In Vivo reflectance confocal microscopy of cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease: concordance with histopathology and interobserver reproducibility of a glossary with representative images.

BACKGROUND: The reliability to non-invasively identify features of inflammatory dermatoses by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) remains unknown. Lack of formal training among RCM readers can result in inconsistent assessments, limiting clinical utility. Specific consensus terminology with representative images is necessary to ensure consistent feature-level interpretation among RCM readers. OBJECTIVES: (1) Develop a glossary with representative images of RCM features of cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) for consistent interpretation among observers, (2) assess the interobserver reproducibility among RCM readers using the glossary, and (3) determine the concordance between RCM and histopathology for aGVHD features. METHODS: Through an iterative process of refinement and discussion among five international RCM experts, we developed a glossary with representative images of RCM features of aGVHD. From April to November 2018, patients suspected of aGVHD were imaged with RCM and subsequently biopsied. 17 lesions from 12 patients had clinically and pathologically confirmed cutaneous aGVHD. For each of these lesions, four dermatopathologists and four RCM readers independently evaluated the presence of aGVHD features in scanned histopathology slides and 1.5 × 1.5 mm RCM submosaics at 4 depths (blockstacks) respectively. RCM cases were adjudicated by a fifth RCM expert. Interobserver reproducibility was calculated by mean pairwise difference (U statistic). Concordance between modalities was determined by fraction of assignments with agreement. RESULTS: We present a glossary with representative images of 18 aGVHD features by RCM. The average interobserver reproducibility among RCM readers (75%, confidence interval, CI: 71-79%) did not differ significantly from dermatopathologists (80%, 76-85%). The concordance between RCM and histopathology was 59%. CONCLUSIONS: By using the glossary, the interobserver reproducibility among RCM readers was similar to the interobserver reproducibility among dermatopathologists. There was reasonable concordance between RCM and histopathology to visualize aGVHD features. The implementation of RCM can now be advanced in a variety of inflammatory conditions with a validated glossary and representative image set.

Resultados clínicos e imagenológicos en pacientes con rinosinusitis crónica odontogénica / Evaluation of clinical and imaging results in patients with chronic odontogenic rhinosinusitis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La rinosinusitis crónica odontogénica (RSCO) es un proceso inflamatorio/infeccioso de la mucosa nasal y senos paranasales (SPN) de origen dental. Corresponde a una patología subdiagnosticada en la actualidad. El gold standard diagnóstico es la tomografia computarizada. Los tratamientos difieren, desde tratamiento médico aislado hasta médico-quirúrgico de SPN o combinados. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar los resultados clinicos e imagenológicos de pacientes con RSCO en función del tratamiento recibido, para establecer recomendaciones terapéuticas. Describir la frecuencia de subdiagnóstico de esta patología. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico clínico e imagenológico de RSCO entre los años 2013-2017 en un centro de atención médico privado, a los que se realizó una tomografía computarizada cone beam de control. Fueron excluidos aquellos con rinosinusitis crónica, cirugía endoscópica funcional (CEF) previa, cáncer, embarazadas, rechazo a tomografía computarizada cone beam, ausencia de imágenes preoperatorias y menores de 18 años. RESULTADOS: De un total de 27 pacientes, en los operados de CEF (n =24; 89%) la resolución total de los síntomas se logró en 20/24 (83%), resolución parcial 3/24 (12,5%) y persistencia de los síntomas 1/24 (4%). Discusión: De los pacientes con RSCO 22/27 (81%) no tenían reportado el foco dental en el informe radiológico a pesar de ser visible. Aquellos pacientes con sintomatologia postratamiento, hubo factores identificados como la bilateralidad, mala dentadura general, falta de combinación de tratamiento dental y CEF. CONCLUSIONES: La CEF combinada con tratamiento dental concomitante, tiene un alto grado de éxito radiológico y clínico en esta patología. No fue posible demostrar si siempre es requerida la exodoncia con cierre de fístula oro-antral o si se pueden seleccionar pacientes para un tratamiento más conservador.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic odontogenic rhinosinusitis (CORS) is an inflammatory/infectious process of the nasal mucosa and sinuses of dental origin. Actually, it corresponds to an underdiagnosed pathology. The gold standard diagnosis is computed tomography. The treatments differ, from isolated medical treatment to medical-surgical sinuses or combined. AIM: To characterize the clinical and imaging results of patients with CORS according to the treatment received, to establish therapeutic recommendations. In addition to describing the frequency of subdiagnosis of this pathology. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive, retrospective study. Patients with clinical and imaging diagnosis of CORS between 2013-2017 were included in a private medical care center, to whom a cone beam computed tomography control was performed. Those with chronic rhinosinusitis, previous functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), cancer, pregnant women, rejection of cone beam computed tomography, absence of preoperative images and those under 18 years were excluded. RESULTS: Of all patients operated on FESS (n =24; 89%) the total resolution of the symptoms was 20/24 (83%), partial resolution 3/24 (12.5%) and persistence of the symptoms a 1/24 (4%). Discussion: 22/27 (81%) of patients with CORS had not reported the dental focus in the radiological report despite being visible. Those patients with post-treatment symptoms had identified factors such as bilaterality, general bad teeth, lack of combination of dental treatment and FESS. CONCLUSION: The FESS combined with concomitant dental treatment, has a high degree of radiological and clinical success in this pathology. It was not possible to demonstrate whether exodontia with closure of oroantral fistula is always required or if patients can be selected for a more conservative treatment.

