Consumo de alcohol en adolescentes de la escuela preuniversitaria Federico Engels de Pinar del Río / Alcohol consumption in teenagers of Federico Engels High School of Pinar del Río

RESUMEN Fundamento: las drogodependencias constituyen un grave problema para la humanidad. El alcoholismo resulta la más trascendente y difundida de las toxicomanías, es un flagelo que alcanza en mayor o menor grado a todas las sociedades del mundo; la adolescencia es una de las etapas más vulnerables para iniciarse el consumo de alcohol. Objetivo: caracterizar el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en adolescentes. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal y descriptivo en adolescentes pertenecientes al preuniversitario Federico Engels de la provincia Pinar del Río, desde el 1ro enero hasta el 31 diciembre de 2019. El universo resultó 485 estudiantes y la muestra 215 seleccionados a través de un muestreo probabilístico estratificado. Los datos se obtuvieron de la encuesta validada para determinar los trastornos debidos al consumo de bebidas alcohólicas. Para el análisis de la información se utilizó el sistema estadístico SPSS (versión 22.0), se confeccionó una base de datos en Excel, se aplicó análisis univariado de carácter descriptivo, se utilizaron estadígrafos descriptivos como la distribución de frecuencias absoluta y relativa. Se utilizó la prueba no paramétrica Chi cuadrado para datos cualitativos con un nivel de significación del 95 % (p<0,05). Resultados: la ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas alcanzó casi la mitad de los participantes, predominó el origen urbano, los consumidores declarados y el sexo femenino. Se constató significación estadística con situaciones que propiciaron el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas; entre los convivientes bebedores destacaron los padres, seguidos de las madres. Prevaleció la ayuda profesional buscada y el uso de orientaciones educativas por parte de la familia. Conclusiones: el consumo de alcohol se mantiene como un problema latente en los adolescentes, se sugiere continuar acciones preventivas en la ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas dirigidas a este grupo poblacional.

ABSTRACT Background: drug addiction is a serious problem for humanity. Alcoholism is the most transcendent and widespread of drug addictions, it constitutes a scourge that affects all societies in the world to a greater or lesser degree, with adolescence being one of the most vulnerable stages to start alcohol consumption. Objective: to characterize the consumption of alcoholic beverages in adolescents. Methods: a cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in adolescents belonging to the Federico Engels High School in Pinar del Río province, from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. The universe was constituted by 485 students and sample by 215 students selected through a stratified probabilistic sampling. The data were obtained from a survey that was supported by the validated questionnaire to determine the disorders due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. For the information analysis, the SPSS statistical system (version 22.0) was used, a database was created in Excel, a descriptive univariate analysis was applied, and statistics were used as the absolute and relative frequency distribution. The Chi square test was used for qualitative data, with a significance level of 95% (p <0.05). Results: the ingestion of alcoholic beverages reached almost half of the participants, the urban origin, the declared consumers and the female sex predominated. Statistical significance was found with situations that led to the consumption of alcoholic beverages; between the drinking people who co-habits with another stood out the fathers, followed by the mothers. The search of professional help and use of educational orientations of the family predominated. Conclusions: alcohol consumption continues to be a latent problem in adolescents; it is suggested to continue preventive actions in the ingestion of alcoholic beverages directed to this population group.

Association of body mass index with increased cost of care and length of stay for emergency department patients with chest pain and dyspnea.

