Impacto del tratamiento de pacientes con perforación esofágica aguda en la supervivencia / Impact of the treatment of patients with acute esophageal perforation in survival

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal, de serie de casos, de 35 pacientes con perforación esofágica, egresados del Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 1990 hasta septiembre de 2014, con vistas a caracterizarles según variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y terapéuticas de interés. En la serie predominaron el cuerpo extraño de difícil extracción (42,8 por ciento), la localización torácica (51,4 por ciento) y el tratamiento quirúrgico en todos los pacientes. Por otra parte, se empleó la sutura del esófago reforzada en los afectados con menos de 24 horas de evolución y el drenaje del mediastino y la mediastinoclisis por esternotomía media en aquellos con más de 24 horas, con lo cual se disminuyó la mortalidad en 50 por ciento respecto al drenaje y al desbridamiento simple del mediastino. Se concluye que el tratamiento quirúrgico precoz es fundamental para mejorar la supervivencia y que la exclusión esofágica terminal en el cuello, así como el lavado del mediastino mediante la utilización de mediastinoclisis, resultan efectivos en los pacientes con mediastinitis aguda por esta causa(AU)

A descriptive and cross-sectional serial cases study, of 35 patients with acute esophageal perforation, discharged from the General Surgery Service of Saturnino Lora Torres Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out, from January, 1990 to September, 2014, aimed at characterizing them according to the epidemiologic, clinical and therapeutic variables of interest. In the series the strange body of difficult extraction (42.8 percent), thoracic localization (51.4 percent) and surgical treatment prevailed in all the patients. On the other hand, the reinforced esophagus suture was used in those affected with less than 24 hours of natural course and mediastinal cavity drainage and mediastinoclysis by median sternotomy in those with more than 24 hours of natural course, which diminished in 50 percent the mortality regarding the drainage and simple mediastinal cavity debridement. It was concluded that early surgical treatment is vital to improve the survival and terminal esophageal exclusion in the neck, as well as mediastinal cavity wash by means of mediastinoclysis, are effective in the patients with acute mediastinitis due to this cause(AU)

Impacto del tratamiento de pacientes con perforación esofágica aguda en la supervivencia / Impact of the treatment of patients with acute esophageal perforation in survival

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal, de serie de casos, de 35 pacientes con perforación esofágica, egresados del Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico "Saturnino Lora Torres" de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 1990 hasta septiembre de 2014, con vistas a caracterizarles según variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y terapéuticas de interés. En la serie predominaron el cuerpo extraño de difícil extracción (42,8 %), la localización torácica (51,4%) y el tratamiento quirúrgico en todos los pacientes. Por otra parte, se empleó la sutura del esófago reforzada en los afectados con menos de 24 horas de evolución y el drenaje del mediastino y la mediastinoclisis por esternotomía media en aquellos con más de 24 horas, con lo cual se disminuyó la mortalidad en 50 % respecto al drenaje y al desbridamiento simple del mediastino. Se concluye que el tratamiento quirúrgico precoz es fundamental para mejorar la supervivencia y que la exclusión esofágica terminal en el cuello, así como el lavado del mediastino mediante la utilización de mediastinoclisis, resultan efectivos en los pacientes con mediastinitis aguda por esta causa.

A descriptive and cross-sectional serial cases study, of 35 patients with acute esophageal perforation, discharged from the General Surgery Service of "Saturnino Lora Torres" Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out, from January, 1990 to September, 2014, aimed at characterizing them according to the epidemiologic, clinical and therapeutic variables of interest. In the series the strange body of difficult extraction (42.8%), thoracic localization (51.4%) and surgical treatment prevailed in all the patients. On the other hand, the reinforced esophagus suture was used in those affected with less than 24 hours of natural course and mediastinal cavity drainage and mediastinoclysis by median sternotomy in those with more than 24 hours of natural course, which diminished in 50% the mortality regarding the drainage and simple mediastinal cavity debridement. It was concluded that early surgical treatment is vital to improve the survival and terminal esophageal exclusion in the neck, as well as mediastinal cavity wash by means of mediastinoclysis, are effective in the patients with acute mediastinitis due to this cause.

