Effectiveness of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in children and adolescents: a large-scale observational study.

Background: Policymakers urgently need evidence to adequately balance the costs and benefits of mass vaccination against COVID-19 across all age groups, including children and adolescents. In this study, we aim to assess the effectiveness of CoronaVac's primary series among children and adolescents in Chile. Methods: We used a large prospective national cohort of about two million children and adolescents 6-16 years to estimate the effectiveness of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) in preventing laboratory-confirmed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), hospitalisation, and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) associated with COVID-19. We compared the risk of individuals treated with a complete primary immunization schedule (two doses, 28 days apart) with the risk of unvaccinated individuals during the follow-up period. The study was conducted in Chile from June 27, 2021, to January 12, 2022, when the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was predominant but other variants of concern were co-circulating, including Omicron. We used inverse probability-weighted survival regression models to estimate hazard ratios of complete immunization over the unvaccinated status, accounting for time-varying vaccination exposure and adjusting for relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical confounders. Findings: The estimated adjusted vaccine effectiveness for the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in children aged 6-16 years was 74.5% (95% CI, 73.8-75.2), 91.0% (95% CI, 87.8-93.4), 93.8% (95% CI, 87.8-93.4) for the prevention of COVID-19, hospitalisation, and ICU admission, respectively. For the subgroup of children 6-11 years, the vaccine effectiveness was 75.8% (95% CI, 74.7-76.8) for the prevention of COVID-19 and 77.9% (95% CI, 61.5-87.3) for the prevention of hospitalisation. Interpretation: Our results suggest that a complete primary immunization schedule with the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine provides effective protection against severe COVID-19 disease for children 6-16 years. Funding: Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID) Millennium Science Initiative Program and Fondo de Financiamiento de Centros de Investigación en Áreas Prioritarias (FONDAP).

Imagenología en la patología mamaria durante el embarazo y la lactancia / Imaging of breast pathology during pregnancy and lactation

La patología mamaria durante el embarazo y la lactancia representa un desafío debido a que los cambios fisiológicos del tejido mamario durante este periodo pueden afectar la interpretación de los hallazgos clínicos e imagenológicos. El objetivo de esta revisión es conocer el diagnóstico diferencial de las enfermedades mamarias durante el embarazo y la lactancia. La mayoría de las patologías mamarias durante el embarazo y la lactancia son benignas y pueden ser clasificadas en tres categorías: 1) aquellas relacionadas con cambios fisiológicos, 2) enfermedades inflamatorias y 3) tumores benignos. Solo el 3% de los cánceres mamarios se desarrollan durante el embarazo. Los factores de mal pronóstico, como receptores hormonales negativos o HER2/neu positivo, en las mujeres embarazadas tienen una prevalencia similar a la observada en no embarazadas de la misma edad. El diagnóstico precoz es de crucial importancia pronóstica, por lo que es necesario mantener los esquemas de tamizaje recomendados. Es importante estar familiarizado con los cambios fisiológicos durante el embarazo y la lactancia, y conocer las patologías más prevalentes que afectan a las mujeres durante este periodo.

Breast pathology throughout pregnancy and lactation represents a challenge because the physiological changes of mammary tissue during this period may affect the interpretation of clinical and imaging findings. The objective of this presentation is to review the differential diagnosis of breast diseases during pregnancy and lactation. Most of breast pathology during pregnancy and lactation is benign and can be further classified into three categories: 1) those related to physiological changes, 2) inflammatory diseases, and 3) benign tumors. Only 3% of breast cancers will develop during pregnancy. Risk factors for worst prognosis, such as negative hormonal receptors or HER2/neu positive, in pregnant women have similar prevalence than in non-pregnant women of the same age. Early diagnose is of the outmost prognostic importance, therefore it`s important to maintain screening schedule as recommended. It is important to be familiarized with the physiological changes of the breast during pregnancy and lactation, and to know the most prevalent diseases affecting women during this period.

Effectiveness of CoronaVac in children 3-5 years of age during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron outbreak in Chile.

