The addition of albumin improves Schwann cells viability in nerve cryopreservation.

The purpose of the current study was to establish a valid protocol for nerve cryopreservation, and to evaluate if the addition of albumin supposed any advantage in the procedure. We compared a traditional cryopreservation method that uses dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant, to an alternative method that uses DMSO and albumin. Six Wistar Lewis rats were used to obtain twelve 20 mm fragments of sciatic nerve. In the first group, six fragments were cryopreserved in 199 media with 10% DMSO, with a temperature decreasing rate of 1 °C per minute. In the second group, six fragments were cryopreserved adding 4% human albumin. The unfreezing process consisted of sequential washings with saline in the first group, and saline and 20% albumin in the second group at 37 °C until the crioprotectant was removed. Structural evaluation was performed through histological analysis and electronic microscopy. The viability was assessed with the calcein-AM (CAM) and 4',6-diamino-2-fenilindol (DAPI) staining. Histological results showed a correct preservation of peripheral nerve architecture and no significant differences were found between the two groups. However, Schwann cells viability showed in the CAM-DAPI staining was significantly superior in the albumin group. The viability of Schwann cells was significantly increased when albumin was added to the nerve cryopreservation protocol. However, no significant structural differences were found between groups. Further studies need to be performed to assess the cryopreserved nerve functionality using this new method.

A Comparative Study of Doppler Ultrasound against Temporal Artery Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis. / Estudio comparativo de la ecografía Doppler frente a la biopsia de arteria temporal en el diagnóstico de la arteritis de células gigantes.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis that affects medium- and large-sized arteries. Temporal artery biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis. In view of the high demand for temporal biopsies, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of Doppler ultrasonography in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis, to determine its sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic test and to determine whether it would be possible to substitute biopsy for ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken including 57 patients from February 2015 to July 2016, who have undergone both ultrasonography and temporal biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients were included, 3of whom died during the follow-up, and a patient was excluded from the study when she refused to have the biopsy. Another 21 patients were diagnosed with GCA by a rheumatologist after a minimum of 6 months of follow-up and 22 patients had positive ultrasonography, 8 of whom were diagnosed with GCA and 4 with polymyalgia rheumatica. In our study, the sensitivity of ultrasonography was 42.6%, and the specificity was 65.7%. A total of 19 patients had a positive biopsy, all of them were diagnosed with GCA. In our study, the sensitivity of the biopsy was 73.7% and the specificity was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the data from our study, the usefulness of ultrasonography is questionable, and research about the role of ultrasonography in this disease should be further studied.

Intraneural IFG-1 in Cryopreserved Nerve Isografts Increase Neural Regeneration and Functional Recovery in the Rat Sciatic Nerve.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was found to stimulate Schwann cell mitosis. Exogenous IGF-1 may improve nerve regeneration after cryopreservation. OBJECTIVE: To evaulate the effect of intraneural administration of IGF-1 in cryopreserved nerve isografts. METHODS: Eighteen millimeter grafts were used for bridging an 18-mm defect in the rat sciatic nerve. A total of 57 rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) autograft (Group 1); (2) cryopreserved isograft (Group 2); (3) cryopreserved isograft with intraneural IGF-1 administration (Group 3). 12 weeks after surgery, functional recovery (Sciatic functional index [SFI], Swing speed [SS], nerve conduction velocity [NCV], amplitude of compound motor action potentials [CMAP], and gastrocnemius muscle index [GMI]) and nerve regeneration (myelin sheath area, total fiber counts, fiber density, and fiber width) were all evaluated. RESULTS: The intraneural injection of IGF-1 significantly improved SFI and SS at weeks 10 and 12. There were no statistical differences between Groups 1 and 3 in any of the SFI or SS evaluations. CMAP and NCV in Group 1 were significantly higher than in Groups 2 and 3, and Group 3 had significantly higher CMAP and NCV compared to Group 2. No significant differences were found in fiber width. The number of nerve fibers, percentage of myelinated fibers, fiber density, and GMI was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2, but no significant differences were found between Groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSION: The results show that intraneural injection of IGF-1 in an 18 mm cryopreserved isograft improve axonal regeneration and functional recovery.

