Estadificación quirúrgica del cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas: ¿cuándo deberíamos realizar de rutina la resección de los ganglios supraclaviculares? / Surgical staging of non-small cell lung carcinoma: when should we routinely resect supraclavicular lymph nodes?

RESUMEN Antecedentes: la evaluación precisa del estadio del carcinoma pulmonar luego del diagnóstico es esencial para la selección de una terapia apropiada. Objetivo: describir las características de los pacientes con carcinoma de pulmón de células no pequeñas en los cuales la resección ganglionar supraclavicular permitiría detectar metástasis ganglionares no palpables (N3-supraclavicular). Material y métodos: entre diciembre de 2016 y diciembre de 2019 se registraron los datos de pacientes a quienes se les realizó estadificación quirúrgica mediastinal para cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas mediante mediastinoscopia cervical y resección de los ganglios supraclaviculares. Resultados: fueron incluidos 60 pacientes, (hombres 76,7%). La media tumoral fue de 4,7 cm y la de estaciones ganglionares evaluadas fue de 2,37 ± 1,44 (DS). En todos se realizó la resección ganglionar supraclavicular y el resultado fue positivo para malignidad epitelial en 21 casos (35%). De los 21 casos N3-supraclavicular, 2 pacientes se registraron como skip metástasis; el resto se asoció a enfermedad mediastinal N2 (p=0,0424). Se observó una asociación significativa entre le presencia de tumor central y de N3-supraclavicular (p=0,0148). Conclusión: se sugiere realizar la resección ganglionar supraclavicular en pacientes con sospecha o confirmación de enfermedad ganglionar N2 y tumores centrales, antes de considerar un enfoque terapéutico multimodal que incluya la cirugía.

ABSTRACT Background: Accurate staging after the diagnosis of lung carcinoma is essential to select an appropriate therapy. Objective: The aim of the present study is to describe the characteristics of patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma in whom supraclavicular lymph node resection would detect non-palpable (N3 supraclavicular disease) lymph node metastases. Material and methods: Data from patients undergoing mediastinal surgical staging for non-small cell lung cancer using cervical mediastinoscopy and resection of supraclavicular lymph nodes were collected between December 2016 and December 2019. Results: A total of 60 patients were included; 76.6% were men. Mean tumor size was 4.7 cm ad mean lymph node stations evaluated by mediastinoscopy was 2.37 ± 1.44 (SD). All the patients underwent supraclavicular lymph node resection and the result was positive for epithelial carcinoma in 21 cases (35%). Of the 21 cases with N3 supraclavicular disease, 2 patients were recorded as skip metastases and the remaining cases were association with mediastinal N2 disease (p = 0.0424). There was a significant association between central tumor and N3 supraclavicular disease (p = 0.0148). Conclusion: Supraclavicular lymph node resection may be recommended in patients with suspected or confirmed N2 lymph node disease and central tumors, before considering a multimodal therapeutic approach including surgery.

The Relationship between Paresthesia and the Presence of Cardiac Dysautonomia in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Preliminary Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Post-Coronavirus disease 2019 (Post-COVID-19) syndrome has neurological symptoms related to the dysfunction of the autonomous nerve system. However, a pathogenic relationship between post-COVID-19 syndrome and dysautonomia still remains to be demonstrated. Establishing a pathogenic relationship between paresthesia and the presence of cardiac dysautonomia in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome is the objective of this study. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This observational study was carried out in the neurophysiology service wing of the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital, Santiago de Cuba, in Cuba. The patients were recruited through a post-COVID-19 clinic at the same hospital. A variability study of cardiac frequency and a test of autonomic cardiovascular reflexes was carried out, which is composed of deep breathing, orthostatism, and the Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: The variability parameters of the cardiac frequency, the expiration-inspiration ratio between deep breaths, and the Valsalva Index showed no statistically significant differences between healthy participants and those with post-COVID-19 syndrome. During the Valsalva maneuver, there was a greater cardiac frequency response in participants with post-COVID-19 syndrome than in healthy subjects. The difference in supine and standing blood pressure was significantly minor in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. The logarithm of high frequency (log HF) increased significantly in patients with paresthesia when compared to patients without paresthesia. CONCLUSIONS: In the autonomic function tests, no signs of dysautonomia were found in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. The presence of paresthesias is associated with differences in cardiac vagal activity, which may suggest that damage to peripheral sensory nerve fibers could be associated with an affectation to autonomic fibres.

