El tratamiento quirúrgico de las roturas de bíceps distal mediante técnica Endo-Button asociada a tornillo interferencial permite un programa de rehabilitación acelerado: caso clínico / Surgical treatment of distal biceps tendon rupture through the Endo-Button technique associated with interferential screw allows an accelerated rehabilitation program. A case report

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 53 años que presentó una rotura del tendón bicipital distal derecho. Se llevó a cabo la reinserción quirúrgica del tendón distal del bíceps en la tuberosidad radial, por vía anterior, mediante técnica de Endo-Button. El postoperatorio cursó sin complicaciones, inmovilizándose el codo con un vendaje durante 2 semanas. Tras ser valorado por el especialista en Rehabilitación, se estableció un programa terapéutico individualizado, de inicio precoz y de carácter acelerado. Los objetivos fueron 2: ganar la máxima amplitud articular con movilización inmediata durante la primera fase y lograr un refuerzo muscular y propioceptivo con posterioridad. El programa rehabilitador le permitió lograr la recuperación funcional completa y conseguir una musculatura bicipital competente en un periodo de 10 semanas. El paciente pudo retomar todas las actividades, cotidianas, laborales y deportivas, que realizaba antes de la lesión (AU)

We present the case of a 53-year-old man with a distal biceps tendon rupture in his right upper limb. Endo-Button repair was performed by reattaching the distal biceps tendon in the radial tuberosity through an anterior approach. There were no complications during the postoperative period. The elbow was immobilized with a bandage for 2 weeks. After the patient was assessed by the rehabilitation physician, we decided to carry out an early individualized accelerated therapeutic program. The goals of treatment were to gain the maximum range of motion by immediate mobilization in a first phase, and then to achieve adequate muscular and proprioceptive reinforcement. The rehabilitation program allowed the patient to achieve full functional recovery with a competent biceps muscle in 10 weeks. The patient was able to return to all his activities (daily living, work, sport) before the tendon rupture (AU)

Enfermedad de La Peyr onie: tratamiento con interferón y láser / Peyronie's disease: treatment with interferon and laser

Evaluar comparativamente los resultados del tratamiento con interferón, láser y su asociación en un grupo de sujetos con la enfermedad de La Peyronie. Método: Se realizó un estudio experimental para evaluar los principales resultados del tratamiento de la enfermedad de La Peyronie con interferón y láser, en el Hospital Provincial Universitario Saturnino Lora Torres y en el Hospital General Universitario Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de la ciudad de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2003 hasta julio de 2005. Quedaron incluidos 96 pacientes, divididos en tres grupos de tratamiento: interferón, láser e interferón más láser. Luego de la evaluación inicial se inició el tratamiento que duró 28 semanas, con reevaluaciones a los 6 y 12 meses de terminado éste. Resultados: Los resultados finales del tratamiento con interferón y láser combinado fueron mejoría de los síntomas (84.7%), disminución del tamaño de la placa fibrosa (90.6%) y de la curvatura del pene (87.5%). Conclusiones: La combinación de ambas terapias resultó ser más eficaz que su empleo por separado, por lo que se recomienda su incorporación como otra terapéutica en la enfermedad de La Peyronie...

Hepatocyte growth factor and chronic hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE: The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by hepatic stellate cells and implicated in liver regeneration and fibrosis. Serum levels of HGF vary in liver diseases, reflecting hepatic damage and hepatocellular dysfunction. In this study, serum levels of HGF and the relationship between HGF and biochemical, histological and virological data, have been analysed in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C (CHC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum HGF concentration was measured by ELISA in sandwich in 45 patients with CHC. Correlation between HGF levels and histological (necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis score) and biochemical (transaminases, prothrombin activity, albumin, bilirubin), or virological (hepatitis C virus load) parameters was analyzed. Serum HGF concentration was also studied in a subgroup of the original sample treated with interferon and ribavirin. RESULTS: Sserum HGF concentrations of patients with CHC were significantly higher than those detected in healthy controls. Patients with significant fibrosis (F > or = 2) had a significantly older age, lower count of platelets and higher values of AST, GGT and HGF, than those patients with a fibrosis score F < 2. HGF concentration was identified by multivariate analysis as the only independent factor associated with significant fibrosis. Moreover, area under receiver operating curve, using HCG levels, showed similar values to those of previously validated non-invasive indexes of fibrosis. However, levels of HGF did not show a significant decrease in patients with a sustained response to anti-virus C therapy. CONCLUSION: Serum HGF concentration correlates with fibrosis score in patients with CHC, but is insensitive to monitor changes induced by anti-virus C therapy.