Caracterización de pacientes con cáncer de esófago en el bienio 2013-2014 / Characterization of patients with esophagus cancer in the biennium 2013-2014

Introducción: el cáncer de esófago es uno de los más agresivos y de menor supervivencia a escala mundial; en Cuba es de 3,9 por cada 100 000 habitantes. Objetivo: caracterizar a los pacientes con ese diagnóstico, según variables seleccionadas. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 51 pacientes ingresados con neoplasia de esófago en el Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2013 hasta diciembre de 2014. Resultados: predominaron los afectados de 60-69 años (39,1 por ciento), el sexo masculino (84,3 por ciento), los que refirieron dificultad para tragar (76,6 por ciento) y el carcinoma epidermoide como forma histológica (76,5 por ciento). Durante su estadía en la institución fallecieron 19,6 por ciento de los pacientes. La disfagia se presentó en estadios muy avanzados de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: a pesar de la importancia y vigilancia de los factores de riesgo del cáncer de esófago en Cuba, aún se diagnostica en etapas avanzadas cuando las posibilidades terapéuticas son muy reducidas y poco eficaces(AU)

Introduction: the esophagus cancer is one of the most aggressive and of less survival worldwide; in Cuba it is 3.9 out of 100 000 inhabitants. Objective: to characterize the patients with that diagnosis, according to selected variables. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study of 51 patients admitted with esophagus neoplasm in Saturnino Lora Torres Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, was carried out from January, 2013 to December, 2014. Results: the age group 60-69 (39.1 percent), the male sex (84.3 percent), those referring difficulty to swallow (76.6 percent) and the epidermoid carcinoma as histologic type (76.5 percent), prevailed. During their stay in the institution, 19.6% of the patients died. The dysphagia was presented in very advanced stages of the disease.Conclusions: in spite of the importance and surveillance of the esophagus cancer risk factors in Cuba, it is still diagnosed in advanced stages when the therapeutic possibilities are very reduced and not very effective(AU)

Caracterización de pacientes con cáncer de esófago en el bienio 2013-2014 / Characterization of patients with esophagus cancer in the biennium 2013-2014

Introducción: el cáncer de esófago es uno de los más "agresivos" y de menor supervivencia a escala mundial; en Cuba es de 3,9 por cada 100 000 habitantes.Objetivo: caracterizar a los pacientes con ese diagnóstico, según variables seleccionadas. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 51 pacientes ingresados con neoplasia de esófago en el Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico "Saturnino Lora Torres" de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2013 hasta diciembre de 2014. Resultados: predominaron los afectados de 60-69 años (39,1 %), el sexo masculino (84,3 %), los que refirieron dificultad para tragar (76,6 %) y el carcinoma epidermoide como forma histológica (76,5 %). Durante su estadía en la institución fallecieron 19,6 % de los pacientes. La disfagia se presentó en estadios muy avanzados de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: a pesar de la importancia y vigilancia de los factores de riesgo del cáncer de esófago en Cuba, aún se diagnostica en etapas avanzadas cuando las posibilidades terapéuticas son muy reducidas y poco eficaces.

Introduction: the esophagus cancer is one of the "most aggressive" and of less survival worldwide; in Cuba it is 3.9 out of 100 000 inhabitants. Objective: to characterize the patients with that diagnosis, according to selected variables. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study of 51 patients admitted with esophagus neoplasm in "Saturnino Lora Torres" Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, was carried out from January, 2013 to December, 2014. Results: the age group 60-69 (39.1%), the male sex (84.3%), those referring difficulty to swallow (76.6%) and the epidermoid carcinoma as histologic type (76.5%), prevailed. During their stay in the institution, 19.6% of the patients died. The dysphagia was presented in very advanced stages of the disease. Conclusions: in spite of the importance and surveillance of the esophagus cancer risk factors in Cuba, it is still diagnosed in advanced stages when the therapeutic possibilities are very reduced and not very effective.

Características clínicas y terapéuticas de pacientes con hemotórax traumático / Clinical and therapeutic characteristics of patients with traumatic hemothorax

