[Cryptogenic organizing non-resolving pneumonia. Report of one case]. / Neumonía criptogénica organizada como diagnóstico diferencial de neumonía que no responde a tratamiento.

Non-resolving pneumonia is a common clinical problem that prolongs morbidity and increases hospitalization costs. We report an 82 year-old non-smoking female who was admitted with chronic diarrhea and later developed nosocomial pneumonia. Lung infiltrates did not resolve despite sequential antibiotic treatments. Infectious causes such as resistant nosocomial pathogens, respiratory viruses, tuberculosis, Legionellosis, cytomegalovirus or agents associated with HIV infection were discarded. Non-infectious causes such as thromboembolic lung disease, neoplasms and rheumatic disorders were also ruled out. An exudative pleural effusion was detected, but the study was unremarkable. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and a transbronchial biopsy, revealed nonspecific findings. The patient persisted febrile, required non-invasive mechanical ventilation and displayed a migratory pattern of lung infiltrates that motivated a second biopsy, this time by open thoracotomy, showing a cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. The patient's conditions improved after treatment with adrenal steroids. In patients with non-resolving pneumonia, a dedicated and comprehensive study should be done using invasive procedures and considering both infectious and non-infectious causes. Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia is one of the alternatives that is potentially treatable, but often underdiagnosed.

Neumonía criptogénica organizada como diagnóstico diferencial de neumonía que no responde a tratamiento / Cryptogenic organizing non-resolving pneumonia.Report of one case

Non-resolving pneumonia is a common clinical problem that prolongs morbidity and increases hospitalization costs. We report an 82 year-old non-smoking female who was admitted with chronic diarrhea and later developed nosocomial pneumonia. Lung infiltrates did not resolve despite sequential antibiotic treatments. Infectious causes such as resistant nosocomial pathogens, respiratory viruses, tuberculosis, Legionellosis, cytomegalovirus or agents associated with HIV infection were discarded. Non-infectious causes such as thromboembolic lung disease, neoplasms and rheumatic disorders were also ruled out. An exudative pleural effusion was detected, but the study was unremarkable. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and a transbronchial biopsy, revealed nonspecific findings. The patient persisted febrile, required non-invasive mechanical ventilation and displayed a migratory pattern of lung infiltrates that motivated a second biopsy, this time by open thoracotomy, showing a cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. The patient's conditions improved after treatment with adrenal steroids. In patients with non-resolving pneumonia, a dedicated and comprehensive study should be done using invasive procedures and considering both infectious and non-infectious causes. Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia is one of the alternatives that is potentially treatable, but often underdiagnosed.

Diverticulitis vesical: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Bladder diverticulitis: case report and literature review

Se presenta un caso de diverticulitis vesical en un paciente de 60 años con antecedente de obstrucción crónica al tracto de salida vesical (estenosis uretral), quien consulta por dolor pelviano inespecífico. Por lo anterior se realiza Resonancia Magnética (RM) de pelvis, que demuestra la presencia de un divertículo vesical de pared engrosada con cambios inflamatorios, los que comprometen además, la grasa peri-vesical. Este divertículo había sido detectado en RM pelviana un año antes. Se comenta el caso clínico, sus hallazgos a la RM y revisión de la literatura...

We report a case of bladder diverticulitis in a 60 years old patient with a history of chronic lower urinary tract obstruction (urethral stricture), who consulted for nonspecific pelvic pain. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained, demonstrating the presence of a bladder diverticulum with a thick wall and inflammatory changes involving the perivesical fat. The diverticulum had been detected on pelvic MRI a year earlier. We discuss the clinical case, the MRI findings and a review of the literature....

