ABSTRACT
Cases of brucellosis with involvement of the nervous system which was diagnosed in the Miguel Servet Hospital during the period 1985-1987 are retrospectively studied. The total quantity of affected patients of brucellosis was 132. Of this quantity, 9 patients (6.8%) had neurological complications under the following clinical forms: epidural abscess (2), meningoencephalitis (1), meningitis (2), encephalitis (1), myelitis (1) and polyradiculitis (2). The most important epidemiological and clinical characteristics are analysed, pointing out the diagnostic difficulties we found when the neurological manifestations are predominant in the brucella infection.
Subject(s)
Brucellosis/complications , Nervous System Diseases/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Brucellosis/drug therapy , Brucellosis/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Nervous System Diseases/epidemiology , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
We analyze the clinical and histological features of 10 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of soft tissue. Nine belonged to the pleomorphic-verticillate variety and one was myxoid. The initial clinical feature was a palpable mass in all cases except three with retroperitoneal localization, where constitutional symptoms predominated. After therapy (surgery in all, associated with radiotherapy in four), seven patients had local relapse and two had distant metastases. 50% died, with a mean survival of 13 months. We discuss the prognostic factors and the therapeutic approach, with emphasis on aggressive therapy and the need for radical surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy.
Subject(s)
Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/pathology , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/diagnosis , Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/diagnosis , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
We report a case of primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma in a 53-year old male with no asbestos previous exposure. The first clinical sign was a massive pericardial effusion causing hemodynamic disturbances. CT confirmed the initial ecochardiographic diagnosis. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis which improved his hemodynamic status as well as showed malignant cellularity in the liquid examination. Surgical treatment, including pericardiectomy and tumor resection, together with chemotherapy restored normal hemodynamics, the patient being now asymptomatic. We want to emphasize the rarity of this tumor and its insidious clinical presentation even leading to hemodynamic impairment, as well as the great value of echocardiography and CT in its diagnosis, although, in some cases, thoracotomy has been the only valid diagnostic procedure.
