Quiste epidermoide en conducto auditivo externo: reporte de caso / Epidermoid cysts of the external auditory canal: case report

Resumen El quiste epidérmico es una lesión benigna y común de la piel. Se desarrolla por un bloqueo de la unidad pilosebácea, con la consecuente proliferación de células epiteliales y secuestro de queratina. El 7% se desarrollan en cabeza y cuello, sin embargo, son infrecuentes en canal auditivo externo. Su patrón de crecimiento es lento y progresivo durante años, siendo asintomáticos. Al aumentar de tamaño causan sintomatología variable, acorde a su localización; en el canal auditivo tienen un comportamiento obstructivo que genera síntomas como otalgia e hipoacusia. Se presenta caso de una paciente de 69 años, con acúfeno e hipoacusia progresiva derecha. Durante la otoscopia se observó una neoformación obstructiva del 100% de la luz del conducto. Se realizaron estudios de imagen que reportaron tumoración de características quísticas de conducto auditivo derecho, bien circunscrita, sin erosión ósea. Para el diagnóstico definitivo, se realizó resección quirúrgica y biopsia reportando quiste epidérmico. Durante el seguimiento posoperatorio sin hallazgos de recidiva.

Abstract The epidermal cyst is a common and benign lesion of the skin. It develops due to a blockage of the pilosebaceous unit, with the consequent proliferation of epithelial cells and keratin sequestration. Seven percent develop in the head and neck; however, they are infrequent in the external auditory canal. Its growth pattern is slow and progressive over the years, being asymptomatic. As they increase in size, they cause variable symptoms, according to their location. In the ear canal they have an obstructive behavior that generates symptoms such as earache and hearing loss. A case of a 69-year-old female with tinnitus and progressive right hearing loss is presented. At otoscopy, a 100% obstructive neoformation of the canal lumen was observed. Imaging studies showed a well circumscribed, cystic tumor of the right ear canal, without bone erosion. For the definitive diagnosis, a resection and biopsy were performed, reporting an epidermal cyst. During follow up there was no recurrence of tumor.

Variables psicosociales asociadas a compensación metabólica de pacientes diabéticos de tipo 2 / Role of psychosocial variables in the metabolic control of type 2 diabetics

Background: Patients' cultural oríentations play an important role in chronic diseases. However, medical education research still does not emphasize these variables. Aim: To measure the influence of psychosocial dimensions on blood glucose control in type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects and methods: Case-control design. Data were collected from institutional records and structured interviews. Blood glucose control was tested using glycosylated hemoglobin A1C. Patients with a good metabolic proñle defined as a glycosylated hemoglobin of less than 7 percent were considered cases while those with a glycosylated hemoglobin >7 percent were labeled as controls. Sixty seven cases and 61 controls were randomly selected at a public health center located in Los Angeles, Chile. Socio-demographic, illness-related, and psychosocial variables were measured and múltiple modeling using logistic regression was performed. Results: Seventy per cent of patients were female, mean age was 61 years, 57 percent were housewives and most had a low income and educational level. The cultural predictors of metabolic control of diabetes were the perception of obstacles for blood glucose control, attribution of health benefits to a good control, family support and bonding quality with the health team. Conclusions: Cultural variables play a significant role in metabolic control of diabetic patients and must be born in mind in educational campaigns.

Genotipo del virus C de la hepatitis en pacientes con porfiria cutanea tarda / Genotype of the hepatitis virus C in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda

En pacientes con porfiria cutánea tarda (PCT) se ha demostrado alta prevalencia del anticuerpo del virus C de la hepatitis (anti-VCH) y del propio virus. Previamente hemos informado una prevalencia de anti-VCH de 53 por ciento, y de 80 por ciento entre aquellos pacientes con PCT esporádica. La PCT se asocia frecuentemente a daño hepático crónico,desconociéndose su origen. Se ha postulado que el VCH, directa o imdirectamente, modificaría la actividad de la uroporfirinógeno decarboxilasa(URO-D) hepática, alteración carterística de la PCT, y por lo tanto la enfermedad sería adquirida y no genética. Podría esperarse que la frecuencia e intensidad de la hepatopatías en los pacientes con PCT fuera mayor en aquellos pacientes portadores del Anti-VCH