[Neurocysticercosis: an neglected disease in Chile]. / Neurocisticercosis: una enfermedad desatendida en Chile.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is not a notifiable disease in Chile and has received little attention on the national medical literature. In order to evaluate the relevance and clinical features of the disease, we performed a retrospective analysis in a general hospital of five cases of NCC during a 11 years period. Age ranged from 3 to 63 years and all had history of living or visiting southern Chile. Three patients had a solitary parenchymal cyst in vesicular or granulomatous stages and presented with generalized seizures. Their outcome was favorable after anticonvulsant and albendazole therapy and cysts reduced in size and calcified during follow-up. The other 2 patients had extra-parenchymal or mixed forms, including a pregnant woman with intraventricular cysts who developed endocraneal hypertension and recurrent dysfunction of her ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This patient died after discharge despite an initial favorable evolution with steroids and high-dose albendazole. This case series showed that NCC is still an epidemiological and clinical problem in Chile, affects patients within a wide range of age including children, requires multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions, and has two clinical presentations with different prognosis including one malignant form. To control this infection, a surveillance or reporting system should be initiated.

Neurocisticercosis: una enfermedad desatendida en Chile / Neurocysticercosis: an neglected disease in Chile

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is not a notifiable disease in Chile and has received little attention on the national medical literature. In order to evaluate the relevance and clinical features of the disease, we performed a retrospective analysis in a general hospital of five cases of NCC during a 11 years period. Age ranged from 3 to 63 years and all had history of living or visiting southern Chile. Three patients had a solitary parenchymal cyst in vesicular or granulomatous stages and presented with generalized seizures. Their outcome was favorable after anticonvulsant and albendazole therapy and cysts reduced in size and calcified during follow-up. The other 2 patients had extra-parenchymal or mixed forms, including a pregnant woman with intraventricular cysts who developed endocraneal hypertension and recurrent dysfunction of her ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This patient died after discharge despite an initial favorable evolution with steroids and high-dose albendazole. This case series showed that NCC is still an epidemiological and clinical problem in Chile, affects patients within a wide range of age including children, requires multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions, and has two clinical presentations with different prognosis including one malignant form. To control this infection, a surveillance or reporting system should be initiated.

La neurocisticercosis (NCC) no es una enfermedad de notificación obligatoria en Chile y ha recibido poca atención en la literatura médica local. Para evaluar su importancia y perfil clínico se hizo un análisis retrospectivo en un hospital general. Cinco casos de NCC fueron identificados en un período de 11 años. El rango de edad fue de 3 a 63 años y todos tenían antecedentes de visita o residencia en el sur del país. Tres pacientes tenían quistes únicos parenquimatosos en etapas granulomatosas o vesiculares y se presentaron con convulsiones generalizadas. Su evolución fue favorable con terapia anticonvulsivante y albendazol y los quistes se redujeron de tamaño y calcificaron durante el seguimiento. Los otros pacientes presentaron formas extra-parenquimatosas o mixtas e incluían a una mujer embarazada con quistes intraven-triculares quien desarrolló hipertensión endocraneana y disfunción recurrente de su válvula. Ella falleció después del alta a pesar de una evolución inicial favorable con corticoesteroides y albendazol. La NCC es un problema vigente en nuestro país pero de epidemiología desconocida, afecta a un amplio grupo etario, requiere múltiples intervenciones terapéuticas y presenta dos formas de diferente pronóstico, una de ellas maligna. Para controlarla es necesario incluirla en las enfermedades notificables.

Hematoma retroperitoneal de causa infrecuente: a propósito de un caso / Retroperitoneal hematoma of unusual cause: a case report

The spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma (SRH) is defined as a spontaneous hematic collection located in any of the retroperitoneal compartments. The most frequently encountered cause of retroperitoneal hemorrhage is a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, followed by renal and adrenal tumors, along with some other less common causes. Performing accurate diagnosis of patients at admission has proven to be difficult, given that the clinical presentation is ample and variable and may mimic other pictures of abdominal or lower back pain. Imaging techniques, mainly angiography, computed tomography, and MR Imaging, represent a fundamental tool for both timely diagnosis and proper management of the condition. We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with diagnosis of HIV, who presented with a history of abdominal pain and palpable abdominal mass. After a thorough imaging evaluation, patient was diagnosed with retroperitoneal hematoma, whose histological analysis revealed a Burkitt lymphoma.