Reconstrucción del pezón. Análisis comparativo de experiencia con dos técnicas: injerto de segmento de pezón contralateral y colgajo V-C / Nipple reconstruction. Comparative analysis of experience with two techniques: contralateral nipple segment graft and V-C flap

Introducción y objetivo: La reconstrucción del complejo areola-pezón es la culminación del proceso de reconstrucción mamaria. Genera pacientes más satisfechas y aporta beneficios psicológicos. Sin embargo, las pacientes están más satisfechas con la reconstrucción del montículo mamario. La reconstrucción del pezón sigue siendo un tema pendiente de resolución. Existen numerosas técnicas publicadas. En este trabajo evaluamos nuestra experiencia con dos técnicas usadas frecuentemente: el injerto de un segmento del pezón sano y el colgajo V-C, para determinar cuál nos ofrece mejores resultados. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes intervenidas de reconstrucción mamaria heteróloga en el Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (España) entre 2010 y 2014, en las que se efectuaron dos técnicas de reconstrucción del pezón: colgajo V-C e injerto de segmento de pezón contralateral, analizando los parámetros posición, diámetro, proyección, color y sensibilidad, tanto por el personal médico como por las pacientes y sometiendo los resultados obtenidos a estudio estadístico. Resultados: Analizamos 25 pacientes (16 injertos y 9 colgajos). La posición fue adecuada en todos los casos. Los parámetros diámetro y proyección no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambas técnicas. Sí se observaron en el color y la sensibilidad. Los pezones reconstruidos con colgajo V-C tenían un color más claro y eran menos sensibles. Conclusiones: En nuestra revisión de casuística personal, la reconstrucción del pezón mediante injerto de un segmento del pezón contralateral sano ofrece mejores resultados en cuanto a color y a sensibilidad que la reconstrucción con un colgajo V-C en pacientes con reconstrucción heteróloga del montículo mamario. (AU)

Background and objective: Nipple-areola complex reconstruction is the culmination of the mammary reconstruction process. It generates more satisfied patients and brings psychological benefits. However, patients are more satisfied with the reconstruction of the breast mound. The reconstruction of the nipple is a pending issue. There are many published techniques. In this study we evaluate our experience with two techniques frequently used for nipple reconstruction: contralateral nipple segment graft and V-C flap, to determine which one offers us better results. Methods: Retrospective study on patients who undergone heterologous mammary reconstruction operated at the University Hospital Complex of A Coruña (Spain), between 2010 and 2014, using two techniques of nipple reconstruction: V-C flap and contralateral nipple segment graft. Parameters such as position, diameter, projection, color and sensitivity were assessed, both by the medical staff and by the patients, and the results obtained were submitted to statistical study. Results: A total of 25 patients (16 grafts and 9 flaps) were stu- died. Nipple position was adequate in all cases. Diameter and projection showed no statistically significant differences between the two techniques. However, significant differences were observed in color and sensitivity. Reconstructed V-C flap nipples were lighter in color and less sensitive. Conclusions: In our personal casuistry review, nipple reconstruction by grafting a healthy contralateral nipple segment offers better results in terms of color and sensitivity than the reconstruction with a V-C flap in patients with heterologous reconstruction of the breast. (AU)

Intraneural Venous Malformations of the Median Nerve.

Venous malformations arising from the peripheral nerve are a rare type of vascular malformation. We present the first case of an intraneural venous malformation of the median nerve to be reported in a child and review the previous two cases of median nerve compression due to a venous malformation that have been reported. These cases presented with painless masses in the volar aspect of the wrist or with symptoms suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical suspicion should lead to the use of Doppler ultrasonography as the first-line diagnostic tool. Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology can confirm the diagnosis, as phleboliths are pathognomonic of venous malformations. Surgical treatment appears to be the only modality capable of successfully controlling the growth of an intraneural malformation. Sclerotherapy and radiotherapy have never been used to treat this type of malformation.

Burn patients during the Summer Solstice festivities: A retrospective analysis in a hospital burn unit from 2005 to 2015.

AIM: San Juan (Summer Solstice) is an annual festival celebrated in many parts of Spain on June 24 by lighting bonfires on beaches and in open air. The aim of this study is to analyse the patient profile of those sustaining burns the night before San Juan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 179 patients who sustained burns on June 23 and 24 between 2005 and 2015 were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The average age of the patients involved in this study was 27.33 years, with males constituting a higher proportion. Hands were the most affected area of the body, and the average burn area was 3.39%. No statistically significant relationship was found between the tidal times and the number of patients with burns, although the latter increased at low tide (p=0.177). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can guide prevention campaigns during these festivities in the future.