Introducción: el hemotórax traumático constituye una enfermedad grave dentro de los traumas del tórax, con un número significativo de complicaciones.Objetivo: describir las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y quirúrgicas del hemotórax traumático.Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de una serie de casos, que incluyó a 236 pacientes con el diagnóstico de hemotórax traumático, atendidos en el servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Saturnino Lora de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2008 hasta diciembre de 2013. Fue aplicada la prueba chi cuadrado para identificar la asociación estadísticamente significativa entre variables de interés.Resultados: el sexo masculino predominó en los enfermos con una razón de 5 por 1 y la mayoría de ellos en edades comprendidas entre los 20 y los 39 años. La causa más frecuente de la lesión fue la herida por arma cortopunzante (62,3 por ciento), seguida de la contusión torácica (34,3 por ciento). El proceder quirúrgico más realizado fue la pleurotomía mínima (81,8 por ciento), el índice de complicación fue de 19,4 por ciento, predominando el hemotórax coagulado (23 pacientes). La mortalidad fue de un 3 por ciento.Conclusiones: el hemotórax traumático es característico de pacientes jóvenes en plena vida productiva. La pleurotomía mínima juega un rol básico en el tratamiento quirúrgico, excepto en los hemotórax medianos cuya cuantía sea cercana a los 1200 mL de sangre donde se recomienda evaluar la necesidad de toracotomía o videotoracoscopia según las condiciones del enfermo, con vista a disminuir complicaciones y mortalidad a causa de estas(AU)

Introduction: traumatic hemothorax is a serious disease in the group of thoracic traumas, with a significant number of complications.Objective: to describe the clinical, epidemiological and surgical characteristics of traumatic hemothorax.Method: a descriptive case-series study that included 236 patients with diagnosis of traumatic hemothorax, who went to the general surgery service of Saturnine Lora Hospital of Santiago de Cuba from January 2008 to December 2013. The chi square test was applied to identify the statistically significant association among variables of interest.Results: males predominated at a ratio of 5 to 1 woman, most of them aged 20 to 39 years. The most frequent cause of the lesion was wound caused by sharp-edge weapons(62.3 percent), followed by the thoracic contusion (34.3 percent) and the most used surgical action was minimal pleurotomy (81.8 percent). The index of complication was 19.4 percent, mainly the coagulated hemothorax (23 patients). The mortality rate was 3 percent.Conclusions: traumatic hemothorax is common in young patients at full productive life. Minimal pleurotomy plays an important role in the surgical treatment, except for median hemotórax whose quantity is roughly 1200 ml of blood in which it is recommended to evaluate videoassisted thoracoscopy according to the patient´s health status, in order to decrease morbidity and mortality from these complications(AU)

Características clínicas y terapéuticas de pacientes con hemotórax traumático / Clinical and therapeutic characteristics of patients with traumatic hemothorax

Introducción: el hemotórax traumático constituye una enfermedad grave dentro de los traumas del tórax, con un número significativo de complicaciones. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y quirúrgicas del hemotórax traumático. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de una serie de casos, que incluyó a 236 pacientes con el diagnóstico de hemotórax traumático, atendidos en el servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Saturnino Lora de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2008 hasta diciembre de 2013. Fue aplicada la prueba chi cuadrado para identificar la asociación estadísticamente significativa entre variables de interés. Resultados: el sexo masculino predominó en los enfermos con una razón de 5 por 1 y la mayoría de ellos en edades comprendidas entre los 20 y los 39 años. La causa más frecuente de la lesión fue la herida por arma cortopunzante (62,3 por ciento), seguida de la contusión torácica (34,3 por ciento). El proceder quirúrgico más realizado fue la pleurotomía mínima (81,8 por ciento), el índice de complicación fue de 19,4 por ciento, predominando el hemotórax coagulado (23 pacientes). La mortalidad fue de un 3 por ciento. Conclusiones: el hemotórax traumático es característico de pacientes jóvenes en plena vida productiva. La pleurotomía mínima juega un rol básico en el tratamiento quirúrgico, excepto en los hemotórax medianos cuya cuantía sea cercana a los 1200 mL de sangre donde se recomienda evaluar la necesidad de toracotomía o videotoracoscopia según las condiciones del enfermo, con vista a disminuir complicaciones y mortalidad a causa de estas(AU)

Introduction: traumatic hemothorax is a serious disease in the group of thoracic traumas, with a significant number of complications. Objective: to describe the clinical, epidemiological and surgical characteristics of traumatic hemothorax. Method: a descriptive case-series study that included 236 patients with diagnosis of traumatic hemothorax, who went to the general surgery service of Saturnine Lora¨ Hospital of Santiago de Cuba from January 2008 to December 2013. The chi square test was applied to identify the statistically significant association among variables of interest. Results: males predominated at a ratio of 5 to 1 woman, most of them aged 20 to 39 years. The most frequent cause of the lesion was wound caused by sharp-edge weapons(62.3 percent), followed by the thoracic contusion (34.3 percent) and the most used surgical action was minimal pleurotomy (81.8 percent). The index of complication was 19.4 percent, mainly the coagulated hemothorax (23 patients). The mortality rate was 3 percent. Conclusions: traumatic hemothorax is common in young patients at full productive life. Minimal pleurotomy plays an important role in the surgical treatment, except for median hemotórax whose quantity is roughly 1200 ml of blood in which it is recommended to evaluate videoassisted thoracoscopy according to the patient´s health status, in order to decrease morbidity and mortality from these complications(AU)