El hematoma retroperitoneal espontáneo (HRE) se define como una colección hemática espontánea, situada en cualquiera de los compartimentos retroperitoneales. Dentro de las causas más frecuentes se encuentran las roturas de aneurisma de aorta abdominal, tumores renales y suprarrenales, entre otras. Habitualmente es difícil realizar el diagnóstico al ingreso del paciente, ya que la presentación clínica es variable y puede simular otros cuadros de dolor abdominal o lumbar. Las técnicas de imagen, especialmente la angiografía, tomografía computada y resonancia magnética, son una herramienta fundamental en el diagnóstico y manejo oportuno del cuadro. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 56 años de edad con diagnóstico de VIH en tratamiento, que debutó como un cuadro de dolor y masa abdominal palpable. Luego de un acabado estudio de imágenes, se diagnosticó un HRE cuyo estudio histológico reveló un Linfoma de Burkitt.

¿Qué espera el clínico del informe radiológico? / What does the clinician expect from the radiological report?

Introduction: The written radiology report is the most relevant component of any radiological examination. Few studies about referring clinicians opinion concerning structure and contents of radiology reports have been conducted. Objective: To investigate which radiology report issues are significant to the clinician. Methodology: One hundred and sixty-four physicians, among surgeons, internists, residents, and general practitioners were surveyed. Results: According to surveyed clinicians the most important element in any radiologic examination is the reporting radiologist (67.7 percent); 93.9 percent of them expect the radiology report to address the referral diagnosis; 95.7 percent expects the report to present a conclusion, whilst 73 percent of referring clinicians consider ultrasonography as the imaging procedure that commonly exhibits more errors. Surgeons, generally understimate radiologists recommendations for complementary studies. Conclusion: An experienced reporting radiologist is considered the most significant element of any imaging procedure. The radiology report should be problem-oriented (answering clinical question), and contain a conclusion, which should begin by answering the clinician s concerns. General practitioners, internists and residents value further studies reccommended by radiologists.

Introducción. El informe es lo más relevante de un examen radiológico. Escasas publicaciones han estudiado la opinión del clínico. Objetivo. Establecer qué aspectos del informe son relevantes para el clínico. Metodología. Se aplicó una encuesta a cirujanos, internistas, residentes y médicos generales. Resultados. Se encuestó a 164 médicos. Al pedir un examen radiológico, lo más relevante (67,7 por ciento) fue el radiólogo informante; 93,9 por ciento considera importante que se haga referencia al diagnóstico de derivación; 95,7 por ciento estima que debe haber conclusión. El 73 por ciento cree que el examen en el que se cometen más errores es la ecotomografía. Los cirujanos son los que menos valoran las recomendaciones de estudios posteriores. Conclusión. El radiólogo que informa es considerado lo más importante en un examen. El informe debe hacer referencia al diagnóstico, tener conclusión, la que debe comenzar respondiendo la inquietud del clínico. Los médicos generales, internistas y residentes valoran que se sugieran estudios complementarios.

[Respiratory infections caused by metapneumovirus in elderly patients]. / Infección respiratoria por metapneumovirus humano en pacientes adultos mayores.

Human metapneumovirus infections are increasingly recognized among adult patients and the aim of this report is to present a series of 4 cases admitted during the winter of 2010. All were detected by direct fluorescence anti-bodies assay of respiratory samples and all were female patients with an age range of 79 to 95 years, including two bedridden cases, one with dementia and three with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One patient presented with parainfluenza 3 virus coinfection. Patients presented with pneumonía in 3 cases (interstitial pattern in 2 and lobar consolidation in the other) or acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in the remaining case. Symptoms were present for 3 to 7 days before admission and 3 have wheezing. All had hypoxemic or global respiratory failure and lymphopenia (< 1.000/mm³). Hospitalization lasted for 5 to 20 days, marked in the 3 cases that survived by prolonged bronchial obstructive manifestations. Two cases required non invasive mechanical ventilation. Human metapneumovirus infections can decompensate elderly patients with chronic respiratory diseases generating hospital admission and a prolonged morbidity marked by obstructive manifestations and sometimes can become into death.