Absceso cerebral por Nocardia spp. en pacientes inmunocompetentes: presentación de 2 casos / Cerebral abscess by Nocardia spp. in immunocompetent patients: report of 2 cases

Nocardia corresponde a un género de bacterias gram positivo que puede producir compromiso pulmonar, sistémico y abscesos cerebrales, especialmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. La infección cerebral por Nocardia spp es extremadamente infrecuente en pacientes inmunocompetentes, por lo cual se reportan dos casos: caso 1: mujer de 61 años, sana, consulta por cefalea y paresia en hemicuerpo izquierdo. Estudio con TAC y RM de encéfalo demuestran absceso cerebral. Se inició tratamiento con ceftriaxona mas cloxacilina y fue drenado quirúrgicamente. En el cultivo del LCR se aisló Nocardia spp. cambiándose esquema a cotrimoxazol con meropenem por 6 semanas. Caso 2: varón de 72 años, hipertenso y tabáquico crónico. Consultó por cefalea, paresia de extremidad inferior derecha y pérdida de visión de ojo derecho. Estudio con TAC y RM de encéfalo objetiva absceso cerebral parietal izquierdo. Se inició tratamiento con ceftriaxona, metronidazol y vancomicina. Se realizó drenaje quirúrgico. El cultivo de absceso resultó positivo para Nocardia spp, ajustándose esquema a cotrimoxazol y meropenem por 6 semanas. Requirió tratamiento prolongado por presentar lenta regresión clínica e imagenoló- gica.

Nocardia is a gram positive bacterial genus. Is involved in pulmonary, systemic and brain abscess usually in immunocompromised patients. Nocardia spp. brain infection is extremely rare in immunocompetent patients, hereby we report 2 cases: case 1: 61 years old woman, without morbid conditions, consulted for headache and left hemiparesis. Study with CT and MRI of encephalon shows brain abscess. Treatment with ceftriaxone plus cloxacilin and surgical drainage were started. In CSF culture, Nocardia spp. was obtained. Scheme was changed to cotrimoxazole with meropenem to complete 6 weeks. Case 2: male of 72 years old, history of smoking and hypertension. Consulted for headache, paresis of right leg and loss of vision of the right eye. CT and MRI showed left parietal brain abscess. Treatment with ceftriaxone, metronidazole and vancomycin were started. Surgical drainage was performed. Abscess culture was positive for Nocardia spp., adjusting scheme to cotrimoxazole and meropenem for 6 weeks. It required prolonged treatment due to slow imaging and clinical regression.

Descripción de la Cronología del Dolor de las Contracciones Uterinas para Analgesia del Trabajo de Parto, una tarea pendiente / Description of the chronology of the pain of uterine contractions for analgesia of labor, a pending task

Propósito: Describir la periodicidad del momento de máxima intensidad del dolor de las contracciones uterinas (CUs) durante el trabajo de parto (TDP) para eventualmente permitir el desarrollo de nuevos modelos de administración de analgesia endovenosa. Material y método: Embarazadas de término en TDP, reclutadas desde marzo 2014 por 18 meses, de manera no probabilística consecutiva. Se obtuvo el momento de máximo dolor por autoreporte de las pacientes con cronómetros, previa capacitación. Análisis: Regresión para medidas repetidas de efectos mixtos a los 3-5, 6-7 y 8-10cm de dilatación. La variable respuesta es el intervalo de tiempo desde el momento de máximo dolor de la CU basal al de la contracción siguiente. Resultados: En 64 pacientes, se obtuvo 5 intervalos de tiempo. Para la dilatación de 3-5cm una mediana=140.92 segundos y los coeficientes de regresión (CR) en 4 intervalos de tiempo con respecto al basal de 4.2, 15.9, -2.7 y -5.8 segundos. Para 67cm una mediana=131.16 seg y CR 13.4, 11.3, 2 y -10 seg. Para 8-10cm una mediana=129.3 seg y CR -6.7, 0.49, -2.5 y -7.7 seg. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los coeficientes de regresión. Conclusiones: Con los datos obtenidos podemos señalar que no hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los intervalos de tiempo de los momentos de máximo dolor durante el TDP en fase activa. Esta información es relevante para apoyar el desarrollo de un modelo predictivo del dolor.

