Lung Ultrasound Elastography by SWE2D and "Fibrosis-like" Computed Tomography Signs after COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Follow-Up Study.

The aim of this study was to assess the shear wave velocity by LUS elastography (SWE2D) for the evaluation of superficial lung stiffness after COVID-19 pneumonia, according to "fibrosis-like" signs found by Computed Tomography (CT), considering the respiratory function. Seventy-nine adults participated in the study 42 to 353 days from symptom onset. Paired evaluations (SWE2D and CT) were performed along with the assessment of arterial blood gases and spirometry, three times with 100 days in between. During the follow-up and within each evaluation, the SWE2D velocity changed over time (MANOVA, p < 0.05) according to the extent of "fibrosis-like" CT signs by lung lobe (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The variability of the SWE2D velocity was consistently related to the first-second forced expiratory volume and the forced vital capacity (MANCOVA, p < 0.05), which changed over time with no change in blood gases. Covariance was also observed with age and patients' body mass index, the time from symptom onset until hospital admission, and the history of diabetes in those who required intensive care during the acute phase (MANCOVA, p < 0.05). After COVID-19 pneumonia, SWE2D velocity can be related to the extent and regression of "fibrotic-like" involvement of the lung lobes, and it could be a complementary tool in the follow-up after COVID-19 pneumonia.

[Answer to "Comment on article: "Correlation between ultrasonography and thorax portable radiography in patients with COVID-19""]. / Respuesta a "Comentario al artículo: "Correlación entre ultrasonografía y radiografía portátil de tórax en pacientes con COVID-19"".

Science, through scientific research, is an activity that generates new ideas. However, for the construction of new knowledge it is necessary to confront ideas with peers in the scientific world; which is exercised through scientific communication.

La ciencia, a través de la investigación científica, es una actividad generadora de nuevas ideas. Sin embargo, para la construcción del nuevo conocimiento es necesario confrontar las ideas con los pares en el mundo científico; lo cual se ejerce a través de la comunicación científica.

[Correlation between ultrasonography and thorax portable radiography in patients with COVID-19]. / Correlación entre ultrasonografía y radiografía portátil de tórax en pacientes con COVID-19.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, portable chest radiography (portable CRx) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) have been widely used to follow up hospitalized patients. Yet, it is scarce the information about the relation between the signs observed by means of each method in patients with COVID-19. Objective: To assess the correlation between concurrent images acquired by LUS and portable CRx during the follow-up of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Material and methods: We performed 113 LUS and 113 corresponding CRx during the follow-up of 44 patients (30 men/14 women, 30-85 years old) with COVID-19 (RT-qPCR). Images were stored in a picture communication system and were revised by two specialists of each imaging method independently. Statistical analysis was performed using Gamma correlation and t test (significance level of 0.05). Results: The most frequent LUS sign was confluent B lines, and it was related to the most frequent portable CRx signs (ground-glass opacities and consolidations). An inverse relationship was observed between A lines (gas in the lungs) and B7 lines (suggestive of interstitial edema). Confluent B lines also showed a strong inverse correlation with A lines (more frequent confluent B lines were related to low frequent A lines), a moderate inverse correlation with B7 lines, and a mild inverse correlation with B3 lines. Conclusion: During the follow-up of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, LUS and portable CRx may complement each other to provide information about lung damage.

Introducción: durante la pandemia por COVID-19, la radiografía portátil de tórax y la ultrasonografía se han usado ampliamente para el seguimiento de pacientes hospitalizados. Sin embargo, es escasa la información sobre la relación entre los signos que se observan mediante cada método en pacientes con COVID-19. Objetivo: estimar la correlación entre imágenes concurrentes obtenidas por ultrasonografía de pulmón y por radiografía portátil de tórax durante el seguimiento de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Material y métodos: se realizaron 113 estudios de ultrasonografía y los correspondientes 113 de radiografía portátil de tórax durante el seguimiento de 44 pacientes (30 hombres/14 mujeres, edad 30-85 años) con COVID-19 (RT-qPCR). Las imágenes se resguardaron en un sistema de comunicación para su evaluación independiente por dos especialistas en cada método. El análisis se hizo con correlación gamma y prueba t (significancia de 0.05). Resultados: el signo por ultrasonido más frecuente fue el de líneas B-confluentes en correlación con los signos radiológicos de imagen en vidrio deslustrado y consolidación. Se observó correlación inversa entre líneas A (pulmón aireado) y líneas B7 (sugerentes de edema intersticial); las líneas B-confluentes mostraron correlación inversa y fuerte con líneas A (a mayor frecuencia de líneas B-confluentes, menor frecuencia de líneas A), correlación inversa moderada con líneas B7 y correlación inversa débil con líneas B3. Conclusión: en el seguimiento de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19, los signos por ultrasonografía pulmonar y por radiografía portátil de tórax pueden ser complementarios para identificar las características del daño pulmonar.