Infección respiratoria por metapneumovirus humano en pacientes adultos mayores / Respiratory infections caused by metapneumovirus in elderly patients

Human metapneumovirus infections are increasingly recognized among adult patients and the aim of this report is to present a series of 4 cases admitted during the winter of 2010. All were detected by direct fluorescence anti-bodies assay of respiratory samples and all were female patients with an age range of 79 to 95 years, including two bedridden cases, one with dementia and three with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One patient presented with parainfluenza 3 virus coinfection. Patients presented with pneumonía in 3 cases (interstitial pattern in 2 and lobar consolidation in the other) or acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in the remaining case. Symptoms were present for 3 to 7 days before admission and 3 have wheezing. All had hypoxemic or global respiratory failure and lymphopenia (< 1.000/mm³). Hospitalization lasted for 5 to 20 days, marked in the 3 cases that survived by prolonged bronchial obstructive manifestations. Two cases required non invasive mechanical ventilation. Human metapneumovirus infections can decompensate elderly patients with chronic respiratory diseases generating hospital admission and a prolonged morbidity marked by obstructive manifestations and sometimes can become into death.

Las infecciones por metapneumovirus (MPVH) son poco conocidas en pacientes adultos y el objetivo de esta publicación es presentar una serie de 4 casos observados en pacientes hospitalizados durante el invierno de 2010. Los casos se identificaron por inmunofluorescencia directa en muestras respiratorias. Todos los pacientes fueron de sexo femenino con un rango de edad 79 a 95 años, dos de ellos postrados, uno con demencia y 3 con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. La manifestación clínica correspondió a neumonía en 3 casos (2 de tipo intersticial y una con consolidación lobar) y bronquitis crónica reagudizada en el caso restante, con una duración sintomática de 3 a 7 días antes de la hospitalización. Un caso presentó co-infección con virus parainfiuenza 3. Las sibilancias estuvieron presentes en 3 casos y todos presentaron falla respiratoria hipoxémica o global con linfopenia (< 1.000/mm³). La hospitalización tuvo una duración de 5 a 20 días, marcada en los 3 casos que sobrevivieron por una signología obstructiva prolongada. Dos pacientes requirieron ventilación mecánica no invasora. Las infecciones por MPVH representan una causa de hospitalización por descompensación de patologías respiratorias crónicas en pacientes adultos ancianos, tienen una morbilidad prolongada con signología obstructiva marcada y pueden ocasionar la muerte.

Neumatosis intestinal: caso clínico-radiológico / Pneumatosis intestinalis: a case report

The case of a women 89 year old with an apparent partial intestinal obstruction is presented. The CT scan of abdomen and pelvis shows evident pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) within gas in the portal system. Expectant medical treatment was performed. Eight days later, a second CT scan showed almost complete remission of pneumatosis and gas in the portal system. The presence of gas in the bowel wall is a sign that can be find in benign to life threatening conditions. A review of the pathogenesis, radiological presentation and the different causes of PI are presented, based in the case report.

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 89 años que ingresa por un probable cuadro de suboclusión intestinal. El estudio con TAC de abdomen y pelvis revela extensa neumatosis intestinal (NI) asociada a la presencia de gas en el sistema porta. Se realiza manejo médico de la paciente. Al octavo día se hace un control tomográfico, observándose regresión casi completa de la NI y del gas en sistema porta. La presencia de gas en la pared intestinal es un hallazgo que puede tener múltiples significados, desde lo más benigno hasta situaciones que ponen en riesgo la vida. A continuación revisamos las diferentes causas y teorías que explican la NI, su presentación radiológica e interpretación clínica, en base al presente caso clínico.

