Estudio exploratorio de las motivaciones para la criopreservación de ovocitos en forma electiva / An exploratory study of motivations for elective oocyte cryopreservation

Introducción La vitrificación de óvulos es un avance científico que ha cambiado la perspectiva reproductiva de la sociedad humana. Este procedimiento se ha ofrecido como alternativa a la postergación voluntaria del embarazo, confiriéndole a la mujer una nueva perspectiva en su autonomía reproductiva. El número de mujeres que consultan y luego optan por congelar ovocitos ha aumentado en forma casi exponencial en Chile y en todo el mundo. En nuestro país, hay poco conocimiento acerca de la motivación, experiencia y resultados de la criopreservación electiva de ovocitos en Chile. El objetivo fue conocer la motivación, experiencia y el deseo reproductivo futuro de este grupo de mujeres sometidas a esta técnica. Métodos Estudio descriptivo transversal, basado en un cuestionario enviado por correo electrónico en el que participaron mujeres que se habían sometido previamente a criopreservación electiva de ovocitos entre enero de 2011 y diciembre de 2019 en Clínica Alemana, Santiago de Chile. Resultados De 342 mujeres que habían completado un ciclo de criopreservación electiva de ovocitos, 193 aceptaron participar y de estas, 98 (51%) de las mujeres contestaron la encuesta en forma satisfactoria. Se establecieron criterios de exclusión a aquellas mujeres que se habían sometido a este procedimiento por indicación médica como la endometriosis, el cáncer y la baja reserva ovárica. El motivo más frecuente para realizarse el procedimiento fue la edad (44%). En relación al procedimiento; el 94% no se arrepiente de haberlo realizado y 74% de las mujeres cree que utilizará sus ovocitos en algún momento de su vida. Por último, desde que se realizaron la criopreservación de ovocitos a la fecha, el 11% de las mujeres encuestadas ha usado sus ovocitos vitrificados y 27% ha logrado embarazarse con estos. Conclusión Las mujeres que se someten a criopreservación electiva de ovocitos por razones sociales, son principalmente mujeres sin pareja que tiene como motivación principal su edad reproductiva y la gran mayoría de ellas no se arrepienten de haberlo realizado.

Introduction Oocyte vitrification is a scientific advance that has changed the reproductive perspective of human society. This procedure has been offered as an alternative to the voluntary postponement of pregnancy, giving women a new perspective on their reproductive autonomy. The number of women who consult and then choose to freeze oocytes has increased almost exponentially in Chile and throughout the world. There is little knowledge about the motivation, experience, and results of elective oocyte cryopreservation in Chile. The objective was to know the motivation, experience, and future reproductive desire of the women who underwent this technique. Methods Cross-sectional descriptive study based on a questionnaire sent by e-mail in which females who had previously undergone elective oocyte cryopreservation between January 2011 and December 2019 at Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile, participated. Results Of 342 women who had completed a cycle of elective oocyte cryopreservation, 193 agreed to participate, and of these, 98 (51%) answered the survey satisfactorily. Women who underwent this procedure for medical indication, including endometriosis, cancer, and low ovarian reserve, were excluded. The most frequent reason for the procedure was age (44%). Concerning the procedure: 94% do not regret having it done, and 74% of the women believe that they will use their oocytes at some point in their lives. Finally, from the time of oocyte cryopreservation to date, 11% of the surveyed women have used their vitrified oocytes, and 27% have become pregnant. Conclusions Women who undergo elective oocyte cryopreservation for social reasons are mainly women without a partner whose main motivation is their reproductive age. The vast majority do not regret doing so.

Divulgación y promoción de ideas sexológicas en la Revista Ilustrada Científico-Sexológica Luz (1932-1982) / Dissemination and promotion of sexological ideas from the Revista Ilustrada Científico-Sexológica Luz (1932-1982)

La sexualidad como tema de estudio se observa a lo largo del siglo XX en distintos tipos de publicaciones tanto expertas como populares. Partiendo de la relevancia histórica del tema el presente trabajo propone aportar al estudio de la sexualidad entre los años 1955 y 1970 tomando como fuente la Revista Ilustrada Científico-Sexológica Luz. Dicha revista de origen estadounidense tuvo una masiva difusión en el cono Sur de América. Metodológicamente se partió de la revisión sistemática y análisis crítico de dicha publicación tomando aportes de la teoría de la recepcióny el giro materialde la historia intelectual. A partir del análisis realizado se mostrará el papel que ejerció en la consolidación del discurso experto sobre temas sexuales y su relación con el público más amplio como así también el lugar de los valores de la época en la regulación de las prácticas sexuales.