Estudio del polimorfismo K198N en el gen EDN1 en pacientes afectados con hipertensión arterial pulmonar / K198N polymorphism in the EDN1 gene in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Fundamento y objetivo: En la hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP) se ha demostrado la asociación de un polimorfismo en el gen de la endotelina (EDN1) con un incremento de la acción de esta proteína favoreciendo la aparición de HAP. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar el polimorfismo K198N del gen EDN1 en pacientes con HAP, correlacionando los resultados con parámetros clínicos y hemodinámicos. Pacientes y métodos: Se compararon 41 pacientes diagnosticados de HAP idiopática y asociada del grupo i con 50 individuos sanos. Se utilizaron los métodos de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y secuenciación directa para estudiar el polimorfismo K198N. Se comparó la distribución de los genotipos y se correlacionaron con parámetros clínicos, hemodinámicos y de respuesta terapéutica. Resultados: El genotipo GG estaba presente en el 42% de los pacientes estudiados y en el 65% de los individuos control. Los genotipos GT + TT aparecieron en el 58% de los pacientes y en el 35% de los controles. Las diferencias fueron estadísticamente significativas (p = 0,032), siendo el riesgo relativo de desarrollar HAP en portadores del alelo T de 2,51 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,07-5,86). El análisis mediante el software PolyPhen definió el cambio K198N como patogénico. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en aspectos clínicos ni en respuesta al tratamiento a medio plazo en función del genotipo. Conclusiones: El análisis genotípico para el polimorfismo K198N muestra diferencias estadísticamente significativas en pacientes con HAP respecto a individuos sanos. Los portadores de al menos un alelo T presentan un riesgo relativo significativamente mayor de padecer HAP (AU)

Background and objective: In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) an association with a polymorphism in the endothelin gene (EDN1) has been described. The main objective of this study was to analyze the polymorphism K198N in the gene EDN1 in patients with PAH, correlating the results with clinical and hemodynamic parameters. Patients and methods: We compared 41 patients diagnosed with idiopathic and associated PAH of group i with 50 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were used to analyze the polymorphism K198N. We compared the genotype distribution and searched for a correlation with clinical, hemodynamic and therapeutic response. Results: Genotype GG was present in 42% of patients in this study and 65% of controls. The GT + TT genotypes appeared in 58% of patients and in 35% of controls. Statistically significant differences between patients and controls (P = .032) were detected, with a relative risk in carriers of having the T allele of 2.51 (95% CI 1.07 to 5.86). The analysis by PolyPhen software defined K198N change as pathogenic. No significant differences in the response to treatment at medium term were found. Conclusions: The genotype analysis of the EDN1 gene polymorphism shows statistically significant differences in patients with PAH compared to healthy individuals. Individuals carrying at least one T allele exhibit a higher relative significant risk to develop HAP (AU)

[K198N polymorphism in the EDN1 gene in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension]. / Estudio del polimorfismo K198N en el gen EDN1 en pacientes afectados con hipertensión arterial pulmonar.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) an association with a polymorphism in the endothelin gene (EDN1) has been described. The main objective of this study was to analyze the polymorphism K198N in the gene EDN1 in patients with PAH, correlating the results with clinical and hemodynamic parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared 41 patients diagnosed with idiopathic and associated PAH of group i with 50 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were used to analyze the polymorphism K198N. We compared the genotype distribution and searched for a correlation with clinical, hemodynamic and therapeutic response. RESULTS: Genotype GG was present in 42% of patients in this study and 65% of controls. The GT+TT genotypes appeared in 58% of patients and in 35% of controls. Statistically significant differences between patients and controls (P=.032) were detected, with a relative risk in carriers of having the T allele of 2.51 (95% CI 1.07 to 5.86). The analysis by PolyPhen software defined K198N change as pathogenic. No significant differences in the response to treatment at medium term were found. CONCLUSIONS: The genotype analysis of the EDN1 gene polymorphism shows statistically significant differences in patients with PAH compared to healthy individuals. Individuals carrying at least one T allele exhibit a higher relative significant risk to develop HAP.