BACKGROUND: High body mass index (BMI) increases the probability of indeterminate findings on diagnostic studies, length of stay, and cost of care for hospitalized patients. No study has examined the economic and operational impact of BMI in patients with chest complaints presenting to the emergency department (ED). The objective was to measure the association of BMI with the main outcomes of cost of care, length of stay (including time in the ED and time in the wards if admitted), and radiation exposure in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain and dyspnea. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a prospective, 4-center, outcomes study. Patients were adults with dyspnea and chest pain, nondiagnostic electrocardiograms, and no obvious diagnosis. Patients were followed for the main outcomes for 90 days. Outcomes that were stratified by BMI in 5 categories, underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese, were compared using the Kruskall-Wallis rank test, and the independent predictive value of BMI was tested with multivariate regressions. Compared with medical costs for normal weight patients, costs were 22% higher for overweight patients (P=0.077), 28% higher for obese patients (P=0.020), and 41% higher for morbidly obese patients (P=0.015). Morbidly obese patients without computerized tomographic scanning stayed in the hospital 34% longer than normal weight patients (P=0.073), and morbidly obese patients with computerized tomographic scanning stayed in the hospital 44% longer than normal weight patients (P=0.083). BMI was not a significant predictor of radiation exposure. Morbidly obese patients had the highest proportion (87%) of no significant cardiopulmonary diagnosis for 90 days after computerized tomographic pulmonary angiography. CONCLUSIONS: BMI was associated with increases in cost of care and length of hospital stay for patients with chest pain and dyspnea. These results emphasize a need for specific protocols to manage morbidly obese patients presenting to the ED with chest pain and dyspnea. Clinical Trial Registration- http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01059500.

Pilot study of a protocol to administer inhaled nitric oxide to treat severe acute submassive pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: Inhaled nitric oxide has been reported to benefit patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). To date, all published literature has derived from case reports or case series conducted without a structured protocol. Here we report the results of a phase I trial with a predefined clinical protocol to treat patients with CT-demonstrated, submassive PE and moderate to severe dyspnoea. METHODS: Patients were recruited from the emergency department of an academic teaching hospital. Informed consent and the entire treatment protocol was administered by a study physician. Nitric oxide was administered using a commercial device (Inovent) and a custom-made non-rebreathing face mask. The NO concentration was increased at 1 ppm/min (parts per million) until a maximum of 25 ppm and continued for 120 min and then weaned at 1 ppm/min. Dyspnoea was assessed with the Borg score, oxygenation by pulse oximetry, and haemodynamic status by shock index (HR/SBP). RESULTS: Eight patients were enrolled. All patients tolerated the entire protocol without adverse events, and all had decreased numerical Borg score by >50%. The changes from baseline to 155 min were as follows: Borg score 7.5±2.5 to 2.3±1.9 (p=0.06, Signed rank test), SaO2% 93±5 to 97±3 and shock index 1.0±0.11 to 0.86±0.09. No patient experienced worsening during weaning. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled NO reduced dyspnoea without adverse events in eight patients with severe submassive PE. This protocol can serve as the basis for a phase II trial or for a compassionate use protocol.

Multicenter, randomized trial of quantitative pretest probability to reduce unnecessary medical radiation exposure in emergency department patients with chest pain and dyspnea.

BACKGROUND: Use of pretest probability can reduce unnecessary testing. We hypothesize that quantitative pretest probability, linked to evidence-based management strategies, can reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and cost in low-risk patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a prospective, 4-center, randomized controlled trial of decision support effectiveness. Subjects were adults with chest pain and dyspnea, nondiagnostic ECGs, and no obvious diagnosis. The clinician provided data needed to compute pretest probabilities from a Web-based system. Clinicians randomized to the intervention group received the pretest probability estimates for both acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism and suggested clinical actions designed to lower radiation exposure and cost. The control group received nothing. Patients were followed for 90 days. The primary outcome and sample size of 550 was predicated on a significant reduction in the proportion of healthy patients exposed to >5 mSv chest radiation. A total of 550 patients were randomized, and 541 had complete data. The proportion with >5 mSv to the chest and no significant cardiopulmonary diagnosis within 90 days was reduced from 33% to 25% (P=0.038). The intervention group had significantly lower median chest radiation exposure (0.06 versus 0.34 mSv; P=0.037, Mann-Whitney U test) and lower median costs ($934 versus $1275; P=0.018) for medical care. Adverse events occurred in 16% of controls and 11% in the intervention group (P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Provision of pretest probability and prescriptive advice reduced radiation exposure and cost of care in low-risk ambulatory patients with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01059500.

