Evolución de la lumbalgia en el paciente oncológico tratado con manejo intervencionista del dolor / Evolution of low back pain in cancer patients treated with interventional pain management

Objetivo: Identificar la evolución de la lumbalgia en el paciente oncológico tratado con manejo intervencionista del dolor. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se realizó búsqueda en la base de datos de los pacientes atendidos en la Clínica del dolor del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología sometidos a procedimiento intervencionista por lumbalgia en el periodo de enero de 2017 a diciembre de 2019. El análisis estadístico se realizó en el programa SPSS 15.0 y la información se presentó en tablas de frecuencia. Resultados: Se analizaron 143 pacientes quienes fueron en mayor porcentaje mujeres (69 %) con una media de edad de 65 años. Los factores de riesgo identificados más frecuentes fueron diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (18,2 %) e hipertensión arterial (14,7 %). Los diagnósticos oncológicos de mayor frecuencia fueron cáncer de mama (38,5 %), cáncer de próstata (14 %), mieloma múltiple (13,3 %) y cáncer cervicouterino (10,5 %). Los opioides utilizados fueron tramadol (48,3 %), morfina (32,2 %), buprenorfina y tapentadol (5,6 %), oxicodona (1,4 %), fentanilo y metadona (0,7 %). Los abordajes intervencionistas en mayor proporción fueron depósito de esteroides en ramo dorso medial de articulación cigoapofisiaria lumbar de 3 segmentos (11,2 %), depósito de esteroides de ramo dorso medial de articulación cigoapofisiaria lumbar de 4 o más segmentos el (7,7 %) y vertebroplastia (5,6 %). Además se observó que el 60,8 % de los pacientes recibió más de un abordaje intervencionista. La respuesta terapéutica mayor o igual al 50 % se presentó en el 86,7 % de los pacientes y el 35,7 % mostró una media de reducción de opioides de 22,2 miligramos/día. La lumbalgia con componente neuropático se presentó en el 57,3 % de los pacientes. De acuerdo con la evaluación de la escala verbal análoga antes y a la semana postratamiento, se observaron cambios de dolor leve del 8,4 al 77,6 %, dolor moderado del 21,7 al 46,9 % y dolor severo del 44,8 a 0,7 %...(AU)

Objective: To identify the evolution of low back pain in cancer patients treated with interventional pain manage­ment. Material and methods: Descriptive and retrospective study. A search was carried out in data patients treated at Pain Clinic of the National Cancer Institute who underwent an interventional procedure for low back pain in the period from January 2017 to December 2019. The statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 15.0 program and information was presented in frequency tables. Results: 143 patients were analyzed, the highest percentage being women (69 %) with a mean age of 65 years. Most frequent risk factors identified were type 2 diabetes mellitus (18.2 %) and arterial hypertension (14.7 %). Most frequent oncological diagnoses were breast cancer (38.5 %), prostate cancer (14 %), multiple myeloma (13.3 %), and cervical cancer (10.5 %). Opioids used were tramadol (48.3 %), morphine (32.2 %), buprenorphine and tapentadol (5.6 %), oxycodone (1.4 %), fentanyl and methadone (0.7 %). Interventional approaches in greater proportion were steroid deposition in dorsal medial branch of the lumbar zygapophyseal joint of 3 segments (11.2 %), steroid deposition of dorsal medial branch of the lumbar zygapophyseal joint of 4 or more segments (7.7 %) and vertebroplasty (5.6 %), it was also observed that 60.8 % of patients received more than one interventional approach. Therapeutic response greater than or equal to 50 % was presented in 86.7 % of patients and 35.7 % showed a mean reduction in opioids of 22.2 milligrams / day. Low back pain with a neuropathic component occurred in 57.3 % of patients. According to verbal analogue scale evaluation before and a week after treatment, chan­ges in mild pain were observed from 8.4 % to 77.6 %, mo­derate pain from 21.7 % to 46.9 % and severe pain from 44.8 % to 0.7 %. One month after the procedure, 70.6 % were observed for mild pain, 23.8 % moderate pain and 5.6 % severe...(AU)

Acute ischiofemoral impingement? / ¿Pinzamiento isquiofemoral agudo?

We report a case of rare clinical entity, which comes within the spectrum of hip impingements. The case deals with a 36 year old female, Olympic athlete, who developed ischiofemoral impingement 14 months after a surgical hamstring reattachment. She was treated conservatively and fully recovered. When looking into literature on this matter, we found that it is probably an under-diagnosed problem, particularly in patients with no history of prior surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported after a hamstrings tendon reattachment.

