Concordance between freehand SPECT and conventional scintigraphy for sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Freehand SPECT can be a useful imaging technique for preoperative planning of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as it allows localization of the sentinel node by 3D and real-time tomographic imaging and determines its depth after a few minutes of scanning. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the number of detected SNs between freehand SPECT images and lymphoscintigraphy (LS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 patients with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer and no clinical evidence of lymph node involvement prospectively underwent SLNB. The preoperative study included freehand SPECT imaging at 15min after injection and LS imaging at 25 and 60-90min after injection (early and late). The observed agreement was analyzed and a concordance study was performed between the number of SNs detected with freehand SPECT and LS. RESULTS: The observed agreement in the detection of SNs between freehand SPECT and early LS was 72%; between freehand SPECT and late LS was 85%; and between early and late LS was 87%. In the concordance study, there was moderate concordance between freehand SPECT and early LS (kappa coefficient: 0.42); moderate-high concordance between freehand SPECT and late LS (kappa coefficient: 0.60); and moderate-high concordance between early and late LS (kappa coefficient: 0.70), with no significant differences between them (p-value=0.16). CONCLUSION: Freehand SPECT showed a moderate-high concordance with conventional imaging studies and could be a valid alternative for the presurgical study of SLNB in breast cancer.

Doctor, my patient has CDI and should continue to receive antibiotics. The (unresolved) risk of recurrent CDI.

Recurrence rate ranges from 12% to 40% of all cases of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and proposes an exceptional clinical challenge. Conventionally, treatment options of CDI have been limited to regimes of established antibiotics (eg, pulsed/tapered vancomycin) or "improvised" alternative antibiotics (eg. teicoplanin, tigecycline, nitazoxanide or rifaximin) occasionally even in combination, but faecal microbiota transplantation is emerging as a useful and quite safe alternative. In recent years, promising new strategies have emerged for effective prevention of recurrent CDI (rCDI) including new an-timicrobials (eg, fidaxomicin) and monoclonal antibodies (eg, bezlotoxumab). Despite promising progress in this area, difficulties remain for making the best use of these resources due to uncertainty over patient selection. This positioning review describes the current epidemiology of rCDI, its clinical impact and risk factors, some of the measures used for treating and preventing rCDI, and some of the emerging treatment options. It then describes some of the barriers that need to be overcome.

Infección fúngica tras cirugía cardiaca. Nuestra experiencia / Experience of a fungal infection after cardiac surgery

Introducción y objetivos: Los pacientes operados de cirugía cardiaca presentan numerosas complicaciones postoperatorias, entre ellas, infecciosas. El objetivo de este estudio es investigar la incidencia, gravedad y factores de riesgo de candidiasis invasiva en estos pacientes, partiendo de la hipótesis de que factores como la politransfusión y los tiempos prolongados de circulación extracorpórea están relacionados con ella. Material y métodos: Se analizó prospectivamente a 669 pacientes operados de cirugía cardiaca programada desde abril de 2016 hasta diciembre de 2017. Se procedió a la extracción de cultivos de vigilancia al ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos de Anestesia, así como cultivos posteriores. Resultados: La incidencia de candidiasis invasiva fue del 2,69%, confirmada en el 1,79% de los casos. La especie de Candida más frecuentemente aislada fue Candida auris. La mortalidad en el postoperatorio inmediato fue del 11% en la candidiasis invasiva, que aumentó al 22% al mes de ingreso. Tras el estudio univariable se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la candidiasis invasiva y la politransfusión (OR 15,86; IC %: 5,15-69,14; p <0,001). Asimismo, también se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa con otros factores de riesgo conocidos en pacientes hospitalizados. Conclusiones: La politransfusión se asocia a un mayor riesgo de candidiasis invasiva. Es necesario implementar medidas de vigilancia para la infección fúngica en pacientes con factores de riesgo que vayan a ser operados mediante cirugía cardiaca en hospitales con elevada incidencia de candidiasis

