Clinical characterization and treatment of head and neck mucosal melanoma: a Chilean experience.

OBJECTIVES: Head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. The aim of this research was to analyze clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in a Latin American cohort. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of patients with HNMM treated between 2008 and 2019 was conducted. Demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, surgical treatment, adjuvant therapy, and oncologic outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty HNMMs were identified; 60% were in men. The most frequent primary location was the nasal cavity (10; 50%). Regional disease was uncommon and limited to the oral cavity. The median overall survival was 29 months; the 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 37.2% and 26.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that predictors of a worse overall survival were paranasal location (hazard ratio [HR], 4.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-18.40; P = .030), positive lymph nodes (HR, 6.00; 95% CI, 1.30-27.7; P = .022), positive margins (HR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.08-17.2; P = .039), bone invasion (HR, 3.27;95% CI, 1.05-10.1; P = .041), and lymphovascular invasion (HR, 3.82; CI, 1.03-14.2; P = .045). Three-year recurrence-free survival was 17.3%, and most of the recurrences were with distant disease. CONCLUSIONS: HNMM is an infrequent disease with an aggressive behavior. Survival outcomes are related to location of the primary disease, regional spread, lymphovascular invasion, and bone invasion.

Diagnostic Accuracy of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT Imaging for Lymph Node Staging of Prostate Carcinoma in Primary and Biochemical Recurrence.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-ligand PET/CT is performed on patients with prostate cancer to stage the disease initially or to identify sites of recurrence after definitive therapy. On the basis of clinical results, 18F-PSMA-1007 is a promising PSMA PET tracer, but detailed histologic confirmation has been lacking. Methods: Ninety-six patients with prostate cancer underwent 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT followed by either radical prostatectomy with lymphadenectomy or salvage lymphadenectomy. The histologic findings of PSMA PET-positive nodes were analyzed retrospectively. A lesion-based and patient-based analysis was performed comparing all positive lesions and only lesions larger than 3 mm on histopathology. Results: Of the patients, 90.6% received 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT for staging before the primary treatment, whereas 9.4% underwent imaging for biochemical recurrence. In 34.4% of the cohort, positive lymph nodes were present on imaging. In total, 1,746 lymph nodes were dissected in 96 patients. 18F-PSMA-1007 PET had a lesion-based sensitivity of 81.7%, a specificity of 99.6%, a positive predictive value of 92.4%, and a negative predictive value of 98.9% for detecting positive lymph nodes larger than 3 mm. In the analysis of all malignant nodes regardless of size, the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value on lesion-based analysis were 71.2%, 99.5%, 91.3%, and 97.9%, respectively. The patient-based analysis showed a sensitivity of 85.9% and a specificity of 99.5% for lymph nodes larger than 3 mm. Conclusion:18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT reliably detects malignant lymph nodes and has an exceptional specificity of more than 99% for nodal metastases.

Quiste óseo aneurismático / Aneurysmal bone cyst

El quiste óseo aneurismático es una lesión ósea reactiva que está formada por cavidades quísticas que contienen sangre. Generalmente ocasiona dolor de intensidad leve o moderada, pero el paciente puede presentar deformidad y fractura patológica, ya que en su evolución es común el crecimiento local agresivo y la destrucción cortical. Aparece con más frecuencia en las dos primeras décadas de la vida y representa aproximadamente el 1,4 % de todos los tumores óseos primarios. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 16 años diagnosticado de quiste óseo aneurismático que inicialmente consultó por dolor mecánico en el tobillo izquierdo. El paciente fue intervenido quirúrgicamente mediante resección y reconstrucción con injerto óseo. La evolución fue favorable, permaneciendo asintomático al cabo de unos meses de la intervención. El quiste óseo aneurismático se debe probablemente a un cambio fisiopatológico como consecuencia de un traumatismo o de un proceso vascular anómalo. El médico de familia debe sospecharlo cuando observe en la radiografía ósea una imagen lítica y multiloculada de carácter expansivo