Discriminant Model for Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus tend to have insulin resistance, a condition that is evaluated using expensive methods that are not easily accessible in routine clinical practice. Objective: To determine the anthropometric, clinical, and metabolic parameters that allow for the discrimination of type 2 diabetic patients who have insulin resistance from those who do not. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical observational study was carried out in 92 type 2 diabetic patients. A discriminant analysis was applied using the SPSS statistical package to establish the characteristics that differentiate type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance from those without it. Results: Most of the variables analyzed in this study have a statistically significant association with the HOMA-IR. However, only HDL-c, LDL-c, glycemia, BMI, and tobacco exposure time allow for the discrimination of type 2 diabetic patients who have insulin resistance from those who do not, considering the interaction between them. According to the absolute value of the structure matrix, the variable that contributes most to the discriminant model is HDL-c (-0.69). Conclusions: The association between HDL-c, LDL-c, glycemia, BMI, and tobacco exposure time allows for the discrimination of type 2 diabetic patients who have insulin resistance from those who do not. This constitutes a simple model that can be used in routine clinical practice.

Reactive Hyperemia and Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Nonrandomized Clinical Trials.

Objective: This work aimed to determine the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and reactive hyperemia (RH) in type 2 diabetes patients with and without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN). Methodology: A systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized clinical studies characterizing reactive hyperemia and autonomic activity in type 2 diabetes patients with and without CAN was performed. Results: Five articles showed differences in RH between healthy subjects and diabetic patients with and/or without neuropathy, while one study did not show such differences between healthy subjects and diabetic patients, but patients with diabetic ulcers had lower RH index values compared to healthy controls. Another study found no significant difference in blood flow after a muscle strain that induced reactive hyperemia between normal subjects and non-smoking diabetic patients. Four studies measured reactive hyperemia using peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT); only two found a significantly lower endothelial-function-derived measure of PAT in diabetic patients than in those without CAN. Four studies measured reactive hyperemia using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), but no significant differences were reported between diabetic patients with and without CAN. Two studies measured RH using laser Doppler techniques; one of them found significant differences in the blood flow of calf skin after stretching between diabetic non-smokers and smokers. The diabetic smokers had neurogenic activity at baseline that was significantly lower than that of the normal subjects. The greatest evidence revealed that the differences in RH between diabetic patients with and without CAN may depend on both the method used to measure hyperemia and that applied for the ANS examination as well as the type of autonomic deficit present in the patients. Conclusions: In diabetic patients, there is a deterioration in the vasodilator response to the reactive hyperemia maneuver compared to healthy subjects, which depends in part on endothelial and autonomic dysfunction. Blood flow alterations in diabetic patients during RH are mainly mediated by sympathetic dysfunction. The greatest evidence suggests a relationship between ANS and RH; however, there are no significant differences in RH between diabetic patients with and without CAN, as measured using FMD. When the flow of the microvascular territory is measured, the differences between diabetics with and without CAN become evident. Therefore, RH measured using PAT may reflect diabetic neuropathic changes with greater sensitivity compared to FMD.

Are there differences between a real C0-C1 mobilization and a sham technique in function and pressure pain threshold in patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical restriction? A randomised controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain is one of the main reasons for visiting a healthcare professional. In recent years, it has been shown that upper cervical restriction may be a factor involved in neck pain. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effects of a real cervical mobilization technique versus a sham cervical mobilization technique in patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical restriction. METHODS: This was a randomised, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Twenty-eight patients with chronic neck pain were recruited and divided into two groups (14 = real cervical mobilization; 14 = sham mobilization). Both groups received a single 5-minute treatment session. Upper cervical range motion, flexion-rotation test, deep cervical activation and pressure pain threshold were measured. RESULTS: In the between-groups comparison, statistically significant differences were found in favour of the real cervical mobilization group in upper cervical extension (p= 0.003), more restricted side of flexion-rotation test (p< 0.001) and less restricted side of flexion-rotation test (p= 0.007) and in the pressure pain threshold of the right trapezius (p= 0.040) and right splenius (p= 0.049). No differences in deep muscle activation were obtained. CONCLUSION: The real cervical mobilization group generates improvements in upper cervical spine movement and pressure pain threshold of right trapezius and right splenius compared to the sham group in patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical restriction.