Novel mutations in BMPR2, ACVRL1 and KCNA5 genes and hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive vascular disorder characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure. The aim of this study was to analyze the Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor 2 (BMPR2), Activin A type II receptor like kinase 1 (ALK1/ACVRL1) and potassium voltage-gated channel, shakerrelated subfamily, member 5 (KCNA5) genes in patients with idiopathic and associated PAH. Correlation among pathogenic mutations and clinical and functional parameters was further analyzed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty one patients and fifty controls were included in this study. Analysis of BMPR2, ACVRL1 and KCNA5 genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Fifty one nucleotide changes were detected in these genes in 40 of the 41 patients; only 22 of these changes, which were classified as pathogenic, have been detected in 21 patients (51.2%). Ten patients (62.5%) with idiopathic PAH and 10 (40%) with associated PAH showed pathogenic mutations in some of the three genes. Several clinical and hemodynamics parameters showed significant differences between carriers and non-carriers of mutations, being more severe in carriers: mean pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.043), pulmonary vascular resistence (p = 0.043), cardiac index (p = 0.04) and 6 minute walking test (p = 0.02). This differences remained unchanged after adjusting for PAH type (idiopathic vs non idiopathic). CONCLUSIONS: Pathogenic mutations in BMPR2 gene are frequent in patients with idiopathic and associated PAH group I. Mutations in ACVRL1 and KCNA5 are less frequent. The presence of these mutations seems to increase the severity of the disease.

Linfoma tipo Malt pulmonar: presentación de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía / Pulmonary Malt lymphoma: case report and literature review

El linfoma pulmonar primario es de presentación poco frecuente y representa solo el 0,5 a 1 por ciento de los procesos tumorales malignos del pulmón. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico histológico de linfoma tipo MALT de pulmón, ingresado y operado en el Hospital Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba. El paciente fue seguido por consulta de cirugía y oncología con más de 3 años de intervalo libre de enfermedad. El linfoma tipo Malt es una entidad poco frecuente, con diagnóstico preoperatorio prácticamente nulo, lo que dificulta su manejo adecuado(AU)

Primary pulmonary lymphoma is very uncommon, representing only 0.5 - 1 percent of malignant lung tumoral malignancies. Here is a patient with histologically confirmed lung MALT lymphoma, who was operated on at Saturnino Lora Torres hospital in Santiago de Cuba province. The patient was followed up by the surgery and oncology service and he was disease-free for over three years. Malt-type lymphoma is rare, its diagnosis before surgery is practically non-existent, which hinders proper management of a case(AU)

Linfoma tipo Malt pulmonar: presentación de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía / Pulmonary Malt lymphoma: case report and literature review

El linfoma pulmonar primario es de presentación poco frecuente y representa solo el 0,5 a 1 por ciento de los procesos tumorales malignos del pulmón. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico histológico de linfoma tipo MALT de pulmón, ingresado y operado en el Hospital Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba. El paciente fue seguido por consulta de cirugía y oncología con más de 3 años de intervalo libre de enfermedad. El linfoma tipo Malt es una entidad poco frecuente, con diagnóstico preoperatorio prácticamente nulo, lo que dificulta su manejo adecuado(AU)

Primary pulmonary lymphoma is very uncommon, representing only 0.5 - 1 percent of malignant lung tumoral malignancies. Here is a patient with histologically confirmed lung MALT lymphoma, who was operated on at Saturnino Lora Torres hospital in Santiago de Cuba province. The patient was followed up by the surgery and oncology service and he was disease-free for over three years. Malt-type lymphoma is rare, its diagnosis before surgery is practically non-existent, which hinders proper management of a case(AU)

Fractura de esternón por cornada de Buey / Sternal fracture caused by ox horns

Introducción: las fracturas de esternón son infrecuentes, por cuanto se reportan muy pocos casos en la bibliografía médica, lo que despierta gran interés conocer la conducta correcta que se debe seguir con estos enfermos. Objetivo: presentar un caso tratado y revisar la bibliografía acerca de la enfermedad. Métodos: se realizó una amplia revisión del tema y se presenta la descripción del diagnóstico y tratamiento del enfermo con una fractura esternal. Presentación del caso: paciente con fractura de esternón secundario a trauma torácico cerrado causado por cornada de buey. Luego de determinado el diagnóstico en un lapso de 4 horas se decidió la intervención quirúrgica de urgencia para realizar reducción de la fractura y osteosíntesis con alambre No 5 y lámina tubular de mediano fragmento No 20 con 6 tornillos. La ventilación mecánica como terapéutica complementaria se mantuvo durante el postoperatorio. La evolución fue satisfactoria hasta el egreso hospitalario y el enfermo permanece asintomático durante su seguimiento. Conclusiones: es factible la osteosíntesis en el esternón utilizando lámina y clavos, dando una estabilidad y consolidación del foco de fractura adecuado y sin secuelas(AU)

