Epidural Analgesia with Ropivacaine during Labour in a Patient with a SCN5A Gene Mutation.

SCN5A gene mutations can lead to ion channel defects which can cause cardiac conduction disturbances. In the presence of specific ECG characteristics, this mutation is called Brugada syndrome. Many drugs are associated with adverse events, making anesthesia in patients with SCN5A gene mutations or Brugada syndrome challenging. In this case report, we describe a pregnant patient with this mutation who received epidural analgesia using low dose ropivacaine and sufentanil during labour.

[Effect of head elevation on intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and regional cerebral oxygen saturation in patients with cerebral hemorrhage]. / Influencia de la elevación de la cabeza sobre la presión intracraneal, presión de perfusión cerebral y saturación de oxígeno cerebral regional en pacientes con hemorragia cerebral.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects on cerebral dynamics and regional oxygenation (rSO2) of the semi-sitting position, with the head at either 30 degrees or 45 degrees, in surgery for cerebral hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 10 patients undergoing surgery for cerebral hemorrhage under sedation and analgesia and with mechanical ventilation. Intracranial pressure (ICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and rSO2 measured using near-infrared spectroscopy were recorded with the head in the supine position (0 degrees) and elevated to an angle of 30 degrees and then 45 degrees, following a stabilization period of 5 minutes. RESULTS: Mean (SD) ICP values were significantly lower in both semi-sitting positions than in the supine position: 2.8 (1.4) mm Hg lower at 30 degrees and 4.4 (1.4) mm Hg lower at 45 degrees. Mean CPP values were fell slightly when the head was elevated to 30 degrees (3.5 [3.1] mm Hg, P=.048); a greater reduction was achieved when the head was elevated 45 degrees (7.1 [4.8] mm Hg, P<.01). The greatest reduction in mean MAP values also occurred with the head elevated to 45 degrees (11.8 [4.6] mm Hg, P<.001). Mean rSO2 values fell when the head was elevated to 30 degrees and 45 degrees; the greatest reduction occurred when the head was elevated to 45 degrees (7% [2%], P<.001). There was a moderate correlation between CPP values and changes in rSO2 (r2=0.45, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Head elevation significantly reduces ICP and CPP in patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Head elevation also reduces rSO2, to a greater or lesser extent depending on the degree to which the head is elevated.

Influencia de la elevación de la cabeza sobre la presiónintracraneal, presión de perfusión cerebral y saturación de oxígenocerebral regional en pacientes con hemorragia cerebral / Effect of head elevation on intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and regional cerebral oxygen saturation in patients with cerebral hemorrhage

OBJETIVO: Estudiar los efectos de la posición semisentadacon la cabecera a 30 y 45 grados sobre la dinámicacerebral y oxigenación cerebral regional en pacientes conhemorragia cerebral.PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo sobre 10pacientes con hemorragia cerebral, sometidos a sedoanalgesiay ventilación mecánica. Se recogieron los valores dePIC, presión arterial media (PAM), presión de perfusióncerebral (PPC) y oximetría cerebral regional por infrarrojos(SrO2) con la cabeza en posición horizontal (0º) y elevada30º y 45º, tras un periodo de estabilización de 5 minutos.RESULTADOS: La PIC disminuyó significativamente enlas posiciones de 30º y 45º con respecto a los valores enposición horizontal (disminuyeron 2,8 ± 1,4 mmHg y4,4 ± 1,4 mmHg, respectivamente). La PPC descendió ligeramentea 30º de elevación de la cabeza (3,5 ± 3,1 mmHg,p=0,048), siendo la reducción más importante a 45º(7,1 ± 4,8 mmHg, p < 0,01). Asimismo, la mayor reducciónde la PAM se registró con la cabeza elevada 45º(11,8 ± 4,6 mmHg, p < 0,001). La SrO2 se redujo al elevarla cabeza 30º y 45º, existiendo la mayor diferencia cuandola cabeza se elevó a 45º (7% ± 2% p < 0,001). Una correlaciónmoderada fue observada entre los valores de PPC ylos cambios de la SrO2 (r2 = 0,45, p < 0,001).CONCLUSIÓN: La elevación de la cabeza produce unadisminución significativa de la PIC y la PPC en pacientescon hemorragia cerebral. Asimismo, la elevación de lacabeza disminuye la SrO2, dependiendo los cambios de laSrO2 del grado de elevación de la cabeza (AU)

