Riesgo de recurrencia dinámico en pacientes con microcarcinoma de tiroides con y sin ablación con Yodo-131 / Dynamic risk of recurrence in patients with thyroid microcarcinoma with and without iodine-131 ablation

Introducción: El cáncer diferenciado de tiroides ha incrementado su incidencia en las últimas 3 décadas debido al sobrediagnóstico de tumores pequeños o microcarcinomas, las nuevas tendencias en su manejo hacen de la cirugía y la terapia con iodo radioactivo el tratamiento de elección para casos seleccionados. El manejo actual de microcarcinoma de tiroides se basa en el riesgo de recurrencia inicial y su seguimiento en el tiempo con el riesgo de recurrencia dinámico. Objetivo: El presente trabajo se enfocó en analizar el riesgo de recurrencia dinámico en pacientes con microcarcinoma de tiroides que recibieron o no terapia ablativa con Iodo 131 posterior a tratamiento quirúrgico en el Hospital Teodoro Maldonado Carbo durante los años 2016 ­ 2018. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio ambispectivo, no experimental, descriptivo, analítico, transversal y correlacional. Se analizaron 51 pacientes atendidos en la unidad técnica de endocrinología. Resultados: De un total de 51 casos de microcarcinoma, el 60% fue tratado con terapia ablativa, la respuesta inicial fue excelente en el 53.3% de pacientes ablacionados y en el 66.7% de los casos no ablacionados. El riesgo de recurrencia inicial fue significativamente más bajo en el grupo no tratado mediante ablación (100%), mientras que en el tratado con ablación fue bajo, intermedio y alto en 16 (53.3%), 7 (23.3) y 7 (23.3), respectivamente. Conclusiones: Existe un riesgo bajo de recurrencia dinámico, independientemente de la indicación de terapia ablativa con I131, la estratificación del riesgo de recurrencia constituye una herramienta útil para seleccionar aquellos pacientes que deben recibir iodo radioactivo.

Introduction: Differentiated thyroid cancer has increased its incidence in the last 3 decades due to overdiagnosis of small tumors or microcarcinomas; new trends in its management make surgery and radioactive iodine therapy the treatment of choice for selected cases. The current management of thyroid microcarcinoma is based on the initial risk of recurrence and its follow-up over time with the dynamic risk of recurrence. Objective: The present work focused on analyzing the risk of dynamic recurrence in patients with thyroid microcarcinoma who received or did not receive ablative therapy with Iodine 131 after surgical treatment at the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo Hospital during the years 2016 - 2018. Methods: An ambispective, non-experimental, descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional, and correlational study was carried out. Fifty-one patients treated at the endocrinology technical unit were analyzed. Results: Of 51 cases of microcarcinoma, 60% were treated with ablative therapy, and the initial response was excellent in 53.3% of ablated patients and 66.7% of non-ablated cases. The initial recurrence risk was significantly lower in the group not treated by ablation (100%). In contrast, in the group treated with ablation, it was low, intermediate, and high in 16 (53.3%), 7 (23.3), and 7 (23.3), respectively. Conclusions: There is a low risk of dynamic recurrence, regardless of the indication for ablative therapy with I131; a recurrence risk stratification is a helpful tool for selecting those patients who should receive radioactive iodine.

Intervencionismo para el control del dolor por metástasis óseas / Interventionism for pain control due bone metastases