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a reactive bone lesion formed by cystic cavities containing blood. It generally causes mild to moderate pain, but the patient can present deformity and pathological fracture, since aggressive local growth and cortical destruction are frequent during its development. It occurs most frequently in the first two decades of life, and accounts for approximately 1.4% of all primary bone tumors. We present the case of a 16-year-old man diagnosed with aneurysmal bone cyst who initially presented mechanical pain in left ankle. The patient underwent surgical resection and reconstruction with bone graft. The evolution was favorable and the patient remains asymptomatic several months after surgery. Aneurysmal bone cyst is probably due to a pathophysiological change caused by a trauma or by an anomalous vascular process. The family doctor should suspect this disease when the bone radiography shows a lytic, multilocular, expansive lesion

Divertículo de Meckel como causa de dolor abdominal recurrente / Meckel's diverticulum as a cause of recurring abdominal pain

El divertículo de Meckel constituye la anomalía congénita gastrointestinal más frecuente. Aunque la forma clínica de presentación más común es la hemorragia digestiva, también puede manifestarse como obstrucción intestinal o como proceso inflamatorio agudo. Su correcto diagnóstico y tratamiento requiere un elevado índice de sospecha clínica. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 19 años con un cuadro de dolor abdominal recurrente al que posteriormente fue extirpado un divertículo de Meckel

Meckel's diverticulum is the most frequent gastrointestinal congenital anomaly. Although its most common clinical presentation is gastrointestinal bleeding, it also manifests with bowel obstruction or acute inflammatory process. Correct diagnosis and treatment require a high degree of clinical suspicion. We present the case of a 19-year-old man with recurring abdominal pain, who eventually had a Meckel's diverticulum removed

Multicenter Validation of Histopathologic Tumor Regression Grade After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Muscle-invasive Bladder Carcinoma.

Response classification after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma is based on the TNM stage at radical cystectomy. We recently showed that histopathologic tumor regression grades (TRGs) add prognostic information to TNM. Our aim was to validate the prognostic significance of TRG in muscle-invasive bladder cancer in a multicenter setting. We enrolled 389 patients who underwent cisplatin-based chemotherapy before radical cystectomy in 8 centers between 2010 and 2016. Median follow-up was 2.2 years. TRG was determined in radical cystectomy specimens by local pathologists. Central pathology review was conducted in 20% of cases, which were randomly selected. The major response was defined as ≤pT1N0. The remaining patients were grouped into partial responders (≥ypT2N0-3 and TRG 2) and nonresponders (≥ypT2N0-3 and TRG 3). TRG was successfully determined in all cases, and interobserver agreement in central pathology review was high (κ=0.83). After combining TRG and TNM, 47%, 15%, and 38% of patients were major, partial, and nonresponders, respectively. Combination of TRG and TNM showed significant prognostic discrimination of overall survival (major responder: reference; partial responder: hazard ratio 3.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.8-6.8]; nonresponder: hazard ratio 6.1 [95% confidence interval: 3.6-10.3]). This discrimination was superior compared with TNM staging alone, supported by 2 goodness-of-fit criteria (P=0.041). TRG is a simple, reproducible histopathologic measurement of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Integrating TRG with TNM staging resulted in significantly better prognostic stratification than TNM staging alone.

Near-Apneic Ventilation Decreases Lung Injury and Fibroproliferation in an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Model with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

RATIONALE: There is wide variability in mechanical ventilation settings during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although lung rest is recommended to prevent further injury, there is no evidence to support it. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether near-apneic ventilation decreases lung injury in a pig model of acute respiratory distress syndrome supported with ECMO. METHODS: Pigs (26-36 kg; n = 24) were anesthetized and connected to mechanical ventilation. In 18 animals lung injury was induced by a double-hit consisting of repeated saline lavages followed by 2 hours of injurious ventilation. Then, animals were connected to high-flow venovenous ECMO, and randomized into three groups: 1) nonprotective (positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP], 5 cm H2O; Vt, 10 ml/kg; respiratory rate, 20 bpm), 2) conventional-protective (PEEP, 10 cm H2O; Vt, 6 ml/kg; respiratory rate, 20 bpm), and 3) near-apneic (PEEP, 10 cm H2O; driving pressure, 10 cm H2O; respiratory rate, 5 bpm). Six other pigs were used as sham. All groups were maintained during the 24-hour study period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Minute ventilation and mechanical power were lower in the near-apneic group, but no differences were observed in oxygenation or compliance. Lung histology revealed less injury in the near-apneic group. Extensive immunohistochemical staining for myofibroblasts and procollagen III was observed in the nonprotective group, with the near-apneic group exhibiting the least alterations. Near-apneic group showed significantly less matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 activity. Histologic lung injury and fibroproliferation scores were positively correlated with driving pressure and mechanical power. CONCLUSIONS: In an acute respiratory distress syndrome model supported with ECMO, near-apneic ventilation decreased histologic lung injury and matrix metalloproteinase activity, and prevented the expression of myofibroblast markers.

