Vertebral osteomyelitis after spine instrumentation surgery: risk factors and management.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral osteomyelitis after spine instrumentation surgery (pVOM) is a rare complication. Most cases of infection occur early after surgery that involve skin and soft tissue and can be managed with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR). AIM: To identify pVOM risk factors and evaluate management strategies. METHODS: From a multicentre cohort of deep infection after spine instrumentation (IASI) cases (2010-2016), pVOM cases were compared with those without vertebral involvement. Early and late infections were defined (<60 days and >60 days after surgery, respectively). Multivariate analysis was used to explore risk factors. FINDINGS: Among 410 IASI cases, 19 (4.6%) presented with pVOM, ranging from 2% (7/347) in early to 19.1% (12/63) in late IASIs. After multivariate analysis, age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.18), interbody fusion (aOR: 6.96; 95% CI: 2-24.18) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) infection (aOR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.01-14.53) remained independent risk factors for pVOM. Cases with pVOM had worse prognoses than those without (failure rate; 26.3% vs 10.8%; P = 0.038). Material removal was the preferred strategy (57.9%), mainly in early cases, without better outcomes (failure rate; 33.3% vs 50% compared with DAIR). Late cases managed with removal had greater success compared with DAIR (failure rate; 0% vs 40%; P = 0.067). CONCLUSION: Risk factors for pVOM are old age, use of interbody fusion devices and CoNS aetiology. Although the diagnosis leads to a worse prognosis, material withdrawn should be reserved for late cases or when spinal fusion is achieved.

[Evolution of blood loss in total knee prosthesis with blood recovery system vs conventional drainage]. / Evolución de la pérdida sanguínea en la prótesis total de rodilla con recuperador de sangre vs drenaje convencional.

INTRODUCTION: knee prosthetic surgery can be associated with significant blood loss that can account for up to 20% of blood volume. The objective of our study is to analyze blood loss (BL) after total knee replacement (TKR), with the use of a blood recovery system vs a normal drain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: prospective, comparative, and observational study of two groups of 30 patients who underwent TKR, one control (CG) and another study group with a recovery system (RG). We analyzed PS, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Htc), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) at 3-, 24-, 48-, 72- and 96-hours post-surgery, the need for transfusion, and the percentage of discharges in 72 hours and complications. RESULTS: the highest percentage of change in Htc and Hb occurred in the first 3 hours post-surgery and recovery began at 72 hours in the RG (p = 0.02) and at 96 hours in the CG (p = 0.04). The decrease in Hb and Htc began his recovery at 72 hours in the RG and at 96 hours in the CG. The TAS, TAD and FC began their recovery at 72 hours in both groups. The decrease in SBP was greater in the CG at 3 hours (p = 0.02), 24 hours (p = 0.02) and 48 hours (p = 0.01) post-surgery. Six patients were transfused in RG and 10 in CG (p = 0.22). 20% and 74% of the patients were discharged at 72 hours in the CG and RG, respectively. CONCLUSION: the greatest BL occurs in the first 3 hours post-surgery and recovery begins at 72-96 hours. Recovery blood system decreases BL during the first 3 hours, enhance the recuperation of Hb and SBP, decreases the need for transfusion and favors early discharge.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la cirugía protésica total de rodilla (PTR) se puede asociar a pérdidas sanguíneas (PS) significativas. El objetivo es analizar la evolución de la PS tras PTR con recuperador sanguíneo vs drenaje convencional. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo de dos grupos de 30 pacientes intervenidos de PTR, uno control (GC) y otro estudio con recuperador (GR). Se analizó la PS, hematocrito (Hcto), hemoglobina (Hb), tensión arterial sistólica (TAS) y diastólica (TAD) y frecuencia cardíaca (FC) a las tres, 24, 48, 72 y 96 horas postquirúrgicas, la necesidad de transfusión, el porcentaje de altas en 72 horas y las complicaciones. RESULTADOS: la mayor PS y porcentaje de cambio de Hcto y Hb se produjo a las tres horas postquirúrgicas e inició su recuperación a las 72 horas en el GR (Hcto, p = 0.02) (Hb, p = 0.04) y a las 96 horas en el GC. La TAS, TAD y FC empezó su recuperación a las 72 horas en ambos grupos. El descenso de TAS fue mayor en el GC a las tres horas (p = 0.02), 24 horas (p = 0.02) y 48 horas (p = 0.01) postquirúrgicas. Veinte y 33% de los pacientes fueron transfundidos, además 20 y 74% fueron dados de alta a las 72 horas en el GC y GR, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: la mayor PS y porcentaje de cambio de Hcto y Hb se produce a las tres horas postquirúrgicas y empieza su recuperación a las 72-96 horas. El recuperador favorece la recuperación del Hcto, Hb y TAS, disminuye la necesidad de transfusión y favorece el alta precoz.