Outcomes and radiation exposure of emergency department patients with chest pain and shortness of breath and ultralow pretest probability: a multicenter study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Excessive radiation exposure remains a concern for patients with symptoms suggesting acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism but must be judged in the perspective of pretest probability and outcomes. We quantify and qualify the pretest probability, outcomes, and radiation exposure of adults with both chest pain and dyspnea. METHODS: This was a prospective, 4-center, outcomes study. Patients were adults with dyspnea and chest pain, nondiagnostic ECGs, and no obvious diagnosis. Pretest probability for both acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism was assessed with a validated method; ultralow risk was defined as pretest probability less than 2.5% for both acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism. Patients were followed for diagnosis and total medical radiation exposure for 90 days. RESULTS: Eight hundred forty patients had complete data; 23 (3%) had acute coronary syndrome and 15 (2%) had pulmonary embolism. The cohort received an average of 4.9 mSv radiation to the chest, 48% from computed tomography pulmonary angiography. The pretest probability estimates for acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism were less than 2.5% in 227 patients (27%), of whom 0 of 277 (0%; 95% confidence interval 0% to 1.7%) had acute coronary syndrome or pulmonary embolism and 7 of 227 (3%) had any significant cardiopulmonary diagnosis. The estimated chest radiation exposure per patient in this ultralow-risk group was 3.5 mSv, including 26 (3%) with greater than 5 mSv radiation to the chest and no significant cardiopulmonary diagnosis. CONCLUSION: One quarter of patients with chest pain and dyspnea had ultralow risk and no acute coronary syndrome or pulmonary embolism but were exposed to an average of 3.5 mSv radiation to the chest. These data can be used in a clinical guideline to reduce radiation exposure.

Rationale and methodology for a multicentre randomised trial of fibrinolysis for pulmonary embolism that includes quality of life outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) has a low mortality rate but can degrade functional capacity. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to provide rationale, methodology, and initial findings of a multicentre, randomised trial of fibrinolysis for PE that used a composite end-point, including quality of life measures. METHODS: This investigator-initiated study was funded by a contract between a corporate partner and the investigator's hospital (the prime site). The investigator was the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sponsor. The prime site subcontracted, indemnified, and trained consortia members. Consenting, normotensive patients with PE and right ventricular strain (by echocardiography or biomarkers) received low-molecular-weight heparin and random assignment to a single bolus of tenecteplase or placebo in double-blinded fashion. The outcomes were: (i) in-hospital rate of intubation, vasopressor support, and major haemorrhage, or (ii) at 90 days, death, recurrent PE, or composite that defined poor quality of life (echocardiography, 6 min walk test and surveys). The planned sample size was n = 200. RESULTS: Eight sites enrolled 87 patients over 5 years. The ratio of patients screened for each enrolled was 7.4 to 1, equating to 11 h screening time per patient enrolled. Primary barrier to enrolment was the cost of screening. Two patients died (2.5%, 95%CI [0-8%]), one developed shock, but 18 (22%, 95%CI: [13-30%]) had a poor quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: An investigator-initiated, FDA-regulated, multicentre trial of fibrinolysis for submassive PE was conducted, but was limited by screening costs and a low mortality rate. Quality of life measurements might represent a more important patient-centred end-point.

Derivation and validation of a multivariate model to predict mortality from pulmonary embolism with cancer: The POMPE-C tool.