Elastin degradation products in acute lung injury induced by gastric contents aspiration.

BACKGROUND: Gastric contents aspiration is a high-risk condition for acute lung injury (ALI). Consequences range from subclinical pneumonitis to respiratory failure, depending on the volume of aspirate. A large increment in inflammatory cells, an important source of elastase, potentially capable of damaging lung tissue, has been described in experimental models of aspiration. We hypothesized that in early stages of aspiration-induced ALI, there is proteolytic degradation of elastin, preceding collagen deposition. Our aim was to evaluate whether after a single orotracheal instillation of gastric fluid, there is evidence of elastin degradation. METHODS: Anesthesized Sprague-Dawley rats received a single orotracheal instillation of gastric fluid and were euthanized 4, 12 and 24 h and at day 4 after instillation (n = 6/group). We used immunodetection of soluble elastin in lung tissue and BALF and correlated BALF levels of elastin degradation products with markers of ALI. We investigated possible factors involved in elastin degradation and evaluated whether a similar pattern of elastin degradation can be found in BALF samples of patients with interstitial lung diseases known to have aspirated. Non-parametric ANOVA (Kruskall-Wallis) and linear regression analysis were used. RESULTS: We found evidence of early proteolytic degradation of lung elastin. Elastin degradation products are detected both in lung tissue and BALF in the first 24 h and are significantly reduced at day 4. They correlate significantly with ALI markers, particularly PMN cell count, are independent of acidity and have a similar molecular weight as those obtained using pancreatic elastase. Evaluation of BALF from patients revealed the presence of elastin degradation products not present in controls that are similar to those found in BALF of rats treated with gastric fluid. CONCLUSIONS: A single instillation of gastric fluid into the lungs induces early proteolytic degradation of elastin, in relation to the magnitude of alveolar-capillary barrier derangement. PMN-derived proteases released during ALI are mostly responsible for this damage. BALF from patients showed elastin degradation products similar to those found in rats treated with gastric fluid. Long-lasting effects on lung elastic properties could be expected under conditions of repeated instillations of gastric fluid in experimental animals or repeated aspiration events in humans.

Changes in the pattern of fibrosis in the rat lung with repetitive orotracheal instillations of gastric contents: evidence of persistent collagen accumulation.

Recurrent aspiration of gastric contents has been associated with several interstitial lung diseases. Despite this association, the pathogenic role of aspiration in these diseases has been poorly studied and little is known about extracellular matrix (ECM) changes in animal models of repetitive events of aspiration. Our aim was to study the repair phase of lung injury induced by each of several instillations of gastric fluid in Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate changes in ECM and their reversibility. Anesthetized animals received weekly orotracheal instillations of gastric fluid for 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk and were euthanized at day 7 after last instillation. For reversibility studies, another group received 7 weekly instillations and was euthanized at day 7 or 60 after last instillation. Biochemical and histological measurements were used to evaluate ECM changes. Lung hydroxyproline content increased progressively and hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and alpha-SMA stains showed that after a single instillation, intra-alveolar fibrosis predominated, whereas with repetitive instillations this fibrosis pattern became less prominent and interstitial fibrosis progressively became evident. Both type I and III collagen increased in intra-alveolar and interstitial fibrosis. Imbalance between matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) expression was observed, favoring either collagen degradation or accumulation depending on the number of instillations. Caspase-3 activation was also dose dependent. ECM changes were partially reversible at long-term evaluation, since Masson bodies, granulomas, and foreign body giant cells disappeared, whereas interstitial collagen accumulated. In conclusion, repetitive lung instillations of gastric fluid induce progressive fibrotic changes in rat lung ECM that persist at long-term evaluation.