Sexuality as a subject of study is observed throughout the 20th century in different types of publications, both expert and popular. Starting from the historical relevance ofthe subject, this paper proposes to contribute to the study of sexuality between 1955 and 1970 in Argentina, taking the Revista Ilustrada Científico-Sexológica Luzas the corpus. This journal of American origin had a massive diffusion in the country. Methodologically, it was based on the systematic review and critical analysis of such publication, taking contributions from the theory of reception and the material turn of intellectual history. Based on the analysis carried out, the role it played in the consolidation of expert discourse on sexual issues and its relationship with the broader public will be shown, as well as the place of the values of the era in the regulation of sexual practices.

Recomendaciones en el manejo de pacientes de medicina reproductiva en tiempos de SARS-CoV-2: Un resumen de la literatura / Management recommendation of reproductive medicine patients in SARS-CoV-2 time: A literature summarize

La pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 es una emergencia sanitaria sin precedentes, que ha implicado un reordenamiento en la priorización de procedimientos médicos electivos, frente a un potencial colapso del sistema de salud a nivel mundial y riesgo de contagio del personal y pacientes. Al igual que en el resto del mundo, en Chile la mayoría de los centros de medicina reproductiva han debido suspender sus diferentes terapias de reproducción asistida (TRA). Sin embargo, a raiz de la disminución del número de contagios y mayor evidencia científica disponible, la Sociedad Europea de Reproducción Humana y Embriología (ESHRE) ha recomendado reiniciar los ciclos de medicina reproductiva de forma gradual, a través de sistemas de triage, priorizando pacientes por medio de la generación de distintos escenarios. Considerando esta recomendación, se realizó una revisión sobre la evidencia existente respecto a SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 en medicina reproductiva recopilando diferentes directrices de las principales sociedades internacionales, con el objetivo de generar una recomendación ajustada a la realidad nacional.

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an unprecedented health emergency, which involves a reorganization of elective procedures, facing a potential global health system collapse. In Chile, as in the rest of the world. most reproductive medicine centers have suspended their different assisted reproduction therapies (ART). However, due to the decrease in the number of infections and due to a greater collection of scientific evidence, the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) have recommended restarting cycles gradually through triage systems, prioritizing patients through the generation of different scenarios. With this in mind, we carried out a review of the existing evidence so far regarding SARS-CoV-2 and reproductive medicine, and we tried to compile the different guidelines of the main international societies, to generate a recommendation adjusted to our local scenario.

Válvula aórtica cuadricúspide: imágenes intraoperatorias / Quadricuspid aortic valve: intraoperative images

Resumen: Recientemente, Sepúlveda et al. publicaron en la Revista Chilena de Cardiología(1) el caso clínico de una mujer de 60 años con una válvula aórtica cuadricúspide, diagnosticada por ecocardiografía transtorácica y transesofágica, no operada, con una extensa revisión de la literatura respectiva. En esta oportunidad, nosotros presentamos los hallazgos intraoperatorios en un hombre de 72 años operado por una insuficiencia aórtica severa secundaria a una válvula aórtica cuadricúspide no diagnosticada preoperatoriamente.

Abstracts: Recently, Sepúlveda et al. published in Revista Chilena de Cardiología1 the clinical case of a 60-year-old woman with quadricuspid aortic valve diagnosed by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography not operated on, including an extensive review of the literature. We present the intraoperative findings of a 72-year-old man with severe aortic insufficiency and a quadricuspide aortic valve, not preoperatively diagnosed.

Tratamiento con radioyodo endovenoso y estimulación con TSH recombinante humana en paciente con cáncer de tiroides extenso: caso clínico / Intravenous radioiodine and recombinant human TSH in a patient with extensive thyroid cáncer: report of one case

Abstract: We report a 72-years-old male patient with extensive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), who required a tracheostomy and gastrostomy. Considering his clinical condition, risk of aspiration and management of the ostomies, radioiodine (131I) was administered intravenously, using recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) and levothyroxine. The procedure was successful, both clinically and in terms of radioprotection.