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines recommend risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Active cancer increases risk of PE and worsens prognosis, but also causes incidental PE that may be discovered during cancer staging. No quantitative decision instrument has been derived specifically for patients with active cancer and PE. METHODS: Classification and regression technique was used to reduce 25 variables prospectively collected from 408 patients with AC and PE. Selected variables were transformed into a logistic regression model, termed POMPE-C, and compared with the pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) score to predict the outcome variable of death within 30 days. Validation was performed in an independent sample of 182 patients with active cancer and PE. RESULTS: POMPE-C included eight predictors: body mass, heart rate >100, respiratory rate, SaO2%, respiratory distress, altered mental status, do not resuscitate status, and unilateral limb swelling. In the derivation set, the area under the ROC curve for POMPE-C was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.82-0.87), significantly greater than PESI (0.68, 0.60-0.76). In the validation sample, POMPE-C had an AUC of 0.86 (0.78-0.93). No patient with POMPE-C estimate ≤ 5% died within 30 days (0/50, 0-7%), whereas 10/13 (77%, 46-95%) with POMPE-C estimate >50% died within 30 days. CONCLUSION: In patients with active cancer and PE, POMPE-C demonstrated good prognostic accuracy for 30 day mortality and better performance than PESI. If validated in a large sample, POMPE-C may provide a quantitative basis to decide treatment options for PE discovered during cancer staging and with advanced cancer.

Teratocarcinoma con componente de coriocarcinoma / Teratocarcinoma with a component of choriocarcinoma

Los teratocarcinomas representan aproximadamente entre el 3-5% de los tumores intracraneales en la infancia. Su manifestación clínica puede variar desde un estado asintomático hasta un amplio espectro de síntomas neurológicos, visuales y endocrinos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 9 años de edad atendida en el Hospital Pediátrico "Pepe Portilla" de Pinar del Río, por un cuadro de cefalea, vómitos y pérdida brusca de la visión, a la cual se le realizan varias investigaciones y se le diagnostica un teratocarcinoma con componente de coriocarcinoma. Se opera y logra una evolución satisfactoria.

Teratocarcinomas represent 3-5% of the intracranial tumors in childhood approximately. Their clinical manifestations can vary from an asymptomatic status to a wide spectrum of neurological, visual and endocrine symptoms. A 9 year-old female patient presenting headache, vomits and sudden loss of vision attended to "Pepe Portilla" Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio. Several medical examinations were performed, diagnosing a Teratocarcinoma with a component of choriocarcinoma; the patient underwent a surgery having a satisfactory evolution.

Teratocarcinoma con componente de coriocarcinoma: presentación de un caso / Teratocarcinoma with a component of choriocarcinoma: a case report

Los teratocarcinomas representan aproximadamente entre el 3-5 por ciento de los tumores intracraneales en la infancia. Su manifestación clínica puede variar desde un estado asintomático hasta un amplio espectro de síntomas neurológicos, visuales y endocrinos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 9 años de edad atendida en el Hospital Pediátrico Pepe Portilla de Pinar del Río, por un cuadro de cefalea, vómitos y pérdida brusca de la visión, a la cual se le realizan varias investigaciones y se le diagnostica un teratocarcinoma con componente de coriocarcinoma. Se opera y logra una evolución satisfactoria(AU)

Teratocarcinomas represent 3-5 per cent of the intracranial tumors in childhood approximately. Their clinical manifestations can vary from an asymptomatic status to a wide spectrum of neurological, visual and endocrine symptoms. A 9 year-old female patient presenting headache, vomits and sudden loss of vision attended to Pepe Portilla Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio. Several medical examinations were performed, diagnosing a Teratocarcinoma with a component of choriocarcinoma; the patient underwent a surgery having a satisfactory evolution(AU)

Normalization of vital signs does not reduce the probability of acute pulmonary embolism in symptomatic emergency department patients.