Introduction: sternal fractures are infrequent because they are reported in very few cases in medical literature, which arouses great interest of knowing the correct behavior to be adopted with these patients. Objective: to present a treated case and to review literature about this type of disease. Methods: an extensive literature review was made and the description of diagnosis and treatment of a patient with sternal fracture was presented. Case presentation: a patient with sternal fracture secondary to close chest trauma after the patient being gored in the thorax by an ox. After 4 hours of diagnosing process, it was decided to operate him to reduce fracture and to apply osteosynthesis with no 5 wire and no 20 medium fragment tubular plate with 6 screws. The mechanical ventilation was the supplementary therapy during the postoperative phase. The progression was satisfactory till the hospital discharge and the patient remained asymptomatic during the follow-up period. Conclusions: it is feasible to use osteosynthesis in the sternum by using plate and screws to give stability and consolidation of the fracture focus adequately without any sequelae(AU)

Fractura de esternón por cornada de Buey / Sternal fracture caused by ox horns

Introducción: las fracturas de esternón son infrecuentes, por cuanto se reportan muy pocos casos en la bibliografía médica, lo que despierta gran interés conocer la conducta correcta que se debe seguir con estos enfermos. Objetivo: presentar un caso tratado y revisar la bibliografía acerca de la enfermedad. Métodos: se realizó una amplia revisión del tema y se presenta la descripción del diagnóstico y tratamiento del enfermo con una fractura esternal. Presentación del caso: paciente con fractura de esternón secundario a trauma torácico cerrado causado por cornada de buey. Luego de determinado el diagnóstico en un lapso de 4 horas se decidió la intervención quirúrgica de urgencia para realizar reducción de la fractura y osteosíntesis con alambre No 5 y lámina tubular de mediano fragmento No 20 con 6 tornillos. La ventilación mecánica como terapéutica complementaria se mantuvo durante el postoperatorio. La evolución fue satisfactoria hasta el egreso hospitalario y el enfermo permanece asintomático durante su seguimiento. Conclusiones: es factible la osteosíntesis en el esternón utilizando lámina y clavos, dando una estabilidad y consolidación del foco de fractura adecuado y sin secuelas(AU)

Introduction: sternal fractures are infrequent because they are reported in very few cases in medical literature, which arouses great interest of knowing the correct behavior to be adopted with these patients. Objective: to present a treated case and to review literature about this type of disease. Methods: an extensive literature review was made and the description of diagnosis and treatment of a patient with sternal fracture was presented. Case presentation: a patient with sternal fracture secondary to close chest trauma after the patient being gored in the thorax by an ox. After 4 hours of diagnosing process, it was decided to operate him to reduce fracture and to apply osteosynthesis with no 5 wire and no 20 medium fragment tubular plate with 6 screws. The mechanical ventilation was the supplementary therapy during the postoperative phase. The progression was satisfactory till the hospital discharge and the patient remained asymptomatic during the follow-up period. Conclusions: it is feasible to use osteosynthesis in the sternum by using plate and screws to give stability and consolidation of the fracture focus adequately without any sequelae(AU)

Polimorfismos en el gen de la proteína transportadora de serotonina (SERT) en pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar / Polymorphisms in the Serotonin Transporter Protein (SERT) Gene in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