Non-Fibrosing Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia: presentation of a case / Neumonía lipoidea exógena no fibrosante: a propósito de un caso

ABSTRACT Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is an unusual disease, with an incidence of 1 to 2.5%, caused by aspiration and accumulation of exogenous lipids in the pulmonary alveoli. When the aspirated agent has an oily composition, a pulmonary inflammatory reaction called lipoid pneumonia is triggered, which over time can lead to irreversible parenchymal fibrosis. Sometimes it can appear as nodular lesions that require a broad differential diagnosis, in which case imaging studies have a fundamental role. Histopathological confirmation is required for definitive diagnosis1. We present a clinical case of lipoid pneumonia which appeared as a lung mass accompanied by bilateral pulmonary infiltrates.

RESUMEN La neumonía lipoidea exógena (NLE) es una patología inusual, que tiene una incidencia del 1% al 2,5%, y tiene su causa en la aspiración y la acumulación de lípidos de origen exógeno dentro de los alvéolos pulmonares. Cuando el agente aspirado es de composición oleosa, se desencadena una reacción inflamatoria pulmonar denominada neumonía lipoidea, que con el tiempo puede conducir a una fibrosis parenquimatosa irreversible. En ocasiones, se puede presentar en forma de lesiones nodulares, que obligan a un amplio diagnóstico diferencial, en el que desempeñan un papel fundamental los estudios por imágenes. Para el diagnóstico definitivo, se requiere confirmación histopatológica1. Presentamos un caso clínico de neumonía lipoidea que se presentó como masa pulmonar acompañada de infiltrados pulmonares bilaterales.

Neumonía lipoidea exógena no fibrosante: a propósito de un caso / Non-Fibrosing Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia: presentation of a case

La neumonía lipoidea exógena (NLE) es una patología inusual, que tiene una incidencia del 1% al 2,5%, y tiene su causa en la aspiración y la acumulación de lípidos de origen exógeno dentro de los alvéolos pulmonares. Cuando el agente aspirado es de composición oleosa, se desencadena una reacción inflamatoria pulmonar denominada neumonía lipoidea, que con el tiempo puede conducir a una fibrosis parenquimatosa irreversible. En ocasiones, se puede presentar en forma de lesiones nodulares, que obligan a un amplio diagnóstico diferencial, en el que desempeñan un papel fundamental los estudios por imágenes. Para el diagnóstico definitivo, se requiere confirmación histopatológica1. Presentamos un caso clínico de neumonía lipoidea que se presentó como masa pulmonar acompañada de infiltrados pulmonares bilaterales.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is an unusual disease, with an incidence of 1 to 2.5%, caused by aspiration and accumulation of exogenous lipids in the pulmonary alveoli. When the aspirated agent has an oily composition, a pulmonary inflammatory reaction called lipoid pneumonia is triggered, which over time can lead to irreversible parenchymal fibrosis. Sometimes it can appear as nodular lesions that require a broad differential diagnosis, in which case imaging studies have a fundamental role. Histo pathological confirmation is required for definitive diagnosis1. We present a clinical case of lipoid pneumonia which appeared as a lung mass ac companied by bilateral pulmonary infiltrates.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication.

The authors demonstrate a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical technique for diaphragmatic plication, which is used to treat acquired diaphragmatic paralysis resulting from injury to the phrenic nerve. The objective of the surgical procedure is to return the abdominal contents to their normal position and restore optimal lung expansion by reducing the size of the diaphragmatic surface. Successful diaphragmatic plication improves lung function, reduces dyspnea, and restores quality of life.

VATS sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.

Excessive sweating in the hands, feet, and armpits is a difficult problem for people who suffer from it and is an increasingly frequent reason for consulting a thoracic surgeon. The existing medical treatments are only palliative, so primary hyperhidrosis is a definite indication for thoracic sympathectomy. This video tutorial shows in detail the 2-port videothoracoscopic surgical technique performed by our surgical team.

[Self-expanding tracheobronchial stent for treatment of post-pneumonectomy bronchopleural fistulas]. / Stent traqueobronquial autoexpansible para el tratamiento de las fistulas broncopleurales post neumonectomias.

Introduction: Bronchopleural fistula represents a formidable complication after pneumonectomies. There are numerous surgical and endoscopic procedures for its treatment. Clinical Case: We present a case where a coated self-expanding nitinol stent was used to exclude a bronchopleural fistula. Result: significant improvement in air leakage was observed. Conclusion: We encourage the use of a covered metal stent in selected patients.

Introducción: La fistula broncopleural representa una complicación temible luego de las neumonectomias. Existen numerosos procedimientos quirúrgicos y endoscópicos para su tratamiento. Caso Clínico: Presentamos caso donde se utilizo un stent de nitinol autoexpansible recubierto para excluir fistula broncopleural. Resultado: se observo importante mejoría de la fuga aérea. Conclusión: alentamos el uso de stent metalico recubierto en pacientes seleccionados.