Estudio de las competencias de liderazgo / A study to identify desired leadership competencies

A survey was performed in a number of Units of Radiology in Santiago, Chile, aimed at obtaining from each medical staff (physicians, technologists and ancillary personnel) estimations on what the Head of a Department of Radiology ideal profile should be. Five out of twelve desirable characteristics proposed had to be selected for statistical purposes. Results were analyzed in correlation with positions, age and workplace of those polled. From our findings we conclude that most valuable leading traits vary from different work units, mainly depending on positions held within each medical Imaging Department. Thus, a proactive leadership demands awareness of such considerations in order to improve organizational practices and results.

Se realizó una encuesta en algunos Departamentos de Radiología de Santiago, en la cual se consultó a funcionarios no administrativos de éstos (médicos, tecnólogos y auxiliares paramédicos) sobre los atributos que consideran más importantes en un jefe de Departamento de Diagnóstico por Imagen, mediante la elección de 5 de 12 aspectos enunciados. Se analizaron los resultados, relacionándolos con el tipo de cargo desempeñado, edad y lugar de trabajo. En este estudio se concluye que los atributos más valorados en un líder, por los diferentes estamentos dentro de un Servicio de Imaginología, difieren dependiendo de los cargos de los funcionarios, por lo cual, para lograr un trabajo en equipo armónico y fructífero, el líder debe conocer y poner en práctica estos aspectos de manera personalizada, en función de los intereses de sus subalternos.

Evaluación de la anatomía arterial hepática en tomografia computada multicorte de rutina / Evaluation of hepatic arterial anatomy in rutinary multislice computed tomography (msct): a preliminary report

Introduction: Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) appears to provide more advantages in the evaluation of abdominal diseases, and particularly in the study of vascular structures. It optimizes the use of I.V. contrast, and offers a greater temporal and spatial resolution, thus allowing a isotropic resolution. Hepatic circulation variants respond to embryologic development. Objectives: To demonstrate that rutinary MSCT studies (not vascular) with I.V. contrast allow us to evaluate hepatic arterial circulation by detecting the most frequent variants in our population. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of a rutinary abdominal MSCT with I. V. contrast was conducted from June 2006 to August 2006, at Clinica Indisa, Santiago, Chile. In 100 cases out of 102, we could properly assess the hepatic arterial anatomy. Axial cuts, Multi Planar Reconstruction (MPR), Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP), and 3D images were reviewed for study analysis. As for classification purposes, variants described by Couinaud and Michels were used. Results: The mean age was 57.3 years; 47 percent male and 53 percent female. Type I variant was found in 53 patients (53 percent); 10 type II (10 percent); 10 type III (10 percent); 3 type IV (3 percent); 9 type V (9 percent); 7 type VI (7 percent); 1 type VII (1 percent); 2 type IX (2 percent), and 5 type XI (5 percent). Type VIII and type X variants were not found. Conclusions: Abdominal MSCT with I.V. contrast has proved to be effective in properly evaluating hepatic arterial circulation in rutinary studies. Forty-seven percent (47 percent) of patients presented anatomic variants, which correlates with findings reported in foreign literature. Due to the high frecuency rate of patients with anatomic variation, vascular evaluation has become a must before planning major hepatic surgical procedures.