Influencia del desequilibrio sagital en el resultado clínico de la vertebroplastia en pacientes con fractura por compresión vertebral osteoporótica / Sagittal imbalance influences outcome of vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture

Antecedentes y objetivos: La correlación entre el equilibrio sagital de la columna y el resultado clínico tras una vertebroplastia (VP) en pacientes con fractura vertebral osteoporótica por compresión (FVOC) ha sido poco estudiada. Analizamos el resultado clínico de la VP en pacientes con FVOC teniendo en cuenta el equilibrio sagital. Material y método: El objetivo primario es valorar el cambio en el dolor axial, la discapacidad y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud mediante la escala analógica visual (VAS), índice de discapacidad de Oswestry (ODI) y el test SF-36, respectivamente. Todo ello, correlacionado con el eje sagital vertical (SVA) que define el equilibrio sagital. El estudio radiográfico consistió en una radiografía de perfil de columna completa en bipedestación. Los controles clínico-radiológicos se realizaron pre- y post-VP (1, 3 y 12 meses). Resultados: Se incluyeron 51 pacientes con un total de 113 FVOC; 30 pacientes (60,7%) presentaron múltiples FVOC. Comparando la evolución del resultado del VAS y del ODI durante el seguimiento no se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de pacientes con SVA<50mm y >50mm (p>0,05). Por el contrario, en pre-VP los resultados del SF-36 presentaban peores puntuaciones en el grupo de SVA>50mm en la sección de función física (FP) (p<0,05) y de componente de salud física (CSF) (p<0,05). Estas diferencias se mantenían hasta los 3 meses de seguimientos en CSF y hasta el final del seguimiento en la sección de FP (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SVA>50mm presentan una recuperación más lenta de su calidad de vida relacionada con la salud tras VP por FVOC, pero sin diferencias significativas con respecto al dolor o discapacidad cuando se comparan con pacientes con SVA<50mm.(AU)

Background and objectives: The correlation between sagittal balance of the spine and clinical outcome after vertebroplasty (VP) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) is poorly investigated. We analysed the clinical outcome of patients with OVCF undergoing VP taking into account sagittal balance. Material and method: The primary endpoint was the change in axial back pain, disability and health-related quality-of-life using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and SF-36, respectively, in correlation to the parameters that define sagittal balance (SVA). Radiographic assessment included full spine standing lateral films. Imaging and clinical data were collected pre- and post-procedure at 1, 3 and 12 months. Results: 51 patients were included presenting a total of 113 OVCF. 30 patients (60.7%) had multiple OVCF. Comparing the evolution of VAS and ODI throughout the follow-up it does not seem that there are significant differences in their behaviour between the SVA>50mm and the SVA<50mm groups (p>0.05). On the contrary, pre-VP SF-36 scores showed worst results in the SVA>50mm group in the physical functioning (PF) section (p<0.05) and in the physical component score (PCS) (p<0.05). These differences were maintained until 3 months of follow-up in the case of the PCS and until the end of follow-up in the case of the PF (p<0.05). Conclusions: Patients with a SVA>50mm showed a slower recovery of their quality-of-life after VP for OVCF, but without significant differences with respect to pain or disability, when compared patients with SVA<50mm.(AU)

[Translated article] Sagittal imbalance influences outcome of vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture / Influencia del desequilibrio sagital en el resultado clínico de la vertebroplastia en pacientes con fractura por compresión vertebral osteoporótica

