Manejo quirúrgico de pacientes adultos con anomalías vasculares: serie de casos / Surgical management of adult patients with vascular anomalies: series of cases

Introducción: Las anomalías vasculares son un grupo heterogéneo de patologías, que considera tanto tumores como malformaciones vasculares. Son, habitualmente, de diagnostico y manejo durante la infancia, algunas lesiones persisten hasta la edad adulta. El tratamiento habitual considera terapias poco invasivas, siendo la alternativa resecctiva un opcion infrecuente. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio es presentar el manejo quirúrgico de pacientes portadores de anomalías vasculares realizado por el equipo de Cirugía Plástica y Reconstructiva del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. Material y Métodos: Serie de casos retrospectiva de pacientes con diagnóstico de anomalias vasculares, sometidos a manejo quirúrgico por el equipo de Cirugía Plástica y Reconstructiva del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. Se incluyó todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de anomalías vasculares intervenidos entre los años 2010 ­ 2016. Se realizó una revisión del historial clínico de cada paciente elaborando un análisis descriptivo. Resultados: Serie de 9 pacientes, 6 (66,6%) de sexo femenino, con edad promedio de 34,88 ±15,70 años. De los cuales 6 (66,67%) presentaron malformaciones vasculares y 2 (22,22%) tumores vasculares. Se observo compromiso de cabeza en 6 (66,67%) casos y 2 (22,22,%) genital. Se utilizo colgajos locales de avance en 6 (66,67%) y colgajos de transposición en 2 (22,22%) casos. Conclusiones: El manejo quirúrgico es una alternativa terapéutica segura que ofrece resultados buenos a las lesiones complejas. Y por tanto, creemos que es necesario un trabajo multidisciplinario entre pediatras, dermatólogos, radiólogos fisiatras, psicólogos y cirujanos plásticos para poder ofrecer mejores resultados a nuestros pacientes.

Introduction: Vascular anomalies are a heterogeneous group of pathologies, which considers tumors and vascular malformations. Usually diagnosed and treated during childhood, some lesions persist into adulthood. The usual treatment considers non-invasive therapies, being the respective alternative an uncommon option. Objectives: Present the surgical management of adults patients with vascular anomalies performed by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile. Material and methods: Retrospective case series of patients with diagnosis of vascular anomalies submitted to surgical management by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile. All patients with diagnosis of vascular anomalies operated between the years 2010 - 2016 were included. A review of the clinical history of each patient was carried out and a descriptive analysis was done. Results: Series of 9 patients, 6 (66.6%) female, with a mean age of 34.88 ± 15.70 years. Of these, 6 (66.67%) had vascular malformations and 2 (22.22%) had vascular tumors. Head involvement was observed in 6 (66.67%) cases and 2 (22.22%) genital. Local flaps were used in 6 (66.67%) and transposition flaps in 2 (22.22%) cases. Conclusions: Surgical management is a safe therapeutic alternative that offers beneficial results to complex lesions. Therefore, we believe a multidisciplinary work between pediatricians, dermatologists, radiologists.

Downregulation of the Sonic Hedgehog/Gli pathway transcriptional target Neogenin-1 is associated with basal cell carcinoma aggressiveness.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers worldwide. It develops due to an unrestrained Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling activity in basal cells of the skin. Certain subtypes of BCC are more aggressive than others, although the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains unknown. We have previously reported that Neogenin-1 (NEO1) is a downstream target gene of the SHH/GLI pathway in neural tissue. Given that SHH participates in epidermal homeostasis, here we analyzed the epidermal expression of NEO1 in order to identify whether it plays a role in adult epidermis or BCC. We describe the mRNA and protein expression profile of NEO1 and its ligands (Netrin-1 and RGMA) in human and mouse control epidermis and in a broad range of human BCCs. We identify in human BCC a significant positive correlation in the levels of NEO1 receptor, NTN-1 and RGMA ligands with respect to GLI1, the main target gene of the canonical SHH pathway. Moreover, we show via cyclopamine inhibition of the SHH/GLI pathway of ex vivo cultures that NEO1 likely functions as a downstream target of SHH/GLI signaling in the skin. We also show how Neo1 expression decreases throughout BCC progression in the K14-Cre:Ptch1lox/lox mouse model and that aggressive subtypes of human BCC exhibit lower levels of NEO1 than non-aggressive BCC samples. Taken together, these data suggest that NEO1 is a SHH/GLI target in epidermis. We propose that NEO1 may be important in tumor onset and is then down-regulated in advanced BCC or aggressive subtypes.