Fístula cutánea odontogénica: un reto diagnóstico / Odontogenic cutaneous fistula: a diagnostic challenge

La fistula cutánea odontogénica (FCO) es el resultado de una canalización anormal originada a partir de una infección crónica periapical. Representa todo un reto diagnóstico ya que frecuentemente son lesiones etiquetadas erróneamente como dermatológicas. El diagnóstico diferencial es amplio, incluyendo el granuloma piogénico, tuberculosis cutánea o malformaciones congénitas entre otros. Exponemos el caso de un varón de 46 años diagnosticado de FCO que presentó una rápida mejoría tras exodoncia de las piezas dentales afectas y fistulectomía. Consideramos importante el conocimiento de esta patología para evitar retrasos innecesarios en el diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuado (AU)

Odontogenic cutaneous fistula (OCF) is the result of an abnormal canalization originating from chronic periapical infection. It represents a diagnostic challenge, as it is frequently misdiagnosed as dermatological lesion. There is a broad differential diagnosis, including pyogenic granuloma, cutaneous tuberculosis or congenital malformations, among others. We report the case of a 46-year-old man diagnosed with OCF who presented a rapid improvement after extraction of the affected dental pieces and fistulectomy. We consider knowledge of this pathology to be important in order to avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis and proper treatment (AU)

[Odontogenic cutaneous fistula: a diagnostic challenge]. / Fístula cutánea odontogénica: un reto diagnóstico.

Odontogenic cutaneous fistula (OCF) is the result of an abnormal canalization originating from chronic periapical infection. It represents a diagnostic challenge, as it is frequently misdiagnosed as dermatological lesion. There is a broad differential diagnosis, including pyogenic granuloma, cutaneous tuberculosis or congenital malformations, among others. We report the case of a 46-year-old man diagnosed with OCF who presented a rapid improvement after extraction of the affected dental pieces and fistulectomy. We consider knowledge of this pathology to be important in order to avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis and proper treatment. Key words. Cutaneous fistula. DIAGNOSIS: Orthopantomography.

Aumento de microorganismos no habituales en la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Increasing incidence of community-acquired pneumonia caused by atypical microorganisms

Introducción. Conocer los microorganismos más frecuentes en nuestro medio nos puede ayudar a tomar decisiones terapéuticas empíricas. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la etiología microbiológica de las neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo prospectivo. Se incluyeron sujetos≥14 años con diagnóstico clínico-radiográfico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad durante 383 días consecutivos. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, antecedentes personales, escalas pronósticas de gravedad, evolución y agentes patógenos. Para obtener un diagnóstico etiológico se realizaron hemocultivos, detección de antígenos urinarios de Streptococcus pneumoniae y Legionella pneumophila, cultivo de esputo, virus influenza y detección de Streptococcus pyogenes. Se describieron las variables categóricas como valor absoluto y porcentaje y las variables continuas por sus medias y desviaciones estándar. Resultados. Fueron incluidos en el estudio 287 pacientes (42% mujeres; edad media 66±22 años). Falleció el 10,45%, ingresando el 70%. Se consiguió un diagnóstico etiológico en 43 pacientes (14,98%), determinándose 16 microorganismos en 59 muestras positivas. El patógeno más frecuentemente aislado fue Streptococcus pneumoniae (24/59, 41%), seguido de bacilos entéricos gramnegativos, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens y Enterobacter cloacae, aislados en un 20% de las muestras (12/59), virus influenza (5/59, 9%), Staphylococcus aureus, todos resistentes a meticilina (3/59, 5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2/59, 3%), Moraxella catarrhalis (2/59, 3%), Legionella pneumophila (2/59, 3%) y Haemophilus influenzae (2/59, 3%). Las infecciones polimicrobianas supusieron el 14% (8/59). Conclusión. Encontramos un alto porcentaje de microorganismos no habituales en neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad (AU)

