Adrenocortical carcinoma, an unusual cause of secondary hypertension.

We present the case of a female patient aged 39 years who was admitted to our hospital due to hypertension, severe hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis; physical examination was remarkable for plethoric moon face, centripetal obesity and bilateral lower extremity oedema. She was admitted for intravenous potassium replacement and further assessment of hypertension and associated clinical findings. Laboratory testing showed increased levels of aldosterone, renin, cortisol, testosterone and androstenedione. An abdominal CT revealed a large mass in the right adrenal gland with hepatic involvement. The patient was started on antihypertensive medications and underwent laparoscopic surgery for mass and liver biopsy. The pathological diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma with liver metastasis. Hyperaldosteronism is a cause of secondary hypertension and its diagnosis is usually benign. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare condition and aldosterone secreting tumours are even rarer; associated hypertension usually improves after tumour resection, but with the presence of metastasis, blood pressure control is difficult.

Cardiac tamponade, an unusual complication of acute pancreatitis.

A 41-year-old Hispanic man was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis due to hypertriglyceridemia. During his stay, he developed sudden haemodynamic instability and clinical presentation suggestive of cardiac tamponade. A transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis. Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis was performed with immediate haemodynamic improvement. The patient's condition underwent favourable evolution. The pancreatitis was resolved and a control transthoracic echocardiography was performed showing no pericardial effusion. The pathophysiology of this rare entity is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Although pericardiocentesis is the treatment of choice, there have been a few reports of medical treatment with encouraging results. Although the association of acute pancreatitis and tamponade are anecdotal in literature, medics should be aware of this association in order to perform prompt diagnosis.

Gran altitud y prevalencia de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: ¿relación casual o causal? / High Altitude and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevalence: A Casual or Causal Correlation?

Introducción: Los estudios sobre la relación entre la prevalencia de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) y la altitud han presentado resultados contradictorios. El objetivo de este estudio de identificación de casos de EPOC fue incluir un número elevado de localizaciones geográficas para determinar si hay una asociación entre la altitud y la prevalencia de la EPOC. Pacientes y métodos: Los pacientes de edad igual o superior a 40 años con factores de riesgo conocidos para la EPOC, sintomáticos o no, fueron remitidos por los médicos con quienes tenían el primer contacto. Tras obtener un consentimiento informado por escrito, se les invitó a responder a un cuestionario y se les realizó una espirometría previa y posterior a la administración de broncodilatador. Resultados: Los participantes fueron reclutados en 27 ciudades de México, con un rango de altitudes que iba de 1 a 2.680m sobre el nivel del mar. Observamos una correlación negativa débil (-0,31; p<0,0001) aunque significativa entre la altitud y la prevalencia de la EPOC. La tasa de EPOC en las ciudades situadas a ≤1.000m fue del 32,7%, frente al 16,4% observado en las ciudades situadas a >1.000m (p<0,0001); la tasa observada en las ciudades situadas a ≤2.000m fue del 22,7%, frente al 15,6% de las situadas a >2.000m; en el análisis de regresión logística múltiple, la edad creciente, el sexo masculino, el haber fumado en algún momento, los paquetes-años de tabaquismo, los años de exposición al humo de la biomasa y la altitud de la ciudad sobre el nivel del mar mostraron una asociación significativa con la prevalencia de la EPOC. Conclusiones: Nuestros datos muestran una correlación inversa significativa entre la prevalencia/gravedad de la EPOC y la altitud(AU)

Introduction: Studies on the relationship of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence and altitude have reported contrasting results. The aim of this COPD case-finding study was to include a larger number of geographical sites to determine if there is an association between altitude and COPD prevalence. Patients and methods: Individuals aged 40 or older with known COPD risk factors, whether symptomatic or not, were referred by primary-care physicians. After obtaining written informed consent, they were invited to answer a questionnaire and undergo pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry. Results: Subjects were recruited in 27 Mexican cities, within an altitude range from 1 to 2,680m above sea level. We found a weak (-0.31; P<.0001) although significant negative correlation between altitude and COPD prevalence. The COPD rate for cities located ≤1,000m was 32.7% vs 16.4% for cities located >1,000m (P<.0001); the rate for cities located at ≤2,000m was 22.7% vs 15.6% for those >2,000m; in the multiple logistic regression analysis, older age, male sex, tobacco habit, pack-years of smoking, years of exposure to biomass smoke and city altitude over sea level were significantly associated with COPD prevalence. Conclusions: Our data shows a significant inverse correlation between prevalence/severity of COPD and altitude(AU)

High altitude and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence: a casual or causal correlation?

INTRODUCTION: Studies on the relationship of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence and altitude have reported contrasting results. The aim of this COPD case-finding study was to include a larger number of geographical sites to determine if there is an association between altitude and COPD prevalence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Individuals aged 40 or older with known COPD risk factors, whether symptomatic or not, were referred by primary-care physicians. After obtaining written informed consent, they were invited to answer a questionnaire and undergo pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry. RESULTS: Subjects were recruited in 27 Mexican cities, within an altitude range from 1 to 2,680 m above sea level. We found a weak (-0.31; P<.0001) although significant negative correlation between altitude and COPD prevalence. The COPD rate for cities located ≤1,000 m was 32.7% vs 16.4% for cities located >1,000 m (P<.0001); the rate for cities located at ≤2,000 m was 22.7% vs 15.6% for those >2,000 m; in the multiple logistic regression analysis, older age, male sex, tobacco habit, pack-years of smoking, years of exposure to biomass smoke and city altitude over sea level were significantly associated with COPD prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Our data shows a significant inverse correlation between prevalence/severity of COPD and altitude.