Características de la imagen con 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT. Biodistribución normal y anormal / Image features with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT. Normal and abnormal biodistribution

Un sistema de PET/CT integrado o multimodal es una combinación física de PET y CT que incluye adquisición secuencial de porciones de PET y CT. El paciente permanece en la misma posición durante los dos exámenes. Un examen 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT puede cubrir diversos rangos de imágenes coaxiales1. PSMA es una proteína transmembrana presente principalmente en todos los tejidos prostáticos. Este articulo tiene como objetivo ayudar a los médicos imagenólogos para clínicos, a reconocer las imágenes de 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT mostrar características propias y ofrecer conocimientos generales de su interpretación en el área de diagnósticos dirigido al cáncer de próstata.

Reemplazo de arco aórtico y aorta descendente proximal por aneurisma o disección aórtica con prótesis Thoraflex / Aortic arch and proximal descending aorta replacement with the Thoraflex* prosthesis

Resumen: El compromiso simultáneo del arco aórtico y aorta descendente proximal, ya sea por disección o aterosclerosis, constituye uno de los mayores desafíos que puede enfrentar un cirujano cardiovascular. La prótesis híbrida Thoraflex, introducida en los últimos años, ha resultado ser una importante ayuda para el tratamiento quirúrgico de esta compleja y grave patología. Esta consiste en un tubo protésico de Dacron con 4 ramas, para el reemplazo del arco aórtico y sus troncos braquiocefálicos y perfusión corporal distal, y una endoprótesis que queda como "trompa de elefante suspendida" en la aorta descendente proximal. Presentamos en esta oportunidad nuestra experiencia inicial en 4 pacientes, 3 con disección aórtica crónica y una con un aneurisma aterosclerótico, usando la prótesis híbrida Thoraflex.

Abstract: Atherosclerotic aneurysm or dissection of the aortic arch and proximal descending thoracic aorta is one of the major challenges for a cardiovascular surgeon. The new hybrid prosthesis Thoraflex has become an important devise to simplify the surgical treatment of this very complex and technically demanding aortic pathology. This hybrid prosthesis consists of a 4-branched arch graft with a stent-graft at the distal end. The proximal part is a gelatin-coated woven polyester prosthesis. The stented section is a self-expanding endoprosthesis constructed of thin-walled polyester and nitinol ring stents that is left in the proximal descending aorta as a "frozen elephant trunk". We present our initial experience with the Thoraflex prosthesis in four patients, three of them with chronic aortic dissection and one with an atherosclerotic aneurysm.

Carcinoma vesicular de células en anillo de sello: diseminación poco frecuente: reporte de un caso con tomografía computada por emisión de positrones con fluor 18-deoxiglucosa / Bone metastases of a gallbladder carcinoma detected by positron emission tomography/computed tomography: case report

Signet ring gallbladder carcinoma is a rare aggressive variant of mucinous adenocarcinoma with poor prognosis. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with Fluor18 deoxyglucose (F18-FDG) is a useful tool in the staging of gallbladder cancer. We report a 68 years old man with a surgically resected acute cholecystitis, whose biopsy was positive for signet ring cell gallbladder carcinoma. During surgery, locoregional lymph nodes, liver or peritoneal involvement were not detected. A PET/CT was performed for staging, finding multiple hypermetabolic lytic bone lesions. Percutaneous biopsy of a pelvis bone lesion, confirmed a metastasis of the tumor. In this case, the staging with PET/CT allowed the diagnosis of unsuspected bone metastases and was a useful tool for deciding the best site of biopsy for histologic confirmation.

Linfonodo centinela en cáncer de mama: correlación entre detección isotópica y quirúrgica / Pre and intraoperative scintigraphic detection of sentinel nodes in breast cancer

Background: Sentinel node detection localizes the first node that drains a malignant lesion aiming to detect tumor dissemination. Aim: To assess the yield of sentinel node detection in breast cancer, using pre or intraoperative scintigraphy. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of patients with breast cancer who had a scintigraphic detection of sentinel nodes. Lymph node scintigraphy and surgery were performed in the same day. Results: We studied 174 women aged 53 ± 13 years, operated with a diagnosis of breast cancer, including six highly suspicious lesions in the contralateral breast (totaling 180 studied breasts). Preoperative scintigraphy showed a sentinel node in 174 of 180 breasts (97%). Intraoperative gamma probe confirmed the presence of the sentinel node in the same 174 breasts and detected an additional one reaching a detection yield of 97%. Four patients in whom a sentinel node was not detected in the preoperative scintigraphy, had macrometastases. Frozen section biopsies were available in 177 of 180 breasts. Metastases were informed in 45 patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection, plus one additional patient with a suspicious lesion. Conclusions: A high rate of sentinel node detection in the preoperative scintigraphy was observed. Most sentinel nodes not detected with nuclear medicine had macrometastases. In 71% of patients, the detection of sentinel node avoided axillary lymph node dissection.

