Diagnóstico y evolución de los pacientes con derrames pleurales idiopáticos / Diagnosis and outcome of patients with idiopathic pleural effusions

Introducción No se ha determinado la evolución de los pacientes con derrames pleurales idiopáticos con un seguimiento a largo plazo. Métodos Entre octubre de 2013 y junio de 2021 se hizo un seguimiento prospectivo de todos los pacientes con derrame idiopático mediante exploración clínica y estudios de imagen al cabo de 1, 3 y seis meses y cada seis meses durante un mínimo de un año. Resultados Veintinueve pacientes fueron diagnosticados de derrame idiopático y objeto de seguimiento. Durante el seguimiento se detectó un mesotelioma en dos pacientes al cabo de siete y 18 meses; en uno de ellos se observó líquido pleural teñido de sangre y el otro refirió una pérdida de peso de 10%. En ninguno de los pacientes con derrame que cubriera menos de dos tercios del hemitórax y sin síntomas constitucionales ni aparición de líquido teñido de sangre se diagnosticó un mesotelioma. La mayoría de los derrames desaparecieron o mostraron una clara mejoría en los primeros seis meses. Conclusiones Los pacientes sin pérdida de peso y con derrames no hemáticos pequeños pueden beneficiarse de un tratamiento conservador y un seguimiento clínico-radiológico (AU)

Introduction Long-term follow-up course for patients with idiopathic pleural effusions has not been established. Methods From October 2013 to June 2021 all patients with idiopathic effusion were prospectively followed up with clinical examination and imaging at 1,3,6 and every 6 months for a minimum of 1 year. Results Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed with idiopathic effusion and followed up. Mesothelioma was detected during the follow-up in two patients at 7 and 18 months, one of whom had blood-tinged pleural fluid and the other reported a 10% weight loss. Mesothelioma was not diagnosed in any of the patients with effusion covering less than two thirds of the hemithorax, and without constitutional symptoms or a blood-tinged fluid appearance. Most of the effusions resolved or showed a clear improvement in the first six months. Conclusions Patients without weight loss and with small, non-hematic effusions, may benefit from conservative treatment and clinical-radiological follow-up (AU)

Diagnosis and outcome of patients with idiopathic pleural effusions.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term follow-up course for patients with idiopathic pleural effusions has not been established. METHODS: From October 2013 to June 2021 all patients with idiopathic effusion were prospectively followed up with clinical examination and imaging at 1, 3, 6 and every 6 months for a minimum of 1 year. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed with idiopathic effusion and followed up. Mesothelioma was detected during the follow-up in two patients at 7 and 18 months, one of whom had blood-tinged pleural fluid and the other reported a 10% weight loss. Mesothelioma was not diagnosed in any of the patients with effusion covering less than two thirds of the hemithorax, and without constitutional symptoms or a blood-tinged fluid appearance. Most of the effusions resolved or showed a clear improvement in the first six months. CONCLUSION: Patients without weight loss and with small, non-hematic effusions, may benefit from conservative treatment and clinical-radiological follow-up.

Analysis of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins expression in a series of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients.

BACKGROUND: Promising results have been reported with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in a small proportion of MPM patients. MMR deficiency (dMMR) has been well described in several malignancies and was approved as a biomarker for anti-PD-1 inhibitors. Next generation sequencing (NGS) data demonstrated that 2% of MPM harbor microsatellite instability. The aim of this study is to characterize MMR by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a series of MPM including a subset of patients treated with immunotherapy. METHODS: Tumors of 159 MPM p diagnosed between 2002 and 2017 were reviewed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was stained for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 and tumors were classified as dMMR (MMR protein expression negative) and MMR intact (all MMR proteins positively expressed). We retrospectively collected clinical outcomes under standard chemotherapy and experimental immunotherapy in the entire cohort. RESULTS: MMR protein expression was analyzed in 158 samples with enough tissue and was positive in all of the cases. Twenty two patients received ICI with anti-CTLA4 or anti-PD-1 blockade in clinical trials, 58% had a response or stable disease for more than 6 m, with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.7 m (2.1-26.1 m). The median overall survival (mOS) in all population was 15 months (m) (13.5-18.8 m). In a multivariable model factors associated to improved mOS were PS 0, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) < 5 and epithelioid histology (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our series we were unable to identify any MPM patient with dMMR by IHC. Further studies are needed to elucidate potential predictive biomarkers of ICI benefit in MPM.

Analysis of different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure during lung retrieval for transplantation: an experimental study.