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects on cerebral dynamicsand regional oxygenation (rSO2) of the semi-sittingposition, with the head at either 30° or 45°, in surgery forcerebral hemorrhage.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospectivestudy of 10 patients undergoing surgery for cerebralhemorrhage under sedation and analgesia and withmechanical ventilation. Intracranial pressure (ICP), meanarterial pressure (MAP), cerebral perfusion pressure(CPP), and rSO2 measured using near-infraredspectroscopy were recorded with the head in the supineposition (0°) and elevated to an angle of 30° and then 45°,following a stabilization period of 5 minutes.RESULTS: Mean (SD) ICP values were significantlylower in both semi-sitting positions than in the supineposition: 2.8 (1.4) mm Hg lower at 30° and 4.4 (1.4) mmHg lower at 45°. Mean CPP values were fell slightly whenthe head was elevated to 30° (3.5 [3.1] mm Hg, P=.048); agreater reduction was achieved when the head waselevated 45° (7.1 [4.8] mm Hg, P<.01). The greatestreduction in mean MAP values also occurred with thehead elevated to 45° (11.8 [4.6] mm Hg, P<.001). MeanrSO2 values fell when the head was elevated to 30° and45°; the greatest reduction occurred when the head waselevated to 45° (7% [2%], P<.001). There was a moderatecorrelation between CPP values and changes in rSO2(r2=0.45, P<.001).CONCLUSION: Head elevation significantly reducesICP and CPP in patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Head elevation also reduces rSO2, to a greater or lesserextent depending on the degree to which the head iselevated (AU)

Implicaciones anestésicas en una paciente con Síndrome de Donohue / Managing anesthesia for a woman with Donohue syndrome

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Non-surgical management of intracranial subdural hematoma complicating spinal anesthesia.

We report the case of a 29 year-old woman who presented a symptomatic intracranial subdural hematoma developing shortly after spinal anesthesia. The patient was fully conscious at clinical onset, and thus we treated her conservatively with an epidural autologous blood patch and close neurological observation. Given the clinical improvement the possibility of surgery was discauded in agreement with the neurosurgical team. Most cases of subdural hematoma appearing after spinal anesthesia are treated with surgery. In the present case the subdural hemorrhage was detected at our hospital 20 days after the anesthetic procedure, and given the excellent state of consciousness, we choosed a conservative management.

Non-surgical management of intracranial subdural hematoma complicating spinal anesthesia

El hematoma subdural (SDH) es una complicación evolutiva rara, documentada y de riesgo vital en los cuadros de cefalea post punción subdural (PDPH). Presentamos un caso de esta rara complicación resuelto con un parche de sangre autóloga epidural y tratamiento conservador, sin precisar evacuación quirúrgica

The subdural hematoma (SDH) is a systematic, documented and vital risk in post boxes subdural puncture (PDPH) evolutionary headache rare complication. We present a case of this rare complication resolved with a patch of autologous epidural and conservative treatment, without requiring surgical evacuation

Desorption of BTEX from activated charcoal using accelerated solvent extraction: evaluation of occupational exposures.

A procedure for the determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene (BTEX) in occupational environments is proposed. These compounds are extracted from activated charcoal using accelerated solvent extraction. Operational parameters are optimized and quantitative recovery is obtained using acetonitrile as the extraction solvent and 1-mL extraction cells, a preheat time of 2 min, a temperature of 160 degrees C, a pressure of 1,500 psi, a static period of 5 min, a flush volume of 110%, two cycles and a purge time of 90 s. Determination of BTEX compounds is carried out by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector. The recoveries, obtained for a confidence level of 95%, are 91 +/- 4, 100 +/- 3, 104 +/- 2, 93 +/- 4, 99 +/- 2 and 99 +/- 2% for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene, respectively. The detection limits are 0.5 microg for benzene, 0.7 microg for toluene and 1.0 microg for the other compounds. The proposed procedure has been applied to real samples collected in several workplaces, like a microbiology laboratory, an analytical chemistry laboratory, a printer's, a car repair shop and a petrol station. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the occupational exposures determined are always acceptable because they are lower than the tenth part of the recommended exposure limits (VLA-ED and VLA-EC).