La serotonina es un potente vasoconstrictor y factor de proliferación vascular pulmonar cuya concentración se incrementa en pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP). Sus funciones están mediadas en parte por la proteína transportadora de serotonina (SERT), cuyo gen puede presentar dos formas alélicas, una larga (L) y otra corta (S). La primera se ha asociado a mayor función. Objetivos: Conocer si la prevalencia de la forma alélica L del gen de SERT es mayor en pacientes con HAP que en población general. Ver si existe alguna diferencia clínica en los pacientes con HAP en función del alelo SERT. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes diagnosticados de HAP con cateterismo en base a los criterios establecidos. Se extrajo una muestra de sangre periférica y posteriormente el ADN de los leucocitos periféricos. Se amplificó la región promotora de SERT mediante reacción en cadena de polimerasa y se separaron los productos mediante electroforesis. Se compararon las muestras de los pacientes con 50 controles sanos y entre los tipos más frecuentes de HAP (idiopática, tromboembólica y asociada a conectivopatías). Se valoraron diversas variables clínicas en función de los diversos alelos del gen SERT. Resultados: Se incluyó a 50 pacientes, y se obtuvo muestra adecuada en 49 (30 mujeres). La edad media en el momento del diagnóstico fue 56±16 años. No se observaron diferencias en la distribución de alelos entre pacientes y controles (p=0,54). Tampoco existieron diferencias entre los tres tipos más frecuentes de HAP (p=0,3). La forma más frecuente fue LS (54% pacientes, 56% controles). Tanto la edad de diagnóstico como la respuesta al tratamiento no fueron diferentes en función de los alelos SERT. Hubo una tendencia a presentar mayores valores de la presión pulmonar media en las formas LL (49±5 vs. 42±9mmHg, p=0,07)(AU)

Conclusiones: La distribución de los alelos del gen SERT no parece ser diferente en los pacientes con HAP de cómo se presenta en la población normal. Diversos tipos de HAP tienen una distribución de alelos similar. Las formas LL no parecen conferir diferencias clínicas ni de respuesta al tratamiento(AU)

Serotonin is a potent vasoconstrictor and pulmonary vascular growth factor whose concentration is increased in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Its functions are mediated in part by the serotonin transporter protein (SERT) whose gene can have two allelic forms, both long (L) and short (S). The first was associated with greater function. Objectives: To determine whether the prevalence of the L allelic form of SERT is higher in patients with PAH than in the general population. To observe whether there are any clinical differences in patients with PAH based on the SERT allele. Methods: We included patients diagnosed with PAH with catheterization based on the established criteria. Peripheral blood samples were taken and the DNA was extracted from the peripheral leukocytes. We amplified the promoter region of SERT by polymerase chain reaction and separated the products by electrophoresis. The patient samples were compared with samples from 50 healthy controls and among the most common types of PAH (idiopathic, thromboembolic and associated with connective tissue disorders). Several clinical variables were assessed according to the SERT gene alleles. Results: The study included 50 patients, and adequate samples were obtained in 49 (30 women). Mean age at diagnosis was 56±16 years. No differences were seen in the distribution of alleles between patients and controls (P=.54). There were no differences among the three most common types of PAH (P=.3). The most frequent allelic form was LS (54% patients, 56% controls). There were no differences in either age of diagnosis or response to treatment according to the SERT alleles. There was a trend toward higher mean pulmonary pressure levels in the LL forms (49±5 vs 42±9mmHg, P=.07)(AU)

Conclusions: The distribution of SERT gene alleles does not appear to be different in patients with PAH than in the normal population. Different types of PAH have a similar distribution of alleles. The LL forms do not appear to confer either clinical differences or differences in response to treatment(AU)

Polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter protein (SERT) gene in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

UNLABELLED: Serotonin is a potent vasoconstrictor and pulmonary vascular growth factor whose concentration is increased in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Its functions are mediated in part by the serotonin transporter protein (SERT) whose gene can have two allelic forms, both long (L) and short (S). The first was associated with greater function. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the prevalence of the L allelic form of SERT is higher in patients with PAH than in the general population. To observe whether there are any clinical differences in patients with PAH based on the SERT allele. METHODS: We included patients diagnosed with PAH with catheterization based on the established criteria. Peripheral blood samples were taken and the DNA was extracted from the peripheral leukocytes. We amplified the promoter region of SERT by polymerase chain reaction and separated the products by electrophoresis. The patient samples were compared with samples from 50 healthy controls and among the most common types of PAH (idiopathic, thromboembolic and associated with connective tissue disorders). Several clinical variables were assessed according to the SERT gene alleles. RESULTS: The study included 50 patients, and adequate samples were obtained in 49 (30 women). Mean age at diagnosis was 56 ± 16 years. No differences were seen in the distribution of alleles between patients and controls (P = .54). There were no differences among the three most common types of PAH (P = .3). The most frequent allelic form was LS (54% patients, 56% controls). There were no differences in either age of diagnosis or response to treatment according to the SERT alleles. There was a trend toward higher mean pulmonary pressure levels in the LL forms (49 ± 5 mm Hg vs 42 ± 9 mm Hg, P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of SERT gene alleles does not appear to be different in patients with PAH than in the normal population. Different types of PAH have a similar distribution of alleles. The LL forms do not appear to confer either clinical differences or differences in response to treatment.