Introduction and objectives: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery can have post-operative complications, including infections. The aim of this article was to study the incidence, severity and risk factors of invasive candidiasis in these patients, based on the hypothesis that several factors (multiple transfusions and time on extracorporeal circulation) are related to invasive candidiasis. Material and methods: The study included a prospective analysis of 669 patients undergoing scheduled cardiac surgery from April 2016 to December 2017. Control cultures were collected on admittance to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Results: The incidence of invasive candidiasis was 2.69%, being confirmed in 1.79% of cases. The most frequently isolated Candida species was Candida auris. Mortality rate in the invasive candidiasis group was 11% in the immediate post-operative period and 22% at 30 days. After the univariate study, a statistically significant relationship was found between invasive candidiasis and multiple transfusions (OR 15.86; 95% CI: 5.15-69.4; p<.001). A statistically significant relationship was also found with other known risk factors in hospitalised patients. Conclusions: Multiple transfusions are associated with an increased risk of invasive candidiasis. Surveillance measures for fungal infection in patients with risk factors undergoing cardiac surgery should be implemented in hospitals with a high incidence of candidiasis

Experience of a fungal infection after cardiac surgery. / Infección fúngica tras cirugía cardiaca. Nuestra experiencia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery can have post-operative complications, including infections. The aim of this article was to study the incidence, severity and risk factors of invasive candidiasis in these patients, based on the hypothesis that several factors (multiple transfusions and time on extracorporeal circulation) are related to invasive candidiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a prospective analysis of 669 patients undergoing scheduled cardiac surgery from April 2016 to December 2017. Control cultures were collected on admittance to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. RESULTS: The incidence of invasive candidiasis was 2.69%, being confirmed in 1.79% of cases. The most frequently isolated Candida species was Candida auris. Mortality rate in the invasive candidiasis group was 11% in the immediate post-operative period and 22% at 30 days. After the univariate study, a statistically significant relationship was found between invasive candidiasis and multiple transfusions (OR 15.86; 95% CI: 5.15-69.4; p<.001). A statistically significant relationship was also found with other known risk factors in hospitalised patients. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple transfusions are associated with an increased risk of invasive candidiasis. Surveillance measures for fungal infection in patients with risk factors undergoing cardiac surgery should be implemented in hospitals with a high incidence of candidiasis.

Non-antibiotic treatment for infectious diseases.

The abuse and uncontrolled use of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. The utility of conventional antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections has become increasingly strained due to increased rates of resistance coupled with reduced rates of development of new agents. As a result, multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant, and pan-drug-resistant bacterial strains are now frequently encountered. This has led to fears of a "post-antibiotic era" in which many bacterial infections could be untreatable. Alternative non-antibiotic treatment strategies need to be explored to ensure that a robust pipeline of effective therapies is available to clinicians. The new therapeutic approaches for bacterial infections (beyond antibiotics) may provide a way to extend the usefulness of current antibiotics in an era of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections.

Early molecular diagnosis of acute Chagas disease after transplantation with organs from Trypanosoma cruzi-infected donors.

Organ transplantation (TX) is a novel transmission modality of Chagas disease. The results of molecular diagnosis and characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi acute infection in naïve TX recipients transplanted with organs from infected deceased donors are reported. Peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples from the TX recipients of organs from infected donors were prospectively and sequentially studied for detection of T. cruzi by means of kinetoplastid DNA polymerase chain reaction (kDNA-PCR). In positive blood samples, a PCR algorithm for identification of T. cruzi Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to quantify parasitic loads were performed. Minicircle signatures of T. cruzi infecting populations were also analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR. Eight seronegative TX recipients from four infected donors were studied. In five, the infection was detected at 68.4 days post-TX (36-98 days). In one case, it was transmitted to two of three TX recipients. The comparison of the minicircle signatures revealed nearly identical RFLP-PCR profiles, confirming a common source of infection. The five cases were infected by DTU TcV. This report reveals the relevance of systematic monitoring of TX recipients using PCR strategies in order to provide an early diagnosis allowing timely anti-trypanosomal treatment.

Los protocolos de tratamiento y seguimiento del carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides: resultados de un cuestionario enviado a las Unidades de Terapia Metabólica españolas / Treatment protocols and follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: results of a questionnaire sent to the Spanish Metabolic Therapy Units