Introduction. Knowing the most common microorganisms in our environment can help us to make proper empirical treatment decisions. The aim is to identify those microorganisms causing community-acquired pneumonia. Patients and methods. An observational, descriptive and prospective study was conducted, including patients over 14 years with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia during a 383 consecutive day period. A record was made of sociodemographic variables, personal history, prognostic severity scales, progress, and pathogenic agents. The aetiological diagnosis was made using blood cultures, detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila urinary antigens, sputum culture, influenza virus and Streptococcus pyogenes detection. Categorical variables are presented as absolute values and percentages, and continuous variables as their means and standard deviations. Results. Of the 287 patients included in the study (42% women, mean age 66±22 years), 10.45% died and 70% required hospital admission. An aetiological diagnosis was achieved in 43 patients (14.98%), with 16 microorganisms found in 59 positive samples. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Streptococcus pneumonia (24/59, 41%), followed by gram-negative enteric bacilli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Enterobacter cloacae isolated in 20% of the samples (12/59), influenza virus (5/59, 9%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (3/59, 5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2/59, 3%), Moraxella catarrhalis (2/59, 3%), Legionella pneumophila (2/59, 3%), and Haemophilus influenza (2/59, 3%). Polymicrobial infections accounted for 14% (8/59). Conclusion. A high percentage of atypical microorganisms causing community-acquired pneumonia were found (AU)

Comparación entre Células Troncales Mesenquimales obtenidas de Médula Ósea, Tejido Adiposo y Gelatina de Wharton en base a los Criterios de la ISCT / Comparison between Mesenchymal Stem Cells obtained from Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue and Wharton Gelatin according to the ISCT Criteria

RESUMEN: Las células troncales mesenquimales (CTM) representan una población heterogénea con capacidad para auto-renovarse y diferenciarse a distintos tipos celulares. Estas fueron descritas en un inicio en médula ósea (MO) a mediados del siglo pasado, desde entonces este tejido se ha convertido en el estándar de oro para la obtención y caracterización de CTM. Actualmente se sabe que este tipo de células se encuentran alojadas en nichos distribuidos por todo el organismo, donde contribuyen a los procesos de regeneración del tejido donde se localizan. No obstante, encontrar una fuente alterna de CTM con las mismas características que las de MO, pero que su extracción no suponga riesgo para el donador es fundamental para su utilización con fines terapéuticos. En este trabajo se aislaron células troncales de médula ósea, y se compararon con tejido adiposo y gelatina de Wharton y caracterizaron de acuerdo a los criterios de la Sociedad Internacional para la Terapia Celular (ISCT). Los resultados mostraron que la morfología, diferenciación osteogénica y adipogénica, así como la expresión de los antígenos de superficie CD90, CD73 y CD105 cumplen con los estándares, señalando a las provenientes de gelatina de Wharton como mejor opción.

ABSTRACT: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) represent a heterogeneous population with the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into different cell types. At the middle of the last century these cells initially were described in bone marrow (BM), thence this tissue has become the gold standard for obtaining and characterization of MSC. It is known that these cells are housed in specific areas called niches distributed throughout all body, where they contribute to tissue regeneration processes of self-tissue were they are located. However, finding an alternative source of CTM with the same characteristics that have showed in MO, but its obtention no represent a risk since the donor is essential to their use for therapeutic purposes. In this study we isolated mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue and Wharton's jelly and they were compared in their characteristics in according to the standards of the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT). The results showed that the morphology as well as adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation and also the expression of surface antigens (CD90, CD73, and CD105) from all tissues accomplished the standards, although Wharton's jelly represented the best option.

Mordedura por víbora de Seoane. Descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Vipera seoanei bite. Report of a case and review of the literature

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Early post-operative psychosocial and weight predictors of later outcome in bariatric surgery: a systematic literature review.

This is the first systematic review to synthesize the evidence concerning early post-operative variables predictive of later weight and psychosocial outcomes in bariatric surgery. Eight electronic databases for empirical studies were searched (1954 to 2016). Most of the 39 included studies reported solely on weight outcomes; eating and psychosocial outcomes were less common. A better early weight loss trajectory was the most consistent predictor of more successful medium-term weight outcome (≤24 months); however, its relationship to longer term weight loss maintenance is less certain. Early eating adaptation may be associated with later weight loss, but further research is needed. Evidence is lacking for associations between early adherence or early psychosocial variables and later outcome. In particular, the relationship between early post-operative depression and later weight remains unclear. Little research has considered early prediction of later eating or psychosocial outcomes. Consideration of mediating or moderating relationships is lacking. The body of evidence is limited, and synthesis is hampered by heterogeneity in the type and time at which predictors and outcomes are measured and quality of statistical reporting. Further research on prospective prediction of bariatric surgery outcome is needed to guide early post-operative intervention for those at greatest risk of poor outcomes.

