Drug delivery systems using sandwich configurations of electrospun poly(lactic acid) nanofiber membranes and ibuprofen.

The primary advantages of electrospun membranes include the ability to obtain very thin fibers that are on the order of magnitude of several nanometers with a considerable superficial area and the possibility for these membranes to be manipulated and processed for many different applications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and quantify the transport mechanisms that control the release of drugs from polymer-based sandwich membranes produced using the electrospinning processes. These electrospun membranes were composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) because it is one of the most promising biodegradable polymers due to its mechanical properties, thermoplastic processability and biological properties, such as its biocompatibility and biodegradability. The transport mechanism that controls the drug delivery was evaluated via the release kinetics of a bioactive agent in physiological serum, which was used as a corporal fluid simulation. To describe the delivery process, mathematical models, such as the Power Law, the classical Higuchi equation and an approach to Fick's Second Law were used. Using the applied mathematical models, it is possible to conclude that control over the release of the drug is significantly dependent on the thickness of the membrane rather than the concentration of the drug.

Puente óseo interaritenoideo post-intubación laringotraqueal prolongada / Interarytenoid osseous bridge after prolonged endotracheal intubation

La estenosis glótica posterior por fijación interaritenoidea es muy poco común, y a veces se diagnostica como parálisis de las cuerdas. La laringoscopia y electromiografía laríngea son los métodos diagnósticos principales. Presentamos un paciente varón de 63 años, que estuvo intubado 10 días después de un procedimiento cardíaco. Se valoró en nuestra consulta por disfonía. La endolaringoscopia mostró un granuloma en el espacio glótico posterior. La microcirugía endolaríngea mostró la consistencia ósea de la lesión. Posteriormente se realizó una excisión láser con buenos resultados a largo plazo. Según nuestra revisión este caso sería el segundo reportado en la literatura(AU)

Posterior glottic stenosis or interarytenoid fibrous adhesion is uncommon and has sometimes been misdiagnosed as cord paralysis. Laryngoscopy and laryngeal electromyography studies are the two main diagnostic aids. We present the case of a 63-year-old man under endotracheal intubation during 10 days after a cardiac procedure who was evaluated in our department for persistent dysphonia. The laryngoscopy showed a granuloma-like lesion in the posterior glottic space. During the microlaryngoscopy procedure, the osseous consistence of the interarytenoid lesion was observed. Laser surgery excision of the lesion was performed with good results. According to our review of the literature, this corresponds to the second case reported(AU)

Interarytenoid osseous bridge after prolonged endotracheal intubation.

Posterior glottic stenosis or interarytenoid fibrous adhesion is uncommon and has sometimes been misdiagnosed as cord paralysis. Laryngoscopy and laryngeal electromyography studies are the two main diagnostic aids. We present the case of a 63-year-old man under endotracheal intubation during 10 days after a cardiac procedure who was evaluated in our department for persistent dysphonia. The laryngoscopy showed a granuloma-like lesion in the posterior glottic space. During the microlaryngoscopy procedure, the osseous consistence of the interarytenoid lesion was observed. Laser surgery excision of the lesion was performed with good results. According to our review of the literature, this corresponds to the second case reported.

Síndrome de Ramsay Hunt: nuestra experiencia / Ramsay Hunt syndrome: our experience

Introducción: El síndrome de Ramsay Hunt (SRH) es causado por el virus Varicela-Zoster (VVZ) y está caracterizado clínicamente por erupciones cutáneas a nivel auricular, parálisis facial periférica (PFP), y afectación cócleo-vestibular. Objetivo: Analizar la evolución clínica de los síntomas más frecuentes del SRH y valorar la evolución de los mismos en un período superior a los 6 meses. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo que incluye a todos los pacientes que acudieron al servicio de urgencias con el diagnóstico de SRH entre enero de 1995 y diciembre de 2004, y que fueron controlados por un período superior a los 6 meses. Resultados: Total de 54 pacientes. Rango de edad: 16 y 74 años, media de 49 años. El 7,5% de los pacientes debutaron con PFP seguido de síntomas cócleo-vestibulares mientras que el 20,2% presentaron de forma concomitante ambos síntomas. El 72,4% presentó clínica cócleo-vestibular previa a la PFP. La otodinia se presentó en un 83% en las primeras 48h. La hipoacusia fue referida en el 26% de los enfermos, acúfenos en un 7% y síntomas vestibulares en 84% de los casos. Conclusión: La recuperación de la PFP se relaciona con el grado de afectación inicial. Las manifestaciones cócleo-vestibulares son más frecuentes en pacientes con un mayor grado de afectación del nervio facial. La hipoacusia suele presentar una evolución tórpida. Los síntomas vestibulares tienen una buena respuesta clínica. La hipoacusia puede pasar inadvertida en estos pacientes y debe ser siempre confirmada con las pruebas complementarias (AU)