Objetivo: El dolor óseo por cáncer óseo o metástasis es un dolor de difícil manejo asociado a dolor incidental. Hay distintas estrategias quirúrgicas para su tratamiento, sin embargo, no todos los pacientes con metástasis óseas pueden beneficiarse de un tratamiento quirúrgico. La presente revisión bibliográfica tiene como objetivo identificar terapias intervencionales mínimamente invasivas para el control del dolor por metástasis óseas. Métodos: Revisión bibliográfica acerca de terapias intervencionales para el control del dolor por metástasis óseas utilizando la base de datos PubMed (www.pubmed.gov) y el motor de búsqueda Google (www.google.cl). Tipos de participantes: Pacientes con metástasis óseas dolorosas de cualquier tumor primario. Tipos de intervenciones: Bloqueos anestésicos, bloqueos neurolíticos, terapias ablativas, cementoplastías. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 384 resultados que incluyeron revisiones sistemáticas, revisiones bibliográficas, ensayos clínicos controlados, series de casos y reporte de casos. Todos los artículos relevantes en inglés y español se incluyeron para su análisis. Conclusión: Las metástasis óseas son un evento común en los pacientes con cáncer, y el dolor óseo es un dolor de difícil manejo asociado a dolor incidental. Se han desarrollado terapias intervencionales no invasivas o mínimamente invasivas para tratar el dolor, mejorar la calidad de vida y la funcionalidad, disminuir el consumo de fármacos, y reducir el tamaño del tumor. La gran mayoría ha demostrado ser terapias seguras y eficaces, con pocos eventos adversos y de rápida resolución, y que si son combinadas mejoran los resultados.

Objective: Bone pain from bone cancer or metastasis is a pain that is difficult to manage associated with incidental pain. There are different surgical strategies for its treatment, however, not all patients with bone metastases can benefit from a surgical treatment. This literature review aims to identify minimally invasive interventional therapies for the control of pain due to bone metastasis. Methods: Literature review of interventional therapies for the control of pain due to bone metastases was done using the PubMed database (www.pubmed.gov) and the Google search engine (www.google.cl). Types of participants: Patients with painful bone metastases from any primary tumor. Types of interventions: Anesthetic blocks, neurolytic blocks, ablative therapies, cementoplasties. Results: We obtained 384 results that included systematic reviews, literature reviews, controlled clinical trials, case series and case reports. All relevant articles in English and Spanish were included for analysis. Conclusion: Bone metastases are a common event in cancer patients, and bone pain is a difficult-to-manage pain associated with incidental pain. Non-invasive or minimally invasive interventional therapies have been developed to treat pain, improve quality of life and functionality, decrease drug use, and reduce tumor size. The vast majority therapies have been shown to be safe and effective ones, with few adverse events and rapid resolution, and that if combined they improve the outcomes.

Cardioneuroablación como tratamiento del síncope reflejo: reporte de un caso

Resumen: El síncope mediado neuralmente es un trastorno causado por un reflejo autónomo anormalmente amplificado que involucra componentes tanto simpáticos como parasimpáticos. Es la causa más frecuente de síncope en personas jóvenes y su tratamiento sigue siendo un desafío, ya que no se ha demostrado que alguna terapia farmacológica prevenga por completo su recurrencia. En los últimos años ha surgido una técnica denominada cardioneuroablación, que consiste en la ablación por radiofrecuencia de los plexos ganglionares (PG) parasimpáticos, con buenos resultados a corto y largo plazo en la prevención de síncope recurrente, según los diferentes grupos de investigación. Presentamos el primer caso en Chile de un hombre joven con síncopes mediados neuralmente recurrentes que fue tratado con esta técnica en el Hospital Regional de Concepción.

Abstract: Cardioneuroablation is a novel method that can be used to treat reflex syncope. Although the experience with this technique is relatively limited it provides a more physiological way to treat this condition. The first case in Chile is herein reported along with a discussion of the subject.

Neurosurgery in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review

Alcohol abuse has impacts on public health worldwide. Conservative treatment to achieve abstinence consists of detoxification combined with psychotherapy and the use of drugs, but it is estimated that only half of the individuals achieve long-term abstinence with the available treatments. In this sense, neurosurgery appears as a therapeutic proposal. The present study aimed to gather information about the circuitry related to alcohol use disorder (AUD), to describe possible surgical targets, and to establish whether a surgical approach could be a safe and effective treatment option. A systematic review of the literature was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The 14 selected articles analyze ablative operations, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and a new procedure in which the patient is first submitted to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to evaluate their response, and later an implant is surgically positioned on the evaluated target to obtain more lasting results. The most relevant outcomes were found when the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) were used as targets, demonstrating a large reduction in alcohol intake and even its cessation. However, important side effects were observed, such as psychotic symptoms, right frontal venous infarction, seizures after implantation in the ACC and a hypomanic period after DBS in the NAcc, which could be reversed. Due to the lack of studies involving the surgical treatment of AUD, more clinical trials are needed to compare targets, to assess surgical techniques, and to estimate the safety of these techniques.