The outbreak of the B.1.1.529 lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Omicron) has caused an unprecedented number of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, including pediatric hospital admissions. Policymakers urgently need evidence of vaccine effectiveness in children to balance the costs and benefits of vaccination campaigns, but, to date, the evidence is sparse. Leveraging a population-based cohort in Chile of 490,694 children aged 3-5 years, we estimated the effectiveness of administering a two-dose schedule, 28 days apart, of Sinovac's inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac). We used inverse probability-weighted survival regression models to estimate hazard ratios of symptomatic COVID-19, hospitalization and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for children with complete immunization over non-vaccination, accounting for time-varying vaccination exposure and relevant confounders. The study was conducted between 6 December 2021 and 26 February 2022, during the Omicron outbreak in Chile. The estimated vaccine effectiveness was 38.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), 36.5-39.9) against symptomatic COVID-19, 64.6% (95% CI, 49.6-75.2) against hospitalization and 69.0% (95% CI, 18.6-88.2) against ICU admission. The effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 was modest; however, protection against severe disease was high. These results support vaccination of children aged 3-5 years to prevent severe illness and associated complications and highlight the importance of maintaining layered protections against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Effectiveness of homologous and heterologous booster doses for an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: a large-scale prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Several countries have authorised or begun using a booster vaccine dose against COVID-19. Policy makers urgently need evidence of the effectiveness of additional vaccine doses and its clinical spectrum for individuals with complete primary immunisation schedules, particularly in countries where the primary schedule used inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. METHODS: Using individual-level data, we evaluated a prospective, observational, national-level cohort of individuals (aged ≥16 years) affiliated with the Fondo Nacional de Salud insurance programme in Chile, to assess the effectiveness of CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech), AZD1222 (Oxford-AstraZeneca), or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine boosters in individuals who had completed a primary immunisation schedule with CoronaVac, compared with unvaccinated individuals. Individuals administered vaccines from Feb 2, 2021, to the prespecified study end date of Nov 10, 2021, were evaluated; we excluded individuals with a probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or antigen test) on or before Feb 2, 2021, and individuals who had received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine before Feb 2, 2021. We estimated the vaccine effectiveness of booster doses against laboratory-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 (symptomatic COVID-19) cases and COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalisation, admission to the intensive care unit [ICU], and death We used inverse probability-weighted and stratified survival regression models to estimate hazard ratios, accounting for time-varying vaccination status and adjusting for relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical confounders. We estimated the change in hazard from unvaccinated status to vaccinated status associated with the primary immunisation series and a booster vaccine. FINDINGS: 11 174 257 individuals were eligible for this study, among whom 4 127 546 completed a primary immunisation schedule (two doses) with CoronaVac and received a booster dose during the study period. 1 921 340 (46·5%) participants received an AZD1222 booster, 2 019 260 (48·9%) received a BNT162b2 booster, and 186 946 (4·5%) received a homologous booster with CoronaVac. We calculated an adjusted vaccine effectiveness (weighted stratified Cox model) in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 of 78·8% (95% CI 76·8-80·6) for a three-dose schedule with CoronaVac, 96·5% (96·2-96·7) for a BNT162b2 booster, and 93·2% (92·9-93·6) for an AZD1222 booster. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19-related hospitalisation, ICU admission, and death was 86·3% (83·7-88·5), 92·2% (88·7-94·6), and 86·7% (80·5-91·0) for a homologous CoronaVac booster, 96·1% (95·3-96·9), 96·2% (94·6-97·3), and 96·8% (93·9-98·3) for a BNT162b2 booster, and 97·7% (97·3-98·0), 98·9% (98·5-99·2), and 98·1% (97·3-98·6) for an AZD1222 booster. INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that a homologous or heterologous booster dose for individuals with a complete primary vaccination schedule with CoronaVac provides a high level of protection against COVID-19, including severe disease and death. Heterologous boosters showed higher vaccine effectiveness than a homologous booster for all outcomes, providing additional support for a mix-and-match approach. FUNDING: Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo through the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, Millennium Science Initiative Program, and Fondo de Financiamiento de Centros de Investigación en Áreas Prioritarias.