Hacia una terapia multimodal en el cansancio oncológico: estudio piloto fase 2, prospectivo, randomizado y doble ciego / Towards multimodal therapy in cancer fatigue: a pilot phase 2 study, prospective, randomized and double blind

El cansancio oncológico es uno de los síntomas más frecuentes e incapacitantes en este tipo de pacientes, tanto durante su tratamiento como en estados avanzados de su enfermedad y afecta en forma significativa la dimensión física, afectiva y cognitiva del paciente. Sin embargo, es el síntoma menos estudiado por la oncología moderna.Actualmente, no contamos con un estándar de tratamiento. La mejor evidencia disponible muestra en pequeño estudio asociado al beneficio de la dexametasona versus placebo en fatiga oncológica en casos con enfermedad avanzada; además, existe evidencia de resultados positivos mediante estrategias no farmacológicas, como los programas de ejercicios aeróbicos y técnicas de manejo del estrés. Este estudio tiene por propósito investigar la eficacia en el cansancio oncológico en enfermedad avanzada de un tratamiento multimodal (basado en estrategias no farmacológicas más uso de dexametasona) versus tratamiento farmacológico sólo usando dexametasona (terapia unimodal). Para ello, en estudio prospectivo y doble ciego, se randomizó 1:1 80 pacientes entre 20 y 80 años de edad con neoplasias avanzadas a tratamiento multimodal o brazo A (terapia farmacológica y no farmacológica) versus terapia unimodal o brazo B (terapia farmacológica sola). Al inicio del estudio se permitió el ingreso de pacientes con fatiga 4 o más sobre 10 aplicando instrumento Brief Fatigue Inventory, que es una forma de Escala Visual Análoga (EVA) aplicada al cansancio oncológico; y al menos otros 2 síntomas relacionados (depresión, ansiedad y/o insomnio), con función cognitiva normal, sin infecciones sobreagregadas, sin neoplasia encefálica, con función tiroidea normal y hemoglobina mayor de 9 gr/dl (recuérdese que una disfunción tiroidea o la anemia favorecen la sensación de fatiga y de no excluirse estos factores no permitiría sacar conclusiones válidas). Al mes de tratamiento se reevaluó mediante EVA la fatiga (end point primario)...

The Cancer Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms in these patients both during treatment and in advanced stages of their disease; and significantly affect the physical , emotional and cognitive dimension of the patient. And yet it is the symptom less studied by modern oncology. Currently we do not have a standard treatment. The best available evidence shows benefit in small study of dexamethasone versus placebo in cancer fatigue in patients with advanced disease; there is also evidence of positive results by non-pharmacological strategies such as aerobic exercise programs and stress management techniques. This study is aimed to investigate the efficacy in cancer fatigue in advanced disease of a multimodal treatment (based on nonpharmacological strategies more use of dexamethasone) versus using dexamethasone treatment alone (unimodal therapy). To do this in prospective, double-blind study 80 patients 1:1 between 20 and 80 years old with advanced malignancies were randomized to arm A multimodal treatment (pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapy) versus unimodal therapy or arm B (single drug therapy). At study entry patients were allowed to fatigue 4 or more out of 10 using Brief Fatigue Inventory instrument, which is a form of visual analog scale (EVA) applied to cancer fatigue; and at least 2 other related symptoms (depression, anxiety and / or insomnia), with normal cognitive function , without a superimposed infections, without brain cancer, with normal thyroid function and increased hemoglobin 9 g / dl (remember that thyroid dysfunction or anemia favors the sensation of fatigue and not excluded these factors would not draw valid conclusions)...

