[Positron-emission tomography (PET) in the diagnosis of malignancy, recurrence, and staging in patients with head and neck tumors]. / Tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) en el diagnóstico de malignidad, recurrencia y el estadiaje en pacientes con tumores de cabeza y cuello.

We report a prospective study with 15 patients with the diagnosis of head and neck tumors. They underwent two types of studies, the radiological one with computed tomography or magnetic resonance image scan and the positron emission tomography (PET) with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Five patients did not receive any treatment before, and the PET was performed to evaluate the possibility of malignancy, to determine the stage of the disease and if a recurrence was suspected. The study with the PET has the advantage of detecting small lesions and it is not influenced by radiotherapy or surgery.

[Justification for subtotal esophagectomy in late spontaneous esophageal rupture]. / Justificación de la esofaguectomía subtotal en la rotura espontánea esofágica tardía.

A patient is presented who was operated for an intestinal obstruction and developed in the immediate postoperative period Boerhaave's syndrome. Subtotal esophagectomy with bipolar exclusion was performed. We discuss the advantages of radical surgery, even in advanced cases, if the size of the lesion justifies it, as compared to more conservative therapeutic attitudes.