Oclusión de la vena safena con cianocrilato, una alternativa para el tratamiento de insuficiencia venosa crónica. Experiencia inicial en el Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social ­ IGSS / Occlusion of the saphenous vein with cyanoacrylate, an alternative for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Initial experience at the Guatemalan Social Security Institute - IGSS

Las técnicas de termo ablación han revolucionado el tratamiento de la insuficiencia venosa crónica, siendo actualmente el estándar de tratamiento. Con el avance tecnológico han surgido nuevas técnicas quirúrgicas, no térmicas, no tumescentes; como el uso de cianocrilato para la oclusión venosa, el cual ha demostrado ser seguro y eficaz en el tratamiento, y tener menos complicaciones posoperatorias. Objetivo: Describir la experiencia en nuestro hospital con el uso de cianocrilato para la oclusión de vena safena mayor para el tratamiento de insuficiencia venosa crónica. Describir la eficacia a corto y mediano plazo del cierre, las complicaciones y la mejoría de la sintomatología utilizando el cuestionario CIVIQ-20 y EVA. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo observacional. Entre enero y diciembre de 2019 que incluye a pacientes con insuficiencia de unión safeno femoral, sintomáticos. Con diagnóstico mediante clasificación CEAP y ultrasonido Doppler. Seguimiento clínico y ecográfico valorando oclusión de los segmentos tratados y presencia de venas varicosas a los 3 y 6 meses. Se trataron 5 pacientes con oclusión venosa con cianocrilato (100% mujeres). Valoramos la calidad de vida mediante cuestionario CIVIQ-20 y EVA (Escala Analógica Visual) previo y un mes después del procedimiento. También se describe la tasa de éxito y complicaciones inmediatas y tardías. Resultados: La totalidad de los procedimientos se realizaron con anestesia local, siendo bien tolerados. Con un éxito inmediato del 100 % sin necesidad de conversión. Solo se presentó como complicación urticaria en un paciente en el trayecto de la vena tratada con cianocrilato, la cual se trató con esteroides y resolvió. El CIVIQ-20 mostró mejoría global pasando de 35 a 29 puntos en promedio; siendo el parámetro de actividad física el que mostró una mejoría mayor. EVA demostró que la pesadez (principal síntoma) se redujo un 67%. Durante el seguimiento, ningún caso presento repermeabilización o recanalizaciones segmentarias. Conclusiones: El tratamiento endovenoso de la insuficiencia venosa crónica con las nuevas técnicas no térmicas, no tumescentes es seguro y efectivo. A corto-mediano plazo ofrecen resultados similares a las técnicas termoablativas obviando el inconveniente de la tumescencia y el uso de medias compresivas en el posoperatorio, evitando lesiones térmicas y observándose mejoría en la sintomatología. (AU)

Thermo ablation techniques have revolutionized the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, being currently the standard of treatment. With technological advancement, new non-thermal, non-tumescent surgical techniques have emerged; such as the use of cyanoacrylate for venous occlusion, which has been shown to be safe and effective in treatment, and have fewer postoperative complications. Objective: To describe the experience in our hospital with the use of cyanoacrylate for occlusion of the greater saphenous vein for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Describe the shortand medium-term efficacy of closure, complications, and symptom improvement using the CIVIQ-20 questionnaire and VAS. Material and methods: Retrospective observational study. Between January and December 2019 that includes patients with symptomatic saphenous femoral junction insufficiency. With diagnosis by CEAP classification and Doppler ultrasound. Clinical and ultrasound follow-up evaluating occlusion of the treated segments and the presence of varicose veins at 3 and 6 months. 5 patients with venous occlusion were treated with cyanoacrylate (100% women). We assessed the quality of life using the CIVIQ-20 questionnaire and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) before and one month after the procedure. The immediate and late success rate and complications are also described. Results: All the procedures were performed under local anesthesia, being well tolerated. With immediate 100% success without the need for conversion. Urticaria only presented as a complication in a patient in the path of the vein treated with cyanoacrylate, which was treated with steroids and resolved. The CIVIQ-20 showed global improvement, going from 35 to 29 points on average; being the physical activity parameter the one that showed the greatest improvement. VAS showed that heaviness (main symptom) was reduced by 67%. During follow-up, no case presented segmental recanalization or recanalization. Conclusions: Endovenous treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with new non-thermal, non-tumescent techniques is safe and effective. In the short-medium term, they offer results similar to thermoablative techniques, avoiding the inconvenience of tumescence and the use of compression stockings in the postoperative period, avoiding thermal injuries and observing improvement in symptoms. (AU)