[Pulmonary co-infection due to Nocardia cyriacigeorgica and Aspergillus fumigatus]. / Coinfección pulmonar por Nocardia cyriacigeorgica y Aspergillus fumigatuss.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary nocardiosis is an uncommon pulmonary infection caused by aerobic gram-positive bacteria of the genus Nocardia. Nocardia sp. are environmental organisms spread worldwide. Approximately 50 Nocardia species have been described to date, about 30 of which are known to cause human disease. Nocardia cyriacigeorgica was first reported in 2001. CASE REPORT: We report a case of infection caused by N. cyriacigeorgica in a patient with B-cells non-Hodgkin lymphoma and diabetes mellitus. The microbiological findings reflect a possible co-infection by N. cyriacigeorgica and Aspergillus fumigatus. CONCLUSIONS: Patient's background and information related to risk factors are essential to detect the growth of Nocardia sp. in the laboratory. Furthermore, diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is particularly controversial, especially in intensive care units patients. Taking everything into account, we will discuss a possible co-infection by N. cyriacigeorgica and A. fumigatus in a critically ill patient.

[Increasing incidence of community-acquired pneumonia caused by atypical microorganisms]. / Aumento de microorganismos no habituales en la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad.

INTRODUCTION: Knowing the most common microorganisms in our environment can help us to make proper empirical treatment decisions. The aim is to identify those microorganisms causing community-acquired pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, descriptive and prospective study was conducted, including patients over 14 years with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia during a 383 consecutive day period. A record was made of sociodemographic variables, personal history, prognostic severity scales, progress, and pathogenic agents. The aetiological diagnosis was made using blood cultures, detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila urinary antigens, sputum culture, influenza virus and Streptococcus pyogenes detection. Categorical variables are presented as absolute values and percentages, and continuous variables as their means and standard deviations. RESULTS: Of the 287 patients included in the study (42% women, mean age 66±22 years), 10.45% died and 70% required hospital admission. An aetiological diagnosis was achieved in 43 patients (14.98%), with 16 microorganisms found in 59 positive samples. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Streptococcus pneumonia (24/59, 41%), followed by gram-negative enteric bacilli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Enterobacter cloacae isolated in 20% of the samples (12/59), influenza virus (5/59, 9%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (3/59, 5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2/59, 3%), Moraxella catarrhalis (2/59, 3%), Legionella pneumophila (2/59, 3%), and Haemophilus influenza (2/59, 3%). Polymicrobial infections accounted for 14% (8/59). CONCLUSION: A high percentage of atypical microorganisms causing community-acquired pneumonia were found.

Quality Assessment of Postmortem Tissue Donors in a University Hospital: Detection and Generation Tissue Indicators.

BACKGROUND: Defining quality assessment and measurement tools in the area of tissue donation should be considered to be one of the most important strategies for developing health centers. The aim of this project was to identify, define, and analyze a set of indicators to assess the most important steps in the tissue donor detection and generation processes. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive, and comparative study of all potential tissue donors (TDs) detected and generated in a university hospital was performed. All deceased patients after cardiocirculatory death were evaluated in 2015 by the transplant coordinators (TCs). We defined as detection indicators: total deaths, percentage of detection and evaluation, percentage of clinical contraindications, tissue donor potentiality (TDP; corneal or multitissue potentiality), and the functional detection time (FDT); and as generation indicators: generation rate (corneal or multitissue generation), family request time, number of interviewed relatives, and TC experience (y). RESULTS: The detection and evaluation rate was 100% (n = 1,235); tissue clinical contraindications were 57%, and TDP was 43% (n = 528; corneal, 80%; multitissue, 20%). The FDT was 24 ± 30 minutes. The generation rate was 53.4% (n = 282): corneal, 57% (n = 241); and multitissue, 40% (n = 41). Family request time was 10 ± 17 minutes, average number of interviewed relatives was 2.2 ± 1.6, and 35% of TCs had experience in the field for >5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining indicators for quality assessment in the area of tissue donation is useful in predicting the outcome of the TD process as well as promoting the approach of continuous improvement.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia: a pathology on the rise / Alopecia frontal fibrosante: una enfermedad en auge.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia whose incidence is increasing significantly in our country. It is characterized by loss of frontotemporal hairline that mostly affects postmenopausal women, with a negative impact on quality of life. It is associated with early menopause in 14% of cases and hypothyroidism in 15%. With regard to treatment, 5α-reductase inhibitors are the drugs that have shown improvement of the disease in a larger number of cases. We report a new case of FFA in a woman of 77 years successfully treated with finasteride at doses of 2.5mg daily.