OBJECTIVES: In a patient with symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE), the presence of an elevated pulse, respiratory rate, shock index, or decreased pulse oximetry increases pretest probability of PE. The objective of this study was to evaluate if normalization of an initially abnormal vital sign can be used as evidence to lower the suspicion for PE. METHODS: This was a prospective, noninterventional, single-center study of diagnostic accuracy conducted on adults presenting to an academic emergency department (ED), with at least one predefined symptom or sign of PE and one risk factor for PE. Clinical data, including the first four sets of vital signs, were recorded while the patient was in the ED. All patients underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and had 45-day follow-up as criterion standards. Diagnostic accuracy of each vital sign (pulse rate, respiratory rate, shock index, pulse oximetry) at each time was examined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: A total of 192 were enrolled, including 35 (18%) with PE. All patients had vital signs at triage, and 174 (91%), 135 (70%), and 106 (55%) had second to fourth sets of vital signs obtained, respectively. The initial pulse oximetry reading had the highest AUC (0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50 to 0.76) for predicting PE, and no other vital sign at any point had an AUC over 0.60. Among patients with an abnormal pulse rate, respiratory rate, shock index, or pulse oximetry at triage that subsequently normalized, the prevalences of PE were 18, 14, 19, and 33%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should not use the observation of normalized vital signs as a reason to forego objective testing for symptomatic patients with a risk factor for PE.

Síndrome de Miller Fisher. A propósito de un caso / Miller Fisher syndrome. A case report

El síndrome de Miller Fisher es una variedad clínica del síndrome de Guillain-Barré, que se caracteriza por oftalmoplejía, arreflexia y ataxia. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 6 años de edad, atendida en el Hospital Pediátrico Docente Pepe Portilla de Pinar del Río, en noviembre de 2010; con antecedentes de salud anterior, que 5 días previos al inicio del cuadro tuvo una infección respiratoria alta aguda, seguida de un cuadro de debilidad bucofaríngea y facial, ataxia y debilidad muscular intensa de las extremidades. Se interconsulta con el servicio de Neurología, donde se constata diplejía facial periférica, parálisis del IV par izquierdo, ataxia e hiporreflexia; se le realizan varias investigaciones e ingresa en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos con el diagnóstico de síndrome de Miller Fisher. Se comienza el tratamiento con terapéuticocon, intacglobin y vitaminoterapia, logrando una evolución satisfactoria de la paciente a los 10 días de su ingreso en el servicio de UCI con regresión del cuadro.

Miller Fisher syndrome is a clinical variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome it is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, areflexia and ataxia. A six-year old female patient attended to "Pepe Portilla" Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio in November 2010; with past health records, who 5 days before the onset of the disorder suffered from an acute upper respiratory infection that was followed by a picture of buccopharyngeal and facial weakness, ataxia and acute muscular debility of the limbs. A referral to Neurology service verified peripheral facial diplegia, paralysis of the IV left pair, ataxia and hyporeflexia; several examinations were performed before admitting her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with the diagnosis of Miller Fisher syndrome. The therapeutic treatment included intacglobin and vitamins, achieving a satisfactory progress; the patient was discharged from the ICU 10 days after her admission with a total regression of the clinical picture.

Craneofaringioma. Presentación de un caso / Craniopharyngiomas. A case report

Los craneo faringiomas representan aproximadamente entre el 6 y 10 por ciento de los tumores intracraneales en la infancia. Su manifestación clínica puede variar desde un estado asintomático hasta un amplio espectro de síntomas neurológicos, psicológicos, visuales y endocrinos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 15 años de edad, atendida en la consulta externa de neurología del Hospital Pediátrico Pepe Portilla de Pinar del Río por un cuadro de cefalea y vómitos. Se le realizan varias investigaciones cuyo diagnóstico da como resultado un craneofaringioma por tomografía simple de cráneo. Se opera por la vía endoscópica, y se logra una evolución satisfactoria.

Craniopharyngiomas represent approximately the 6 and 10% of intracranial tumors in the infancy. Clinical manifestations can vary from an asymptomatic status to a wide spectrum of neurological, psychological, visual and endocrine symptoms. A 15 year-old female patient, attending to the external service of neurology at "Pepe Portilla" Provincial Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio, presented a picture of headache and vomits. Several examinations were completed to establish the diagnosis of Craniopharyngioma by means of a simple cranial tomography. She underwent an Endoscopic Surgery and showed a satisfactory evolution.