Aim: To describe the timing of the moment of maximum intensity of uterine contraction (UC) pain in labor to possibly enable the development of new models for administering endovenous analgesia. Materials and Methods: Full-term pregnant women in labor, recruited from March 2014 for 18 months, using consecutive nonprobability sampling. The moment of maximum pain was ascertained as self-reported by patients previously trained with chronometers. Analysis: Regression for repeated measurements from mixed results at 3-5, 6-7 and 8-10cm of dilation. The response variable was the time interval from the moment of maximum pain of the baseline UC to the following contraction. Results: In 64 patients, 5 time intervals were obtained. For the dilation of 3-5cm, a median=140.92 seconds and regression coefficients (RC) in 4 time intervals relative to the baseline of 4.2, 15.9, -2.7 and -5.8 seconds. For 6-7cm, a median =131.16 sec and RC 13.4, 11.3, 2 and -10 sec. For 8-10cm, a median =129.3 sec and RC -6.7, 0.49, -2.5 and -7.7 sec. There were no significant differences among the regression coefficients. Conclusions: With the data collected we can report that there were no statistically significant differences between the time intervals of the moments of maximum pain during active labor. This information is relevant to support the development of a predictive model for this pain.

Fistulizing Epstein-Barr virus-positive plasmablastic lymphoma in an HIV-positive man.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an unusual subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma recently classified as a diffuse immunoblastic lymphoma with a plasma-cell immunophenotype. Originally described in the oral cavity of HIV-positive patients, it has also been recognized to occur rarely at other sites. We describe a previously unreported fistulizing presentation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive PBL, reviewing its association with HIV-1 infection and its importance as an AIDS-defining malignancy.

Simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater in full-scale unaerated/aerated submerged filters.

Characterization and evaluation of a biological submerged filter was carried out on a full-scale pilot plant performing removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total nitrogen (TN) from pre-treated urban wastewater. The average influent values of BOD5, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and TN were 370, 1,015 and 60 mg/L, respectively. The pilot plant produced good discharge quality during steady-state operation. Average effluent BOD5, COD and TN values were 11, 58 and 15 mg/L, respectively. The reactor had been operating beyond its organic design capacity (200 population equivalent (PE)). At 480 PE the removal achieved for BOD, COD and TN were 98, 97 and 78%, respectively. This technology can absorb pollutant overloads while maintaining stable performance. Denitrification was performed by using sewage itself as carbon source. It was used as an intermittent aeration cycle in the unaerated cell to improve the denitrification process. The predenitrification with submerged unaerated filter has proved to be an efficient process for advanced removal of TN.

Reacción granulomatosa a cuerpo extraño a sílice, silicona y ácido hialurónico, en paciente con sarcoidosis inducida por interferón / Foreign Body Granulomatous Reaction to Silica, Silicone, and Hyaluronic Acid in a Patient With Interferon-Induced Sarcoidosis

Se describe el caso de una paciente que desarrolló granulomas sarcoideos 11 meses después de haber iniciado interferón α pegilado y ribavirina, como tratamiento de la hepatitis crónica C. Las lesiones se localizaban en relación a 3 cuerpos extraños diferentes: sílice en cicatrices cutáneas antiguas, ácido hialurónico que se había inyectado previamente en la cara, y silicona que se detectó en una adenopatía axilar donde había drenado de un implante mamario previo. La paciente también aquejaba tos seca, fiebre y en la analítica se detectó un incremento de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina y de las enzimas hepáticas. A partir de estos hallazgos se diagnosticó de sarcoidosis sistémica y se suspendió el tratamiento antiviral con posterior normalización de las pruebas hepáticas, desaparición de las lesiones cutáneas y de las adenopatías. Los dermatólogos y cosmetólogos deben ser conscientes del riesgo de aparición de manifestaciones sarcoideas en las áreas donde se han realizado implantes estéticos, en los sujetos que en un futuro requieran tratamiento con interferón (AU)

We report the case of a patient who developed sarcoid granulomas 11 months after starting treatment with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. The sites of the lesions were related to 3 different foreign bodies: silica in old scars on the skin, hyaluronic acid that had been injected into facial tissues, and silicone in an axillary lymph node draining the area of a breast implant. Systemic sarcoidosis was diagnosed on the basis of a history of dry cough and fever and blood tests that revealed elevated angiotensin converting enzyme and liver enzymes. Interruption of the antiviral therapy led to normalization of liver function tests and disappearance of the skin lesions and lymphadenopathies. Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons should be aware of the risk of sarcoid lesions related to cosmetic implants in patients who may require treatment with interferon in the future (AU)

Foreign body granulomatous reaction to silica, silicone, and hyaluronic acid in a patient with interferon-induced sarcoidosis.