Factor de crecimiento hepatocitario y hepatitis crónica C / No disponible

Objetivo: el factor de crecimiento hepatocitario (HGF) es una citocinapleiotrópica producida por las células estrelladas hepáticas,que está implicada en la regeneración y la fibrosis hepática. La concentraciónsérica del HGF en las enfermedades hepáticas es variable,reflejando daño hepático y disfunción hepatocelular. En este estudiose ha analizado la concentración sérica del HGF en pacientes conhepatitis crónica por virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) y su relación conlos datos bioquímicos, histológicos y virológicos.Pacientes y métodos: se determinó la concentración séricade HGF mediante ELISA en sándwich y se analizó la correlaciónentre los niveles del HGF y los datos histológicos (actividad necroinflamatoria,estadio de fibrosis), bioquímicos (transaminasas,actividad de protrombina, albúmina, bilirrubina) y virológicos (cargaviral VHC) en 45 pacientes con hepatitis crónica C (HCC).También fueron evaluadas las cifras del HGF en el suero de unsubgrupo de pacientes de la muestra original sometidos a tratamientoantiviral con interferón y ribavirina.Resultados: la concentración sérica del HGF en pacientescon HCC fue significativamente mayor que la medida en controlessanos. Los pacientes con fibrosis hepática significativa (F ≥ 2) teníanuna edad significativamente mayor, unas cifras plaquetariassignificativamente inferiores y concentraciones séricas significativamentesuperiores de AST, GGT y HGF, en comparación conaquellos pacientes con un índice de fibrosis F < 2. En el análisismultivariante la concentración de HGF fue la única variable independienteasociada a la fibrosis significativa. El área bajo la curvaROC (receiver operating curve), usando las concentraciones séricasde HGF, mostró valores similares a los obtenidos con otros índices,previamente validados, que estiman fibrosis significativa enpacientes con HCC...(AU)

Objective: the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropiccytokine produced by hepatic stellate cells and implicated in liverregeneration and fibrosis. Serum levels of HGF vary in liver diseases,reflecting hepatic damage and hepatocellular dysfunction.In this study, serum levels of HGF and the relationship betweenHGF and biochemical, histological and virological data, have beenanalysed in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C (CHC).Patients and methods: serum HGF concentration was measuredby ELISA in sandwich in 45 patients with CHC. Correlationbetween HGF levels and histological (necroinflammatory activityand fibrosis score) and biochemical (transaminases, prothrombinactivity, albumin, bilirubin), or virological (hepatitis C virus load)parameters was analyzed. Serum HGF concentration was alsostudied in a subgroup of the original sample treated with interferonand ribavirin.Results: sserum HGF concentrations of patients with CHCwere significantly higher than those detected in healthy controls. Patientswith significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) had a significantly older age,lower count of platelets and higher values of AST, GGT and HGF,than those patients with a fibrosis score F < 2. HGF concentrationwas identified by multivariate analysis as the only independent factorassociated with significant fibrosis. Moreover, area under receiveroperating curve, using HCG levels, showed similar values to thoseof previously validated non-invasive indexes of fibrosis. However,levels of HGF did not show a significant decrease in patients with asustained response to anti-virus C therapy.Conclusion: serum HGF concentration correlates with fibrosisscore in patients with CHC, but is insensitive to monitorchanges induced by anti-virus C therapy(AU)

[Peyronie's disease: treatment with interferon and laser]. / Enfermedad de la Peyronie: tratamiento con interferon y láser.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate comparatively the results of treatment with interferon, laser and their association in a group of patients with Peyronie's disease. METHODS: We performed an experimental study to evaluate the main results of the treatment of Peyronie's disease with interferon and laser, at Hospital Provincial Universitario "Saturnino Lora Torres" and Hospital General Universitario "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" in the city of Santiago de Cuba from January 2003 to July 2005. Ninety-six patients were included, divided into three treatment groups: interferon, laser and interferon plus loser. After initial evaluation, treatment was started and continued for 28 weeks, with reevaluation six and 12 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Final results with combined interferon and laser were: symptoms improvement 84.7%, decrease of the size of the fibrous plaque 90.6% and decrease of penile curvature 87.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of both therapies resulted to be more effective than each of them separately, so the recommendation is to incorporate it as another therapeutic alternative in Peyronie's disease.