Ecoestresse físico na cardiomiopatia hipertrófica: como, quando e por quê? / Exercise stress echocardiography in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: how, when and why?

Resumo Historicamente, o papel do ecocardiograma de estresse físico no manejo da cardiomiopatia hipertrófica tem sido negligenciado na prática clínica, de acordo com a análise das diretrizes do American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association de 2002, que recomendavam cautela no uso dessa metodologia, em portadores de cardiomiopatia hipertrófica, devido ao risco de possível ocorrência tanto de arritmia cardíaca, como de colapso hemodinâmico no esforço. Atualmente, o estresse físico na cardiomiopatia hipertrófica integra a avaliação rotineira de pacientes sintomáticos com ou sem gradiente da via de saída do ventrículo esquerdo < 50 mmHg, em repouso. Para este grupo, é um método seguro e confiável para medir o gradiente da via de saída do ventrículo esquerdo durante o esforço e sólido diferenciador de pacientes com cardiomiopatia hipertrófica não obstrutivos (gradiente ausente, tanto em repouso quanto no esforço) daqueles com gradientes lábeis (gradiente ausente no repouso e presente no esforço). Portanto, na avaliação da cardiomiopatia hipertrófica, o estresse físico é igualmente útil na quantificação do grau de regurgitação mitral, nas alterações da contratilidade segmentar do ventrículo esquerdo e na avaliação da função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo, diante do esforço, sendo capaz de predizer o futuro desenvolvimento de sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca. O método é também importante na determinação das diferentes estratégias de tratamento para cada paciente, desde a miomectomia cirúrgica ou a ablação septal alcoólica, para aqueles com gradiente lábil, com sintomas limitantes e refratários ao tratamento medicamentoso versus transplante cardíaco para aqueles sem gradiente.(AU)

Ablação de via acessória situada entre o apêndice atrial direito e o miocárdio ventricular: relato de caso / Accessory pathway ablation between the right atrial appendage and the ventricular myocardium: case report

MÉTODOS: Trezentos e quatro pacientes consecutivos submetidos à polissonografia foram rastreados e 80 incluídos para realização de eletrocardiograma de 12 derivações e de alta resolução (ECGAR) e ecocardiograma bi e tridimensional. Foram divididos em grupos de acordo com: 1. Índice de Apneia-Hipopneia [AOS- (<15 eventos/h) e AOS+ (≥15 eventos/h)]; 2. Saturação mínima de 02 (SatMin) [>90%, 80-90% e <80%]; e 3. Tempo total de saturação de O2 <90% (T90) [<1minuto, 1-60minutos e >60minutos]. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi de 60,8±11,1 anos (60% do sexo feminino) e o IMC médio 31,95±6,5 kg/m². O grupo AOS+ apresentou menor fração de esvaziamento passivo do átrio esquerdo (FEPAE) comparado com AOS-. SatMin<80% à maior duração de onda P no ECGAR e menor strain de conduto em relação a SatMin>90%. T90 >60minutos à maior duração de onda P-ECGAR, P-máxima, P-média e P na derivação DII, menor intervalo Tinício-Tpico e menor FEPAE quando comparado ao grupo <1minuto. T90 1-60minutos à maior duração dos intervalos QT em DII e V5 e Tpico-Tfim, em relação ao grupo <1minuto. . Não houve diferenças entre os grupos quanto aos volumes atriais e demais variáveis eletrocardiográficas e funcionais. Após ajuste dos dados para idade, sexo e comorbidades, houve perda de significância estatística das variáveis funcionais. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de AOS associou-se apenas à menor FEPAE, sem alterações nas demais variáveis analisadas. O aumento no T90 associou-se ao aumento de variáveis de duração de P e de dispersão da repolarização, além da menor FEPAE. O strain de conduto foi menor e a duração da P-ECGAR maior em SatMin <80%. Os achados refletem a associação entre AOS, hipoxemia, disfunção diastólica ventricular e remodelamento atrial e a relevância da avaliação, não só da presença de AOS, mas também de índices de hipoxemia nestes pacientes.