Hemangiopericitoma benigno del mediastino en un adulto / Benign mediastinal hemangiopericytoma in an adult

Se describe el caso clínico de un paciente de 49 años de edad, quien ingresó en el Servicio de Medicina Interna con el diagnóstico de tumor del mediastino, considerado inicialmente como un posible linfoma o teratoma, por lo cual fue trasladado al Servicio de Cirugía General. En la toracotomía programada, a través de una incisión de estereotomía media, se encontró un gran tumor del mediastino, muy adherido a estructuras vecinas, pero que pudo ser extirpado totalmente. El estudio histopatológico del espécimen quirúrgico reveló un hemangiopericitoma benigno, inusual en esta localización. El período posoperatorio transcurrió satisfactoriamente y egresó de la consulta de seguimiento médico para reincorporarse a su vida normal a las 4 semanas de intervenido.

The clinical case of a patient aged 49, who was hospitalized at the Internal Medicine Service and referred to General Surgery Service, having a mediastinal tumor diagnosis, which was initially considered as a possible lymphoma or teratoma, is described. In the scheduled thoracotomy, done through an incision of mean stereotomy, a big mediastinal tumor, well-attached to surrounding structures, was found but it could be totally removed. A histopathological study of the surgical specimen showed a benign hemangiopericytoma with an uncommon location. No complication was observed in the postoperative time period. The patient was discharged from the medical follow-up room so he could return to his normal lifestyle after 4 weeks of being surgically treated.

Hemangiopericitoma benigno del mediastino en un adulto / Benign mediastinal hemangiopericytoma in an adult

Se describe el caso clínico de un paciente de 49 años de edad, quien ingresó en el Servicio de Medicina Interna con el diagnóstico de tumor del mediastino, considerado inicialmente como un posible linfoma o teratoma, por lo cual fue trasladado al Servicio de Cirugía General. En la toracotomía programada, a través de una incisión de estereotomía media, se encontró un gran tumor del mediastino, muy adherido a estructuras vecinas, pero que pudo ser extirpado totalmente. El estudio histopatológico del espécimen quirúrgico reveló un hemangiopericitoma benigno, inusual en esta localización. El período posoperatorio transcurrió satisfactoriamente y egresó de la consulta de seguimiento médico para reincorporarse a su vida normal a las 4 semanas de intervenido(AU)

The clinical case of a patient aged 49, who was hospitalized at the Internal Medicine Service and referred to General Surgery Service, having a mediastinal tumor diagnosis, which was initially considered as a possible lymphoma or teratoma, is described. In the scheduled thoracotomy, done through an incision of mean stereotomy, a big mediastinal tumor, well-attached to surrounding structures, was found but it could be totally removed. A histopathological study of the surgical specimen showed a benign hemangiopericytoma with an uncommon location. No complication was observed in the postoperative time period. The patient was discharged from the medical follow-up room so he could return to his normal lifestyle after 4 weeks of being surgically treated(AU)

[Mutations in the gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension]. / Mutaciones en el gen que codifica BMPR2 en pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar esporádica.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease that can have a familial component. It has been shown that more than 50% of cases of familial PAH are associated with mutations in the gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2), which acts as a receptor for members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily. Some studies in patients with idiopathic PAH have also shown varying percentages of mutations in this gene. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of these mutations in a group of patients with idiopathic PAH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included patients with idiopathic PAH who were seen during 2006 in our unit specialized in this entity. Patients were excluded if they had relatives who had been diagnosed with PAH or who had symptoms that led to suspicion of the disease. Diagnosis was obtained according to the protocol used in our unit. A hemodynamic study was carried out in all cases and patients were included if they had a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of greater than 25 mm Hg. DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes and amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Seventeen primer pairs were used for the 13 exons that make up the gene. Using the single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) technique we detected anomalous DNA fragments for subsequent sequencing. RESULTS: The study included 8 patients (4 women). In 5 patients, no abnormalities were observed, whereas in the remaining 3, anomalous electrophoresis patterns were obtained in the SSCP and sequencing revealed mutations. In 1 case, 2 different electrophoresis patterns were observed by SSCP, but it was only possible to sequence 1 of them due to the low concentration of DNA obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of mutations in the gene encoding BMPR2 is not infrequent in patients with idiopathic PAH, suggesting that this family of growth factors may be important in the pathogenesis of the disease and could have therapeutic implications.