Astrocitoma Cerebeloso Pilocítico. A propósito de un caso / Cerebellar Pylocitic Astrocytoma. A case report

El astrocitoma cerebeloso pilocítico representa el 20% de los tumores intracraneales en la infancia, generalmente son benignos y de crecimiento lento, que aparecen a cualquiera edad; es más frecuente entre los 5 y los 9 años de edad y uno de los más benignos de la infancia. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 6 años de edad, atendida en la consulta externa de neurología del Hospital Provincial Pediátrico Pepe Portilla de Pinar del Río, por un cuadro de cefalea, vómitos e inestabilidad de la marcha. Se le realizan varias investigaciones y diagnostica un astrocitoma cerebeloso pilocítico por tomografía simple de cráneo. Se opera y logra una evolución satisfactoria de la paciente.

Cerebellar Pylocitic Astrocytoma represents 20% of the intracranial tumors in childhood, generally benign and with a slow-growth, and can appear at any age; it is more frequent from 5 to 9 years old and one of the most benign tumors in this stage of life. A 6-year old female patient was referred to the outpatient neurology service at "Pepe Postilla" Provincial Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio. The patient suffered from headache, vomits and unstable gait. Several investigations were performed and the diagnosis of Cerebellar Pylocitic Astrocytoma was corroborated using a simple skull tomography. The patient underwent a surgery with satisfactory evolution.

Síndrome de Miller Fisher: a propósito de un caso / Miller Fisher syndrome: a case report

El síndrome de Miller Fisher es una variedad clínica del síndrome de Guillain-Barré, que se caracteriza por oftalmoplejía, arreflexia y ataxia. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 6 años de edad, atendida en el Hospital Pediátrico Docente Pepe Portilla de Pinar del Río, en noviembre de 2010; con antecedentes de salud anterior, que 5 días previos al inicio del cuadro tuvo una infección respiratoria alta aguda, seguida de un cuadro de debilidad bucofaríngea y facial, ataxia y debilidad muscular intensa de las extremidades. Se interconsulta con el servicio de Neurología, donde se constata diplejía facial periférica, parálisis del IV par izquierdo, ataxia e hiporreflexia; se le realizan varias investigaciones e ingresa en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos con el diagnóstico de síndrome de Miller Fisher. Se comienza el tratamiento con terapéuticocon, intacglobin y vitaminoterapia, logrando una evolución satisfactoria de la paciente a los 10 días de su ingreso en el servicio de UCI con regresión del cuadro...(AU)

Miller Fisher syndrome is a clinical variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome it is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, areflexia and ataxia. A six-year old female patient attended to Pepe Portilla Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio in November 2010; with past health records, who 5 days before the onset of the disorder suffered from an acute upper respiratory infection that was followed by a picture of buccopharyngeal and facial weakness, ataxia and acute muscular debility of the limbs. A referral to Neurology service verified peripheral facial diplegia, paralysis of the IV left pair, ataxia and hyporeflexia; several examinations were performed before admitting her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with the diagnosis of Miller Fisher syndrome. The therapeutic treatment included intacglobin and vitamins, achieving a satisfactory progress; the patient was discharged from the ICU 10 days after her admission with a total regression of the clinical picture...(AU)

Astrocitoma Cerebeloso Pilocítico: a propósito de un caso / Cerebellar Pylocitic Astrocytoma: a case report

El astrocitoma cerebeloso pilocítico representa el 20 por ciento de los tumores intracraneales en la infancia, generalmente son benignos y de crecimiento lento, que aparecen a cualquiera edad; es más frecuente entre los 5 y los 9 años de edad y uno de los más benignos de la infancia. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 6 años de edad, atendida en la consulta externa de neurología del Hospital Provincial Pediátrico Pepe Portilla de Pinar del Río, por un cuadro de cefalea, vómitos e inestabilidad de la marcha. Se le realizan varias investigaciones y diagnostica un astrocitoma cerebeloso pilocítico por tomografía simple de cráneo. Se opera y logra una evolución satisfactoria de la paciente...(AU)