Atelectasis and inadequate oxygenation in lung donors is a common problem during the retrieval of these organs. Nevertheless, the use of high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is not habitual during procedures of lung retrieval. Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley male consanguineous rats were used in the study. The animals were divided into 3 groups according to the level of PEEP used: low (2 cmH2O), moderate (5 cmH2O), and high (10 cmH2O). Animals were ventilated with a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg. Before lung removal, the lungs were inspected for the presence of atelectasis. When atelectasis was detected, alveolar recruitment maneuvers were performed. Blood gasometric analysis was performed immediately. Finally, the lungs were retrieved, weighed, and submitted to histological analysis. The animals submitted to higher PEEP showed higher levels of oxygenation with the same tidal volumes PO2=262.14 (PEEP 2), 382.4 (PEEP 5), and 477.0 (PEEP 10). The occurrence of atelectasis was rare in animals with a PEEP of 10 cmH2O, which therefore required less frequent recruitment maneuvers (need for recruitment: PEEP 2=100%, PEEP 5 =100%, and PEEP 10=14.3%). There was no change in hemodynamic stability, occurrence of pulmonary edema, or other histological injuries with the use of high PEEP. The use of high PEEP (10 cmH2O) was feasible and probably a beneficial strategy for the prevention of atelectasis and the optimization of oxygenation during lung retrieval. Clinical studies should be performed to confirm this hypothesis.

Analysis of different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure during lung retrieval for transplantation: an experimental study

Atelectasis and inadequate oxygenation in lung donors is a common problem during the retrieval of these organs. Nevertheless, the use of high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is not habitual during procedures of lung retrieval. Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley male consanguineous rats were used in the study. The animals were divided into 3 groups according to the level of PEEP used: low (2 cmH2O), moderate (5 cmH2O), and high (10 cmH2O). Animals were ventilated with a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg. Before lung removal, the lungs were inspected for the presence of atelectasis. When atelectasis was detected, alveolar recruitment maneuvers were performed. Blood gasometric analysis was performed immediately. Finally, the lungs were retrieved, weighed, and submitted to histological analysis. The animals submitted to higher PEEP showed higher levels of oxygenation with the same tidal volumes PO2=262.14 (PEEP 2), 382.4 (PEEP 5), and 477.0 (PEEP 10). The occurrence of atelectasis was rare in animals with a PEEP of 10 cmH2O, which therefore required less frequent recruitment maneuvers (need for recruitment: PEEP 2=100%, PEEP 5 =100%, and PEEP 10=14.3%). There was no change in hemodynamic stability, occurrence of pulmonary edema, or other histological injuries with the use of high PEEP. The use of high PEEP (10 cmH2O) was feasible and probably a beneficial strategy for the prevention of atelectasis and the optimization of oxygenation during lung retrieval. Clinical studies should be performed to confirm this hypothesis.

Diagnóstico por imagen de rotura espontánea de quiste mediastínico del conducto torácico / Diagnostic imaging in spontaneous rupture of a thoracic duct cyst in the mediastinum

Los quistes mediastínicos del conducto torácico son extremadamente raros y pueden dar lugar a quilotórax por rotura espontánea o en el postoperatorio de estas lesiones. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de edad adulta con un quiste mediastínico del conducto torácico y quilotórax debido a rotura espontánea, no descrito previamente en la bibliografía de forma específica. Los hallazgos clínico-radiológicos, el manejo terapéutico y la anatomía patológica se describen, revisando la bibliografía respecto a esta entidad (AU)

Thoracic duct cysts in the mediastinum are extremely rare; they can give rise to chylothorax when they spontaneously rupture or after they are operated on. We present the case of an adult woman with a thoracic duct cyst in the mediastinum and chylothorax from its spontaneous rupture; to our knowledge, this phenomenon has not been specifically reported before. We describe the clinical and radiological findings, the therapeutic management, and the pathology findings, reviewing the literature for this entity (AU)

Analysis of expression of PTEN/PI3K pathway and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) frequently express elevated AKT/mTOR activity. Previous reports in gliomas, colon, breast and prostate cancer suggest that PTEN/PI3K pathway may be important for the induction of PD-L1 expression. This study explored the expression of PTEN/PI3K pathway and PD-L1 in MPM and its relationship with the patient́s prognosis MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty seven consecutive MPM patients were reviewed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue biopsies were used for immunohistochemical analysis of PTEN/PI3K pathway and PD-L1 RESULTS: Expression of PTEN, mTOR, pAKT, p4EBP1, peif4E, pS6 and FOXO3a was found in 88.5%, 92.3%, 78.3%, 38.5%, 100%, 52.2% and 100% of tumors and PD-L1 in 23%. We found a significant correlation between pAKT, FOXO3a and PD-L1 expression and longer overall survival (p <0.05). We did not identify significant association between the level of PD-L1 expression and alterations in PI3K pathway CONCLUSIONS: This study shows PTEN/PI3K pathway and PD-L1 in MPM are frequently activated. Our results suggests that there is not association between PD-L1 and the involvement of the PI3K pathway in MPM.