Perfusión y función ventricular en SPECT cardiaco y coronariografía del mismo día según localización en enfermedad de un vaso / Single-photon emission computed tomography for the assessment of ventricular perfusion and function

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can be used as a non-invasive tool for the assessment of coronary perfusion. Aim: To assess ventricular perfusion and function by SPECT in patients with single vessel coronary artery disease. Material and Methods: Among patients with indications for a coronary artery angiography, those with significant lesions in one vessel, were selected for the study. Within 24 hours, cardiac SPECT examinations on basal conditions and after high doses of dipyridamole, were performed. SPECT data from 38 patients with a low probability of coronary artery disease was used for comparisons. Results: Ten patients aged 61 ± 8 years (seven men) were studied. Visual analysis of SPECT revealed signs suggestive of ischemia in eight patients. The remaining two patients did not have perfusion disturbances. SPECT detected eight of ten abnormal vessels reported in the coronary artery angiography. There were two false negative results Summed stress, summed rest and summed difference scores were 9.78 ± 6.51, 3.22 ± 5.07 and 6.33 ± 4.97, respectively. The ejection fractions under stress and at rest were 53 ± 11.7% and 61 ± 15.7% respectively (p < 0.01). The figures for the control group were 69.1 ± 13.5% and 75.2 ± 12.04% respectively (significantly different from patients). Two patients had a summed motion score above 14.9. Likewise, two patients had a summed thickening score above 10.9. Conclusions: SPECT detected 80% of coronary lesions found during coronary artery angiography. Visual analysis of perfusion is highly reliable for diagnosis. Quantitative parameters must be considered only as reference parameters.

Experiencia en la implementación de un policlínico de choque de salud mental en un establecimiento de atención primaria / Experience of implementing a mental health first response polyclinic in a primary health center

Se presenta la experiencia en la implementación de un Policlínico de Choque de Salud Mental en un establecimiento de atención primaria de la comuna de Lo Espejo. Este Policlínico fue creado con el objetivo de disponer de una evaluación completa en salud mental de aquellos pacientes que, por la complejidad inmediata pesquisada durante otra atención de salud, o la necesidad de reconocimiento temprano de condiciones riesgosas en salud mental, requieren una intervención precoz. Se presentan las principales características y condiciones establecidas para el inicio del funcionamiento de este Policlínico, y se describe la experiencia de los primeros 50 pacientes enviados a evaluación, en cuatro meses de atención durante el 2010. Entre los principales resultados destaca la alta asistencia a la evaluación (82 por ciento), con mayor porcentaje de mujeres (70 por ciento), el corto tiempo de espera (2,1 días actualmente), la diversidad en la distribución por edad, por sector, y por profesional derivador. Por otra parte, destaca como principal causa de derivación la necesidad de evaluación del riesgo suicida (36 por ciento). Sólo el 7 por ciento (3 pacientes) fueron enviados al Servicio de Urgencia Psiquiátrica. Cuatro pacientes ya han sido dados de alta del Programa de Salud Mental. Podemos concluir que la creación de este Policlínico parece una buena alternativa para responder a las necesidades de atención de casos complejos en salud mental, de un modo precoz que permita una intervención temprana y orientar el tratamiento por parte del establecimiento.

We have implemented a “Mental Health First Response Clinic” in one of the Primary Health Care Centres of the Municipality of Lo Espejo in Santiago. Its objective is to provide a complete assessment of patients in need of an immediate intervention due to the complexity of their mental health status or related risk factors. These cases are referred by health professionals of the same or other centres of the Municipality. We describe the main features of the Clinic and the requisites for referral, as well as the experience gathered from the first four months of functioning, during which fifty patients were derived to it. Results: The attendance of cases referred was 82 percent, much higher than the usual rate of attendance of psychiatric patients in primary care centres. The waiting time was short: an average of 2,1 days, much lower than the usual delay. The main cause for derivation was suicidal risk assessment (36 percent). Only three patients (7 percent) were finally sent to the Psychiatric Emergency Unit at the area main hospital. At the end of the observation period, four patients had already been discharged from the Mental Health Program of the PHC Centre.