Ablación tumoral percutánea guiada por imágenes / Image-Guided Percutaneous Tumor Ablation

RESUMEN La incidencia de enfermedades oncológicas se incrementa cada día. Las terapias ablativas tumorales percutáneas guiadas por imagen constituyen una alternativa de tratamiento para pacientes sin criterio de resección quirúrgica. El objetivo del estudio es argumentar la necesidad del uso de las terapias ablativas tumorales percutáneas en Cuba mediante la revisión de su estado actual en el mundo. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica descriptiva, en bases de datos Google Escolar, MEDLINE (Pubmed) y SciELO. Se seleccionaron 31 artículos, que fueron útiles para actualizar la información. Con la ablación tumoral percutánea se intentó erradicar completamente todas las células malignas viables dentro del tumor. La ablación química, la térmica y otras no térmicas, son las más usadas. Este tratamiento ha demostrado ser efectivo y seguro. Debido su elevado costo, no ha sido posible su introducción en el país(AU)

ABSTRACT The incidence of oncological diseases increases every day. Image-guided percutaneous tumor ablative therapies are treatment alternatives for patients not eligible based on surgical resection criteria. The objective of the study is support the need for the use of percutaneous tumor ablative therapies in Cuba, by reviewing its current state in the world. A descriptive bibliographic review was carried out using the databases Google Scholar, MEDLINE (Pubmed) and SciELO, from which 31 articles were selected, useful to update the information. Percutaneous tumor ablation was performed in view of completely eradicating all viable malignant cells within the tumor. Chemical, thermal and other non-thermal ablations are the most used. This treatment has proven effective and safe. Due to its high cost, its introduction in the country has not been possible(AU)

Variación de dosis de radioyodo en pacientes con cáncer diferenciado de tiroides post implementación de guías ATA 2015 / Variation of radioiodine dose in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after implementation of the ATA 2015 guidelines

Introducción: El cáncer diferenciado de tiroides (CDT), es actualmente la neoplasia endocrina más frecuente. Su tratamiento estándar es la resolución quirúrgica, asociado a ablación con radioyodo (RI) según la clasificación propuesta por la American Thyroid Association (ATA). Las indicaciones y dosis de este último, han ido variando en los últimos años según avanzan las investigaciones en este ámbito. Objetivo: En el siguiente estudio se compararon las dosis de RI utilizadas previo y posterior a la implementación de las últimas guías de la ATA. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo observacional de 70 pacientes con diagnóstico de CDT del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre 2012 y 2017. Se agruparon los pacientes en dos cohortes, los operados entre los años 2012-2015 y los 2016-2017 clasificándolos según riesgo ATA, TNM y riesgo de recurrencia. Se consignaron las dosis de RI utilizadas y se compararon entre las cohortes. Análisis estadístico: Mann Whithney. Resultados: Al comparar la dosis de RI entre ambas cohortes, según TNM y riesgo ATA, se obtuvo los siguientes resultados: los pacientes T1b de la cohorte 2012-2015 presentaron dosis de RI significativamente mayores que los de la cohorte 2016-2017; también se evidenció que en pacientes N0 hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa, mostrando una tendencia a disminuir la dosis de RI; además, en los pacientes de la cohorte 2012-2015 con riesgo ATA intermedio, se obtuvo que las dosis de RI fueron significativamente mayores que las utilizadas en la cohorte 2016-2017. Conclusión: Se concluye que las variaciones de las dosis de RI utilizadas en pacientes con CDT en un hospital universitario van acorde a las recomendaciones internacionales actuales, particularmente la publicación de la guía ATA 2015, aplicándose radioablación con menor dosis de RI. Dado este cambio, se ha evidenciado igualdad de efectos con dosis menores de RI y consecuentemente menos efectos adversos.