Effectiveness of an Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Mass vaccination campaigns to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are occurring in many countries; estimates of vaccine effectiveness are urgently needed to support decision making. A countrywide mass vaccination campaign with the use of an inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine (CoronaVac) was conducted in Chile starting on February 2, 2021. METHODS: We used a prospective national cohort, including participants 16 years of age or older who were affiliated with the public national health care system, to assess the effectiveness of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with regard to preventing Covid-19 and related hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and death. We estimated hazard ratios using the extension of the Cox proportional-hazards model, accounting for time-varying vaccination status. We estimated the change in the hazard ratio associated with partial immunization (≥14 days after receipt of the first dose and before receipt of the second dose) and full immunization (≥14 days after receipt of the second dose). Vaccine effectiveness was estimated with adjustment for individual demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The study was conducted from February 2 through May 1, 2021, and the cohort included approximately 10.2 million persons. Among persons who were fully immunized, the adjusted vaccine effectiveness was 65.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.2 to 66.6) for the prevention of Covid-19 and 87.5% (95% CI, 86.7 to 88.2) for the prevention of hospitalization, 90.3% (95% CI, 89.1 to 91.4) for the prevention of ICU admission, and 86.3% (95% CI, 84.5 to 87.9) for the prevention of Covid-19-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectively prevented Covid-19, including severe disease and death, a finding that is consistent with results of phase 2 trials of the vaccine. (Funded by Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo and others.).

[Consolidated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Strategies- on prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination]. / Consolidado de recomendaciones del Comité Asesor de Vacunas y Estrategias de Inmunización-CAVEI, sobre priorización de vacunación COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a global public health issue due to its epidemic nature that, to date, lacks pharmacological treatment. However, some COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use, although the duration of their protection, their ability to interrupt viral transmission, and their efficacy against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 are being studied. Chile's SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign required design and planning, like any other campaign. This process included the prioritization of risk groups for vaccination given the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines globally. Throughout 2020, CAVEI issued recommendations on the prioritization of population groups to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 in response to different needs and in accordance with available evidence. These recommendations are consolidated in Table 1 in this report. In summary, it was recommended that healthcare workers, people in long-term residences and essential State personnel be vaccinated in phase 1. In phase 2, persons over 65 years of age and people with comorbidities. In phase 3, essential tasks workers and, lastly, the general population.

Consolidado de recomendaciones del Comité Asesor de Vacunas y Estrategias de Inmunización-CAVEI, sobre priorización de vacunación COVID-19 / Consolidated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Strategies- on prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination

Resumen El COVID-19 es un problema de salud pública mundial por su carácter epidémico que, a la fecha, carece de tratamiento farmacológico. Sin embargo, ya se cuenta con algunas vacunas autorizadas para uso en emergencia, aunque la duración de su protección, su capacidad para interrumpir la transmisión viral y su eficacia frente a variantes emergentes de SARS-CoV-2 se encuentran en estudio. La campaña de vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2 de Chile requirió de diseño y planificación, como toda campaña. Parte de estos fue la priorización de grupos objetivo de vacunar, necesaria debido a que el mundo se vería enfrentado a un suministro limitado de vacunas COVID-19. En distintos momentos del año 2020, el CAVEI emitió recomendaciones sobre priorización de grupos de población a vacunar contra SARS-CoV-2, respondiendo a diferentes necesidades y según la evidencia disponible en cada instancia. Éstas se consolidan en la Tabla 1 de este informe. Resumidamente, en fase 1 se recomendó vacunar al personal de salud, residencias de larga estadía y personal crítico del Estado. En fase 2, a personas mayores de 65 años y población con comorbilidades. En fase 3, a personas que cumplen labores esenciales y, finalmente, a la población general.