Acute lung injury by gastric fluid instillation: activation of myofibroblast apoptosis during injury resolution.

BACKGROUND: Gastric contents aspiration in humans has variable consequences depending on the volume of aspirate, ranging from subclinical pneumonitis to respiratory failure with up to 70% mortality. Several experimental approaches have been used to study this condition. In a model of single orotracheal instillation of gastric fluid we have shown that severe acute lung injury evolves from a pattern of diffuse alveolar damage to one of organizing pneumonia (OP), that later resolves leaving normal lung architecture. Little is known about mechanisms of injury resolution after a single aspiration that could be dysregulated with repetitive aspirations. We hypothesized that, in a similar way to cutaneous wound healing, apoptosis may participate in lung injury resolution by reducing the number of myofibroblasts and by affecting the balance between proteases and antiproteases. Our aim was to study activation of apoptosis as well as MMP-2/TIMP-2 balance in the sub-acute phase (4-14 days) of gastric fluid-induced lung injury. METHODS: Anesthesized Sprague-Dawley rats received a single orotracheal instillation of gastric fluid and were euthanized 4, 7 and 14 days later (n = 6/group). In lung tissue we studied caspase-3 activation and its location by double immunofluorescence for cleaved caspase-3 or TUNEL and alpha-SMA. MMP-2/TIMP-2 balance was studied by zymography and Western blot. BALF levels of TGF-ß1 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: An OP pattern with Masson bodies and granulomas was seen at days 4 and 7 that was no longer present at day 14. Cleaved caspase-3 increased at day 7 and was detected by immunofluorescence in Masson body-alpha-SMA-positive and -negative cells. TUNEL-positive cells at days 4 and 7 were located mainly in Masson bodies. Distribution of cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive cells at day 14 was similar to that in controls. At the peak of apoptosis (day 7), an imbalance between MMP-2 activity and TIMP-2 expression was produced by reduction in TIMP-2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis is activated in Masson body-alpha-SMA-positive and -negative cells during the sub-acute phase of gastric fluid-induced lung injury. This mechanism likely contributes to OP resolution, by reducing myofibroblast number and new collagen production. In addition, pre-formed collagen degradation is favored by an associated MMP-2/TIMP-2 imbalance.

Metastasis pulmonares tardías de carcinoma adenoideo quístico de la glandula de bartolino / Late lung metastases of cystic adenoid carcinoma of the bartolino gland

El carcinoma adenoideo quístico de la glándula de Bartolino (GB) es una entidad infrecuente, de crecimiento lento y comportamiento agresivo con alta recurrencia local y metástasis. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 48 años, con antecedente de tratamiento quirúrgico de un absceso Bartolino derecho. La biopsia demostró un carcinoma adenoideo quístico (CAQ) de la GB, por lo que se realizó hemivulvectomía radical derecha y linfadenectomía inguinofemoral. El resultado de la biopsia mostró 4 ganglios positivos de 12 y margen lateral positivo a menos de 2 mm. Por lo que se realizó adyuvancia con radioterapia. La paciente no se presenta a su control y acude luego de tres años por dolor urente desde cadera izquierda hacia rodilla y cara lateral de la pierna y pie. Se realiza cintigrama óseo que muestra lesión osteoblástica sacroilíaca izquierda de 2 cm, por lo que se completó estudio de diseminación con tomografía computada de tórax, abdomen y pelvis con contraste que evidenció múltiples lesiones nodulares pulmonares bilaterales de distribución generalizada en parénquima central, periférico y subpleurales. Se deriva al Instituto Nacional del Tórax, completando estudio preoperatorio y se realizó una biopsia quirúrgica por video toracoscopía resecando un nódulo subpleural, el informe histológico señaló una metástasis de CAQ concordante con primario en GB. La paciente fue presentada en el comité oncológico y se indicó radioterapia paliativa a lesión sacroilíaca y control clínico ambulatorio. Ha evolucionado estable desde el punto de vista funcional pulmonar.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin glands (BG) is a rare, slow-growing but a highly aggressive tumor with remarkable capacity for local recurrence and distant metastasis. We present the case of a 48 year-old female patient with a history of surgical treatment for right Bartholin abscess. The biopsy showed a cystic adenoid carcinoma of the BG, which led to radical hemivulvectomy and inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. The biopsy show inguinal lymph node metastasis on 4 of 12 lymph nodes and positive surgical resection margin. Adjuvant radiotherapy was applied. The patient doesnt present to her clinical follow up, and consult three years later with radiological evidence of sacroiliac metástasis on bone scintigraphy. Study was completed with thorax, abdomen and pelvis tomography scan, and showed multiple bilateral lung nodules. The patient was transfered to National Thoracic Institute, and preoperative study was performed. We decide to obtain histologycal confirmation by a video thoracoscopy, it was performed without incidents. Histology show metastasis of adenoid cystic carcinoma pattern, concordant with primary tumor. The patient was submitted to the oncology committee and palliative radiotherapy was indicated for sacroiliac lesion. The patient evolve stable and asintomatic at ambulatory clinical control.