Immunoglobulin G avidities in infants in Mexico after primary immunization with three doses of polyribosylribitol phosphate-tetanus toxoid Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine.

Serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and avidities specific to Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) were measured in 208 children living in Guadalajara and Mexico City. Protective concentrations were found in 98.9% and 100.0% of participants, respectively. Geometric mean concentrations differed between both populations and/or among age groups. Mean avidities differed only among the 7- to 12-month-old children. Diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell pertussis-hepatitis B-Hib primary vaccination seems to induce protection in Mexican children.

Enfermedad de la Peyronie. Tratamiento con interferon y láser / Peyronie's disease: treatment with interferon and laser

Objetivo: Evaluar comparativamente los resultados del tratamiento con interferón, láser y su asociación en un grupo de sujetos con la enfermedad de la Peyronie. Método: Se realizó un estudio experimental para evaluar los principales resultados del tratamiento de la enfermedad de La Peyronie con Interferón y Láser, en el Hospital Provincial Universitario «Saturnino Lora Torres» y en el Hospital General Universitario «Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso» de la ciudad de Santiago de Cuba desde Enero del 2003 hasta Julio del 2005. Quedaron incluidos 96 pacientes, divididos en 3 grupos de tratamiento: Interferón, Láser e Interferón más Láser. Luego de la evaluación inicial se inició el tratamiento que duró 28 semanas, con reevaluaciones a los 6 y 12 meses de terminado el mismo. Resultados: Los resultados finales del tratamiento con Interferón y láser combinado fueron: mejoría de los síntomas (84,7 %), disminución del tamaño de la placa fibrosa (90,6 %) y, de la curvatura del pene (87,5 %). Conclusiones: La combinación de ambas terapias resultó ser más efectiva que su empleo por separado, por lo que se recomienda, la incorporación de la misma como otra terapéutica en la enfermedad de La Peyronie (AU)

Objectives: To evaluate comparatively the results of treatment with interferon, laser and their association in a group of patients with Peyronie's disease. Methods: We performed an experimental study to evaluate the main results of the treatment of Peyronie's disease with interferon and laser, at Hospital Provincial Universitario «Saturnino Lora Torres» and Hospital General Universitario «Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso» in the city of Santiago de Cuba from January 2003 to July 2005. Ninety-six patients were included, divided into three treatment groups: interferon, laser and interferon plus laser. After initial evaluation, treatment was started and continued for 28 weeks, with reevaluation six and 12 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Final results with combined interferon and laser were: symptoms improvement 84.7%, decrease of the size of the fibrous plaque 90.6% and decrease of penile curvature 87.5%. Conclusions: The combination of both therapies resulted to be more effective than each of them separately, so the recommendation is to incorporate it as another therapeutic alternative in Peyronie's disease (AU)

Enfermedad de la Peyronie: tratamiento con interferon y láser / Peyronie's disease: treatment with interferon and laser

Objetivo: Evaluar comparativamente los resultados del tratamiento con interferón, láser y su asociación en un grupo de sujetos con la enfermedad de la Peyronie. Método: Se realizó un estudio experimental para evaluar los principales resultados del tratamiento de la enfermedad de La Peyronie con Interferón y Láser, en el Hospital Provincial Universitario Saturnino Lora Torres y en el Hospital General Universitario Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de la ciudad de Santiago de Cuba desde Enero del 2003 hasta Julio del 2005. Quedaron incluidos 96 pacientes, divididos en 3 grupos de tratamiento: Interferón, Láser e Interferón más Láser. Luego de la evaluación inicial se inició el tratamiento que duró 28 semanas, con reevaluaciones a los 6 y 12 meses de terminado el mismo. Resultados: Los resultados finales del tratamiento con Interferón y láser combinado fueron: mejoría de los síntomas (84,7 por ciento), disminución del tamaño de la placa fibrosa (90,6 por ciento) y, de la curvatura del pene (87,5 por ciento). Conclusiones: La combinación de ambas terapias resultó ser más efectiva que su empleo por separado, por lo que se recomienda, la incorporación de la misma como otra terapéutica en la enfermedad de La Peyronie(AU)