La tomografía computada multicorte (TCM) ha demostrado ventajas en la evaluación de la patología abdominal y en especial del estudio de estructuras vasculares. Optimiza el uso del contraste endovenoso (EV) y tiene una mayor resolución temporal y espacial, permitiendo una resolución isotrópica. Las variantes de la circulación hepática responden al desarrollo embriológico. Objetivos: Demostrar que estudios rutinarios (no vasculares) de TCM con cte. EV, permiten evaluar la circulación arterial hepática, detectando las variantes más frecuentes en nuestra población. Material y Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de TCM abdominales con uso de contraste EV, desde el 1/6/06 al 26/8/06, en Clínica Indisa. De un total de 102 pacientes, en 100 fue posible evaluar adecuadamente la anatomía arterial hepática. En el análisis de los estudios se revisaron los cortes axiales, reconstrucciones multiplanares, 3D y con modalidad MIP. Para la clasificación se utilizó las variantes descritas por Couinaud y Michels. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 57,3 años; 47 por ciento fueron hombres y 53 por ciento mujeres. En 53 pacientes se pesquisó variante tipo I (53 por ciento), 10 tipo II (10 por ciento), 10 tipo III (10 por ciento), 3 tipo IV (3 por ciento), 9 tipo V(9 por ciento), 7 tipo VI (7 por ciento), 1 tipo Vil (1 por ciento), 2 tipo IX (2 por ciento) y 5 tipo XI (5 por ciento). No se encontraron pacientes con tipo VIII y X. Conclusiones: La TCM abdominal de rutina que utiliza contraste EV permite evaluar adecuadamente la circulación arterial hepática. Un 47 por ciento mostró variantes anatómicas, concordante con publicaciones extranjeras. Debido a la alta frecuencia de variantes de la circulación hepática, se hace necesaria la evaluación vascular al planificar procedimientos quirúrgicos hepáticos mayores.

Drenaje percutáneo de los abscesos intraabdominales (AIA) guiados por TAC / Percutaneous drainage of intra abdominal abscesses (AIA) assisted by computed axial tomography

Se presenta la experiencia en drenaje percutáneo de abscesos intraabdominales (AIA) guiado por Tomografía Axial Computada (TAC). Un total de 110 casos; Las localizaciones anatómicas de los AIA y sus porcentajes de presentación fueron hepática (34 por ciento), retroperitoneal (19 por ciento), sub-frénica (16 por ciento), pelviano (6 por ciento) y otras (3 por ciento). Fue curativo en el 87 por ciento de los casos, paliativo en el 8 por ciento de los casos y considerados fracaso en 5 por ciento.

Obstrucción intestinal: ¿qué necesita saber el cirujano? / Intestinal obstruction: that needs ti know the surgeon?

Una encuesta efectuada a cuarenta cirujanos de servicios de urgencia dió como resultado que un 75 por ciento priorizaba la tomografía computada como examen para el diagnóstico de obstrucción intestinal. Esto nos motivó a revisar los hallazgos manifestados en ésta, en diferentes patologías que determinan obstrucción intestinal, tomando ejemplos de nuestro archivo de casos. Analizamos además, en orden de importancia las respuestas que los cirujanos esperan de este examen, de acuerdo a los resultados de esta encuesta.

Reducción de dosis al paciente en TC: un estudio de resultados en la práctica clínica / Patient dose reduction in CT: results into clinical practice

Los estudios de tomografía computada corresponden al 10 por ciento del total de los estudios radiológicos pero superan el 40 por ciento de la dosis de radiación colectiva al paciente. Ello ha generado una gran presión internacional por reducir las dosis en tomografía computada. Se revisaron los protocolos vigentes en estudio de cefalea, abdomen, disfunción patelo-femoral y sinusitis. Ellos conforman aproximadamente el 60 por ciento de los estudios de tomografía computada en un centro hospitalario. Esta revisión, tanto bibliográfica como de series técnicas propias, permitieron reducir las dosis de radiación al paciente en un 30 por ciento a un 50 por ciento de sus valores originales. Ello sin disminuir su calidad diagnóstica y con obvio beneficio para el paciente.

Caso clínico: no rotación intestinal en un adulto / Clinical case: non-rotation intestine in an adult

Malrotation of intestine is an unccommon anomaly most often seen in infants, but occasionally in adults. CASE :We present a 33-year-old male, with long history of constipation, abdominal pain and symptoms of subocclusion. Two days before admision developed acute abdominal pain and vomiting. CT and barium radiographs demonstrated a midgut malrotation. When surgery was performed, the midgut non rotation was confirmed; the caecum and ascending colon were located in the left upper quadrant: An hemicolectomy was practiced