestra casuística.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The fungus ball is the most frequent type of fungal rhino-sinusitis. The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical and surgical features of our patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 35 patients with fungus ball treated in our centre between 2006 and 2014. RESULTS: Mean age was 55 years old. 49% were men and 51% women. 75% involved the maxillary sinus, whereas 25% involved the sphenoid. 69% of our patients showed microcalcifications in the CT study. All the patients were surgically treated, with no cases of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical manifestations of fungus ball are non-specific, therefore endoscopy and image study are mandatory. The definitive diagnosis is made by histopathological study of the lesion. Endoscopic sinus surgery is the treatment of choice, with opening of the diseased sinus and complete removal of the fungus ball. The frequency of complications is very low. No oral or topical antimycotic treatments are necessary.

Sarcoidosis y parálisis de cuerdas vocales: a propósito de 2 casos y revisión de la literatura / Sarcoidosis and true vocal fold paresis: 2 cases and a review of the literature

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