Introduction: Differentiated thyroid cancer (CDT) is currently the most frequent endocrine neoplasia. Its standard of care is surgical treatment, associated with radioiodine ablation (IR) according to the classification proposed by the American Thyroid Association (ATA). The indications and doses of the latter have changed in recent years as research in this area advances. Objective: In the following study, the doses of IR used before and after the implementation of the latest ATA guidelines were compared. Materials and methods: Retrospective observational study of 70 patients with a diagnosis of CDT from the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile between 2012 and 2017. Patients were grouped into two cohorts, those surgically intervened between the years 2012-2015 and 2016-2017, classifying them according to ATA risk, TNM and recurrence risk. The IR doses used were reported and compared between the cohorts. Statistical analysis: Mann Whithney. Results: When comparing the IR dose between both cohorts, according to TNM and ATA risk, the following results were obtained: T1b patients in the 2012-2015 cohort had significantly higher IR doses than those in the 2016-2017 cohort; It was also evidenced that N0 patients showed a statistically significant tendency to decrease the IR dose; In addition, the 2012-2015 cohort with intermediate ATA risk, revealed IR doses significantly higher than those used in the 2016-2017 cohort. Conclusion: It is concluded that the variations in IR doses, used in patients with CDT in a university hospital, are in accordance with current international recommendations, particularly the publication of the ATA 2015 guidelines, applying radioablation with a lower dose of IR. Given this change, equality of effects has been evidenced with lower doses of IR and consequently fewer adverse effects.

Image-Guided BrachyAblation (IGBA) en hepatocarcinoma: descripción de la técnica y reporte del primer caso en Chile / Image-guided brachyablation for hepatocarcinoma: report of one case

Eighty percent of hepatocarcinomas are inoperable at the moment of diagnosis. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice in these cases, but local therapies are another alternative. Among these, Image-Guided BrachyAblation is a safe choice. We report a 76-year-old male with a hepatocarcinoma, who was considered inoperable due to the high surgical risk of the patient. A local treatment with Image-Guided BrachyAblation was decided. A brachytherapy needle was placed in the tumor under computed tomography guidance and a 15 Gy single dose was delivered from an Iridium-192 source. The patient had no immediate complications and at one month of follow up he continued without incidents.

Ablación septal con alcohol guiada con ecocardiograma para el manejo de la cardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva / Echocardiography-guided alcohol septal ablation for the management of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Resumen Objetivo: Reportar el primer caso de ablación septal con alcohol guiada por ecocardiografía realizada en la Costa Atlántica. Material y métodos: Paciente femenina de 74 años de edad con cuadro clínico de disnea, dolor anginoso y síncope recurrente, en quien se diagnosticó hipertrofia septal asimétrica con obstrucción dinámica con gradiente de 60 mm Hg y movimiento anterior sistólico de la valva anterior de la mitral. Se le indicó ablación septal con alcohol. Resultados: Se cateteriza selectivamente arteria primera septal donde a través de ecocardiograma se evidencia que es la rama a ablacionar y se pasan 1,5 ml de alcohol, con lo cual se produce adecuada interrupción de flujo y caída del gradiente de presiones. Procedimiento exitoso sin complicaciones. Conclusiones: Se reporta el primer caso de ablación septal con alcohol guiado mediante ecocardiograma, realizado en la costa Atlántica.