Diagnostic imaging in spontaneous rupture of a thoracic duct cyst in the mediastinum. / Diagnóstico por imagen de rotura espontánea de quiste mediastínico del conducto torácico.

Thoracic duct cysts in the mediastinum are extremely rare; they can give rise to chylothorax when they spontaneously rupture or after they are operated on. We present the case of an adult woman with a thoracic duct cyst in the mediastinum and chylothorax from its spontaneous rupture; to our knowledge, this phenomenon has not been specifically reported before. We describe the clinical and radiological findings, the therapeutic management, and the pathology findings, reviewing the literature for this entity.

Prediction of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in early breast cancer by assessing total tumoral load in the sentinel lymph node by molecular assay.

INTRODUCTION: The one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) is a molecular procedure that yields a semiquantitative result for detection of nodal metastasis. Size of metastasis in the sentinel lymph node (SLN) by conventional histology has been described as a predictive factor for additional axillary metastasis. The objective of this study is to quantify intraoperatively the total tumoral load (TTL) in the positive SLNs assessed by OSNA and to determine whether this TTL predicts non-SLN metastasis in patients with clinically node negative early stage breast cancer. METHODS: 306 patients with cT1-3N0 invasive breast cancer who had undergone intraoperative SLN evaluation by OSNA were included. TTL was defined as the addition of CK19 mRNA copies of each positive SLN (copies/µL). RESULTS: TTL was a predictive factor of additional non-SLN metastasis in the complete axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.18-2.35). In the multivariate analysis, the TTL was a predictor of non-SLN metastasis in HR positive patients (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.19-2.41). In our cohort of patients, with a TTL ≤1.2 × 10(5) copies/µL, there was a specificity of 85.3% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 80%. If we consider only the HR positive patients, with a TTL ≤5 × 10(5) copies/µL there was a specificity of 86.7% and NPV of 83.7%. CONCLUSIONS: TTL assessed by OSNA assay predicts for additional non-SLN metastasis and this intraoperative tool can help guiding decisions on performing a cALND in breast cancer patients.

Cistoadenocarcinoma mucinoso de mama. A propósito de 2 casos y revisión de la literatura / No disponible

Objetivo: Los carcinomas productores de mucina constituyenuna entidad poco frecuente dentro de las neoplasias primariasde mama, siendo el carcinoma mucinoso (o coloide) elmás frecuente (2% del total de carcinomas mamarios). Dentrode este grupo, el cistoadenocarcinoma mucinoso es una entidadexcepcional de la que se han publicado 8 casos. Se tratade lesiones de pronóstico favorable que deben ser diferenciadasde otras lesiones mucoproductoras de mama, así como demetástasis de cistoadenocarcinomas de otras localizaciones.Casos clínicos: Presentamos dos nuevos casos de dos mujeresde 79 y 69 años que fueron biopsiadas y posteriormenteintervenidas en nuestro centro.Histológicamente el cistoadenocarcinoma mucinoso demama se presenta como una tumoración constituida por glándulasirregulares dilatadas revestidas por un epitelio cilíndrico,con abundante contenido mucinoso tanto en su interior comoextravasado y frecuente componente ductal in situ circundante,lo que permite diferenciarlos de otras lesiones mucoproductoras.Desde el punto de vista inmunohistoquímico suelenser negativos para HER2, p53 y receptores hormonales ymuestran expresión intensa y difusa de CK7 y ausencia deCK20, lo que facilita el diagnóstico diferencial con lesionesmetastáticas de otras localizaciones.Conclusiones: A pesar de su rareza, el cistoadenocarcinomamucinoso de mama es una neoplasia de buen pronóstico(sólo se han publicado 2 casos con afectación ganglionar yninguna muerte por enfermedad). Es importante tenerlo encuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial de lesiones mamarias mucinosastanto primarias como metastáticas, especialmenteante material escaso, como es el caso en las PBAG(AU)