Antecedentes y objetivos: La correlación entre el equilibrio sagital de la columna y el resultado clínico tras una vertebroplastia (VP) en pacientes con fractura vertebral osteoporótica por compresión (FVOC) ha sido poco estudiada. Analizamos el resultado clínico de la VP en pacientes con FVOC teniendo en cuenta el equilibrio sagital. Material y método: El objetivo primario es valorar el cambio en el dolor axial, la discapacidad y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud mediante la escala analógica visual (VAS), índice de discapacidad de Oswestry (ODI) y el test SF-36, respectivamente. Todo ello, correlacionado con el eje sagital vertical (SVA) que define el equilibrio sagital. El estudio radiográfico consistió en una radiografía de perfil de columna completa en bipedestación. Los controles clínico-radiológicos se realizaron pre- y post-VP (1, 3 y 12 meses). Resultados: Se incluyeron 51 pacientes con un total de 113 FVOC; 30 pacientes (60,7%) presentaron múltiples FVOC. Comparando la evolución del resultado del VAS y del ODI durante el seguimiento no se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de pacientes con SVA<50mm y >50mm (p>0,05). Por el contrario, en pre-VP los resultados del SF-36 presentaban peores puntuaciones en el grupo de SVA>50mm en la sección de función física (FP) (p<0,05) y de componente de salud física (CSF) (p<0,05). Estas diferencias se mantenían hasta los 3 meses de seguimientos en CSF y hasta el final del seguimiento en la sección de FP (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SVA>50mm presentan una recuperación más lenta de su calidad de vida relacionada con la salud tras VP por FVOC, pero sin diferencias significativas con respecto al dolor o discapacidad cuando se comparan con pacientes con SVA<50mm.(AU)

Background and objectives: The correlation between sagittal balance of the spine and clinical outcome after vertebroplasty (VP) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) is poorly investigated. We analysed the clinical outcome of patients with OVCF undergoing VP taking into account sagittal balance. Material and method: The primary endpoint was the change in axial back pain, disability and health-related quality-of-life using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and SF-36, respectively, in correlation to the parameters that define sagittal balance (SVA). Radiographic assessment included full spine standing lateral films. Imaging and clinical data were collected pre- and post-procedure at 1, 3 and 12 months. Results: 51 patients were included presenting a total of 113 OVCF. 30 patients (60.7%) had multiple OVCF. Comparing the evolution of VAS and ODI throughout the follow-up it does not seem that there are significant differences in their behaviour between the SVA>50mm and the SVA<50mm groups (p>0.05). On the contrary, pre-VP SF-36 scores showed worst results in the SVA>50mm group in the physical functioning (PF) section (p<0.05) and in the physical component score (PCS) (p<0.05). These differences were maintained until 3 months of follow-up in the case of the PCS and until the end of follow-up in the case of the PF (p<0.05). Conclusions: Patients with a SVA>50mm showed a slower recovery of their quality-of-life after VP for OVCF, but without significant differences with respect to pain or disability, when compared patients with SVA<50mm.(AU)

[Translated article] Sagittal imbalance influences outcome of vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The correlation between sagittal balance of the spine and clinical outcome after vertebroplasty (VP) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) is poorly investigated. We analysed the clinical outcome of patients with OVCF undergoing VP taking into account sagittal balance. METHODS: The primary endpoint was the change in axial back pain; disability and health-related quality of life using VAS, ODI and SF-36 respectively in correlation to the parameters that define sagittal balance (SVA). Radiographic assessment included full spine standing lateral films. Imaging and clinical data were collected pre and post procedure at 1, 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were included presenting a total of 113 OVCF. Thirty patients (60.7%) had multiple OVCF. Comparing the evolution of VAS and ODI throughout the follow-up it does not seem that there are significant differences in their behaviour between the SVA>50mm and the SVA<50mm groups (p>0.05). On the contrary, preVP SF-36 scores showed worst results in the SVA>50mm group in the physical functioning section (PF) (p<0.05) and in the physical component score (PCS) (p<0.05). These differences were maintained until 3 months of follow-up in the case of the PCS and until the end of follow-up in the case of the PF (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a SVA>50mm showed a slower recovery of their quality of life after VP for OVCF, but without significant differences with respect to pain or disability, when compared with patients with SVA<50mm.

Sagittal imbalance influences outcome of vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. / Influencia del desequilibrio sagital en el resultado clínico de la vertebroplastia en pacientes con fractura por compresión vertebral osteoporótica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The correlation between sagittal balance of the spine and clinical outcome after vertebroplasty (VP) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) is poorly investigated. We analysed the clinical outcome of patients with OVCF undergoing VP taking into account sagittal balance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The primary endpoint was the change in axial back pain, disability and health-related quality-of-life using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and SF-36, respectively, in correlation to the parameters that define sagittal balance (SVA). Radiographic assessment included full spine standing lateral films. Imaging and clinical data were collected pre- and post-procedure at 1, 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: 51 patients were included presenting a total of 113 OVCF. 30 patients (60.7%) had multiple OVCF. Comparing the evolution of VAS and ODI throughout the follow-up it does not seem that there are significant differences in their behaviour between the SVA>50mm and the SVA<50mm groups (p>0.05). On the contrary, pre-VP SF-36 scores showed worst results in the SVA>50mm group in the physical functioning (PF) section (p<0.05) and in the physical component score (PCS) (p<0.05). These differences were maintained until 3 months of follow-up in the case of the PCS and until the end of follow-up in the case of the PF (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a SVA>50mm showed a slower recovery of their quality-of-life after VP for OVCF, but without significant differences with respect to pain or disability, when compared patients with SVA<50mm.