[Thoracoscopic approach of a complicated pleuro-biliary fistula, after a right hepatectomy]. / Abordaje toracoscópico de fístula bilio-pleural complicada, post hepatectomía derecha.

INTRODUCTION: Pleuro-biliary fistula is a rare complication that originates from various causes, including liver resections. There is no consensus on how to manage them. There are 2 types of treatment: surgical and conservative. Both can be combined. The latter involves the combination of minor surgical procedures such as pleural drainage placement, image-guided percutaneous procedures, and endoscopic procedures. Surgical treatment includes more aggressive approaches such as thoracotomy and / or laparotomy, and can be performed at the start of fistula management or in the event of failure of conservative treatment. In these cases open thoracotomy is the most used approach according to the literature. METHOD: We present the case of a patient undergoing a postoperative right hepatectomy for hepatoarcinoma that complicates with an external biliary fistula and then with a pleuro-biliary fistula with empyema, in which thoracoscopy is used as part of the treatment. RESULT: the patient resolved the complication and the pleural drainage was removed 7 days later. CONCLUSION: thoracoscopy is a safe and effective approach in the treatment of this complication.

INTRODUCCION: La fístula biliopleural es una complicación poco frecuente que se origina por diversas causas, entre ellas, las resecciones hepáticas. No existe consenso acerca de cómo manejarlas. Existe 2 tipos de tratamiento: el quirúrgico y el conservador. Ambos pueden combinarse. El último implica la utilizacion de procedimientos quirúrgicos menores tales como la colocación de un tubo de drenaje pleural, drenajes percutáneos bajo guía imagenológica y procedimientos endoscópicos. El tratamiento quirúrgico incluye abordajes más agresivos como la toracotomía y/o laparotomía, y puede realizarse al inicio del manejo de la fístula o ante la falla del tratamiento conservador. En estos casos la toracotomia abierta es el abordaje más utilizado según la literatura, sin mencionar a la videotoracoscopia. METODO: Presentamos el caso de un paciente cursando un posoperatorio de hepatectomía derecha por hepatoarcinoma que complica con una fístula biliar externa y luego con una fístula biliopleural complicada con empiema, en el cual se utiliza la toracoscopía como parte del tratamiento. RESULTADO: el paciente resolvió la complicación y se extrajo el drenaje pleural 7 días después. CONCLUSION: la toracoscopía es un abordaje seguro y efectivo en el tratamiento de esta complicación.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic apicoposterior segmentectomy.

Anatomic segmentectomy is a form of sublobar resection that can be both diagnostic and therapeutic in the context of an indeterminate pulmonary nodule, suspected metastasis, or small peripheral cancer.  This video tutorial demonstrates our technique for an apicoposterior anatomical segmentectomy performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy, using two ports, for resection of an undiagnosed pulmonary nodule. The steps performed by the surgical team are shown, and we pay particular attention to the recognition of vascular anatomy. To perform this type of sublobar resection, it is necessary to understand both the normal anatomy and the different variants.  This tutorial will provide a thorough grounding in the anatomy of the apicoposterior segment as well as demonstrating the optimal approach for this type of resection.

VATS parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Mediastinal ectopic parathyroid glands are uncommon. Traditionally, median sternotomies were performed to treat this type of lesion, resulting in a long, painful postoperative period and poor aesthetic results. With the advent of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, procedures were performed more frequently by this route with the same surgical and oncological results as those achieved with conventional surgery. The introduction of more sophisticated imaging studies, such as computed tomography, computed tomography-technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy, and single-photon emission computed tomography, facilitated identification of the exact location of the lesion. Video-assisted thoracoscopy became a safe approach and the treatment of choice for resection.

VATS tracheal resection and reconstruction.

Tracheal resection followed by reconstruction is one of the most difficult procedures in thoracic surgery. Intrathoracic tracheal injuries were usually treated by sternotomy, thoracotomy, or a combination of these techniques. In the last decade, minimally invasive surgical techniques have become an innovative trend in the treatment of thoracic tracheal conditions. Recent authors have proven the feasibility and safety of tracheal operations using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This video tutorial demonstrates our technique for intrathoracic tracheal resection performed by VATS, using 2 ports, for the resection of postintubation stenosis. We show the steps performed by the surgical team and pay special attention to the maneuvers needed to operate with greater safety and achieve a tension-free reconstruction. This tutorial provides a method for treating this type of tracheal injury. It is of special interest for surgeons who specialize in the airway.