Alopecia frontal fibrosante: una enfermedad en auge / Frontal fibrosing alopecia: a pathology on the rise

La alopecia frontal fibrosante (AFF) es un tipo de alopecia cicatricial cuya incidencia está aumentando de forma significativa en nuestro país. Se caracteriza por un retroceso en la línea de implantación del pelo a nivel frontotemporal que afecta mayoritariamente a mujeres postmenopaúsicas, con un impacto negativo en su calidad de vida. Se asocia a menopausia precoz en un 14% de los casos y a hipotiroidismo en un 15%. Con respecto al tratamiento, son los inhibidores de la 5α-reductasa, los fármacos que han demostrado mejoría de la enfermedad en un mayor número de casos. Presentamos un caso de AFF en una mujer de 77 años tratada con éxito con finasteride a dosis de 2,5mg/día (AU)

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia whose incidence is increasing significantly in our country. It is characterized by loss of frontotemporal hairline that mostly affects postmenopausal women, with a negative impact on quality of life. It is associated with early menopause in 14% of cases and hypothyroidism in 15%. With regard to treatment, 5α-reductase inhibitors are the drugs that have shown improvement of the disease in a larger number of cases. We report a new case of FFA in a woman of 77 years successfully treated with finasteride at doses of 2.5mg daily (AU)

Detection of interleukin-2 is not useful for distinguishing between latent and active tuberculosis in clinical practice: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous reports have identified interleukin-2 (IL-2), quantified in the supernatants of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-tube (QFT) after 72 h of incubation, as a potential biomarker for distinguishing between latent and active tuberculosis (TB). However, its validity has not been tested in an appropriate clinical cohort. METHODS: A multicentre study of 161 consecutive adult patients undergoing evaluation for active TB at eight TB Units in Spain. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-2 were assessed in the supernatant of QFT after 16-24 h and 72 h of incubation. The accuracy of IL-2 for indicating latent TB infection (LTBI) was assessed by receiving operating characteristic curves. . RESULTS: Twenty-eight participants were not infected, 43 had LTBI, 69 had TB, and 21 were not classifiable. Median (interquartile range) IL-2 concentrations after 72 h of incubation were 0.0 pg/mL (0.0-0.0) in uninfected individuals, 261.0 pg/mL (81.0-853.0) in LTBI individuals, 166.5 pg/mL (33.5-551.5) in patients with extrapulmonary TB, 95.0 pg/mL (26.0-283.0) in patients with smear-negative pulmonary TB, and 38.5 pg/mL (7.5-178.0) in patients with smear-positive pulmonary TB (p <0.0001). The area under the curve of the receiving operating characteristic curve (95% CI) of IL-2 after 72 h of incubation for the diagnosis of LTBI was 0.63 (0.53-0.74) when all TB cases were considered as a single group, ranging from 0.59 (0.47-0.71) to 0.72 (0.58-0.85) when only extrapulmonary and smear-positive pulmonary TB cases respectively were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of IL-2 in the supernatant of QFT after a prolonged incubation is not useful to distinguish between LTBI and active disease in clinical practice.

Experiencia del síndrome de Guillain-Barré en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos neurológicos / Experience with Guillain-Barré syndrome in a neurological Intensive Care Unit

Introducción: El síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) es la causa más común de parálisis flácida aguda. En algunos pacientes ocurre falla ventilatoria secundaria a este trastorno, con complicaciones secundarias al soporte ventilatorio y a la movilidad reducida. La mayoría de los casos tienen buen pronóstico; el tratamiento se hace con plasmaferésis o inmunoglobulinas, además del soporte básico. Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas, clínicas, de laboratorio y electrofisiológicas de los pacientes con SGB hospitalizados en las Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo (UCI) y Cuidado Especial del Instituto Neurológico de Colombia entre 2006 y 2012. Metodología: Presentación de serie de casos. Resultados: Presentamos a 25 pacientes con SGB; el 68% de los pacientes fueron hombres, con una edad promedio de 54 años. El 60% de los pacientes ingresó entre los días 3 y 7 del inicio del cuadro, el 64% tuvo antecedente de infección respiratoria y el 20% de infección intestinal 20%. La mayoría de los pacientes (84%) presentó disociación albúmino-citológica. El 32% se presentó con polineuropatía inflamatoria desmielinizante aguda, el 28% con polineuropatía axonal motora y sensitiva aguda, el 28% con polineuropatía axonal motora aguda y el 12% con síndrome de Miller-Fisher. Los pacientes de UCI presentaron mayor tiempo de estancia hospitalaria, infecciones y un peor desenlace medido por Rankin modificado al mes. Conclusiones: Esta descripción corresponde a un grupo de pacientes críticos con SGB; su desenlace estuvo determinado por la severidad del cuadro clínico al ingreso. Nuestros hallazgos son comparables con lo publicado en la literatura mundial