A 10-Gene Classifier for Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: Development and Multicenter Accuracy Study.

BACKGROUND: In most of the world, diagnostic surgery remains the most frequent approach for indeterminate thyroid cytology. Although several molecular tests are available for testing in centralized commercial laboratories in the United States, there are no available kits for local laboratory testing. The aim of this study was to develop a prototype in vitro diagnostic (IVD) gene classifier for the further characterization of nodules with an indeterminate thyroid cytology. METHODS: In a first stage, the expression of 18 genes was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in a broad histopathological spectrum of 114 fresh-tissue biopsies. Expression data were used to train several classifiers by supervised machine learning approaches. Classifiers were tested in an independent set of 139 samples. In a second stage, the best classifier was chosen as a model to develop a multiplexed-qPCR IVD prototype assay, which was tested in a prospective multicenter cohort of fine-needle aspiration biopsies. RESULTS: In tissue biopsies, the best classifier, using only 10 genes, reached an optimal and consistent performance in the ninefold cross-validated testing set (sensitivity 93% and specificity 81%). In the multicenter cohort of fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples, the 10-gene signature, built into a multiplexed-qPCR IVD prototype, showed an area under the curve of 0.97, a positive predictive value of 78%, and a negative predictive value of 98%. By Bayes' theorem, the IVD prototype is expected to achieve a positive predictive value of 64-82% and a negative predictive value of 97-99% in patients with a cancer prevalence range of 20-40%. CONCLUSIONS: A new multiplexed-qPCR IVD prototype is reported that accurately classifies thyroid nodules and may provide a future solution suitable for local reference laboratory testing.

Association of Chronic Pancreatitis and Malignant Main Duct IPMN: A Rare but Difficult Clinical Problem.

We report the case of a 70-year-old woman who consulted for recurrent short episodes of mild-to-moderate abdominal pain. Dilated main pancreatic duct was seen on CAT scan and magnetic resonance, with multiple calcifications and intraductal stones, typical in CP. However, for a more pronounced cystic dilatation in the pancreatic head, we could not exclude the coexistence of a main duct IPMN. ERCP was performed, with pancreatic sphincterotomy and extraction of pancreatic stones, but, at the same time, mucin extrusion was seen from the dilated duct through the papilla. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Surgery and histology confirmed malignant IPMN with the typical image of chronic pancreatitis and intraductal stones in the vicinity. The patient is doing well 4 years after the surgery, without recurrence of the malignant disease, with changes of chronic pancreatitis in the pancreatic remnant. This paper discusses the possible relationships between the two entities and emphasizes the need of differential diagnosis.

Electrocauterio y broncoscopia flexible como primera medida en la obstrucción central de la vía aérea y hemoptisis asociada / Electrocautery and bronchoscopy as a first step for the management of central airway obstruction and associated hemoptysis