Objectives: To evaluate comparatively the results of treatment with interferon, laser and their association in a group of patients with Peyronies disease. Methods: We performed an experimental study to evaluate the main results of the treatment of Peyronies disease with interferon and laser, at Hospital Provincial Universitario Saturnino Lora Torres and Hospital General Universitario Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso in the city of Santiago de Cuba from January 2003 to July 2005. Ninety-six patients were included, divided into three treatment groups: interferon, laser and interferon plus laser. After initial evaluation, treatment was started and continued for 28 weeks, with reevaluation six and 12 months after the end of treatment. Results: Final results with combined interferon and laser were: symptoms improvement 84.7 percent, decrease of the size of the fibrous plaque 90.6 percent and decrease of penile curvature 87.5 percent. Conclusions: The combination of both therapies resulted to be more effective than each of them separately, so the recommendation is to incorporate it as another therapeutic alternative in Peyronies disease(AU)

Anticapsular polysaccharide IgG concentrations in Mexican children formerly immunized with Haemophilus influenzae b PRP-T vaccine.

BACKGROUND: In 1999 H. influenzae b (Hib) PRP-T vaccine was introduced into primary immunization schedule in Mexico. There have been no studies evaluating antibody response after widespread immunization in our country. It is now recognized that Hib conjugates induce significant initial antibody levels that in some cases wane over time. This study relies on the measurement of IgG serum antibody concentrations to Hib capsular polysaccharide (PS) and is interpreted in the light of the accepted levels > or =0.15 microg/mL for short-term protection against Hib invasive disease and > or =5.0 microg/mL for protection against Hib oropharyngeal carriage. METHODS: Using a validated ELISA assay, we measured the IgG serum antibody concentrations in 115 children between 7 and 93 months of age who had received three doses of PRP-T. We used the standard reference serum US FDA 1983 for quantification of PS antibody levels. Concentrations were estimated using 3(rd) degree polynomial regression lines. As there was no unvaccinated group available (>95% of Mexican children have received the Hib vaccine), the study was designed as a cross-sectional. RESULTS: All children had serum IgG concentrations > or =0.15 microg/mL [range 0.24-54.64 microg/mL]; 69.6 % (80/115) had > or =1.0 microg/mL and 14 % (16/115) showed concentrations > or =5.0 microg/mL. The vaccine elicited geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of 4.0, 1.6, 1.4 and 2.4 microg/mL in groups of 7-12, 13-24, 25-48 and 49-93 month-old respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PRP-T vaccination in this group of Mexican children has resulted in serum IgG concentrations > or =0.15 microg/mL, suggesting that Hib immunization has conferred protection against invasive disease.

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: Although cirrhosis is known to predispose toward hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is no agreement on the factors that can influence the risk for HCC in patients with cirrhosis. This study was designed to identify differences in cirrhosis-related risk factors for developing HCC in relation to epidemiological characteristics, stage of the disease and etiology. METHODS: 512 patients from southwestern Spain with Child-Pugh stage A or B cirrhosis were examined periodically by ultrasonography, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration was measured. RESULTS: The average length of follow-up was 37 months. A total of 52 cases of HCC were detected, which represented a risk of 17% after 5 years of follow-up. The Cox model showed that the risk of HCC increased by 8% per year of increasing age. Male sex (relative risk: 3.4), hepatitis C virus infection (relative risk: 4.6), hepatitis B virus infection (relative risk: 2.9) and AFP levels higher than 15 ng/ml (relative risk: 2.5) were also shown to be risk factors. Among alcoholic patients, only age (risk increased by 15% per year), and hepatitis C virus infection (relative risk: 5.4) were risk factors for HCC. However, in patients infected by hepatitis C virus, the main risk factors were age (relative risk increased by 8% per year), male sex (relative risk: 3.9), co-infection with hepatitis B virus (relative risk: 4.9), and increased AFP (relative risk: 2.8). Of the patients with HCC, 71% were infected with hepatitis C virus. Alcoholism, Child-Pugh stage and duration of cirrhosis did not increase the risk of the appearance of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of HCC increased to 17% after 5 years of follow-up in patients with Child-Pugh stage A or B cirrhosis. Hepatitis C virus infection was the main risk factor in patients with cirrhosis. Other risk factors were age, male sex, hepatitis B virus infection and altered AFP level.