Diferencias en la estimación de isquemia en SPECT de perfusión miocárdica con 99mTc-sestamibi usando bases de datos cuantitativos de ejercicio y dipiridamol / Different ischemia size estimation on exercise and dipyridamole quantitative databases with 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial SPECT

Introducción. Frecuentemente los estudios de perfusión miocárdica con dipiridamol (DIP) son analizados cuantitativamente usando bases de datos de ejercicio (EXE). Objetivo. Comparar un grupo de pacientes con enfermedad coronaria conocida, procesados con bases de datos de DIP y EXE. Métodos. Se analizó los SPECT de perfusión miocárdica con Tc99m-Sestamibi y DIP de 20 hombres y 19 mujeres. Luego de su procesamiento, las imágenes de DIP SPECT fueron comparadas con bases de datos de mapas polares de EXE y DIP. Se analizó la extensión (en pixeles) y la severidad (DS) de los defectos y de las zonas reversibles. Resultados. Hubo concordancia de 92 por ciento en las interpretaciones de los estudios que tenían necrosis, isquemia o ambos (kappa: 0,859). El tamaño de los defectos de estrés fue el mismo con ambas bases de datos tanto en hombres como en mujeres. Sin embargo, en hombres la reversibilidad fue mayor (156,4 +/- 107,7 versus 128,6 +/-113,6 píxeles; p=0,0251) y más severa (699,6 +/- 665,8 versus 486,6 +/- 551,9 SD; p=0,0003) con EXE. En mujeres la reversibilidad fue menor (92,8 +/- 110,3 versus 113 +/- 121,9 pixeles; p=0,0024) y menos severa (278,5 +/- 356,7 versus 363,8 +/-432,7 SD; p=0,0009) con EXE. Conclusiones. Los pacientes que se sometieron a DIP fueron clasificados correctamente como isquemia, necrosis o ambos usando bases de datos de mapas polares de EXE. No obstante, la base de datos EXE subestimó la extensión de los defectos en mujeres y la sobreestimó en hombres.

Background. Frequently, dipyridamole (DIP) myocardial perfusion SPECT is analyzed quantitatively using an exercise (EXE) database. Objective. To compare a group of patients with known coronary artery disease, processed with DIP and EXE polar maps. Method. We studied 20 males and 19 females with DIP Tc99m-Sestamibi myocardial SPECT. After similar processing, the DIP SPECT images were read using both EXE and DIP polar map databases. We analyzed defect and reversibility extension (in pixels) and severity in standard deviations. Results. Agreement to classify patients as having necrosis, ischemia or both was 92 percent (kappa: 0.859). Stress defect size was similar with both databases in males and females. However, in males reversibility resulted larger (156.4 +/- 107.7 versus 128.6 +/- 113.6 pixels; p=0.0251) and more severe (699.6 +/- 665.8 versus 486.6 +/- 551.9 SD; p=0.0003) with EXE. In females, reversibility resulted smaller (92.8 +/- 110.3 versus 113.0 +/- 121.9 pixels; p=0.0024) and less severe (278.5 +/- 356.7 versus 363.8 +/- 432.7 SD; p=0,0009) with EXE. Conclusion. Patients undergoing DIP stress were correctly classified as presenting ischemia, necrosis or both by EXE polar map database. However, EXE database underestimated ischemia extension in females and overestimated it in males.

Alta frecuencia de anticuerpos anti-tiroperoxidasa (ATPO) positivos en sujetos adultos, sin patología tiroidea conocida, de Santiago de Chile / Frequency of positive anti thyroid peroxidase antibody titers among normal individuals

Background: Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies have a pathogenic role in Hashimoto thyroiditis. Between 10 and 19 percent of individuals without thyroid disease, have positive titers of these antibodies. Aim: To study the frequency of positive titers of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies in healthy individuals. Material and Methods: A blood sample, to measure anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) by chemoluminiscense assay, was obtained from 67women and 62 men aged 45 ± 14years, without a personal or familiar history of thyroid diseases and normal thyroid palpation. The cutoff point of the manufacturer to consider positive a titer of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies was set at 35 IU/ml. Results: Twenty-eight women and 28 men had positive antibody titers (43 percent of the sample). Subjects in the upper tercile of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody titers had a higher TSH than those in the second tercile, although within normal limits (1.73 ± 0.74 and 1.37 ± 0.59 mlU/L, respectively p = 0.02) Conclusions: Forty three percent of the studied subjects without personal or familial history of thyroid diseases had positive titers of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Further prospective studies should evaluate whether this observation discloses an increase in thyroid autoimmune disease in a population with increased iodine intake.