Objetivos. Conocer los protocolos de tratamiento y seguimiento del carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides en las Unidades de Terapia Metabólica españolas, la variabilidad de los mismos y la adaptación a las guías de consenso. Material y métodos. Análisis de los resultados de un cuestionario remitido por e-mail a los miembros de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Nuclear e Imagen Molecular (SEMNIM) sobre tratamiento y seguimiento del carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides. Estudio descriptivo, de variables cualitativas (frecuencias, porcentajes) y cuantitativas (media, desviación típica). Resultados. Veinte Unidades de Terapia respondieron la encuesta. Aunque hay dispersión en la procedencia de los pacientes, las Unidades reciben suficiente información y cuentan con cirujanos especializados. Hay variabilidad en los protocolos quirúrgicos e indicación de ablación en pacientes de riesgo bajo e intermedio. Hay acuerdo en las dosis de 131I administradas en ablación y tratamiento, pero una gran variabilidad en el protocolo de preparación (rastreo y dosis, otras técnicas de imagen, dieta y prohibición de contrastes yodados, dosis total por paciente). Se perciben las complicaciones del radioyodo y se utilizan sistemas de prevención. El seguimiento de los pacientes postablación es muy variado. Conclusiones. Los protocolos de tratamiento y seguimiento del carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides en las Unidades de Terapia Metabólica con 131I españolas muestran variabilidad en aspectos como el tipo de cirugía e indicación de la ablación, la preparación de los pacientes para el tratamiento con radioyodo, y el seguimiento, existiendo muchos aspectos en los que nos separamos de lo recomendado en las recientes guías de consenso(AU)

Objective. To know the treatment and follow-up protocols of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients in Spanish Metabolic Therapy Units, the clinical variability between them and the adaptation to the consensus guidelines. Materials and methods. Analysis of the results obtained from the questionnaire submitted by E-mail to the Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine (SEMNIM) members on the treatment and follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients. A descriptive study was made of the qualitative variables (frequency, percentage) and quantitative variables (mean, standard deviation). Results. Twenty Radiometabolic Therapy Units responded to the questionnaire. In spite of the varied origin of the patients, the Units receive sufficient clinical information and have specialized surgeons. There is variability in the surgical protocols and indication for ablation in patients with intermediate and low risk of recurrence. The Units agree on the use of 131I doses for ablation and therapy, but show great variability regarding the preparation protocols (previous 131I-whole body scan or other imaging techniques, 131I-whole body scan dose, diet and radioiodine contrast prohibition, total dose per patient). Nuclear Medicine physicians perceive radioiodine adverse effects and prevention methods are used. The post-ablation follow-up protocol differs between Units. Conclusions. Treatment and follow-up protocols of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients in the Spanish Radiometabolic Therapy Units show variability in aspects such as surgery and ablation indications, patient preparation for radioiodine therapy and follow-up. Our clinical practice differs in several aspects from the recent consensus guideline recommendations(AU)

[Treatment protocols and follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: results of a questionnaire sent to the Spanish Metabolic Therapy Units]. / Los protocolos de tratamiento y seguimiento del carcinoma diferenciado de tiroides: resultados de un cuestionario enviado a las Unidades de Terapia Metabólica españolas.

OBJECTIVE: To know the treatment and follow-up protocols of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients in Spanish Metabolic Therapy Units, the clinical variability between them and the adaptation to the consensus guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of the results obtained from the questionnaire submitted by E-mail to the Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine (SEMNIM) members on the treatment and follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients. A descriptive study was made of the qualitative variables (frequency, percentage) and quantitative variables (mean, standard deviation). RESULTS: Twenty Radiometabolic Therapy Units responded to the questionnaire. In spite of the varied origin of the patients, the Units receive sufficient clinical information and have specialized surgeons. There is variability in the surgical protocols and indication for ablation in patients with intermediate and low risk of recurrence. The Units agree on the use of (131)I doses for ablation and therapy, but show great variability regarding the preparation protocols (previous (131)I-whole body scan or other imaging techniques, (131)I-whole body scan dose, diet and radioiodine contrast prohibition, total dose per patient). Nuclear Medicine physicians perceive radioiodine adverse effects and prevention methods are used. The post-ablation follow-up protocol differs between Units. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment and follow-up protocols of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients in the Spanish Radiometabolic Therapy Units show variability in aspects such as surgery and ablation indications, patient preparation for radioiodine therapy and follow-up. Our clinical practice differs in several aspects from the recent consensus guideline recommendations.

[Infectious risk]. / Riesgo infeccioso.