La simulación clínica en atención primaria de salud en contexto de docencia: una experiencia con estudiantes de Fonoaudiología / Clinical simulation in primary health care in the context of teaching: an experience with language and hearing undergraduates

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir y comparar el desempeño de estudiantes de Fonoaudiología en dos actividades de ECOE (Evaluación Clínica Objetiva Estructurada) de la asignatura "Integrado Clínico en Salud Primaria" de la carrera de Fonoaudiología de la Universidad de Chile. Para ello se realizó un estudio no experimental y transversal que consideró una muestra total de 29 estudiantes de IV año. Se analizaron 2 actividades de simulación clínica a un mismo grupo de estudiantes, la primera con evaluación de tipo formativa y la segunda con evaluación de carácter sumativa. Ambas evaluaciones contaron con tres instancias de desempeño: atención individual de usuarios, completación de ficha clínica y rendimiento en reunión con un equipo de salud. Los resultados mostraron un buen rendimiento de los estudiantes en la evaluación de las diferentes habilidades de simulación clínica no técnica en atención primaria en salud. Además, se observó un mayor rendimiento en la instancia de evaluación sumativa (segunda evaluación) comparada con la formativa en las tres instancias de desempeño medidas. Estas diferencias fueron estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,05). Estos resultados permiten concluir que las actividades realizadas facilitaron el logro de las competencias esperadas en la asignatura. La simulación como metodología favoreció la formación del programa, posicionando a esta actividad como una herramienta útil de aprendizaje a estudiantes previo a la atención de usuarios o interacción con grupos.

The main goal of this study was to describe and compare the performance of undergraduate students of speech language therapy in the activities of OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation) of the subject "Integrated Clinical in Primary Health" of the career of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences of the University of Chile. A non-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted with a total sample of 29 fourth-year students. Two clinical simulation activities were analyzed for the same group of students, the first one was a formative evaluation and the second one was a summative evaluation. Both activities inspect three kinds of performance; individual attention of users, completion of clinical record, and performance in meeting with a health team. Results showed that students performed well on the evaluation of different non-technical clinical simulation skills in primary health care. Performance was higher on summative evaluation (second evaluation) as compared with the summative one in the three types of observed evaluations. These differences were statistically significant (p <0.05). Results show that the activities helped students achieve the expected competences. The simulation as a methodology favored the formation of the program, positioning this activity as a learning tool, an initiative of students to the attention of users or interaction with groups.

Anti-Ma-1 and Anti-Ma-2 Antibodies in Isolated Fatal Hypothalamitis.

Lymphocytic hypothalamitis (LHT) is a rare disease characterized by pituitary dysfunction, autonomic instability, metabolic disturbances, and neuropsychiatric disorders. We report the case of a 30-year-old man found to have LHT that progressed despite treatment with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). A literature review was conducted to identify prior studies pertaining to LHT. Our patient presented with several weeks of fatigue, cold intolerance, weight loss, confusion, and headache. Laboratory tests were consistent with panhypopituitarism. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an infiltrative enhancing mass in the area of the hypothalamus, and stereotactic biopsy findings showed reactive inflammatory changes. A course of hormone replacement (levothyroxine), methylprednisolone, and IVIG was initiated. The patient's course was complicated by a fatal tonsillar herniation. Autopsy revealed LHT. The diagnosis and management of autoimmune LHT are challenging. The entity should be considered in the setting of panhypopituitarism with a hypothalamic mass. Differentiating paraneoplastic and nonparaneoplastic hypothalamitis should be established for management and prognosis. Definitive treatment remains unclear; treatment with corticosteroids should be attempted, followed by consideration of other immunosuppressive agents, such as rituximab. If a paraneoplastic syndrome is suspected, management should also be directed toward the primary tumor.

[Video-assisted horacic surgery in the management of pulmonary sequestration t: case report]. / Cirugía torácica video-asistida en el manejo de secuestro pulmonar.

Pulmonary sequestration (SP), is a rare condition, which requires a high index of suspicion for appropriate diagnosis. Clinical manifestations usually simulate banal respiratory diseases, so the diagnosis always tends to be delayed. Surgical treatment by video-assisted, thoracic surgery is a safe option for the management of pulmonary sequestration. The extensive evaluation of the images and knowledge of certain anatomical details are necessary to prevent accidents during surgery. Surgery at an early age helps surgical resection with fewer complications. Here are three cases of SP, which demonstrate clear and simple forms of presentation of the pathology and surgical management by our group in treating it.