Artritis séptica de rodilla por Staphylococcus warneri / Septic arthritis of the knee by Staphylococcus warneri

Resumen: La artritis séptica suele presentarse como un proceso articular agudo que puede provocar una rápida destrucción del cartílago, si no se toman las medidas terapéuticas necesarias. De manera poco frecuente, el Staphylococcus warneri puede ser la causa de esta patología aunque por su dificultad diagnóstica podemos cometer errores en su tratamiento. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con artritis séptica de rodilla por este germen y pretendemos remarcar cuáles son las medidas diagnósticas y recomendaciones a tener en cuenta para esta infección osteoarticular.

Abstract: Septic arthritis usually occurs as an acute joint process that can cause a rapid destruction of the cartilage, if the necessary therapeutic measures were not taken. Rarely, Staphylococcus warneri may be the cause of this pathology although due to its diagnostic difficulty we can make mistakes in its treatment. We present the case of a patient with septic arthritis of the knee by this germ and we intend to remark what are the diagnostic measures and recommendations to consider for this osteoarticular infection.

Refeeding after caloric restriction reverses altered liver glucose release.

CONTEXT: Caloric restriction increases liver glucose release (LGR), but it is not known if this is a permanent condition. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if refeeding after caloric restriction reverses the high LGR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were organised in six-pups litters (GC); 12-pups litters with either 50% caloric restriction from 21 to 80 days of age (GR) or fed at will from 50 to 80 days of age (GRL). Liver perfusion was made at the age of 80 days. RESULTS: LGR was higher in the GR both during basal and adrenaline-stimulated conditions. Refeeding after caloric restriction decreased it to values close to those of GC rats. DISCUSSION: The altered LGR of GR rats was reversed by refeeding (group GRL). The influence of hypothalamic neuropetides on these hepatic changes is suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced LGR under caloric restriction is not programmed by early feeding; instead, it is determined by the current nutritional conditions.

[Septic arthritis of the knee by Staphylococcus warneri]. / Artritis séptica de rodilla por Staphylococcus warneri.

Septic arthritis usually occurs as an acute joint process that can cause a rapid destruction of the cartilage, if the necessary therapeutic measures were not taken. Rarely, Staphylococcus warneri may be the cause of this pathology although due to its diagnostic difficulty we can make mistakes in its treatment. We present the case of a patient with septic arthritis of the knee by this germ and we intend to remark what are the diagnostic measures and recommendations to consider for this osteoarticular infection.

La artritis séptica suele presentarse como un proceso articular agudo que puede provocar una rápida destrucción del cartílago, si no se toman las medidas terapéuticas necesarias. De manera poco frecuente, el Staphylococcus warneri puede ser la causa de esta patología aunque por su dificultad diagnóstica podemos cometer errores en su tratamiento. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con artritis séptica de rodilla por este germen y pretendemos remarcar cuáles son las medidas diagnósticas y recomendaciones a tener en cuenta para esta infección osteoarticular.

Supplementation with L-Glutamine and L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine Changes Biochemical Parameters and Jejunum Morphophysiology in Type 1 Diabetic Wistar Rats.

