Rápida implementación de teledermatología durante la pandemia por COVID-19: lecciones aprendidas de un departamento académico de Dermatología

Background: The day after COVID-19 quarantine started, we initiated patient care through Tele-dermatology. Aim: To report the experience of the implementation of Telemedicine in dermatology and to assess its impact on the number of dermatological visits compared with the pre-pandemic period. Material and methods: The study was conducted between March 27th, 2020, and April 30th, 2020. All patients submitted clinical images of their skin condition via secure email before the telemedicine visit. All telemedicine visits were conducted using the Zoom video conferencing platform. Patient demographics and medical history were recorded. If the dermatologist was unable to reach a diagnosis, the patient was sent for an in-person visit, skin biopsy, or additional laboratory workup. Results: We recorded 1,357 Tele dermatology visits from 1,222 patients aged 29 ± 18 years (38% males). Visits increased from 104 to 298 from the first to the last week, corresponding to 17% of the patient volume seen before the pandemic (1,709 in-person patients/week). A preliminary diagnosis was made in 95% of cases. Ninety percent of patients sent photos. Fifty eight percent of cases were chronic diseases, and were classified as inflammatory in 68%, infectious in 15%, neoplastic/tumoral in 7%, or other conditions in 11%. Less than 1% of these visits were COVID-19 related. Conclusions: In this prospective study of Tele-dermatology lasting five weeks, a preliminary diagnosis could be made in approximately 95% of cases and in the first five weeks of implementation, a volume of consultations equivalent to 17% of those made in the pre-pandemic period was carried out. Therefore, Tele-dermatology can be implemented quickly and successfully in practices when healthcare access is limited.

Trombosis de la vena central de la retina (TVCR) bilateral asociada a síndrome de hiperviscosidad en una Macroglobulinemia de Waldenström (MW) - a propósito de un caso / Bilateral central retinal vein thrombosis (TVCR) associated with hyperviscosity syndrome in a Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (MW) - a case report

Introducción: la Macroglobulinemia de Waldenström (MW) es un tipo raro de linfoma de células B caracterizado por la proliferación de células linfoplasmocíticas que secretan altas cantidades de inmunoglobulinas M (IgM) monoclonales. Puede presentarse con una amplia gama de síntomas, entre ellos los derivados del aumento de la viscosidad plasmática. Métodos: reportamos un caso de MW que presentó una trombosis de la vena central de la retina (TVCR) bilateral en el contexto de un síndrome de hiperviscosidad (SHV). El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar algunos aspectos clínicos de la MW, con especial énfasis en el SHV y la TVCR. Resultados: las manifestaciones clínicas y de laboratorio de la MW son inespecíficas y comunes a otras neoplasias hematológicas. El SHV se produce cuando los niveles de IgM sobrepasan los 3 mg/dL, situación que ocurre en un 15-30 por ciento de los pacientes. La TVCR es una complicación grave y rara asociada al SHV, presentándose típicamente como una pérdida de agudeza visual indolora. El fondo de ojo exhibe signos característicos, como tortuosidad venosa y hemorragias retinales hasta la periferia, y la angiografía con fluorosceína y la OCT pueden orientar al diagnóstico y guiar el manejo. El tratamiento incluye la plasmaféresis y tratamientos oftalmológicos basados en agentes antioangiogénicos. Conclusión: la MW es una enfermedad incurable. Sin embargo, es importante sospechar una TVCR en pacientes que debutan con una pérdida de agudeza visual, ya que existen tratamientos efectivos en el manejo de esta complicación. (AU)

Introduction: Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare type of B-cell lymphoma characterized by proliferation of lymphoplasmocitarian cells that secrete high amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM). It may present with a wide range of symptoms, including the ones that derivatives of the increase in plasma viscosity. Methods: we report a case of WM that presented a bilateral central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in the context of a hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS). The objective of this study was to review clinical aspects of the WM, with special emphasis on the HVS and the CRVO. Results: the WM laboratory and clinical manifestations are common to other hematological malignancies. The HVS occurs when levels of IgM exceed 3 mg/dL, situation that occurs in 15-30 percent of patients. The CRVO is a serious and rare complication associated with the HVS, typically presented as a painless visual acuity loss. The fundoscopic examination exhibits characteristic signs, such as venous tortuousity and retinal hemorrhages in all four quadrants and most numerous in the periphery; angiography with fluoroscein and the OCT can orientate the diagnosis and guide the management. The treatment includes plasmapheresis and other ophthlamological treatments based on antiangiogenic agents. Conclusion: the WM is an incurable disease. However, it is important to suspect a CRVO in patients who made their debut with a loss of visual acuity, since there are effective treatments in the management of this complication.(AU)

Hematoma subcapsular hepático asociado a síndrome de HELLP en el puerperio / Hepatic subcapsular hematoma associated with HELLP syndrome in the puerperium

El hematoma subcapsular hepático es una complicación grave del embarazo, asociada a preeclampsia severa o síndrome de HELLP. Al ser poco frecuente se requiere un alto índice de sospecha para realizar el diagnóstico precozmente, lo que determinará su pronóstico. A pesar de los avances en cirugía y medicina intensiva es una patología que sigue teniendo una elevada morbimortalidad materno fetal. Damos a conocer el caso de una paciente que cursó un embarazo sin incidentes hasta el parto, posterior a lo cual presenta síndrome de HELLP y un hematoma subcapsular hepático, que evolucionó favorablemente con tratamiento conservador.(AU)

A hepatic subcapsular hematoma is a serious complication of pregnancy, associated with severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome. Due to the low frequency of this presentation, a high suspicion index is required for early diagnosis, which it will determine its prognosis. Despite the advances in surgery and intensive medicine, it still has high maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality. In the present work, we report the case of a patient who had a physiological pregnancy until labor. Subsequently, the patient developed HELLP syndrome and hepatic subcapsular hematoma, which evolved favorably with conservative treatment. (AU)