Introduction: Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus and characterised by skin rash, peripheral facial palsy and otologic symptoms. Objective: This was an epidemiological study on the incidence and prognosis of this syndrome. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on the patients diagnosed with RHS who were seen in the emergency room between January 1995 and December 2004, and were followed up for more than 6 months. Results: Of the 54 patients included in this study, 7.5% had facial palsy as their first symptom, followed by otologic signs (20.2% had both simultaneously); 72.5% presented otologic signs before facial palsy. Hypoacusis was reported in 26% of the patients, but was objectively present in all of them. The level of facial palsy determined the prognosis. Conclusion: In this syndrome, the prognosis of facial palsy depends on the initial symptoms and clinical findings. Otologic symptoms occur more frequently in patients having a greater degree of facial nerve affectation. Vestibular symptoms have a good prognosis. Hypoacusis is much more frequent than reported; as it may go unnoticed in these patients, it should always be confirmed by complementary tests (AU)

[Ramsay Hunt syndrome: our experience]. / Síndrome de Ramsay Hunt: nuestra experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus and characterised by skin rash, peripheral facial palsy and otologic symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This was an epidemiological study on the incidence and prognosis of this syndrome. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on the patients diagnosed with RHS who were seen in the emergency room between January 1995 and December 2004, and were followed up for more than 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients included in this study, 7.5% had facial palsy as their first symptom, followed by otologic signs (20.2% had both simultaneously); 72.5% presented otologic signs before facial palsy. Hypoacusis was reported in 26% of the patients, but was objectively present in all of them. The level of facial palsy determined the prognosis. CONCLUSION: In this syndrome, the prognosis of facial palsy depends on the initial symptoms and clinical findings. Otologic symptoms occur more frequently in patients having a greater degree of facial nerve affectation. Vestibular symptoms have a good prognosis. Hypoacusis is much more frequent than reported; as it may go unnoticed in these patients, it should always be confirmed by complementary tests.

Tumor de saco endolinfático como causa infrecuente de síndrome de Ménière / Endolymphatic sac tumour as an infrequent cause of Ménière's syndrome

Los tumores del saco endolinfático son tumores raros. Se han clasificado como adenocarcinomas de grado bajo de malignidad y hasta la fecha no se ha documentado metástasis. Presentamos a una paciente con enfermedad de Von Hippel-Lindau y síndrome de Ménière con un tumor de saco endolinfático. El diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz son esenciales para conservar la audición, por lo que se recomienda, ante una clínica sugestiva, realizar un seguimiento durante años (AU)

Endolymphatic sac tumours are uncommon. They have been classified as adenocarcinomas with a low degree of malignancy and no metastases have yet been documented. We report on a female patient with Von Hippel-Lindau disease and Ménière's syndrome suffering from an endolymphatic sac tumour. Diagnosis and early treatment are essential to preserve hearing, so long-term monitoring is recommended when this clinical combination is encountered (AU)

[Endolymphatic sac tumour as an infrequent cause of Ménière's syndrome]. / Tumor de saco endolinfático como causa infrecuente de síndrome de Ménière.

Endolymphatic sac tumours are uncommon. They have been classified as adenocarcinomas with a low degree of malignancy and no metastases have yet been documented. We report on a female patient with Von Hippel-Lindau disease and Ménière's syndrome suffering from an endolymphatic sac tumour. Diagnosis and early treatment are essential to preserve hearing, so long-term monitoring is recommended when this clinical combination is encountered.