We evaluated the effects of the supplementation with L-glutamine and glutamine dipeptide (GDP) on biochemical and morphophysiological parameters in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. For this purpose, thirty animals were distributed into six groups treated orally (gavage) during thirty days: non diabetic rats (Control) + saline, diabetic + saline; Control + L-glutamine (248 mg/kg), Diabetic + L-glutamine (248 mg/kg), Control + GDP (400 mg/kg), Diabetic + GDP (400 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) and confirmed by fasting glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL. Physiological parameters, i.e., body mass, food intake, blood glucose, water intake, urine and faeces were evaluated during supplementation. After the period of supplementation, the animals were euthanized. The blood was collected for biochemical assays (fructosamine, transaminases, lipid profile, total protein, urea, ammonia). Moreover, the jejunum was excised and stored for morphophysiological assays (intestinal enzyme activity, intestinal wall morphology, crypt proliferative index, number of serotoninergic cells from the mucosa, and vipergic neurons from the submucosal tunica). The physiological parameters, protein metabolism and intestinal enzyme activity did not change with the supplementation with L-glutamine or GDP. In diabetic animals, transaminases and fructosamine improved with L-glutamine and GDP supplementations, while the lipid profile improved with L-glutamine. Furthermore, both forms of supplementation promoted changes in jejunal tunicas and wall morphometry of control and diabetic groups, but only L-glutamine promoted maintenance of serotoninergic cells and vipergic neurons populations. On the other hand, control animals showed changes that may indicate negative effects of L-glutamine. Thus, the supplementation with L-glutamine was more efficient for maintaining intestinal morphophysiology and the supplementation with GDP was more efficient to the organism as a whole. Thus, we can conclude that local differences in absorption and metabolism could explain the differences between the supplementation with L-glutamine or GDP.

[Peritoneal dialysis outcome. The Andalusian Registry Peritoneal Dialysis: 1999-2008]. / Diez años de diálisis peritoneal en Andalucía (1999-2008): datos epidemiológicos, tipos de tratamiento, peritonitis, comorbilidad y supervivencia de pacientes y técnica.

In this study we show the results derived from the processing of the data of the Registry of the patients on peritoneal dialysis that initiated renal replacement therapy in Andalucía between January of 1999 and December of 2008. All the information comes from the base of the Registry of Renal Patients of the Andalucia s Health Service. The results show demographic data, distribution by provinces, etiology of the end stage renal disease, reason for election of the peritoneal dialysis, inclusion or not in list of renal transplant, catheter data, withdraws and their causes, and peritonitis data of 2008. We also analyze in the report, from 1999-2008: annual incidence, diabetes, automatic peritoneal dialysis and peritonitis incidence. Finally we have studied patient and technique survival and factors affecting mortality on peritoneal dialysis, the initial comorbid conditions and its impact in the patient s survival.

Effects of insulin treatment on HuC/HuD, NADH diaphorase, and nNOS-positive myoenteric neurons of the duodenum of adult rats with acute diabetes.

We carried out this investigation with the purpose of verifying whether insulin treatment prevents changes in the density of myoenteric neurons of the duodenum of Wistar rats with streptozotocin short-term diabetes. The animals from the diabetic group (D) lost more weight than the controls (group C), while the insulin treatment (group T) prevented weight loss in three animals and increased visceral fat in all of the animals of this group. Insulin treatment did not prevent the early loss of HuC/HuD myoenteric neurons. The density of nNOS-positive neurons did not change significantly in groups D and T. The density of NADHd-positive neurons in these groups was greater than in group C, indicating that short-term diabetes increases the activity of respiratory chain enzymes.

Morphoquantitative effects of acute diabetes on the myenteric neurons of the proximal colon of adult rats.

The effects of acute diabetes on the density and size of the myenteric neurons of the proximal colon of adult rats were investigated. The injection of streptozotocin was followed by a period of observation of seven days, during which the diabetic animals showed weight loss, excessive food and water intake, large urinary debt and hyperglicemia. The whole-mounts from the proximal colon were stained with the techniques of Giemsa and of the NADH-diaphorase, and the employment of these techniques made it possible to verify a decrease on the neuronal density and on the cell body size of the myenteric neurons in the colon of the diabetic rats. These observations were discussed in terms of the pathophysiology of the diabetes and the experimental protocol.

Influences of wind flow on stopover decisions: the case of the reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus in the Western Mediterranean.

Wind directions measured at two different heights (850 hPa and 700 hPa) and at different hours of the night were analysed during the spring migration passage at a bird stopover site located in the western Mediterranean, in order to evaluate the importance of wind components for a stopover decision. From a huge ringing campaign of bird migration in north-east Spain, data from the reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus have been used for the analysis. From a total of 2,478 reed warblers captured between 1993 and 1997 data recording significant days, with a high number of captures, and decrease days, with few captures, have been selected to develop an analysis of wind direction in relation to stopover and flight resumption. On days with a high capture the winds had mainly a fourth-quadrant flow (from the north, north-west and west), these being mainly head winds. Winds with westerly component (from the north-west, west and south-west), which enhance the flight, account for the majority of the days when there was a low capture of reed warblers. Wind direction therefore appears to be a determining factor for stopover decisions and resumption of flight for the reed warblers at an intermediate stage of their spring migration where topographical characteristics govern the winds.