Factores de riesgo de aparición del carcinoma hepatocelular en pacientes con cirrosis hepática / Risk Factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis

OBJETIVO: determinar la existencia de diferencias en el riesgo de presentar un carinoma hepatocelular (CHC) en pacientes con cirrosis en función de sus características epidemiológicas, evolución de la hepatopatía y su etiología. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: 512 pacientes cirróticos en grado A/13 de Child-Pugh menores de 70 años fueron valorados periódicamente mediante ecografía y determinaciones de alfa-fetoproteína (AFP). RESULTADOS: tras un seguimiento medio de 37 meses se detectaron 52 CHC (riesgo acumulado del 17 por ciento a los 5 años). El modelo de Cox demostró que por cada año de edad el riesgo de CHC se incrementó un 8 por ciento. El sexo varón (RR: 3,4), la infección por virus C (RR: 4,6), la infección por el virus B (RR: 2,9) y la alteración de la AFP (RR: 2,5) también se mostraron como factores de riesgo. Entre los pacientes etílicos, sólo la edad (incremento del 15 por ciento por cada año transcurrido) y la infección por el virus C (RR: 5,4) fueron factores de riesgo. En los pacientes infectados por el virus C supusieron un mayor riesgo: la edad (S por ciento por cada año), el sexo varón (RR: 3,9), la coinfección por el virus B (RR: 4,9) y la elevación de la AFP (RR: 2,8). El 71 por ciento de los pacientes con CHC tenían infección por el virus C. El etilismo y la duración de la cirrosis no incrementaron el riesgo de aparición del tumor, CONCLUSIONES: el riesgo de aparición del CHC asciende al 17 por ciento tras 5 años de seguimiento en pacientes con cirrosis en grado A/B de Child-Pugh. El virus C es el principal factor de riesgo en nuestro medio. Otros factores demostrados son la edad, el sexo varón, la infección por el virus B y la alteración de la AFP. El etilismo y la duración de la hepatopatía no influye en el riesgo de aparición del tumor (AU)

[Hepatic abscesses: is simple aspiration puncture with echography control an alternative to catheter drainage?]. / Abscesos hepáticos: es la punción-aspiración simple con control ecográfico una alternativa al drenaje con catéter?

UNLABELLED: Percutaneous drainage is currently the treatment of choice in liver abscess. The most commonly used technique is catheter placement but this procedure is not free of complications. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the safety and efficacy of needle aspiration in the treatment of liver abscesses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Non-random, prospective study of nine patients with pyogenic liver abscess who underwent simple needle aspiration with sonographic guidance. RESULTS: In all patients, aspiration identified the etiologic agent. In eight patients (88.9%) the procedure was effective and in the remaining patients, the abscess was finally drained by sonographically guided catheter placement. In five patients, aspiration was successful at the first attempt and only one abscess required more than two attempts. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, needle aspiration with sonographic guidance is safe and effective in the treatment of pyogenic liver abscesses. Use of catheters is reserved for cases of rapid reaccumulation of exudate without general improvement in the patient.

Prognostic usefulness of ultrasonographic signs of portal hypertension in patients with child-pugh stage A liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify factors related with mortality in patients with cirrhosis in the absence of habitual biochemical markers of liver dysfunction. METHODS: Seventy-five cirrhotic patients in Child-Pugh stage A, without hepatocellular carcinoma, were followed until death or the end of the study period. We analyzed the association between cumulative survival and 15 variables determined at the moment of inclusion: age, sex, time from diagnosis of cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, history of variceal bleeding, hepatitis B and C virus infection, Child-Pugh score, plasma albumin and bilirubin levels, prothrombin activity, and four sonographic parameters (size of liver, portal vein diameter, size of spleen, and presence of collateral circulation). RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 38.7+/-10 months. Eighteen patients died. Four-year cumulative survival was 77.4+/-5%. Only five variables had a significant influence on survival according to log-rank test: sex, previous variceal bleeding, hepatitis B virus infection, portal vein diameter, and size of the spleen. Multivariate Cox's model showed male sex (relative risk 4.6; 95% confidence interval 1.2-16.8) and diameter of the portal vein > 13 mm, splenomegaly > 145 mm, or both together (relative risk 6.0; 95% confidence interval 1.3-27.2) as independent predictors of the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Child-Pugh stage A cirrhotic patients have substantial variability in mid-term survival. Ultrasonography is a useful aid in establishing their prognosis. Men with dilation of the portal vein, splenomegaly, or both, form a group with a significantly higher risk of death.