Background: Central airway obstruction caused by malignant or benign lesions, associated in some cases with hemoptysis, is a condition with high morbidity and mortality. The use of electrocautery by flexible bronchoscopy is an initial treatment option with immediate improvement of obstruction symptoms. It is as effective as Nd: YAG laser. Aim: To describe the usefulness of electrocautery in the management of central obstruction of the airway and hemoptysis. Material and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of patients referred for management of central airway obstruction or associated hemoptysis. Diagnoses, symptoms (dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis) and radiology before and after the procedures were analyzed. Results: Eighteen patients aged 59 ± 12 years (66% males) were evaluated, registering 25 endoscopic procedures. Three conditions were found: partial or complete airway obstruction, hemoptysis and post lung transplant bronchial stenosis. Seventy two percent presented with dyspnea, 61% with cough and 33% with hemoptysis. Sixty six percent of patients had airway obstruction caused by malignant metastatic lesions. After electrocautery, 17 patients (94.4%) improved their symptoms and achieved complete airway clearing. Three patients had significant bronchial stenosis after lung transplant achieving subsequent clearing after electrocautery. Conclusions: Electrocautery during flexible bronchoscopy is an effective and safe procedure for the management of central airway obstruction and associated hemoptysis.

Use of the ROSE risk score for predicting mortality and cardiovascular events in adult patients at 7 and 30 days of syncope / Aplicación del puntaje de riesgo de la escala ROSE para predicción de mortalidad y desenlaces cardiovasculares mayores en pacientes adultos con síncope a 7 y 30 días

Abstract Introduction: The use of the ROSE risk score after syncope provides the possibility of identifying patients at risk of death or other important adverse events after 30 days of admission to the emergency department. Objective: To evaluate the performance of ROSE score in terms of mortality prediction and major adverse events at 7 and 30 days in adult patients with syncope admitted to the emergency department. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study in patients with syncope who were admitted to the emergency room was performed. An operational analysis of the predictive ability for detection of possible complications was done by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and ROC curves. Results: 60 patients were evaluated. An area under the curve for prediction of mortality or major outcome at 7 and 30 days of 0.62 (95%CI: 0.45-0.78) was obtained, with sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 18.18%, PPV of 6.25% and NPV of 83%. Conclusion: ROSE score showed low sensitivity for predicting mortality or serious outcomes at 7 and 30 days. Its high negative predictive value makes it a useful prognostic tool in low risk patients.

Resumen Introducción. El puntaje de riesgo ROSE para síncope tiene la capacidad de identificar pacientes en riesgo de presentar mortalidad o cualquier otro desenlace adverso mayor a los 30 días de su ingreso a urgencias. Objetivo. Evaluar el rendimiento pronóstico del puntaje para predicción de mortalidad o desenlaces adversos mayores a 7 y 30 días en pacientes adultos con síncope en el servicio de urgencias. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de cohorte prospectivo en pacientes con síncope admitidos en urgencias. Se realizó un análisis operativo de la capacidad predictiva de detección de riesgo de complicaciones calculando sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN) y curvas ROC. Resultados. Se evaluaron 60 pacientes en los que se obtuvo un área bajo la curva para predicción de mortalidad o desenlaces mayores, tanto a los 7 como a los 30 días, de 0.62 (IC95%: 0.45-0.78), con sensibilidad de 60%, especificidad de 18.18%, VPP de 6.25% y VPN de 83%. Conclusión. El puntaje ROSE mostró una sensibilidad baja para predicción de mortalidad o desenlaces serios mayores a 7 y 30 días. Su alto valor predictivo negativo la hace una herramienta de pronóstico con utilidad en los pacientes de bajo riesgo.

Acute lung injury induced by whole gastric fluid: hepatic acute phase response contributes to increase lung antiprotease protection.