We report the case of a patient who developed sarcoid granulomas 11 months after starting treatment with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. The sites of the lesions were related to 3 different foreign bodies: silica in old scars on the skin, hyaluronic acid that had been injected into facial tissues, and silicone in an axillary lymph node draining the area of a breast implant. Systemic sarcoidosis was diagnosed on the basis of a history of dry cough and fever and blood tests that revealed elevated angiotensin converting enzyme and liver enzymes. Interruption of the antiviral therapy led to normalization of liver function tests and disappearance of the skin lesions and lymphadenopathies. Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons should be aware of the risk of sarcoid lesions related to cosmetic implants in patients who may require treatment with interferon in the future.

IL-17 and Regulatory Cytokines (IL-10 and IL-27) in L. braziliensis Infection.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is characterized by high production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and development of pathology. Individuals with subclinical L. braziliensis infection (SC) have a positive skin test to leishmania, but do not develop disease. We evaluated whether the downregulation of inflammatory response in SC is mediated by IL-10 and IL-27 and whether IL-17 is associated with control of infection. Participants include SC individuals, patients with CL and healthy subjects. Cytokines protein and mRNA were detected by ELISA and real-time PCR. IFN-γ and TNF-α levels were higher in CL than in SC group. The IL-10 levels and mRNA for IL-10 were similar in both SC and CL. mRNA for IL-27 was increased in cells from SC after stimulation with L. braziliensis antigen. There was a tendency for increased levels of IL-17 in SC compared to CL. The weak type 1 immune response observed in SC L. braziliensis infection is not because of the regulatory effects of IL-10 and IL-27. The control of Leishmania infection may be mediated by innate immune response with participation of IL-17. The results from this pilot study warrant further larger studies to investigate the potential contributions of IL-17 and IL-27 to the control of L. braziliensis infection.

Rendezvous laparoendoscópico secuencial en colelitiasis con cálculos en colédoco / Simultaneous endoscopio cholangiography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a rendezvous technique

Con el objeto de mejorar el manejo de pacientes con colelitiasis y coledocolitiasis, en los cuales la conducta más usada es la colangiografía endoscópica (CE) previa a la colecistectomía laparoscópica, se presenta un protocolo de tratamiento llevado a cabo en el Hospital de Carabineros de Chile en que se realiza colecistectomía laparoscópica y CE en un mismo tiempo anestésico, efectuado por un equipo de cirujanos laparo-endoscopistas. Para esto se utiliza la técnica de "Rendezvous" modificada, realizando primero la colecistectomía y luego la CE. Resultados: Se presenta los primeros 18 pacientes con alta sospecha de coledocolitiasis, de los cuales sólo en 14 se objetivó la presencia de cálculos por colangiografía intraoperatoria realizando la técnica "rendezvous" en 13 de ellos. Se logró un 100 por ciento de éxito, sin complicaciones y con tiempos quirúrgicos y de estadía postoperatorio muy adecuados.

Background: The usual management of patients with cholelithiasis in whom a choledocholithiasis is suspected, is to perform en endoscopio cholangiography prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However a new approach is to perform both procedures simultaneously using a rendezvous technique, to reduce complications and improve the rate of successful bile duct cannulation. Aim: To report the experience with simultaneous endoscopio cholangiography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Material and Methods: Eighteen patients with cholelithiasis and a high suspicion of choledocholithiasis were considered eligible for the study. The technique was modified, performing first the cholecystectomy and afterwards the endoscopio cholangiography. Results: In four patients, the intraoperative cholangiography did not show the presence of choledocholithiasis. In the rest, the presence of choledocholithiasis was confirmed and 13 were subjected to the rendezvous technique, that was successful in all. Conclusions: Simultaneous endoscopio cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible and safe.