Abstract COVID-19 is a global public health issue due to its epidemic nature that, to date, lacks pharmacological treatment. However, some COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use, although the duration of their protection, their ability to interrupt viral transmission, and their efficacy against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 are being studied. Chile's SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign required design and planning, like any other campaign. This process included the prioritization of risk groups for vaccination given the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines globally. Throughout 2020, CAVEI issued recommendations on the prioritization of population groups to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 in response to different needs and in accordance with available evidence. These recommendations are consolidated in Table 1 in this report. In summary, it was recommended that healthcare workers, people in long-term residences and essential State personnel be vaccinated in phase 1. In phase 2, persons over 65 years of age and people with comorbidities. In phase 3, essential tasks workers and, lastly, the general population.

Early versus deferred anti-SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma in patients admitted for COVID-19: A randomized phase II clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma (CP), despite limited evidence on its efficacy, is being widely used as a compassionate therapy for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early CP therapy in COVID-19 progression. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The study was an open-label, single-center randomized clinical trial performed in an academic medical center in Santiago, Chile, from May 10, 2020, to July 18, 2020, with final follow-up until August 17, 2020. The trial included patients hospitalized within the first 7 days of COVID-19 symptom onset, presenting risk factors for illness progression and not on mechanical ventilation. The intervention consisted of immediate CP (early plasma group) versus no CP unless developing prespecified criteria of deterioration (deferred plasma group). Additional standard treatment was allowed in both arms. The primary outcome was a composite of mechanical ventilation, hospitalization for >14 days, or death. The key secondary outcomes included time to respiratory failure, days of mechanical ventilation, hospital length of stay, mortality at 30 days, and SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR clearance rate. Of 58 randomized patients (mean age, 65.8 years; 50% male), 57 (98.3%) completed the trial. A total of 13 (43.3%) participants from the deferred group received plasma based on clinical aggravation. We failed to find benefit in the primary outcome (32.1% versus 33.3%, odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.32-2.84, p > 0.999) in the early versus deferred CP group. The in-hospital mortality rate was 17.9% versus 6.7% (OR 3.04, 95% CI 0.54-17.17 p = 0.246), mechanical ventilation 17.9% versus 6.7% (OR 3.04, 95% CI 0.54-17.17, p = 0.246), and prolonged hospitalization 21.4% versus 30.0% (OR 0.64, 95% CI, 0.19-2.10, p = 0.554) in the early versus deferred CP group, respectively. The viral clearance rate on day 3 (26% versus 8%, p = 0.204) and day 7 (38% versus 19%, p = 0.374) did not differ between groups. Two patients experienced serious adverse events within 6 hours after plasma transfusion. The main limitation of this study is the lack of statistical power to detect a smaller but clinically relevant therapeutic effect of CP, as well as not having confirmed neutralizing antibodies in donor before plasma infusion. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we failed to find evidence of benefit in mortality, length of hospitalization, or mechanical ventilation requirement by immediate addition of CP therapy in the early stages of COVID-19 compared to its use only in case of patient deterioration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04375098.

Estrategia de pesquisa sistemática y seguimiento prolongado revela alto número de nuevas infecciones tuberculosas en contactos adultos en la Región Metropolitana, Chile / Systematic screening of adult household contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis reveals high rates of new infections during follow-up