Biological therapies for immune based chronic inflammatory diseases, especially cytokine inhibitors such as TNF-alpha antagonists, have been acceptably well tolerated in clinical trials with patients suffering rheumatic, dermatologic and intestinal diseases in which they have been subsequently indicated. However, the pharmacovigilance studies and long-term follow-up have clarified several aspects on their safety in the everyday clinical use. The adverse effects associated with TNF-alpha inhibitors can generally be classified into those related to the target (or class) and those related to the agent. Target-related adverse events include those potentially attributable to the immunosuppression inherent in blocking a key cytokine, a phenomenon that could increase the susceptibility to infections and neoplasms. Specific inhibition of TNF-alpha could also facilitate hepatotoxicity, production of autoantibodies, development of demyelinizing diseases and it is also possibly associated to the worsening of congestive heart failure. The side effects related to the agent itself, such as allergic reactions and immunogenicity, are idiosyncratic phenomena of each molecule. Infliximab is an IgG1 class chimeric monoclonal antibody with extensive accumulated experience in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, intestinal inflammatory disease and, recently, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is also being evaluated in other inflammatory dermatitis and systemic diseases with skin expression, such as severe atopic dermatitis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, pyoderma gangrenosum, cutaneous sarcoidosis, Adult Still's disease, inverted acne and refractory graft -versus- host disease. Predisposition of infliximab-treated individuals, as occurs with other anti-TNF-alpha agents, to cause an increase of conventional pyogenic infections (of the skin and soft tissues, respiratory tract, genitourinary tracts and bacteriemias) and an increase in granulomatous and opportunistic infections due to invasive or intracellular pathogens (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis), has been well established and quantified in the last five years. We presently know that the initiation of screening strategies of latent infections (especially tuberculosis) in the host candidate to receive anti-TNF-alpha drugs, with their corresponding early treatment to avoid reactivations, and other prophylaxis, hygiene and vaccination measures have not only minimized these risks of suffering infections but also have practically reduced and equalized the different capacity to trigger infections belonging to each one of the biological agents individually.

Riesgo infeccioso / Infectious risk

Las terapias biológicas para enfermedades inflamatorias crónicas de base inmune, en especial los fármacos inhibidores de citocinas como los antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α), han sido aceptablemente bien tolerados en los ensayos clínicos con pacientes afectos de patologías reumatológicas, dermatológica se intestinales en las cuales posteriormente han sido indicados. Sin embargo, los estudios de farmacovigilancia y el seguimiento a más largo plazo han matizado varios aspectos sobre su seguridad en el uso clínico más cotidiano. Los efectos adversos asociados con los inhibidores del TNF-α pueden ser clasificados de forma general en aquellos relacionados con la diana (o de clase), y los relacionados propiamente con el agente. Los efectos adversos relacionados con la diana incluyen aquéllos potencialmente atribuibles a la inmunosupresión inherente al bloqueo de la citocina principal, fenómeno que podría incrementar la susceptibilidad a las infecciones y las neoplasias. La inhibición específica del TNF-α podría facilitar también la hepatotoxicidad, la producción de autoanticuerpos, el desarrollo de enfermedades desmielinizantes y posiblemente se asocie al empeoramiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva. Los efectos secundarios relacionados con el agente en sí mismo, como las reacciones alérgicas y la inmunogenicidad, son fenómenos idiosincrásicos propios de cada molécula. Infliximab es un anticuerpo monoclonal quimérico de clase IgG1, con amplia experiencia acumulada en el tratamiento de la artritis reumatoide, espondilitis anquilosante, artritis psoriásica, enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal y, en los últimos años, en el de la psoriasis en placas de moderada a severa. También está siendo evaluado en otras dermatitis inflamatorias y enfermedades sistémicas con expresión cutánea, como la dermatosis atópica grave, la pitiriasis rubra pilaris, el pioderma gangrenoso, la sarcoidosis cutánea, la enfermedad de Still del adulto, el acné invertido y la enfermedad del injerto contra huésped cutánea refractaria. Como otros agentes anti-TNF-α, la predisposición de infliximab a causar un incremento de las infecciones piógenas convencionales (de piel y tejidos blandos, del tracto respiratorio, de vías genitourinarias y bacteriemias) así como un aumento de las infecciones granulomatosas y oportunistas por patógenos invasores o intracelulares (como Mycobacterium tuberculosis), ha sido bien establecida y cuantificada en los últimos cinco años. Hoy sabemos que la puesta en marcha de estrategias de cribado de las infecciones latentes (especialmente de la tuberculosis) en el huésped candidato a recibir fármacos anti-TNF-α, con su correspondiente tratamiento precoz para evitar las reactivaciones, y otras medidas de profilaxis, higiene y vacunaciones no sólo han minimizado estos riesgos de padecer infecciones sino que prácticamente han reducido e igualado en frecuencia el diferente poder promotor de infecciones de cada uno de los agentes de forma individual (AU)