Abstract Objective: To report the first case of echocardiography-guided alcohol septal ablation carried out in the Costa Atlantica, Colombia. Material and methods: The case concerns a 74 year-old female patient with a clinical picture of dyspnoea, agina pain, and recurrent syncope. She was diagnosed with asymmetric septal hypertrophy with a dynamic obsrtuction with a gradient of 60 mmHg and a systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral valve. Septal ablation with alcohol was indicated. Results: The primary septal artery that was catheterised using echocardiography showed that it was the branch ablate, and 1.5 ml alcohol was injected. This led to an adequate interuption of the flow and drop in the gradient pressures. The procedure was successful with no complications. Conclusions: The first case is reported of echocardiography-guided alcohol septal ablation carried out in the Costa Atlantica.

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a treatment for benign thyroid diseases: the present and future

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising ablation technique for benign thyroid nodules. Current evidence has found good short- to medium-term outcomes, similar to those of better-established ablation techniques such as radiofrequency and laser ablation. The fact that it does not require insertion of a needle into the target makes HIFU a truly non-invasive treatment. Although it is not without risks, its low risk profile makes it an attractive alternative to surgery. There is much room for future development, starting from expanding the current indications to enhancing energy delivery. Relapsed Graves disease and papillary microcarcinoma are diseases that can benefit from HIFU treatment. Its role in the mediation of immune responses and synergistic effects with immunotherapy are promising in the fight against metastatic cancers.

CHIVA to treat saphenous vein insufficiency in chronic venous disease: characteristics and results / CHIVA para tratar insuficiência de veia safena em doença venosa crônica: características e resultados

There is considerable debate in the literature with relation to the best method to treat patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). CHIVA is an office-based treatment for varicose veins performed under local anesthesia. The aim of the technique is to lower transmural pressure in the superficial venous system and avoid destruction of veins. Recurrence of varicosities, nerve damage, bruising and suboptimal aesthetic results are common to all treatments for the disease. This paper evaluates and discusses the characteristics and results of the CHIVA technique. We conclude that CHIVA is a viable alternative to common procedures that is associated with less bruising, nerve damage, and recurrence than stripping saphenectomy. The main advantages are preservation of the saphenous vein, local anesthesia, low recurrence rates, low cost, low pain, and no nerve damage. The major disadvantages are the learning curve and the need to train the team in venous hemodynamics

Existe uma grande discussão na literatura sobre o tratamento da doença venosa crônica (DVC). A cura conservadora e hemodinâmica da insuficiência venosa em ambulatório (CHIVA) consiste no tratamento ambulatorial de varizes sob anestesia local. O objetivo da técnica é diminuir a pressão transmural no sistema venoso superficial para evitar a destruição das veias, incluindo as veias safenas. Recorrência de varizes, lesão de nervos, hematomas e resultado estético abaixo do ideal são uma constante em todos tratamentos de varizes. O objetivo desta revisão é avaliar e discutir a técnica CHIVA quanto a suas características e resultados. A CHIVA é uma alternativa válida frente aos outros procedimentos, apresentando menos hematomas, recorrência e lesão nervosa que a safenectomia. Preservação da veia safena, anestesia local, baixa taxa de recorrências, baixo custo, pouca dor e ausência de lesões nervosas são as principais vantagens. A longa curva de aprendizado para treinar a equipe em hemodinâmica venosa é a principal desvantagem

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma within Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract Introduction Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is themost common congenital anomaly of the neck, and approximately 7% of all the adult population presents it. Ectopic thyroid tissue is found in the thyroglossal duct cyst wall in up to 65% of cases. This thyroid tissue has the potential to develop some type ofmalignancy, themost common of which is the papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. There are just over 270 cases of thyroglossal duct cyst malignancy reported in the literature. Objectives We aimed to study our population of patients in order to identify cases with thyroglossal duct cyst malignancy. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted in the section of otolaryngology/ head and neck surgery at a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from January of 2004 to December of 2014 on patients with the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst. Results Fifty-eight patients were diagnosed with TGDC, two of whom also presented with thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma. Both patients revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma on histopathology. Case 1 had an open biopsy before undergoing definitive surgery. Both patients underwent subsequent total thyroidectomy after Sistrunk procedure, and case 2 had selective neck dissection revealing lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is a rare finding that comes as a surprise to both the patient and the surgeon. We report 2 out of 58 cases diagnosed with thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma.

