Estandarización de requerimientos mínimos para la formación de centro de detección temprana de cáncer de pulmón en América Latina / Standardization of Minimum Requirements for the Formation of an Early Detection Center for Lung Cancer in Latin America

Introducción: El cáncer de pulmón (CP) es una enfermedad con gran impacto a nivel mundial en el número de muertes y en costos en salud. La alta incidencia y mortalidad de esta enfermedad asociada al diagnóstico tardío, y la mejoría del pronóstico ante una detección temprana, determinan que sea una patología pasible de beneficiarse mediante detección temprana. La tomografía de baja dosis de radiación (TCBD) demostró ser un método que se pue- de realizar periódicamente a un grupo de personas con alto riesgo de desarrollar CP y así reducir la mortalidad por esta enfermedad. Sin embargo, este beneficio es tal cuan- do se encuentra desarrollado bajo un programa organizado y con participación multi- disciplinaria especializada en cáncer de pulmón. Métodos: Se plantea determinar lineamientos básicos para el desarrollo de la detección temprana de cáncer de pulmón en América Latina para que pueda ser realizada en forma uniforme, con el menor riesgo y el máximo beneficio esperado. Se analizaron las principales publicaciones referidas a este tema, contemplando la diversidad de atención y acceso de América Latina. Resultado: Se desarrollan requerimientos mínimos para la implementación de un pro- grama. Discusión: El número de programas en la región es escaso y depende más de esfuerzos individuales que de políticas generales de salud. Consideramos que estos lineamien- tos pueden servir de apoyo para el desarrollo de más programas en la región y de for- ma más homogénea.

Introduction: Lung cancer (LC) is a disease with a great impact worldwide in the number of deaths and health costs. The high incidence and mortality of this disease associated with late diagnosis and the improved prognosis with early detection determine that it is a pathology that can benefit from early detection. Low radiation dose tomography (LDCT) demonstrated a method that can be performed periodically to a group of people at high risk of developing CP and thus reduce mortality from this disease. However, this benefit is such when it is developed under an organized program with multidisciplinary participation specialized in lung cancer. Methods: It is proposed to determine basic guidelines for the development of early de- tection of lung cancer in Latin America so that it can be carried out uniformly, with the lowest risk and the maximum expected benefit. The main publications referring to this topic were analyzed, considering the diversity of care and access in Latin America. Result: Minimum requirements are developed for the implementation of a program. Discussion: The number of programs in the region is small and depends more on individual efforts than on general health policies. We consider that these guidelines can serve as support for the development of more programs in the region and in a more ho- mogeneous way.

Argentine consensus recommendations for lung cancer screening programmes: a RAND/UCLA-modified Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) screening improves LC survival; the best screening method in terms of improving survival is low-dose CT (LDCT), outpacing chest X-ray and sputum cytology. METHODS: A consensus of experts in Argentina was carried out to review the literature and generate recommendations for LC screening programmes. A mixed-method study was used with three phases: (1) review of the literature; (2) modified Delphi consensus panel; and (3) development of the recommendations. The Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework was used to generate 13 evaluation criteria. Nineteen experts participated in four voting rounds. Consensus among participants was defined using the RAND/UCLA method. RESULTS: A total of 16 recommendations scored ≥7 points with no disagreement on any criteria. Screening for LC should be performed with LDCT annually in the population at high-risk, aged between 55 and 74 years, regardless of sex, without comorbidities with a risk of death higher than the risk of death from LC, smoking ≥30 pack-years or former smokers who quit smoking within 15 years. Screening will be considered positive when finding a solid nodule ≥6 mm in diameter (or ≥113 mm3) on baseline LDCT and 4 mm in diameter if a new nodule is identified on annual screening. A smoking cessation programme should be offered, and cardiovascular risk assessment should be performed. Institutions should have a multidisciplinary committee, have protocols for the management of symptomatic patients not included in the programme and distribute educational material. CONCLUSION: The recommendations provide a basis for minimum requirements from which local institutions can develop their own protocols adapted to their needs and resources.

Endemic Thoracic Infections in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Infectious diseases, including parasitic diseases, which are commonly associated with poverty and poor sanitation, continue to cause significant morbidity, disability, and mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean region. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and cardiothoracic imaging manifestation of several communicable diseases endemic to this region.