Biological therapies for immune based chronic inflammatory diseases, especially cytokine inhibitors such as TNF-α antagonists, have been acceptably well tolerated in clinical trials with patients suffering rheumatic, dermatologic and intestinal diseases in which they have been subsequently indicated. However, the pharmacovigilance studies and long-term follow-up have clarified several aspects on their safety in the everyday clinical use. The adverse effects associated with TNF-α inhibitors can generally be classified into those related to the target(or class) and those related to the agent. Target-related adverse events include those potentially attributable to the immunosuppression inherent in blocking a key cytokine, a phenomenon that could increase the susceptibility to infections and neoplasms. Specific inhibition of TNF-α could also facilitate hepatotoxicity, production of autoantibodies, development of demyelinizing diseases and it is also possibly associated to the worsening of congestive heart failure. The side effects related to the agent itself, such as allergic reactions and immunogenicity, are idiosyncratic phenomena of each molecule. Infliximab is an IgG1 class chimeric monoclonal antibody with extensive accumulated experience in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, intestinal inflammatory disease and, recently, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is also being evaluated in other inflammatory dermatitis and systemic diseases with skin expression, such as severe atopic dermatitis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, pyoderma gangrenosum, cutaneous sarcoidosis, Adult Still's disease, inverted acne and refractory graft -versus- host disease. Predisposition of infliximab-treated individuals, as occurs with other anti-TNF-α agents, to cause an increase of conventional pyogenic infections (of the skin and soft tissues, respiratory tract, genitourinary tracts and bacteriemias)and an increase in granulomatous and opportunistic infections due to invasive or intracellular pathogens (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis), has been well established and quantified in the last five years. We presently know that the initiation of screening strategies of latent infections (especially tuberculosis) in the host candidate to receive anti-TNF-α drugs, with their corresponding early treatment to avoid reactivations, and other prophylaxis, hygiene and vaccination measures have not only minimized these risks of suffering infections but also have practically reduced and equalized the different capacity to trigger infections belonging to each one of the biological agents individually (AU)

Awareness with recall during general anaesthesia: a prospective observational evaluation of 4001 patients.

BACKGROUND: We have prospectively evaluated the incidence and characteristics of awareness with recall (AWR) during general anaesthesia in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This study involves a prospective observational investigation of AWR in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. Blinded structured interviews were conducted in the postanaesthesia care unit, on postoperative day 7 and day 30. Definition of AWR was 'when the patient stated or remembered that he or she had been awake at a time when consciousness was not intended'. Patient characteristics, perioperative, and drug-related factors were investigated. Patients were classified as not awake during surgery, AWR, AWR-possible, AWR-not evaluable. The perceived quality of the awareness episode, intraoperative dreaming, and sequelae were investigated. The anaesthetic records were reviewed to search for data that might explain the awareness episode. RESULTS: The study included 4001 patients. Incidence of AWR was 1.0% (39/3921 patients). If high risk for AWR patients were excluded, the incidence was 0.8%. After the interview on the seventh day, six patients denied having been conscious during anaesthesia; hence, the incidence of AWR in elective surgery was 0.6%. Factors associated with AWR were: anaesthetic technique incidence of 1.1% TIVA-propofol vs 0.59% balanced anaesthesia vs 5.0% O2/N2O-based anaesthesia vs 0.9% other anaesthetic techniques (mainly propofol boluses for short procedures), P=0.008; age (AWR 42.3 yr old vs 50.6 yr old, P=0.041), absence of i.v. benzodiazepine premedication (P=0.001), Caesarean section (C-section) (P=0.019), and surgery performed at night (P=0.013). More than 50% of patients reported intraoperative dreaming in the early interview, mainly pleasant. Avoidable human factors were detected from the anaesthetic records of most patients. Subjective auditory perceptions prevailed, together with trying to move or communicate, and touch or pain perception. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively high incidence of AWR and dreams during general anaesthesia was found. Techniques without halogenated drugs showed more patients. The use of benzodiazepine premedication was associated with a lower incidence of AWR. Age, C-section with general anaesthesia, and surgery performed at night are risk factors.

[Discrepancy between clinical and radiologic manifestations of an epidural hematoma after catheterization]. / Discordancia clínico-radiológica y resolución espontánea de un hematoma postcateterización epidural.