Divertículo duodenal periampular: una entidad a considerar en el diagnóstico diferencial del absceso pancreático / Duodenal diverticula periampullary: new entity in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic abscess

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Drenaje percutáneo de colecciones intraabdominales guiados por ecografía en la unidad de emergencia / Percutaneous drainage of intraabdominal abscesses performed by echocardiography in emergency unit

El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar los resultados y complicaciones del drenaje percutáneo de colecciones abdominales guiado por ecografía, realizado por cirujanos en una unidad de emergencia. Se diseño un protocolo prospectivo a ser aplicado a todos los pacientes con sospecha de colecciones intraabdominales que fueran evaluados en la Unidad de Emergencia del Hospital del Salvador o que habiéndose diagnosticado en otra unidad fueran derivados para evaluación a la Unidad de Emergencia. En los pacientes con colecciones se buscó la mejor ventana, se infiltró la zona con anestesia local, bajo visión ecográfica se puncionó con una aguja graduada 18G y luego se introdujo un drenaje 12 F con conductor. Entre enero de 1999 y junio de 2001 se evaluó 52 pacientes con colecciones intraabdominales. En resumen la efectividad del drenaje percutáneo de colecciones intraabdominales fue de 92 por ciento con un 4 por ciento de procedimientos frustos, un 4 por ciento de complicaciones, un 6 por ciento que requirió un segundo drenaje y una mortalidad de 4 por ciento. Nuestros resultados demuestran que el drenaje percutáneo de colecciones intraabdominales realizados por cirujanos es un método seguro y eficiente, con un bajo índice de complicaciones y un éxito superior al 90 por ciento al ser utilizado como único tratamaiento asociado a antibióticos

Ecografía realizada por cirujanos en el manejo de pacientes con trauma / Echography performed by surgeons in the management of patients with trauma

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography is useful in trauma patients to detect pleural effusions or peritoneal fluid. AIM: To assess the value of ultrasonography performed by surgeons in the assessment of trauma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of ultrasonography reports and clinical history of 284 trauma patients. RESULTS: One hundred fifty six patients had blunt trauma and 128 had penetrating trauma. Ultrasonography detected peritoneal fluid in 20 per cent, pericardial effusion in 1 per cent and pleural effusion in 1 per cent. Eight percent had visceral damage or hematomas, without peritoneal fluid. None of the patients with a normal ultrasonography required surgery for hemoperitoneum; however, four patients had intestinal perforations and required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography had a 100 per cent sensitivity and specificity for the detection of clinically significant hemoperitoneum. Emergency ultrasonography performed by surgeons is useful and accurate.

Automated quantification of TSH in serum by a chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay: analytical validation.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (thyrotropin; TSH) in serum was assayed with the Immulite-TSH, a fully automated solid-phase third-generation immunoassay analyzer that has a chemiluminescent detection system. The intraassay CV ranged from 3.6% to 6.2% for TSH mean concentrations from 0.025 to 32.12 mIU/L and the interassay CV ranged from 7.9% to 10% for TSH mean concentrations between 0.023 and 31.93 mIU/L. The analytical and functional detection limits of the assay were 0.001 and 0.0068 respectively. No interference was observed by any of the compounds: bilirubin, triglycerides, and hemoglobin. To compare the accuracy of Immulite-TSH with that of a conventional immuno-radiometric assay (Orion Diagnostica Irma-TSH), we examined 153 patient samples with TSH concentrations ranging approximately 0.2 to 100 mIU/L. At TSH concentration approximately 0.15 the precision was greater for Immulite-TSH than for Irma TSH (3.8% vs 11.87%) intraassay CV and (8.6% vs 35.4%) interassay CV. We concluded that Immulite-TSH is a rapid and precise third-generation assay, totally automated and the results can be provided to the clinician within 1 to 2 h of receipt of the patient's sample.

Plasma parathyroid hormone related-protein levels in patients with cancer, normocalcemic and hypercalcemic.

Hypercalcemia in patients with cancer may reflect the synthesis and secretion into circulation of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) produced by the tumor. In the present study, we have measured circulating PTHrP concentrations in healthy subjects and patients using a new immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) that is specific for the 1-86 amino acid sequence of molecule, and in plasma collected with protease inhibitors. Plasma concentrations of PTHrP(1-86) were greater than the detection limit of the assay (0.3 pmol/l) in healthy subjects. All patients with hypercalcemia-associated cancer had PTHrP(1-86) levels significantly greater (median 7.74 pmol/l, P < 0.05) than healthy subjects or patients with cancer and normal serum calcium, primary hyperparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic renal failure. Plasma PTHrP and corrected serum calcium were correlated in patients with hypercalcemia-associated cancer. In one patient, a marked decrease in PTHrP and calcium levels was observed following surgery. Our results suggest that this IRMA for PTHrP(1-86) may be useful for diagnosis and monitoring of PTHrP-producing tumors induced hypercalcemia.