Background: Contact investigation is cardinal in the control of tuberculosis (TB) since it helps to stop its transmission. In Chile, the National TB Program strategy does not include latent TB infection testing, regular chemoprophylaxis or follow-up in adults. Active TB was found in only 1.2% of contacts at country-level during 2018. Aim: To evaluate the performance of a systematic screening of adult household contacts with targeted chemoprophylaxis and prolonged active follow-up. Material and Methods: Prospective cohort of household contacts in Santiago. Two face-to-face visits (at 0 and 12 weeks) that included QuantiFERON TB-Gold plus tests (QFT), chest radiography (CXR) at 0 and 24 weeks and, periodic text messaging or phone call follow-up for up to 48 weeks were implemented. Contacts with positive QFT were referred for TB chemoprophylaxis. Results: A total of 200 contacts were enrolled, 69% were migrants. At baseline evaluation, 45% had a positive QFT result and 1.6% had co-prevalent active TB. At follow-up, 13% contacts further converted to QFT (+), and 5.1% more were diagnosed with active TB (mean follow-up time 32 weeks). Of these 10 further active TB cases, 6 (60%) had a negative QFT and all (100%) had normal CXR at baseline; while three cases occurred in QFT converters. Conclusions: In this cohort of household contacts, 6.7 % were diagnosed with active TB (more than 2/3 at follow-up) and 13% had a late QFT (+) conversion. Active and prolonged contacts' follow-up are essential to detect new infections and tackle the TB epidemic in Chile.

Calcificaciones mamarias: descripción y clasificación según la 5ª edición BI-RADS / Breast calcifications: description and classification according to BI-RADS 5th edition

Abstract. Breast calcifications are frequent findings in mammography. Most of them have a benign origin, such as in the case of the response to inflammatory disease of the ducts or coarse calcifications in benign nodules. Many of these calcifications show a characteristic benign appearance, and they do not need to be magnified or monitored. However, other calcifications can show a grouped pattern, have a suspicious appearance, and transform into an in situ ductal carcinoma or a high risk breast lesion. It is important to know the morphological and distribution patterns of these calcifications in order to make right decisions for each case. In the 5th edition of the BI-RADS atlas, 2013, categories and levels of suspicion for some patterns were modified. The objective of this article is to update descriptors and categories of BI-RADS micro-calcifications, pointing out their most important features and malignancy risk linked to each descriptor.

Resumen. Las calcificaciones mamarias son un hallazgo frecuente en mamografía. La mayoría de ellas tienen un origen benigno, como puede ser la respuesta a patología inflamatoria de los conductos o calcificaciones gruesas en nódulos benignos. Muchas de estas calcificaciones presentan un aspecto benigno característico y no requieren ser magnificadas o controladas. Otras calcificaciones sin embargo pueden presentarse agrupadas, tener un aspecto sospechoso y originarse en un carcinoma ductal in situ o una lesión de alto riesgo. Es relevante conocer los patrones morfológicos y de distribución de estas calcificaciones a fin de tomar la conducta adecuada para cada caso. En la 5.ª edición del atlas BI-RADS, 2013, las categorías y grados de sospecha de algunos patrones fueron modificados. El objetivo del presente artículo es realizar una actualización de los descriptores y las categorías BI-RADS de las microcalcificaciones, señalando sus características más importantes y el riesgo de malignidad asociado a cada descriptor.

[An ultrasound score to predict the presence of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Preliminary report]. / Diseño de una escala ecográfica predictora de malignidad en nódulos tiroideos: comunicación preliminar.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are common and associated to a low risk of malignancy. Their clinical assessment usually includes a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). AIM: To identify ultrasonographic characteristics associated to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and generate a score that predicts the risk of PTC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all fine needle aspiration biopsies of the thyroid performed in a lapse of two years. Biopsies that were conclusive for PTC were selected and compared with an equal amount of randomly selected biopsies that disclosed a benign diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred twenty two biopsies of a total of 1,498 were conclusive for PTC. Univariate analysis showed associations with PTC for the presence of micro-calcifications (Odds ratio (OR) 49.2: 95% confidence intervals (CI) 18.7-140.9), solid predominance (OR 25.1; 95% CI 6-220), hypoechogenicity (OR 23.5, 95% CI 6.5-122.6), irregular borders (OR 17, 95% CI 7.2-42.9), lymph node involvement (OR 12.3, 95% CI2.7-112), central vascularization (OR 12.2, 95% CI 4.8-33.3), local invasion and hyperechogenicity (OR 0.2; CI 95% CI 0.03-0.6). Multivariate analysis disclosed microcalcifications (OR 28.1; CI 95% 8.9-89), hypoechogenicity (OR 9.4; 95% CI 1.5-59.5) and irregular borders (OR 4.7; CI 95% 1.5-15) as the variables independently associated with the presence of PTC. The prevalence of PTC in the presence of the three variables was 97.6% (Likelihood ratio (LR) 45) and 5.4% in their absence (LR 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This scale predicts the presence or absence of PTC using simple ultrasound characteristics.