Neuraxial techniques are considered safe if certain guidelines are followed, but they are not risk free. We report the case of an 81-year-old woman with an invasive bladder tumor who underwent radical cystectomy with a Bricker-type procedure. General anesthesia was used and epidural analgesia was also provided for surgical and postoperative pain management. Late in the postoperative recovery period a large epidural hematoma was diagnosed based on radiologic signs of spinal cord compression, in the absence of symptoms other than mild and progressive back pain that developed after extubation. The surgeon decided against emergency surgery to reduce compression. Symptoms resolved gradually, and a magnetic resonance image 45 days after discharge confirmed that the hematoma was smaller. In addition to the usual safety recommendations for epidural anesthesia with regard to drugs that alter hemostasis, it is important to bear in mind circumstances that have pharmacokinetic repercussions and that increase risk. Lower back pain can be a warning sign. Some cases may resolve spontaneously.

Discordancia clínico-radiológica y resolución espontáneade un hematoma postcateterización epidural / Discrepancy between clinical and radiologic manifestations of an epidural hematoma after catheterization

Las técnicas neuroaxiales se consideran seguras si serespetan ciertas recomendaciones, pero no están exentasde riesgos.Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 81 años intervenidade neoplasia vesical infiltrante, mediante cistectomíaradical tipo Bricker. Se empleó anestesia generaly analgesia epidural intra y postoperatoria. En el postoperatoriotardío se diagnosticó un hematoma epiduralextenso con signos de radiológicos de compresión medular,en ausencia de síntomas neurológicos compresivos.Tan sólo manifestó una dorsalgia leve tras la extubación,que progresó durante el postoperatorio. Se desestimóla cirugía descompresiva urgente. La clínica remitióprogresivamente. La RM a los 45 días del altamostró el hematoma en resolución.En la anestesia epidural, además del seguimiento delas recomendaciones de seguridad respecto a los fármacosque alteran la hemostasia, hay que considerar circunstanciasque alteren su cinética y la adición progresivade factores de riesgo. La dorsolumbalgia puede serun signo de alerta. Algunos casos pueden resolverse demanera espontánea (AU)

Neuraxial techniques are considered safe if certainguidelines are followed, but they are not risk free. Wereport the case of an 81-year-old woman with aninvasive bladder tumor who underwent radicalcystectomy with a Bricker-type procedure. Generalanesthesia was used and epidural analgesia was alsoprovided for surgical and postoperative painmanagement. Late in the postoperative recovery perioda large epidural hematoma was diagnosed based onradiologic signs of spinal cord compression, in theabsence of symptoms other than mild and progressiveback pain that developed after extubation. The surgeondecided against emergency surgery to reducecompression. Symptoms resolved gradually, and amagnetic resonance image 45 days after dischargeconfirmed that the hematoma was smaller. In additionto the usual safety recommendations for epiduralanesthesia with regard to drugs that alter hemostasis, itis important to bear in mind circumstances that havepharmacokinetic repercussions and that increase risk.Lower back pain can be a warning sign. Some casesmay resolve spontaneously (AU)

[Contribution of a portable hand-held miniature gamma camera in surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism]. / Aportación de una minigammacámara portátil en el tratamiento quirúrgico del hiperparatiroidismo primario.

Primary hyperparathyroidism diagnosis and radioguided surgery by (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy have become more generalized during recent years. The recent creation of a new portable hand-held miniature gamma camera opens new perspectives for this technique. We present a preliminary study of three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism in whom intraoperative scintigraphy with portable hand-held miniature gamma camera has been shown to be useful.

Aportación de una minigammacámara portátil en el tratamiento quirúrgico del hiperparatiroidismo primario / Contribution of a portable hand-held miniature gamma camera in surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism

En los últimos años se ha generalizado el uso de la gammagrafía paratiroidea con 99mTc-MIBI para el diagnóstico preoperatorio e intraoperatorio del hiperparatiroidismo primario. La aparición de un nuevo modelo de minigammacámara portátil (MGP) abre nuevas perspectivas en el campo de la detección intraoperatoria. Presentamos un estudio preliminar de tres pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo primario en el que se demuestra la utilidad del empleo de la MGP

Primary hyperparathyroidism diagnosis and radioguided surgery by 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy have become more generalized during recent years. The recent creation of a new portable hand-held miniature gamma camera opens new perspectives for this technique. We present a preliminary study of three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism in whom intraoperative scintigraphy with portable hand-held miniature gamma camera has been shown to be useful (AU)