Revisión de la enfermedad del pulmón de granjero / Farmer's Lung Disease. A Review

La enfermedad del pulmón de granjero (EPG) es una forma de neumonitis por hipersensibilidad (NH) producida por la inhalación de microorganismos procedentes del heno o grano almacenado en condiciones de alta humedad en el ámbito laboral agrícola. Se trata de una enfermedad probablemente infradiagnosticada, sobre todo en el Norte de España, donde las condiciones climáticas son propicias para el desarrollo de la misma. Según estudios previos los antígenos más frecuentes suelen ser hongos y actinomicetos termofílicos. La epidemiología de la enfermedad no es del todo bien conocida, y se basa en estudios realizados por grupos centroeuropeos y asiáticos. La presentación clínica puede ser variada, diferenciándose las formas agudas (tras exposición a elevadas concentraciones del antígeno) y las crónicas (exposición a menores concentraciones del antígeno, pero más prolongada en el tiempo). En estos casos es esencial, en aquellos pacientes con clínica respiratoria durante la exposición laboral agrícola, demostrar una radiología y función pulmonar compatible, así como una sensibilización al antígeno, una linfocitosis en el lavado broncoalveolar en su caso y/o una anatomía patológica concordante. El tratamiento principal es la evitación antigénica, por lo que la educación de los pacientes en las medidas preventivas es fundamental. Por el momento, no existen estudios controlados que permitan evaluar el papel de tratamientos inmunosupresores en esta enfermedad. El tratamiento con corticosteroides solo ha demostrado acelerar la resolución de las formas agudas, pero no hay estudios que demuestren su efectividad a largo plazo, con el fin de evitar la progresión de la enfermedad ni disminuir su mortalidad

Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by inhaling microorganisms from hay or grain stored in conditions of high humidity in the agricultural workplace. It is probably underdiagnosed, especially in northern Spain, where climatic conditions favor the development of this disease. According to previous studies, the most common antigens are usually thermophilic actinomycetes and fungi. The epidemiology of the disease is not well known, and is based on studies conducted by Central European and Asian groups. The clinical presentation may vary, differentiating the chronic (exposure to lower concentrations of the antigen over a longer period time) and the acute forms (after exposure to high concentrations of the antigen). In patients with respiratory symptoms and agricultural occupational exposure, radiological, lung function and/or anatomical pathology findings must be compatible with FLD, bronchoalveolar lavage must show lymphocytosis, and tests must find sensitivity to the antigen. The main treatment is avoidance of the antigen, so it is essential to educate patients on preventive measures. To date, no controlled studies have assessed the role of immunosuppressive therapy in this disease. Corticosteroid treatment has only been shown to accelerate resolution of the acute forms, but there is no evidence that it is effective in preventing disease progression in the long-term or reducing mortality

Transdiscal screw versus pedicle screw fixation for high-grade L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis in patients younger than 60 years: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes between transdiscal and conventional pedicle fixation for high-grade L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study with patients prospectively followed. Twenty-five consecutive patients with mean age of 36.7 years underwent transdiscal fixation, and 31 other with mean age of 42.0 years to pedicle fixation were clinically and radiographically compared. Clinical assessments were performed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Core Outcomes Measures Index (COMI), Short-Form 12 (SF-12), and pain visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographic spinopelvic parameters were also evaluated. The mean follow-up was 2.7 years (range 2.0-5.3). RESULTS: Preoperative data were comparable between groups. Surgery time, blood loss, and hospital stay were similar between groups. At last follow-up, clinical and radiographic outcomes were significantly improved in both groups. Postoperatively, both lumbar and leg pain VAS were similar between groups, but ODI (20.2 vs. 31.6, p = 0.010), COMI (1.6 vs. 2.8, p = 0.012), and SF-12 physical (84.3 vs. 61.5, p = 0.004) and mental (81.5 vs. 69.4, p = 0.021) scores were significantly better in the transdiscal group. The neurologic complication rate was similar in both groups. There were 4 pseudoarthroses in the pedicle group, and none in the transdiscal group. CONCLUSION: L5-S1 transdiscal screw fixation provided better functional and radiographic outcomes at medium-term than conventional pedicle fixation for high-grade spondylolisthesis, although transdiscal sacral screws are difficult to place in correct position.

Farmer's Lung Disease. A Review. / Revisión de la enfermedad del pulmón de granjero.

Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by inhaling microorganisms from hay or grain stored in conditions of high humidity in the agricultural workplace. It is probably underdiagnosed, especially in northern Spain, where climatic conditions favor the development of this disease. According to previous studies, the most common antigens are usually thermophilic actinomycetes and fungi. The epidemiology of the disease is not well known, and is based on studies conducted by Central European and Asian groups. The clinical presentation may vary, differentiating the chronic (exposure to lower concentrations of the antigen over a longer period time) and the acute forms (after exposure to high concentrations of the antigen). In patients with respiratory symptoms and agricultural occupational exposure, radiological, lung function and/or anatomical pathology findings must be compatible with FLD, bronchoalveolar lavage must show lymphocytosis, and tests must find sensitivity to the antigen. The main treatment is avoidance of the antigen, so it is essential to educate patients on preventive measures. To date, no controlled studies have assessed the role of immunosuppressive therapy in this disease. Corticosteroid treatment has only been shown to accelerate resolution of the acute forms, but there is no evidence that it is effective in preventing disease progression in the long-term or reducing mortality.