Cateterización accidental de catéter de Swan-Ganz en cava inferior. Monitorización radiológica / Accidental catheterization of the inferior vena cava with a Swan-Ganz catheter: radiologic monitoring

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A binding event converted into a folding event.

We have designed a chimeric protein by connecting a circular permutant of the alpha-spectrin SH3 domain to the proline-rich decapeptide APSYSPPPPP with a three-residue link. Our aim was to obtain a single-chain protein with a tertiary fold that would mimic the binding between SH3 domains and proline-rich peptides. A comparison of the circular-dichroism and fluorescence spectra of the purified chimera and the SH3 circular permutant showed that the proline-rich sequence occupies the putative SH3 binding site in a similar conformation and with comparable interactions to those found in complexes between SH3 and proline-rich peptides. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the interactions in the binding motif interface are highly cooperative with the rest of the structure and thus the protein unfolds in a two-state process. The chimera is more stable than the circular permutant SH3 by 6-8 kJ mol(-1) at 25 degrees C and the difference in their unfolding enthalpy is approximately 32 kJ mol(-1), which coincides with the values found for the binding of proline-rich peptides to SH3 domains. This type of chimeric protein may be useful in designing SH3 peptide ligands with improved affinity and specificity.

Mifepristona (600 mg) + misoprostol (400 µg) en el aborto del primer trimestre / Mifepristone (600 mg) + misoprostol (400 µg) in first trimester abortion

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de 600 mg de mifepristona más 400 µg de misoprostol vaginal/oral en el aborto temprano.Sujetos: Se incluyeron en este trabajo 450 mujeres que libremente solicitaron una interrupción voluntaria del embarazo (IVE) de hasta 9 semanas de gestación, del sector privado, en la Clínica Mediterrània Mèdica de Valencia y Castellón.Resultados: La tasa de aborto completo fue del 96,7 por ciento (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 por ciento, 9598 por ciento); no hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas entre las tasas de aborto entre los grupos de edad gestacional (p = 0,24). El sangrado vaginal duró 6,0 ñ 3,7 días; el spotting 5,0 ñ 5,1 días; y el sangrado total duró 11,7 ñ 5,4 días. El tiempo promedio de expulsión fue de 4,1 ñ 2,1 h. El tiempo promedio de retorno de la menstruación fue de 37 ñ 5 días.Conclusiones: La asociación de 600 mg de mifepristona con misoprostol vaginal en dosis de 400 µg es un método válido para interrumpir gestaciones de hasta 9 semanas. (AU)

Metastatic melanoma of the vulva identified by peritoneal fluid cytology.

Malignant melanoma of the vulva is an uncommon disease, with a significant portion of cases demonstrating metastasis to inguinal lymph nodes with potential distal spread. Identification of such metastases often requires fine-needle aspiration or biopsy. The cytologic diagnosis of metastatic vulvar melanoma from peritoneal effusions has not been previously described. We present the case of a 54-yr-old woman who underwent en bloc radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy for melanoma of the right labium minora. No evidence of metastatic disease was identified, and all surgical margins were free of tumor. Despite chemotherapy, the patient returned approximately 2 yr later with abdominal pain and distention. Computed tomography revealed marked ascites and three hepatic lesions. Cytologic examination of the ascites revealed recurrent, metastatic melanoma. Although very rare, metastatic melanoma of the vulva may present as a malignant effusion. In such an event, the diagnosis may be rendered by exfoliative cytology.

The clinical context and utility of tongue biopsies.

Lesions of patients' tongue biopsies are described to determine whether certain patients had predilections to develop various lesions based on gender or age, and to determine whether there were significant correlations between the diagnoses, which could be clinically useful, and the various patients. Surgical pathology specimens of the tongue were reviewed. Patients' gender, age and diagnoses were recorded. Most of the 399 patients surveyed were elderly. Patients with epidermal inclusion cysts or granular cell tumors were significantly younger than others. Men were younger than women with squamous cell dysplasia and carcinoma. Benign diagnoses were nearly equally distributed between men and women. Premalignant and malignant conditions were significantly more common among men than women. Follow-up revealed a moderate degree of risk that a premalignant lesion may later develop frank malignancy.