Needle-tract Seeding of Hepatocellular Carcinoma at Chest Wall: A Report of Two Cases

We report two cases of needle-tract seeding after cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinomas. The seeding nodule appeared 6 and 12 months on the follow-up computed tomographic scan, respectively. In both cases, the seeding nodules were solitary in the chest wall, and could be completely resected.

Recent Advances in the Image-Guided Tumor Ablation of Liver Malignancies: Radiofrequency Ablation with Multiple Electrodes, Real-Time Multimodality Fusion Imaging, and New Energy Sources

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as an effective loco-regional treatment modality for malignant hepatic tumors. Indeed, studies have demonstrated that RFA of early stage hepatocellular carcinomas can provide comparable overall survival to surgical resection. However, the incidence of local tumor progression (LTP) after RFA is significantly higher than that of surgical resection. Thus, to overcome this limitation, multiple electrode radiofrequency (RF) systems that use a multi-channel RF generator have been developed, and they demonstrate better efficiency in creating larger ablation zones than that using the conventional RFA with a single electrode. Furthermore, RFA with multiple electrodes can allow the “no-touch” ablation technique which may also help to reduce LTP. Another technique that would be helpful in this regard is multi-modality-ultrasound fusion imaging, which helps to not only more accurately determine the target lesion by enabling the RFA of small, poorly visible or invisible tumors, but also improve the monitoring of procedures and determine the appropriateness of the ablation margin. In addition, new energy sources, including microwave and cryoablation, have been introduced in imaging-guided tumor ablation. In this review, these recently introduced ablation techniques and the results of the most current animal and clinical studies are discussed.

Active contour configuration model for estimating the posterior ablative margin in image fusion of real-time ultrasound and 3D ultrasound or magnetic resonance images for radiofrequency ablation: an experimental study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of an active contour model for estimating the posterior ablative margin in images obtained by the fusion of real-time ultrasonography (US) and 3-dimensional (3D) US or magnetic resonance (MR) images of an experimental tumor model for radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: Chickpeas (n=12) and bovine rump meat (n=12) were used as an experimental tumor model. Grayscale 3D US and T1-weighted MR images were pre-acquired for use as reference datasets. US and MR/3D US fusion was performed for one group (n=4), and US and 3D US fusion only (n=8) was performed for the other group. Half of the models in each group were completely ablated, while the other half were incompletely ablated. Hyperechoic ablation areas were extracted using an active contour model from real-time US images, and the posterior margin of the ablation zone was estimated from the anterior margin. After the experiments, the ablated pieces of bovine rump meat were cut along the electrode path and the cut planes were photographed. The US images with the estimated posterior margin were compared with the photographs and post-ablation MR images. The extracted contours of the ablation zones from 12 US fusion videos and post-ablation MR images were also matched. RESULTS: In the four models fused under real-time US with MR/3D US, compression from the transducer and the insertion of an electrode resulted in misregistration between the real-time US and MR images, making the estimation of the ablation zones less accurate than was achieved through fusion between real-time US and 3D US. Eight of the 12 post-ablation 3D US images were graded as good when compared with the sectioned specimens, and 10 of the 12 were graded as good in a comparison with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide staining and histopathologic results. CONCLUSION: Estimating the posterior ablative margin using an active contour model is a feasible way of predicting the ablation area, and US/3D US fusion was more accurate than US/MR fusion.

The efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of benign thyroid nodules

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising form of thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules, but evidence supporting its use is scarce. The present review evaluated the efficacy and safety of single-session HIFU treatment of benign thyroid nodules. As reported in the literature, the extent of nodule shrinkage following treatment ranged from 48.8% to 68.8%. Like other forms of ablation, the shrinkage rate was greatest in the first 3-6 months, and the best responders were patients with small (≤10 mL) nodules. Complications were uncommon, but temporary vocal cord palsy occurred in 3%-4% of patients, and was related to the distance between the HIFU beam and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Despite being safe and efficacious, a larger-scale prospective trial is required.