Tectonic Evolution of the Careón Ophiolite (Northwest Spain): A Remnant of Oceanic Lithosphere in the Variscan Belt.

Analysis of the Careón Unit in the Ordenes Complex (northwest Iberian Massif) has supplied relevant data concerning the existence of a Paleozoic oceanic lithosphere, probably related to the Rheic realm, and the early subduction-related events that were obscured along much of the Variscan belt by subsequent collision tectonics. The ophiolite consists of serpentinized harzburgite and dunite in the lower section and a crustal section made up of coarse-grained and pegmatitic gabbros. An Early Devonian zircon age (395+/-2 Ma, U-Pb) was obtained in a leucocratic gabbro. The whole section was intruded by numerous diabasic gabbro dikes. Convergence processes took place shortly afterward, giving rise to a mantle-rooted synthetic thrust system, with some coeval igneous activity. Garnet amphibolite, developed in metamorphic soles, was found discontinuously attached to the thrust fault. The soles graded downward to epidote-amphibolite facies metabasite and were partially retrogressed to greenschist facies conditions. Thermobarometric estimations carried out at a metamorphic sole (T approximately 650 degrees C; P approximately 11.5 kbar) suggested that imbrications developed in a subduction setting, and regional geology places this subduction in the context of an early Variscan accretionary wedge. Subduction and imbrication of oceanic lithosphere was followed by underthrusting of the Gondwana continental margin.

[The usefulness of abdominal echography in the diagnosis of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients]. / Utilidad de la ecografía abdominal en el diagnóstico de hipertensión portal en pacientes cirróticos.

The differences in sonographic measurements of the splanchnic vessels, their modifications during respiration, the spleen size and the presence of collaterals of the portal system among 110 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and 30 control subjects are analyzed to verify the usefulness of conventional sonography in the diagnosis of portal hypertension. We achieved a sensitivity above 70% and a specificity of at least 90% with the following signs: 1) dilation of portal, splenic and superior mesenteric veins, 2) limited variations of the latter two during respiration, and 3) splenomegaly. A higher sensitivity was achieved considering variations in splenic caliber during respiration under 33% (91%) or superior mesenteric vein during forced expiration above or equal than 7 mm (88%). These measurements could be found in 71.8% and 57.2% respectively. On the other hand, values of portal vein and spleen size were easily obtained. The usefulness of all measurements persists if we take into account only patients with Child-Pugh score < 7. Collateral circulation was demonstrated in 18%. Portal vein above 14 mm, variations in splenic caliber under 13% or superior mesenteric vein during forced expiration above or equal than 9 mm were obtained in any of control subjects but respectively in 33%, 46% and 69% of patients in portal hypertension group. We conclude that ultrasonography is a reliable and noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients.

[Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous drainage of hepatic abscess. Results and complications]. / Drenaje percutáneo guiado por ecografía de los abscesos hepáticos. Resultados y complicaciones.

Interventional echography has been proposed as an effective method for the drainage of pyogenic hepatic abscesses. We present the technique and the results with this therapeutic alternative in 23 patients suffering from this serious disease. The procedure was effective in 19 patients (82.6%), being palliative in 3 cases (a carcinoma of the gallbladder, a biliary-bowel fistula and a gastric perforation). The drainage failed in 4 patients (17.4%) (in an infected hematoma were and in 3 cases due to technical problems). There were 4 complications, one of them severe (pleural empyema). We consider that percutaneous drainage guided by echography should by a first choice in the treatment of hepatic abscesses. To achieve good results and to avoid complications it is necessary to have good knowledge of the technique.

Evolution of oxidative metabolism of submandibular gland and testes in pancreatectomized rats.

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of prolonged mild diabetes on the submandibular salivary glands and testes of male rats over a 22-month period. Diabetes was induced by means of a subtotal pancreatectomy in a group of male rats. Body weight was registered monthly as well as the blood glucose values after fasting the animals. These values were compared with those obtained in sham-operated animals. The weight of pancreatectomized animals was always slightly higher than that of the controls although the differences were not significant, whereas blood glucose values were slightly higher in experimental animals. Testis O2 uptake in pancreatectomized animals was significantly lower than in controls 8 months after the operation. From this time on, the values of experimental animals rose, reaching a maximum value 20 months after the operation. Submandibular glands in pancreatectomized animals showed an O2 uptake that was always higher in experimental animals and reached a maximum value at 20 months.