BACKGROUND: Gastric contents aspiration in humans is a risk factor for severe respiratory failure with elevated mortality. Although aspiration-induced local lung inflammation has been studied in animal models, little is known about extrapulmonary effects of aspiration. We investigated whether a single orotracheal instillation of whole gastric fluid elicits a liver acute phase response and if this response contributes to enrich the alveolar spaces with proteins having antiprotease activity. METHODS: In anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats receiving whole gastric fluid, we studied at different times after instillation (4 h -7 days): changes in blood cytokines and acute phase proteins (fibrinogen and the antiproteases alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha2-macroglobulin) as well as liver mRNA expression of the two antiproteases. The impact of the systemic changes on lung antiprotease defense was evaluated by measuring levels and bioactivity of antiproteases in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Markers of alveolar-capillary barrier derangement were also studied. Non-parametric ANOVA (Kruskall-Wallis) and linear regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Severe peribronchiolar injury involving edema, intra-alveolar proteinaceous debris, hemorrhage and PMNn cell infiltration was seen in the first 24 h and later resolved. Despite a large increase in several lung cytokines, only IL-6 was found elevated in blood, preceding increased liver expression and blood concentration of both antiproteases. These changes, with an acute phase response profile, were significantly larger for alpha2-macroglobulin (40-fold increment in expression with 12-fold elevation in blood protein concentration) than for alpha1-antitrypsin (2-3 fold increment in expression with 0.5-fold elevation in blood protein concentration). Both the increment in capillary-alveolar antiprotease concentration gradient due to increased antiprotease liver synthesis and a timely-associated derangement of the alveolar-capillary barrier induced by aspiration, contributed a 58-fold and a 190-fold increase in BALF alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha2-macroglobulin levels respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric contents-induced acute lung injury elicits a liver acute phase response characterized by increased mRNA expression of antiproteases and elevation of blood antiprotease concentrations. Hepatic changes act in concert with derangement of the alveolar capillary barrier to enrich alveolar spaces with antiproteases. These findings may have significant implications decreasing protease burden, limiting injury in this and other models of acute lung injury and likely, in recurrent aspiration.

[Electrocautery and bronchoscopy as a first step for the management of central airway obstruction and associated hemoptysis]. / Electrocauterio y broncoscopia flexible como primera medida en la obstrucción central de la vía aérea y hemoptisis asociada.

BACKGROUND: Central airway obstruction caused by malignant or benign lesions, associated in some cases with hemoptysis, is a condition with high morbidity and mortality. The use of electrocautery by flexible bronchoscopy is an initial treatment option with immediate improvement of obstruction symptoms. It is as effective as Nd: YAG laser. AIM: To describe the usefulness of electrocautery in the management of central obstruction of the airway and hemoptysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of patients referred for management of central airway obstruction or associated hemoptysis. Diagnoses, symptoms (dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis) and radiology before and after the procedures were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients aged 59 ± 12 years (66% males) were evaluated, registering 25 endoscopic procedures. Three conditions were found: partial or complete airway obstruction, hemoptysis and post lung transplant bronchial stenosis. Seventy two percent presented with dyspnea, 61% with cough and 33% with hemoptysis. Sixty six percent of patients had airway obstruction caused by malignant metastatic lesions. After electrocautery, 17 patients (94.4%) improved their symptoms and achieved complete airway clearing. Three patients had significant bronchial stenosis after lung transplant achieving subsequent clearing after electrocautery. CONCLUSIONS: Electrocautery during flexible bronchoscopy is an effective and safe procedure for the management of central airway obstruction and associated hemoptysis.

Resolution of lung injury after a single event of aspiration: a model of bilateral instillation of whole gastric fluid.

Gastric aspiration is a high-risk condition for lung injury. Consequences range from subclinical pneumonitis to respiratory failure, with fibrosis development in some patients. Little is known about how the lung repairs aspiration-induced injury. By using a rat model of single orotracheal instillation of whole gastric contents, we studied the time course of morphological and biochemical changes during injury and resolution, and evaluated whether repair involved long-term fibrosis. Anesthetized rats received one gastric fluid instillation. At 4, 12, and 24 hours and 4 and 7 days, we performed lung histological studies and biochemical measurements in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue. Physiological measurements were performed at 12 to 24 hours. Long-term outcome was studied histologically at day 60. During the first 24 hours, severe peribronchiolar injury involving edema, intra-alveolar proteinaceous debris, hemorrhage, increased neutrophils and cytokines, and physiological dysfunction were observed. At days 4 and 7, an organizing pneumonia (OP) pattern developed, with foreign-body giant cells and granulomas. Lung matrix metalloproteinase 9 and 2 activities increased, with metalloproteinase-9 linked to early inflammation and metalloproteinase-2 to OP. At day 60, lung architecture was normal. In conclusion, a continuum of alterations starting with severe injury, evolving toward OP and later resolving, characterizes the rat single aspiration event. In addition to identifying markers of staging and severity, this model reveals that OP participates in the repair of aspiration-induced injury.