Fine-needle aspiration of supraclavicular lymph nodes.

Malignancies from many primary sites may metastasize to supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN). We reviewed 100 fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) of SCLNs. There were three major types of malignancy detected by this method: adenocarcinoma (n = 40), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 14), and other malignancies (n = 29). Adenocarcinomas and other malignancies from all sites tended to metastasize to the left SCLN. Squamous cell carcinomas from all sites, however, tended to appear on the right side. For 61 patients, a previous diagnosis of malignancy had been made within 1 yr of the clinical appearance of the abnormal SCLN. For 20 patients, the primary diagnosis antedated SCLN metastasis by more than 1 yr, particularly patients with adenocarcinoma of the breast, prostate, or thyroid papillary carcinoma.

Effect of beta-carotene supplementation on indices of colonic cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have shown that consuming foods containing beta-carotene is associated with a decreased incidence of colon cancer. The validity of this association has recently been questioned. It is not known if the rate of colonic cell proliferation differs among individuals with or without a history of colonic polyps or cancer and if proliferation changes in response to beta-carotene. PURPOSE: This study was intended to (a) determine whether differences exist in colonic cell proliferation in individuals with and without prior colonic polyps or tumors, (b) demonstrate that beta-carotene accumulates in colonic mucosa following dietary supplementation, and (c) determine whether mucosal beta-carotene accumulation influences colonic cell proliferation. METHODS: Subjects were enrolled in the phase I study from June 1991 until February 1994. The participants included 20 individuals (11 males and nine females, aged 62.3 +/- 8.9 years [means +/- SD]) with normal colons (as judged by recent colonoscopy), 40 (24 males and 16 females, aged 59.6 +/- 10.1 years) with a history of colonic polyp(s), and 41 (30 males and 11 females, aged 67.2 +/- 9.7 years) with prior colon cancer. The subjects in the last two groups consumed either 30 mg of beta-carotene or placebo each morning for 3 months. This dose of beta-carotene has no known toxic effects, but it can increase the serum level by approximately 10-fold. beta-carotene concentration in serum and colonic tissue was quantitated by high-pressure liquid chromatography in samples collected before and after supplementation with beta-carotene or placebo. Cellular proliferation was assessed on the basis of tissue ornithine decarboxylase activity, urinary polyamine excretion, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. The differences in colonic cell proliferation parameters due to beta-carotene supplementation, within and among different groups, were evaluated by the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed ranked test and the Mann-Whitney test, respectively. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Colonic cell proliferation did not differ in samples obtained from individuals with and without prior colonic polyp(s) or cancer. beta-carotene concentrations in serum and colonic tissue were significantly increased in groups receiving beta-carotene (P < .001). However, cell proliferation did not differ, as judged by any of the three measures, among samples from all experimental groups collected before and after supplementation with beta-carotene. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with beta-carotene for a period of 3 months does not alter colonic cell proliferation in individuals with a history of colonic polyps or cancer. IMPLICATIONS: The mechanism by which beta-carotene might reduce colon cancer incidence does not appear to involve or result in a change in cell proliferation in the normal colonic mucosa as studied in individuals with a history of colonic polyps or cancer.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate.

We describe a patient with adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate. His history suggests a common histogenesis of the glandular and squamous elements of the tumor. A 60-year-old white man had adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed by biopsy and then underwent radical prostatectomy, which showed adenosquamous carcinoma. Immunoperoxidase in the glandular component was positive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and low molecular weight keratin CAM 5.2 but was negative for high molecular weight keratin AE-3. The squamous component was negative for PSA, PAP, and CAM 5.2 but positive for AE-3. Previously reported patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate share a history of radiation or hormonal therapy followed much later by prostatectomy, suggesting that adenosquamous carcinoma consists of residual primary adenocarcinoma and metaplastic squamous epithelium caused by radiation or hormonal treatment. However, the present case lacks this history, suggesting that the two types of epithelia may have developed concurrently.