Segmental analysis of congenital heart disease: putting the "puzzle" together with computed tomography.

Advances in surgical and medical treatment for congenital heart disease have resulted in greater life expectancy. As a result, there has been an increase in the utilization of cross-sectional imaging for diagnosis and management of complex congenital heart disease. This manuscript describes a morphological and sequential segmental approach to deciphering the code of complex congenital heart defects in cross-sectional imaging, mostly computed tomography. This manuscript will review approaches to differentiate types of transposition, the anatomic relationships of cardiac structures, and the application of these relationships in the description of complex congenital heart disease.

Utilidad de la Tomografía Computada helicoidal en la diverticulitis aguda / Usefulness of helical computed tomography in the acute diverticulitis

Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la tomografía computada helicoidal (TCH) en el diagnóstico y manejo terapéutico de la diverticulitis aguda. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo realizado sobre un periodo de 6 meses que incluyó a 100 pacientes con sospecha clínica de diverticulitis. Se efectuó TCH con contraste oral y endovenoso, salvo contraindicación. Los estudios se correlacionaron con la respuesta terapéutica y el seguimiento clínico y con cirugía e histopatología cuando fue necesario tratamiento quirúrgico. Resultados: De 100 pacientes estudiados, 62 tuvieron diagnóstico tomográfico de diverticulitis; de ellas, 41 fueron diverticulitis simples y 21, complicadas (absceso, flemón, plastrón, perforación libre, fístula vésicocolónica y obstrucción intestinal); en 24 pacientes se realizó diagnóstico alternativo (apendicitis, apendagitis, colitis inespecífica, colitis isquémica, pielonefritis, litiasis ureteral, pancreatitis, salpingitis, quiste de uraco complicado, obstrucción colónica mecánica y perforación colónica por cuerpo extraño) y en 14, diagnóstico de ausencia de diverticulitis aguda, sin diagnóstico alternativo, siendo dos de ellos falsos negativos por clínica y respuesta al tratamiento. La TCH para la diverticulitis demostró: sensibilidad: 96,87%; especificidad: 100%; valor predictivo positivo: 100%; valor predictivo negativo: 94,7%; certeza: 98%. De los 41 pacientes con diagnóstico tomográfico de diverticulitis no complicada, 37 recibieron tratamiento médico ambulatorio y 4, tratamiento médico con internación; de los 21 pacientes con diagnóstico de diverticulitis complicada, 18 realizaron un tratamiento médico con internación y en 3 se tomó una conducta quirúrgica; de los 14 pacientes con ausencia de hallazgos tomográficos de diverticulitis, en 12 se adoptó una conducta expectante ambulatoria y 2 recibieron tratamiento médico ambulatorio. Conclusión: La tomografía es muy útil y eficaz para el diagnóstico, evaluación y manejo de los pacientes con sospecha clínica de diverticulitis.

Objective: The evaluation of the usefulness of helical computed tomography (HCT) in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of the acute diverticulitis. Materials and methods: Six months retrospective cohort study of 100 patient population clinically suspected of diverticulitis was carried out. The exams were made with oral and intravenous contrast unless the patient presented contraindications. A correlation of these studies with the therapeutic response and clinical follow up was done with surgery and histopathology. Results: From a total of 100 patients studied, 62 presented tomographic diagnosis of diverticulitis, 41 were classified as simple diverticulitis and 21 were complicated cases (abscess, phlegmon, plastron, free perforation, vesicocolonic fistula and intestinal obstruction). In 24 patients an alternative diagnosis was made (appendicitis, appendagitis, uretheral litiasis, colitis, salpingitis, pancreatitis, uraco cyst complication, colonic mecanical obstruction, colonic perforation with foreign body): 14 patients did not present tomographic findings to support the clinical symptoms, two of them were false-negative by the clinic and by the response to treatment. These data represented a sensibility of 96,87%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100% and NPV of 94,7% and a certainty of 98 for the tomography diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. Of the 41 patients with tomographic diagnostic of not complicated diverticulitis, 37 received medical outpatient treatment and only 4 medical treatment with placement; of the 21 patients diagnosed with complicated diverticulitis, 18 were hospitalised with medical treatment and the other 3 patients needed surgery; of the 14 patients without tomographic findings of diverticulitis, in 12 outpatients an expectant conduct was followed and the other 2 received medical outpatient treatment. Conclusion: HCT is very useful and effective in diagnosis, evaluation and management of patients with clinical suspicion of diverticulitis.