Objective: Mucin producer carcinomas of the breast arequite unusual among primary breast tumors, being mucinouscarcinoma (colloid carcinoma) the most frequent (2% of allmammary carcinomas), In this group, mucinous cystadenocarcinomais an exceptional neoplasia with only 8 cases reported.Because of its favorable outcome, it must be differentiatedfrom other mucin producers lesions of the breast as well asfrom metastatic cystadenocarcinomas of other locations.Case reports: We present two new cases, a 79 and 69-years old women who underwent a core biopsy and a lumpectomyin our institution.Mammary mucinous cystadenocarcinomas appear as irregularexpanded glands with tall epithelium and abundant mucinintra and extracellular and foci of DCIS, which helps to differentiatethem from other mucin producers lesions of the breast.Immunohistochemical studies reveal an absence of HER2,p53, hormonal receptors and CK20 but an intense and diffuseexpression of CK7, which facilitates the differential diagnosiswith metastatic neoplasms.Conclusions: Even if mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of thebreast is a very unusual entity, it is a neoplasia with a goodoutcome (only 2 cases with lymph node involvement and nodeath by disease have been published). It is important to haveit in mind, especially when the material is poor (e.g. core biopsyspecimens)(AU)

[Incidence and cost of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus infections in the autonomous community of Valencia in Spain (2001 and 2002)]. / Incidencia y costes de la hospitalización por bronquiolitis y de las infecciones por virus respiratorio sincitial en la Comunidad Valenciana. Añ 2001 y 2002.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and costs of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections the Autonomous Community of Valencia, Spain. METHODS: The minimum data set (MDS) of the Autonomous Community of Valencia was analyzed. Hospital discharges with the codes for bronchiolitis (with or without etiologic determination) and RSV infections occurring in 2001 and 2002 in children less than 2 years old were included. Second cases of bronchiolitis and RSV infections of possible nosocomial origin occurring during prolonged hospitalization were excluded. The average cost of hospitalization in a pediatric ward was estimated at euro 310.30 per day. To calculate the incidence, we assumed that 95 % of the hospitals reported to the MDS; the population used was that of the National Census, 2001. RESULTS: A total of 3,705 hospitalizations were obtained, of which 3,507 were coded as bronchiolitis and 42.2 % of these were RSV-positive. Virological assessment varied greatly among hospitals. Hospitalizations were most frequent between October and April, with no differences between the two years. The incidence of bronchiolitis hospitalization was 40.2 cases/1000 children < 1 year/year, with an average annual cost of 3,618 thousand Euros. CONCLUSIONS: The cost of bronchiolitis hospitalizations is high. Microbiological investigation is low in some hospitals, leading the economic impact of RSV on society to be underestimated.

Incidencia y costes de la hospitalización por bronquiolitis y de las infecciones / Incidence and cost of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus infections in the Autonomous Community of Valencia in Spain (2001 and 2002)

Objetivo Analizar la incidencia y costes de las hospitalizaciones por bronquiolitis y de las infecciones por virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) en la Comunidad Valenciana. Métodos Análisis de la base de datos de altas hospitalarias (Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos, CMBD) de la Comunidad Valenciana de los años 2001 y 2002. Se analizaron las altas hospitalarias con los códigos de bronquiolitis (con o sin determinación etiológica) y las infecciones por VRS ocurridas en niños menores de 2 años. Se eliminaron los casos con más de una hospitalización por bronquiolitis y aquellos casos de infecciones por VRS posiblemente nosocomiales ocurridas durante hospitalizaciones prolongadas. Se estimó un coste medio por día de hospitalización en una sala pediátrica de 310,30 euros. Para el cálculo de incidencia se asumió una cobertura poblacional del CMBD del 95 % y la población según el censo de 2001. Resultados Se obtuvieron 3.705 registros, de los cuales 3.507 fueron bronquiolitis, estando el 42,2 % filiadas como producidas por VRS. La investigación virológica fue diferente según el hospital de ingreso. La hospitalización fue más frecuente entre octubre y abril sin diferencias entre los 2 años. La incidencia de ingreso por bronquiolitis fue de 40,2 casos por 1.000 niños menores de un año y año, y presentó un coste anual medio de 3.618.000 euros. Conclusiones La bronquiolitis tiene un coste hospitalario elevado. La investigación etiológica es baja en algunos hospitales lo que lleva a infraestimar el impacto económico del VRS en la sociedad