[Survival of patients with biopsy-proven idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Chilean National Thorax Institute experience]. / Supervivencia de pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar idiopática diagnosticados por biopsia quirúrgica de pulmón: experiencia del Instituto Nacional del Tórax.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is the most prevalent of all interstitial lung diseases. The usual underlying pathological picture is an interstitial pneumonia (UIP). AIM: To describe the evolution of a Chilean cohort of patients with IPF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with the disease were identified at the pathology registry of National Institute of Thoracic Diseases, Santiago, Chile. Patients were included if they had surgical biopsy of UIP and compatible clinical and radiological characteristics. The medical records of included patients were reviewed, recording clinical information and lung function test results. Survival was analyzed obtaining death records from the Chilean National Identification Service. RESULTS: Data from 142 patients with a mean age of 58 years (42% men), were analyzed. Mean initial lung function showed a forced vital capacity (FVC) of 73%, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) of 57% and a distance covered in 6-minute walk (6MWT) of 95% of expected normal values. The median survival was 80 months. Predictors of survival were a DLCO of less than 40% and an oxygen saturation at the end of the 6MWT of less than 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Survival in this group of patients was higher than the figures reported elsewhere. DLCO and the fall of oxygen saturation after walking were predictors of mortality, as previously described in other populations.

Histeroscopia de consultorio: evaluación del dolor / Office hysteroscopy: pain assessment

Objetivo: Evaluar el dolor durante la histeroscopia de consultorio, sin anestesia e investigar los factores relacionados. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo, descriptivo, analítico y de corte transversal en una población de 309 pacientes de la Maternidad “Concepción Palacios” que acudieron al Servicio de Ginecología entre agosto 2010 y agosto 2011, quienes tenían indicación para histeroscopia. Se registraron antecedentes y datos clínicos relacionados con la percepción del dolor, así como la intensidad de dolor percibida mediante una escala análoga de 0 al 10. Resultados: Se obtuvo una media de percepción de dolor de 2,9. La percepción de dolor fue leve en 56.%, dolor moderado: 36,2 %, dolor intenso: 4,9 %, dolor intolerable: 2,9 %, nada de dolor: 4,2 %. No se encontró relación entre la percepción de dolor y la edad, paridad, estado hormonal, indicación del estudio ni tipo de procedimiento. El 60,6 % de las pacientes con cuello permeable, presentaron dolor leve, mientras que las que tenían sinequias o estenosis lo presentaron en 25,5 % y 31, 3 % respectivamente. Con cuello permeable hubo 0,4 % de dolor intolerable y en presencia de sinequias la cifra fue 12,5 % (P<0,05). 88,8.% de las pacientes con dolor intolerable presentaban estenosis o sinequias. Conclusiones: La histeroscopia de consultorio es un procedimiento bien tolerado por la mayoría de las pacientes; es independiente de la paridad, condición hormonal, indicación del estudio, edad y tipo de procedimiento. La percepción de dolor fue mayor en pacientes con estenosis o sinequias cervicales.

Objective: Assess pain during no anesthesia office hysteroscopy and investigate related factors. Method: Prospective, descriptive, analytical and cross-section study in a population of 309 patients who attended the gynaecology service of Maternidad Concepción Palacios between August 2010 and August 2011, who had indication for hysteroscopy. Background and clinical data was collected, relating to the perception of pain, as well as the intensity of pain perceived by means of an analog scale of 0 to 10. Results: An average of 2.9 pain perception. The perception of pain was mild in 56 %, moderate pain: 36.2 %, severe pain: 4.9 %, intolerable pain: 2.9 %, none of pain: 4.2 per cent. No relationship was found between the perception of pain and age, parity, hormonal state, indication of the study or type of procedure. 60.6 % of patients with permeable cervix presented mild pain, while if they had adhesions or stenosis the mild pain was present in 25.5 % and 31, 3 % respectively. With permeable cervix there was 0.4 % of intolerable pain and in the presence of adhesions was only 12.5 % (P < 0,05), 88.8 % of patients with intolerable pain had cervical stenosis or adhesions. Conclusions: Office hysteroscopy is a procedure well tolerated by most patients; It is independent of parity, hormonal condition, indication of the study, age and type of procedure. The perception of pain was greater in patients with cervical stenosis or adhesions.