Cerebellar Pylocitic Astrocytoma represents 20 per cent of the intracranial tumors in childhood, generally benign and with a slow-growth, and can appear at any age; it is more frequent from 5 to 9 years old and one of the most benign tumors in this stage of life. A 6-year old female patient was referred to the outpatient neurology service at Pepe Postilla Provincial Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio. The patient suffered from headache, vomits and unstable gait. Several investigations were performed and the diagnosis of Cerebellar Pylocitic Astrocytoma was corroborated using a simple skull tomography. The patient underwent a surgery with satisfactory evolution...(AU)

Craneofaringioma: presentación de un caso / Craniopharyngiomas: a case report

Los craneofaringiomas representan aproximadamente entre el 6 y 10 por ciento de los tumores intracraneales en la infancia. Su manifestación clínica puede variar desde un estado asintomático hasta un amplio espectro de síntomas neurológicos, psicológicos, visuales y endocrinos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 15 años de edad, atendida en la consulta externa de neurología del Hospital Pediátrico Pepe Portilla de Pinar del Río por un cuadro de cefalea y vómitos. Se le realizan varias investigaciones cuyo diagnóstico da como resultado un craneofaringioma por tomografía simple de cráneo. Se opera por la vía endoscópica, y se logra una evolución satisfactoria(AU)

Craniopharyngiomas represent approximately the 6 and 10 per cent of intracranial tumors in the infancy. Clinical manifestations can vary from an asymptomatic status to a wide spectrum of neurological, psychological, visual and endocrine symptoms. A 15 year-old female patient, attending to the external service of neurology at Pepe Portilla Provincial Children Hospital, Pinar del Rio, presented a picture of headache and vomits. Several examinations were completed to establish the diagnosis of Craniopharyngioma by means of a simple cranial tomography. She underwent an Endoscopic Surgery and showed a satisfactory evolution(AU)

Frequency of thrombophilia-related genetic variations in patients with idiopathic pulmonary embolism in an urban emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of the thrombophilic genetic variants factor V Leiden (FVL) G1691A, prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T in acutely symptomatic ambulatory patients with idiopathic pulmonary embolism (PE) has not been measured. METHODS: This prospective case-control study included patients presenting to urban emergency departments (EDs) with chest pain or shortness of breath. Cases were classified as idiopathic PE (49 patients with PE, but without overt risk factors for thrombosis). Control groups included (a) patients with nonidiopathic PE (152 patients with PE and risk factors); (b) patients in whom PE was excluded (91 patients who had PE ruled out with a structured protocol, including follow-up); and (c) patients in whom PE was not suspected (193 patients without a workup for PE, who were free of PE on follow-up). Blood DNA extracts were analyzed by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for the FVL, prothrombin, and MTHFR sequence variations. RESULTS: Either the FVL or prothrombin variant was found in 10% (95% confidence interval, 3%-22%) of patients with idiopathic PE compared with 13% (8%-20%) of nonidiopathic PE, 2% (5%-14%) of PE excluded, and 9% (5%-14%) of PE not suspected patients. Patients with idiopathic PE tended to have a higher frequency of homozygous MTHFR sequence variants, but mean (SD) plasma homocysteine concentrations were not increased [15.6 (5.4) micromol/L vs 12.8 (4.6) micromol/L for homozygous, and wild-type, respectively; P = 0.40]. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of either the FVL or prothrombin sequence variant was not increased in idiopathic PE patients compared with nonidiopathic PE patients or patients who had PE excluded. These data suggest that genotyping to detect idiopathic PE would have limited clinical utility in the urban ED setting.