Morphoquantitative effects of acute diabetes on the myenteric neurons of the proximal colon of adult rats

The effects of acute diabetes on the density and size of the myenteric neurons of the proximal colon of adult rats were investigated. The injection of streptozotocin was followed by a period of observation of seven days, during which the diabetic animals showed weight loss, excessive food and water intake, large urinary debt and hyperglicemia. The whole-mounts from the proximal colon were stained with the techniques of Giemsa and of the NADH-diaphorase, and the employment of these techniques made it possible to verify a decrease on the neuronal density and on the cell body size of the myenteric neurons in the colon of the diabetic rats. These observations were discussed in terms of the pathophysiology of the diabetes and the experimental protocol

Medida del uso apropiado de revascularización coronaria en el ámbito de una compañía aseguradora privada / Appropriateness of use of coronary revascularization in a private medical insurance company

Objetivos: Identificar la proporción de uso apropiado en los procedimientos de revascularización coronaria (RC), angioplastia transluminal percutánea (ACTP) y cirugía de by-pass (CRC) en el ámbito de una aseguradora sanitaria: Sanitas S.A. en Madrid. Metodología: El grado de uso apropiado se determinó usando los estándares españoles de uso apropiado, basados en RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. El estudio consistió en una revisión retrospectiva de 179 historias clínicas de pacientes revascularizados durante 1996 y 1997 provenientes de tres hospitales privados de Madrid. Los criterios de grado de uso apropiado se han hecho conforme a un análisis de sensibilidad con dos aproximaciones: menos favorable y más favorable al uso apropiado. Resultados: Según el análisis de sensibilidad, la proporción de uso inapropiado para ACTP podría oscilar entre el 29 per cent en la aproximación menos favorable y el 13 per cent en la más favorable. La proporción de uso inapropiado de CRC variaría desde el 16 per cent en la menos favorable al 10 per cent en la más favorable. Los factores asociados con el uso inapropiado fueron enfermedad vascular de un solo vaso no DAP y estar siguiendo un tratamiento médico sub-óptimo sin agotar todas las alternativas farmacológicas. Conclusiones: Una parte sustancial de las revascularizaciones realizadas en Sanitas durante 1996 y 1997 lo fue por razones inapropiadas. La estrategia diseñada en este estudio servirá para estimular el uso apropiado de los procedimientos de RC en el ámbito privado, a disminuir el uso inapropiado, a evitar decisiones dirigidas a reducir indiscriminadamente el número de procedimientos y a ayudar al médico a tomar decisiones con un menor grado de incertidumbre (AU)

Evaluation of the areas of neuronal cell bodies and nuclei in the myenteric plexus of the duodenum of adult rats

This study compared the areas of cell body and nucleus profiles of the myenteric neurons in the antimesenteric and intermediate regions of the duodenum of adult rats. Five male rats were used. The duodenum was removed and dissected to whole-mount preparations, which were stained by the Giemsa technique. The areas of cell body and nucleus profiles of 100 neurons, 50 from each region, of each animal, were assessed with image analyser. Based on the global mean +/- SD of the areas of cell body profiles, neurons were labelled as small, medium or large. It was observed that the neurons did not differ significantly in size or incidence between the antimesenteric and intermediate regions. However, the nuclei of the small and medium neurons were significantly smaller in the latter region. It is discussed that the smaller nuclear size could be related to the cell bodies being slightly smaller on this region and to a possible smaller biosynthetic activity which would influence nuclear size.

Number and size of myenteric neurons of the duodenum of adult rats with acute diabetes

This study had as its purpose to assess the effects of acute diabetes induced by streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight) on the number and size of the myenteric neurons of the duodenum of adult rats considering equally the antimesenteric and intermediate regions of the intestinal circunference. Experimental period extended for a week. Neuronal counts were carried out on the same number of fields of both regions of the duodenal circunference and measurements of neuronal and nuclear areas on equal numbers of cells. Number and size of the myenteric neurons stained with Giensa were not significantly different between groups. On the other hand, the proportion of NADH-positive neurons increased from 18.54 per cent on the controls to 39.33 per cent on the diabetics. The authors discuss that this increased reactivity probably results from a greater NADH/NAD* ratio, described in many tissues of diabetic animals, which has consequences on the modulation of the enzymes that use these cofactors and whose activity is detected by the NADH-diaphorase technique.