Brain perfusion abnormalities associated to drug abuse in recent abstinent patients using SPECT 99m Tc-ethylen-cysteinate-dimer (ECD)

Several substances may produce brain perfusion abnormalities in drug-dependent patients. Their mechanism is unclear and several causes might be involved, especially vasospasm in cocaine consumption. Goal: To characterize residual brain perfusion abnormalities in substance-dependent population. We analyzed brain perfusion in 100 dependant patients (DSM-IV criteria) following a month of strict in-hospital abstinence (age:35 +/- 2y.o.; 86 percent men); 55 percent corresponded to poly-drug dependents, mainly to cocaine, alcohol and cannabis; 44 percent mono-drug users, mostly to alcohol. Results: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) with 99mTc-ethylen-cysteinate-dimer (ECD) was abnormal in 54 percent of the cases, with bilateral cortical hypo-perfusion in 89 percent, focal in 54 percent and diffuse in 46 percent of them, with moderate or severe intensity in 61 percent. The abnormal perfusion group’s age was 38 +/- 12 versus 31 +/- 10 years in the normal SPECT group (P=0.005) with a consumption period of 16 +/- 11 versus 11 +/- 8 years, respectively (P=0.043). Only 29 percent of women had abnormal perfusion versus 58 percent of men (P=0.047). Abnormal brain perfusion in 64 percent of mono and 45 percent in poly-drug dependents (P=0.07). Psychometric tests performed in 25 patients demonstrated association between perfusion defects and cognitive abnormalities. Relative risk for abnormal psychometric test was 2.5 [95 percent;CI=1.1-5.6] for abnormal SPECT. Conclusion: Dependent population after a month of abstinence persists with cortical brain perfusion abnormalities, associated to age, sex and type of drug consumption.

Análisis de 1.000 casos de estudios metabólicos en Chile con PET 18Flúor-deoxiglucosa (FDG) / Chilean experience with the use of 18F-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography

Background: Clinical oncology is the main application of 18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Aim: To evaluate the first 1,000 patients studied with FDG PET in Chile. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of 1,000 patients (aged between 1 and 94 years, 550 females) studied with FDG PET, since 2003. All studies were performed in a high resolution Siemens Ecat-Exact HR (+). All reports were based on the visual analysis of three plane and three-dimensional images. Results: Ninety seven percent of exams were done for oncological indications, mainly lung lesions, lymphoma, colorectal and gastroesophageal, cancer and breast tumors. Only 1 percent of patients had brain tumors. Non tumor neurological indications corresponded to 1.7 percent. Cardiac studies were only 0.3 percent and inflammatory process corresponded to 1 percent. The 5.6 percent corresponded to pediatric population. Six percent of patients were aged less than 18 years and in 50 percent of them, the indication was oncological, mainly lymphomas, brain tumors, endocrine cancers and sarcomas. The remaining 50 percent had a neurological indications, mainly for refractory epilepsy. Conclusions: PET FDG imaging was effective in the management of diverse diseases of children and adults.

Analysis of the initial experience with first PET scanner and 18F -FDG in Chile

La principal aplicación del PET FDG es en el manejo de pacientes oncológicos debido a la alta correlación entre metabolismo glucídico y actividad tumoral. Objetivo: analizar el grupo inicial de pacientes realizados con el primer equipo PET dedicado existente en Chile. Método: Presentamos los primeros 500 casos estudiados con la cámara Siemens HR+ usando FDG producida en las instalaciones de la Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear. Resultados: La mayoría de los diagnósticos de referencia fueron de causa oncológica (96 por ciento). Cuatro por ciento fueron estudiados por patología neurológica o desórdenes psiquiátricos y 1 por ciento por viabilidad miocárdica. Lesiones pulmonares, gastrointestinales, linfomas, cánceres de mama, y melanoma fueron las patologías más comunes. Los pacientes con linfoma y lesiones pulmonares, entre otros, están con seguimiento clínico. Hubo buena concordancia con imágenes anatómicas y la histología en los casos en que estuvo disponible. La fusión de FDG con tomografía computada o resonancia magnética ha sido útil. En un significativo número de casos hubo detección de nuevos sitios anormales tumorales. Conclusión: Confirmamos que las imágenes metabólicas con F18-FDG son útiles para la evaluación y manejo del cáncer, en la práctica clínica.