Objective To assess the incidence and costs of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections the Autonomous Community of Valencia, Spain. Methods The minimum data set (MDS) of the Autonomous Community of Valencia was analyzed. Hospital discharges with the codes for bronchiolitis (with or without etiologic determination) and RSV infections occurring in 2001 and 2002 in children less than 2 years old were included. Second cases of bronchiolitis and RSV infections of possible nosocomial origin occurring during prolonged hospitalization were excluded. The average cost of hospitalization in a pediatric ward was estimated at euros 310.30 per day. To calculate the incidence, we assumed that 95 % of the hospitals reported to the MDS; the population used was that of the National Census, 2001. Results A total of 3,705 hospitalizations were obtained, of which 3,507 were coded as bronchiolitis and 42.2 % of these were RSV-positive. Virological assessment varied greatly among hospitals. Hospitalizations were most frequent between October and April, with no differences between the two years. The incidence of bronchiolitis hospitalization was 40.2 cases/1000 children < 1 year/year, with an average annual cost of 3,618 thousand euros. Conclusions The cost of bronchiolitis hospitalizations is high. Microbiological investigation is low in some hospitals, leading the economic impact of RSV on society to be underestimated

[Survey of the judicious use of antibiotics in primary care]. / Encuesta sobre el uso racional de antibióticos en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To identify pediatricians' antibiotic prescribing habits in acute otitis media and tonsillopharyngitis and to determine the interaction between parents and pediatricians concerning antibiotic use in the Autonomous Community of Valencia (Spain). METHOD: Four hundred members of the Valencian Society of Pediatrics were randomly selected. A semi-structured questionnaire with non-excluding answers was sent by mail and, when responses were not obtained, a second one was sent. The confidentiality of the information was guaranteed. RESULTS: Of 400 questionnaires sent, 143 (35.8 %) were completed; 88.1 % were completed by pediatricians and 51.1 % by primary care workers. A total of 48.3 % of pediatricians used antibiotics in all cases of acute otitis media and 94.5 % prescribed them when fever and otalgia persisted for more than 48 hours. Amoxicillin-clavulanate was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (63.6 %). Less than 10 % of pediatricians prescribed antibiotics as empirical treatment in tonsillopharyngitis; amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (54.6 %). Indications for antibiotic treatment were fever, odynophagia and adenomegaly (69.5 %) and tonsillar exudate (62.5 %). Inappropriate antibiotic use was mainly due to excess workload. Providing health education to parents could be the best way of reducing inappropriate use. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic use is frequent in the treatment of acute otitis media. Amoxicillin-clavulanate and amoxicillin were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics in tonsillopharyngitis. Providing health education to parents and reducing pediatricians' workload would decrease inappropriate antibiotic use.

Encuesta sobre el uso racional de antibióticos en atención primaria / Survey of the judicious use of antibiotics in primary care

Objetivo: Conocer los hábitos de prescripción de antibióticos de los pediatras de la Comunidad Valenciana en la otitis media aguda (OMA) y la faringoamigdalitis y la relación padres-pediatra respecto a los antimicrobianos. Método: Se seleccionaron al azar 400 miembros de la Sociedad Valenciana de Pediatría. Cuestionario semiestructurado de respuestas no excluyentes remitido por correo y nuevo envío si no se obtuvo respuesta. Se garantizó la confidencialidad de la información. Resultados De las 400 encuestas remitidas, 143 (35,8 per cent) fueron cumplimentadas. El 88,1 per cent eran pediatras y el 51,1 per cent trabajaban en un equipo de atención primaria. En la OMA, el 48,3 per cent indicaba antibiótico en todos los casos, recetándolo el 94,5 per cent si la fiebre y la otalgia persistían más de 48 h. La amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico fue el antibiótico más prescrito (63,6 per cent). En la faringoamigdalitis, menos del 10 per cent administraban tratamiento empírico, siendo la amoxicilina el antibiótico más utilizado (54,6 per cent). La fiebre, la odinofagia y las adenopatías (69,5 per cent) o el exudado amigdalar (62,5 per cent) fueron los criterios para indicar la antibioticoterapia. El aspecto que más contribuye al uso inapropiado de antibióticos es la presión asistencial y el educar a los padres el que más ayudaría a reducir este uso inapropiado. Conclusiones La utilización de antibióticos en el tratamiento de la OMA es una práctica frecuente. La amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico para la otitis y la amoxicilina en la faringoamigdalitis fueron los antibióticos más prescritos. La educación sanitaria de los padres y reducir la presión asistencial disminuirían el consumo inadecuado de antibióticos (AU)