Diseño de una escala ecográfica predictora de malignidad en nódulos tiroideos: Comunicación preliminar / An ultrasound score to predict the presence of papillary thyroid carcinoma: Preliminary report

Background: Thyroid nodules are common and associated to a low risk of malignancy. Their clinical assessment usually includes a fine neddle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Aim To identify ultrasonographic characteristics associated to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and generate a score that predicts the risk of PTC. Material and methods: Retrospective review of all fine needle aspiration biopsies of the thyroid performed in a lapse of two years. Biopsies that were conclusive for PTC were selected and compared with an equal amount of randomly selected biopsies that disclosed a benign diagnosis. Results: One hundred twenty two biopsies of a total of 1,498 were conclusive for PTC. Univariate analysis showed associations with PTC for the presence of micro-calcifications (Odds ratio (OR) 49.2: 95 percent confidence intervals (CI) 18.7-140.9), solid predominance (OR 25.1; 95 percent CI 6-220), hypoechogenicity (OR 23.5, 95 percent CI 6.5-122.6), irregular borders (OR 17, 95 percent CI 7.2-42.9), lymph node involvement (OR 12.3, 95 percent CI2.7-112), central vascularization (OR 12.2, 95 percent CI 4.8-33.3), local invasion and hyperechogenicity (OR 0.2; CI95 percent CI 0.03-0.6). Multivariate analysis disclosed microcalcifications (OR 28.1; CI 95 percent 8.9-89), hypoechogenicity (OR 9.4; 95 percent CI 1.5-59.5) and irregular borders (OR 4.7; CI 95 percent 1.5-15) as the variables independently associated with the presence of PTC. The prevalence of PTC in the presence of the three variables was 97.6 percent (Likelihood ratio (LR) 45) and 5.4 percent in their absence (LR 0.06). Conclusions: This scale predicts the presence or absence of PTC using simple ultrasound characteristics.

[Detection of neuroendocrine tumors by positron emission tomography-computed tomography with 68Ga-DOTATATE: report of one case]. / Una nueva modalidad diagnóstica para la detección de tumores neuroendocrinos con 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT: caso clínico.

We report a 74-year-old male with liver metastases from a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of unknown origin. Conventional imaging studies with ultrasound, computed tomography colonoscopy and Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18Fluor odeoxyglucose did not identify the site of origin of the primary tumor. The patient was submitted for a PET/CT scan with a new radiopharmaceuticai, the somatostatin analogue 68Ga-DOTATATE. This new technique demonstrated increased focal uptake at the ileocecal valve. This lesion and other two liver metastases were surgically removed. The histopathology and immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed the diagnosis of NET (carcinoid). This case illustrates the advantages of the PET/CT scan with 68Ga-DOTATATE.

Una nueva modalidad diagnóstica para la detección de tumores neuroendocrinos con 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT: Caso clínico / Detection of neuroendocrine tumors by positron emission tomography-computed tomography with 68Ga-DOTATATE: Report of one case

We report a 74-year-old maie with liver metastases from a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of unknown origin. Conventionai imaging studies with ultrasound, computed tomography coionoscopy and Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18Flúor odeoxyglucose did not identify the site of orígin of the primary tumor. The patient was submitted for a PET/CT sean with a new radiopharmaceuticai, the somatostatin anaiogue 68Ga-DOTATATE. This new technique demostrated increased focal uptake at the ileocecal valve. This lesión and other two liver metastases were surgically removed. The histopathology and immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed the diagnosis of NET (carcinoid). This case illustrates the advantages of the PET/CT sean with 68Ga-DOTATATE.