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome, an acute polyradiculoneuropathy that presents with weakness and areflexia, is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. In certain patients, respiratory failure is secondary to this disorder, eventually causing patients to require mechanical ventilation and experience additional complications due to diminished respiratory support and related mobility limitations. Prognoses for most of these cases are positive; treatment consists of basic support combined with plasmapheresis or administration of immunoglobulins. Objective. This study sought to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory and neurophysiological characteristics of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome who were hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit of the Neurological Institute of Colombia between 2006 and 2012. Methodology: This study presents a case series. Results: We surveyed 25 patients (32% female and 68% male) with Guillain-Barré syndrome and an average age of 54 years. Sixty per cent of these patients were admitted between days 3 and 7 after symptom onset; 64% had a history of respiratory infection and 20% had a history of intestinal infection. In addition, 84% of the patients presented with albuminocytological dissociation. We observed the following clinical subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome: inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 32%, acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy in 28%, acute motor axonal neuropathy in 28%, and Miller Fisher syndrome in 12%. Conclusions: In this descriptive study of a group of critical care patients with GBS, results depended on patients’ clinical severity at time of admission. Our findings are similar to results published in the international literature

Placing ecosystem services at the heart of urban water systems management.

Current approaches have failed to deliver a truly integrated management of the different elements of the urban water system, such as freshwater ecosystems, drinking water treatment plants, distribution networks, sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants. Because the different parts of urban water have not been well integrated, poor decisions have been made for society in general, leading to the misuse of water resources, the degradation of freshwater ecosystems and increased overall treatment costs. Some attempts to solve environmental issues have adopted the ecosystem services concept in a more integrated approach, however this has rarely strayed far away from pure policy, and has made little impact in on-the-ground operational matters. Here, we present an improved decision-making framework to integrate the management of urban water systems. This framework uses the ecosystem service concept in a practical way to make a better use of both financial and water resources, while continuing to preserve the environment.

Traumatismo ocular con cuerpo extraño intraocular / Eye injury with an intraocular foreign body

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Historia de la cirugía del glaucoma (I): desde Graefe a las primeras cirugías filtrantes / History of glaucoma surgery (I): From Graefe to the first steps of filtering surgeries

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Experience with Guillain-Barré syndrome in a neurological Intensive Care Unit. / Experiencia del síndrome de Guillain-Barré en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos neurológicos.

INTRODUCTION: Guillain-Barré syndrome, an acute polyradiculoneuropathy that presents with weakness and areflexia, is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. In certain patients, respiratory failure is secondary to this disorder, eventually causing patients to require mechanical ventilation and experience additional complications due to diminished respiratory support and related mobility limitations. Prognoses for most of these cases are positive; treatment consists of basic support combined with plasmapheresis or administration of immunoglobulins. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory and neurophysiological characteristics of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome who were hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit of the Neurological Institute of Colombia between 2006 and 2012. METHODOLOGY: This study presents a case series. RESULTS: We surveyed 25 patients (32% female and 68% male) with Guillain-Barré syndrome and an average age of 54 years. Sixty per cent of these patients were admitted between days 3 and 7 after symptom onset; 64% had a history of respiratory infection and 20% had a history of intestinal infection. In addition, 84% of the patients presented with albuminocytological dissociation. We observed the following clinical subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome: inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 32%, acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy in 28%, acute motor axonal neuropathy in 28%, and Miller Fisher syndrome in 12%. CONCLUSIONS: In this descriptive study of a group of critical care patients with GBS, results depended on patients' clinical severity at time of admission. Our findings are similar to results published in the international literature.