Utilidad de la tomografía computada en pacientes con dolor en fosa iliaca derecha: Apendicitis aguda y su diagnóstico diferencial / Usefulness of computed tomography in patients with right inferior abdominal quadrant pain: acute appendicitis and its alternative diagnosis

Propósito: Repasar los hallazgos de tomografía computada (TC) de la apendicitis aguda, sus complicaciones y diagnósticos diferenciales. Evaluar la utilidad de la tomografía computada helicoidal (TCH) en el diagnóstico de la apendicitis aguda y en el manejo de los pacientes con abdomen agudo de fosa iliaca derecha, tanto en la determinación de un diagnóstico, como de sus complicaciones, que permitan tomar una medida terapéutica. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo realizado durante 5 meses (mayo a septiembre del 2007), en el que la población de estudio incluyó a pacientes derivados del Servicio de Guardia de nuestra institución para la realización de una TCH por presentar dolor en fosa iliaca derecha como denominador común. Se efectuaron tomografías helicoidales con contraste oral y endovenoso, de no existir contraindicaciones. Los estudios fueron correlacionados con los hallazgos quirúrgicos e histopatológicos y, en aquellos casos de resolución no quirúrgica, por seguimiento clínico. Resultados: Sobre un total de 100 pacientes estudiados, 53 presentaron diagnóstico tomográfico de apendicitis, de las cuales, 22 fueron perforadas; 27 mostraron un diagnóstico alternativo (quistes o folículos anexiales, litiasis ureteral derecha, tiflitis, diverticulitis, colitis inespecífica, salpingitis y quiste anexial complicado); 18 no evidenciaron apendicitis ni alteraciones tomográficas que justificaran la clínica y hubo solo 2 pacientes con resultado indeterminado. El análisis de estos datos demostró una sensibilidad del 100%, especificidad del 95,7%, valor predictivo positivo del 96,2% y valor predictivo negativo del 100% para el diagnóstico tomográfico de apendicitis aguda y una sensibilidad del 100%, especificidad del 81,81%, valor predictivo positivo del 95,12% y un valor predictivo negativo del 100% para el diagnóstico tomográfico de las diferentes etiologías y manejo de los pacientes con abdomen agudo de fosa iliaca derecha. Conclusión: La TCH posee una elevada sensibilidad y especificidad para el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda y para la evaluación y manejo de los pacientes con un cuadro de abdomen agudo de fosa iliaca derecha.

Purpose: To review the tomography findings of the acute appendicitis, their complications and alternative diagnosis. To value the use of helicoidal computed tomography (HCT) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and in the study of patients with right inferior abdominal quadrant (RIQ) pain and acute abdomen, for diagnosis and eventual complications, in order to decide treatment. Materials and method: For five months, the populations included in this retrospectively study were all patients delivered for presenting with RIQ pain for a HCT exam. These exams were made with oral and intravenous contrasts, when there were not contraindications. The HCT results were correlated with clinical follow up, surgery and histopathologic exams. Results: Over a total of 100 patients studied, 53 presented tomographic diagnosis of appendicitis, 22 of which presented perforation signs; 27 showed an alternative diagnosis (ovaries follicles, uretheral litiasis, tiphlitis, diverticulitis, colitis, salpingitis), 18 patients did not present tomographic findings to support the clinical symptoms and 2 presented indetermined results. These data represented a sensibility of 100%, specifity of 95,7%, positive predictiv value (PPV) of 96,2% and negative predictiv value (NPV) of 100% for the tomography diagnosis of acute appendicitis and a sensibility of 100%, specificity of 81,8%, PPV of 95,1% and NPV of 100% for the tomography diagnosis of the different etiology in patient with right inferior acute abdomen. Conclusion: HCT is extremely useful in the study of patients with acute abdomen with origin in the RIQ, not only to make a diagnosis, but also to evaluate the complications, so as to decide proper treatment.