Prostate sarcoma: report of 2 cases and bibliographic review.

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of prostate sarcoma and perform a review of the published literature. METHODS / RESULTS: The first case is a 21 year old patient who presented acute urine retention and lung metastases on diagnosis. He was diagnosed by TURP of rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate dying 1 month after surgery. The second case was a 33 years old male who presented to the emergency room with anal pain, urinary symptoms, hematochezia and loss of 20 kg over the past 3 months. Abdominal CT scan showed an 11 x 10 x 9 cm mass in the lower pelvis that infiltrated the bladder and rectum, being unable to define its origin. CA 19.9, CEA and PSA were normal. The suspected diagnosis was a prostate sarcoma infiltrating rectum and bladder. A pelvic exenteration was performed with a wet colostomy. The pathologic diagnosis was a high grade sarcoma not clearly identified of the prostate. He was treated with adriamycin as adjuvant chemotherapy, having local recurrence, nodal involvement and multiple pulmonary metastases after 3 months of follow up CONCLUSIONS: Prostate sarcomas are rare tumors. This makes difficult to know their natural history. Their rapid progression and systemic spread, despite multimodal treatment, gives a mean survival of 24 months. Main survival factors are grade, a complete resection of the tumor and a low local stage. There is a need to find new chemotherapy protocols to increase survival rates as it has been shown in extremities sarcomas.

Sarcoma de próstata: presentación de 2 casos y revisión de la literatura / Prostate sarcoma: report of 2 cases and bibliographic review

OBJETIVO: Presentar dos casos de sarcoma de próstata y realizar una revisión de la literatura publicada. METODO/RESULTADO: El primer caso es un paciente de 21 años de edad que acudió por retención aguda de orina y metástasis pulmonares al momento del diagnóstico. Fue diagnosticado por RTU de rabdomiosarcoma de próstata falleciendo un mes después de la cirugía. El otro paciente era un varón de 33 años que acude a urgencias por proctalgia, síntomas miccionales, hematoquecia y pérdida de 20 kg durante los 3 últimos meses. El TAC abdominal muestra una gran masa de 11x10x9 cm en pelvis inferior que desplaza anteriormente la vejiga e infiltra el recto sin poder concretar su origen. Los marcadores CA 19.9, CEA y PSA/s no presentaban alteraciones. La RMN orientó hacia un sarcoma de próstata que infiltraba vejiga y recto. Se realizó una exanteración pélvica con colostomía húmeda. El diagnóstico definitivo fue de sarcoma fusocelular de próstata de alto grado con infiltración de recto y vejiga. Se administró tratamiento quimioterápico adyuvante con Adriamicina, presentando a los 3 meses recidiva local y múltiples metástasis pulmonares. CONCLUSIONES: Los sarcomas de próstata son tumores poco frecuentes, lo cual dificulta el conocimiento de su historia natural. La progresión local y a distancia es muy rápida, con una supervivencia media de 2 años, a pesar del manejo terapéutico multimodal. El principal factor de supervivencia es una resección completa del tumor y un estadío local poco avanzado. Es necesario buscar nuevos protocolos quimioterápicos que permitan prolongar la supervivencia de estos pacientes como se ha demostrado en otro tipo de sarcomas

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of prostate sarcoma and perform a review of the published literature. METHODS / RESULTS: The first case is a 21 year old patient who presented acute urine retention and lung metastases on diagnosis. He was diagnosed by TURP of rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate dying 1 month after surgery. The second case was a 33 years old male who presented to the emergency room with anal pain, urinary symptoms, hematochezia and loss of 20 kg over the past 3 months. Abdominal CT scan showed an 11 x 10 x 9 cm mass in the lower pelvis that infiltrated the bladder and rectum, being unable to define its origin. CA 19.9, CEA and PSA were normal. The suspected diagnosis was a prostate sarcoma infiltrating rectum and bladder. A pelvic exenteration was performed with a wet colostomy. The pathologic diagnosis was a high grade sarcoma not clearly identified of the prostate. He was treated with adriamycin as adjuvant chemotherapy, having local recurrence, nodal involvement and multiple pulmonary metastases after 3 months of follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate sarcomas are rare tumors. This makes difficult to know their natural history. Their rapid progression and systemic spread, despite multimodal treatment, gives a mean survival of 24 months. Main survival factors are grade, a complete resection of the tumor and a low local stage. There is a need to find new chemotherapy protocols to increase survival rates as it has been shown in extremities sarcomas