Seguridad oncológica del lipofilling como técnica de reconstrucción mamaria secundaria / Oncologic safety of autologous fat grafting as a secondary breast reconstructive technique

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio es comparar de manera retrospectiva aquellas pacientes en las se emplearon lipoinjertos para su reconstrucción mamaria con aquellas en las que no. Materiales y métodos: Fueron incluidas 104 pacientes sometidas a cirugía oncológica y reconstructiva tras cáncer de mama entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2016. El estudio se centra en las complicaciones y recurrencias de la enfermedad. Resultados: En 25 de estas 104 pacientes se emplearon lipoinjertos para su reconstrucción, mientras que en las restantes 79 no se empleó esta técnica. Tras la cirugía de lipofilling, 3 pacientes presentaron complicaciones; en un caso consistió en un hematoma posquirúrgico y en los otros dos casos en la aparición de un nódulo, evidenciando la presencia de necrosis grasa en uno y recidiva tumoral en el otro. Hubo un caso de recidiva locorregional en cada uno de los grupos. En cuanto a las metástasis a distancia, no hubo ningún caso en el grupo de lipofilling, mientras que hubo 6 casos en el grupo control. Conclusiones: El lipofilling como opción reconstructiva tras cáncer de mama parece una técnica con una baja tasa de complicaciones. Sin embargo, es necesario realizar otros estudios que confirmen su seguridad oncológica

Objectives: The objective of this study was to retrospectively compare patients whose breast reconstruction surgery included fat grafts with those whose reconstruction did not. Material and methods: A total of 104 patients undergoing oncological and reconstructive surgery after breast cancer between January 2012 and December 2016 were included. The study focused on the complications and recurrences of the disease. Results: Fat grafts were used in the reconstructive surgery of 25 of the 104 patients, and not in the remaining 79 patients. After lipofilling surgery, 3 patients developed complications, consisting of a post-surgical hematoma in 1 patient and the appearance of a nodule in 2, showing the presence of fat necrosis in one and tumour relapse in the other. There was one case of locoregional recurrence in each of the groups. There were no cases of distant metastases in the lipofilling group, while there were 6 cases in the control group. Conclusions: Lipofilling as a reconstructive option after breast cancer seems to have a low complication rate. However, more studies are needed to confirm its oncological safety

Estudio comparativo de la ecografía Doppler frente a la biopsia de arteria temporal en el diagnóstico de la arteritis de células gigantes / A comparative study of doppler ultrasound against temporal artery biopsy in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La arteritis de células gigantes (ACG) es una vasculitis que afecta a arterias de mediano y gran calibre. La biopsia de la arteria temporal es la técnica diagnóstica de elección. Atendiendo a la demanda asistencial que supone, pretendemos evaluar la utilidad de la ecografía Doppler en los pacientes con sospecha de ACG, su sensibilidad y especificidad como prueba diagnóstica y si puede suplir a la biopsia. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se ha realizado un estudio prospectivo de 57 pacientes entre febrero de 2015 y julio de 2016, que han sido diagnosticados con exploración mediante ecografía Doppler y biopsia de arteria temporal. RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos 57 pacientes, de los cuales 3 fallecieron durante el seguimiento y una paciente fue excluida del estudio al negarse a la biopsia. Otros 21 pacientes fueron diagnosticados de ACG por un especialista reumatólogo tras un mínimo de 6 meses de seguimiento. Presentaron ecografía positiva 22 pacientes, de los cuales 8 fueron diagnosticados de ACG y 4 de polimialgia reumática. En nuestro estudio, la sensibilidad de la ecografía es del 42,6% y la especificidad es del 65,7%. Otros 19 pacientes presentaron biopsia positiva: todos ellos fueron diagnosticados de ACG. La biopsia presentó una sensibilidad de un 73,7% y una especificidad de un 100%. CONCLUSIONES: Según nuestro estudio, la utilidad de la ecografía es limitada y son necesarias nuevas investigaciones para determinar su papel en esta entidad

BACKGROUND: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis that affects medium- and large-sized arteries. Temporal artery biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis. In view of the high demand for temporal biopsies, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of Doppler ultrasonography in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis, to determine its sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic test and to determine whether it would be possible to substitute biopsy for ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken including 57 patients from February 2015 to July 2016, who have undergone both ultrasonography and temporal biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients were included, 3of whom died during the follow-up, and a patient was excluded from the study when she refused to have the biopsy. Another 21 patients were diagnosed with GCA by a rheumatologist after a minimum of 6 months of follow-up and 22 patients had positive ultrasonography, 8 of whom were diagnosed with GCA and 4 with polymyalgia rheumatica. In our study, the sensitivity of ultrasonography was 42.6%, and the specificity was 65.7%. A total of 19 patients had a positive biopsy, all of them were diagnosed with GCA. In our study, the sensitivity of the biopsy was 73.7% and the specificity was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the data from our study, the usefulness of ultrasonography is questionable, and research about the role of ultrasonography in this disease should be further studied

Respuesta: Respuesta a: Estudio comparativo de la ecografía Doppler frente a la biopsia de arteria temporal en el diagnóstico de la arteritis de células gigantes / Reply: Response to: A Comparative study of doppler ultrasound against temporal artery biopsy in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis

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