Estudio y manejo de nódulos tiroideos por médicos no especialistas. Consenso SOCHED / Study and management of thyroid nodes by non specialist physicians: SOCHED consensus

The thyroid nodule is a frequent cause of primary care consultation. The prevalence of a palpable thyroid nodule is approximately 4-7%, increasing up to 67% by the incidental detection of nodules on ultrasound. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, staying stable over time. The clinical importance of studying a thyroid nodule is to exclude thyroid cancer, which occurs in 5 to 10% of the nodules. The Board of SOCHED (Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes) asked the Thyroid Study Group to develop a consensus regarding the diagnostic management of the thyroid nodule in Chile, aimed at non-specialist physicians and adapted to the national reality. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of 31 experts was established among university academics, active researchers with publications on the subject and prominent members of scientific societies of endocrinology, head and neck surgery, pathology and radiology. A total of 14 questions were developed with key aspects for the diagnosis and subsequent referral of patients with thyroid nodules, which were addressed by the participants. In those areas where the evidence was insufficient or the national reality had to be considered, the consensus opinion of the experts was used through the Delphi methodology. The consensus was approved by the SOCHED board for publication.

[Clinical features of patients with Basedow Graves disease seen at a university hospital]. / Caracterización de pacientes controlados por enfermedad de Basedow Graves en un hospital universitario.

BACKGROUND: Basedow Graves disease (BGD) is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. The characteristics of patients seen at a university hospital may differ from those described in the general population. AIM: To describe the clinical features of patients with BGD seen at a university hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of medical records of all patients seen at our hospital between 2009 and 2014 with the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism or BGD. Clinical features, laboratory results and treatments were recorded. RESULTS: We reviewed clinical records of 272 patients; 15 had to be excluded due to incomplete data. BGD was present in 77.9% (n = 212). The mean age of the latter was 42 years (range 10-81) and 76% were women. Ninety six percent were hyperthyroid at diagnosis and thyroid stimulating hormone was below 0.1 mIU/L in all patients. Median free thyroxin and triiodothyronine levels were 3.26 ng/dl and 3.16 ng/ml, respectively. Thyrotropin-receptor antibodies were positive in 98.5% and 85.7% had positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Graves orbitopathy (GO) was clinically present in 55% of patients. Of this group, 47% had an active GO, 26% had a moderate to severe disease and 7.8% had sight-threatening GO. As treatment, 26% received radioiodine, 44% anti-thyroid drugs exclusively, 28% underwent thyroidectomy and 2% did not require therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of patients, we observed a greater frequency of severe eye disease and a high rate of surgical management. This finding could be explained by referral to highly qualified surgical and ophthalmological teams.

Caracterización de pacientes controlados por enfermedad de Basedow Graves en un hospital universitario / Clinical features of patients with Basedow Graves disease seen at a university hospital

Background: Basedow Graves disease (BGD) is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. The characteristics of patients seen at a university hospital may differ from those described in the general population. Aim: To describe the clinical features of patients with BGD seen at a university hospital. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of all patients seen at our hospital between 2009 and 2014 with the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism or BGD. Clinical features, laboratory results and treatments were recorded. Results: We reviewed clinical records of 272 patients; 15 had to be excluded due to incomplete data. BGD was present in 77.9% (n = 212). The mean age of the latter was 42 years (range 10-81) and 76% were women. Ninety six percent were hyperthyroid at diagnosis and thyroid stimulating hormone was below 0.1 mIU/L in all patients. Median free thyroxin and triiodothyronine levels were 3.26 ng/dl and 3.16 ng/ml, respectively. Thyrotropin-receptor antibodies were positive in 98.5% and 85.7% had positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Graves orbitopathy (GO) was clinically present in 55% of patients. Of this group, 47% had an active GO, 26% had a moderate to severe disease and 7.8% had sight-threatening GO. As treatment, 26% received radioiodine, 44% anti-thyroid drugs exclusively, 28% underwent thyroidectomy and 2% did not require therapy. Conclusions: In this group of patients, we observed a greater frequency of severe eye disease and a high rate of surgical management. This finding could be explained by referral to highly qualified surgical and ophthalmological teams.