Correlación entre ultrasonografía y radiografía portátil de tórax en pacientes con COVID-19 / Correlation between ultrasonography and thorax portable radiography in patients with COVID-19

Introducción: durante la pandemia por COVID-19, la radiografía portátil de tórax y la ultrasonografía se han usado ampliamente para el seguimiento de pacientes hospitalizados. Sin embargo, es escasa la información sobre la relación entre los signos que se observan mediante cada método en pacientes con COVID-19. Objetivo: estimar la correlación entre imágenes concurrentes obtenidas por ultrasonografía de pulmón y por radiografía portátil de tórax durante el seguimiento de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Material y métodos: se realizaron 113 estudios de ultrasonografía y los correspondientes 113 de radiografía portátil de tórax durante el seguimiento de 44 pacientes (30 hombres/14 mujeres, edad 30-85 años) con COVID-19 (RT-qPCR). Las imágenes se resguardaron en un sistema de comunicación para su evaluación independiente por dos especialistas en cada método. El análisis se hizo con correlación gamma y prueba t (significancia de 0.05). Resultados: el signo por ultrasonido más frecuente fue el de líneas B-confluentes en correlación con los signos radiológicos de imagen en vidrio deslustrado y consolidación. Se observó correlación inversa entre líneas A (pulmón aireado) y líneas B7 (sugerentes de edema intersticial); las líneas B-confluentes mostraron correlación inversa y fuerte con líneas A (a mayor frecuencia de líneas B-confluentes, menor frecuencia de líneas A), correlación inversa moderada con líneas B7 y correlación inversa débil con líneas B3. Conclusión: en el seguimiento de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19, los signos por ultrasonografía pulmonar y por radiografía portátil de tórax pueden ser complementarios para identificar las características del daño pulmonar

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, portable chest radiography (portable CRx) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) have been widely used to follow up hospitalized patients. Yet, it is scarce the information about the relation between the signs observed by means of each method in patients with COVID-19. Objective: To assess the correlation between concurrent images acquired by LUS and portable CRx during the follow-up of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Material and methods: We performed 113 LUS and 113 corresponding CRx during the follow-up of 44 patients (30 men/14 women, 30-85 years old) with COVID-19 (RT-qPCR). Images were stored in a picture communication system and were revised by two specialists of each imaging method independently. Statistical analysis was performed using Gamma correlation and t test (significance level of 0.05). Results: The most frequent LUS sign was confluent B lines, and it was related to the most frequent portable CRx signs (ground-glass opacities and consolidations). An inverse relationship was observed between A lines (gas in the lungs) and B7 lines (suggestive of interstitial edema). Confluent B lines also showed a strong inverse correlation with A lines (more frequent confluent B lines were related to low frequent A lines), a moderate inverse correlation with B7 lines, and a mild inverse correlation with B3 lines. Conclusion: During the follow-up of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, LUS and portable CRx may complement each other to provide information about lung damage

[Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastrointestinal stromal tumors]. / Hemorragia gastrointestinal de origen oscuro por tumores de estroma gastrointestinal.

BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common soft tissue sarcomas of the digestive tract. They are usually found in the stomach (60-70%) and small intestine (25-30%) and, less commonly, in the oesophagus, mesentery, colon, or rectum. The symptoms present at diagnosis are, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal mass, or intestinal obstruction. The type of symptomatology will depend on the location and size of the tumour. The definitive diagnosis is histopathological, with 95% of the tumours being positive for CD117. CLINICAL CASES: This is an observational and descriptive study of 5cases of small intestinal GIST that presented with gastrointestinal bleeding as the main symptom. The period from the initial symptom to the diagnosis varied from 1 to 84 months. The endoscopy was inconclusive in all of the patients, and the diagnosis was made using computed tomography and angiography. Treatment included resection in all patients. The histopathological results are also described. CONCLUSION: GIST can have multiple clinical pictures and unusual symptoms, such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. The use of computed tomography and angiography has shown to be an important tool in the diagnosis with patients with small intestine GISTs.

Management of pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Splenic pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon disease. It occurs as a consequence of injury to the vascular wall, mostly inflammatory. The main symptom is gastrointestinal bleeding. The objective of this paper is to present the case of two patients with splenic pseudoaneurysm. CASE REPORTS: The first case we present is a 26-year-old male with a history of idiopatic pancreatitis, pancreatic abscess and colonic fistula 3 years prior. The second case is a 20-year-old male with a history of chronic kidney disease with peritoneal dialysis interrupted due to fungal (Candida albicans) peritonitis. Both patients presented with signs of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic examinations (upper endoscopy and colonoscopy) were inconclusive. Tomographic studies showed the lesion. Arteriography with embolization was performed and was satisfactory in one case and partially satisfactory in the other case. Surgery was done with proximal and distal ligation of the lesion with splenectomy. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory. During the follow-up for 6 and 12 months, neither patient has presented signs of recurrent bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: This is a very rare lesion usually presenting after a history of pancreatitis or abdominal trauma. This lesion must be ruled out in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Arteriography with embolization is the best diagnostic and probably therapeutic procedure. Surgery is warranted for hemodynamically unstable patients, embolization failure or rebleeding.