Usefulness of artificial intelligence-assisted digital single-operator cholangioscopy as a second-opinion consultation tool during interhospital assessment of an indeterminate biliary stricture: a case report.

Video 1Application of a novel digital single-operator cholangioscopy-based convolutional neuronal network to detect neoplastic lesions as a second-opinion consultation tool between 2 hospitals and biopsy sampling.

Impacto de la cardiomiotomía laparoscópica de Heller en la función del esfínter esofágico inferior y el diámetro del esófago / Impact of laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy on lower esophageal sphincter function and esophageal diameter

Introducción. La acalasia es un trastorno motor del esófago caracterizado por la ausencia de peristalsis y la alteración en la relajación del esfínter esofágico inferior. La cardiomiotomía laparoscópica de Heller más funduplicatura parcial es el tratamiento estándar. La mejoría sintomática ha sido bien documentada, pero no hay suficiente información objetiva respecto a los cambios fisiológicos y radiográficos luego del procedimiento. Métodos. Estudio de cohorte bidireccional de pacientes llevados a cardiomiotomía laparoscópica de Heller, entre los años 2018 y 2021, en el Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación de Medellín, Colombia. Se describen variables demográficas y clínicas. Se realizaron puntaje sintomático de Eckardt, manometría esofágica y radiografía de esófago en el pre y postoperatorio. Se hizo comparación de síntomas, presión basal del esfínter esofágico inferior, presión de relajación integrada y diámetro del esófago antes y después de la intervención. Resultados. Se incluyeron 24 pacientes. El 63 % fueron mujeres y la edad promedio fue de 44 años. Los valores promedio preoperatorios vs postoperatorios fueron: puntaje de Eckardt 10,6 vs 1,4 puntos (p<0,001), presión basal de 41,4 vs 18,1 mmHg (p=0,004) y presión de relajación integrada de 28,6 vs 12,5 mmHg (p=0,001). El diámetro del esófago no presentó cambios. No hubo correlación de síntomas con los cambios de presión del esfínter esofágico inferior. El tiempo de seguimiento fue de 20 meses. Conclusiones. La cardiomiotomía de Heller es un procedimiento altamente efectivo para el tratamiento definitivo de la acalasia, logrando una mejoría subjetiva y objetiva basada en síntomas y en parámetros de manometría, respectivamente

Introduction. Achalasia is a motor disorder of the esophagus characterized by the absence of peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Laparoscopic Heller ́s cardiomyotomy plus partial fundoplication is the standard treatment. Symptomatic improvement has been well documented, but there is insufficient objective information regarding physiologic and radiographic changes after the procedure. Methods. Bidirectional cohort study of patients underwent laparoscopic Heller ́s cardiomyotomy between 2018 and 2021 at the San Vicente Fundación University Hospital in Medellín, Colombia. Demographic and clinical variables are described. Eckardt symptom score, esophageal manometry, and esophageal radiography were performed pre and postoperatively. A comparison of symptoms, baseline lower esophageal sphincter pressure, integrated relaxation pressure, and esophageal diameter before and after intervention were performed.Results. 24 patients were included. 63% were women and the average age was 44 years. The preoperative vs. postoperative mean values were: Eckardt score 10.6 vs. 1.4 points (p<0.001), basal pressure of 41.4 vs. 18.1 mmHg (p=0.004) and integrated relaxation pressure of 28.6 vs. 12.5 mmHg (p=0.001). The diameter of the esophagus did not present changes. There was no correlation of symptoms with lower esophageal sphincter pressure changes. The follow-up time was 20 months. Conclusions. Heller cardiomyotomy is a highly effective procedure for the definitive treatment of achalasia, achieving subjective and objective improvements, based on symptoms and manometry parameters, respectively

Identification and validation of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening.

Blastocystis sp. is among the most frequent intestinal protists identified in humans globally. However, characterization of Blastocystis subtype diversity in humans is ongoing. We report here the identification of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening involving colonoscopy and fecal testing (microscopy, culture, PCR). The full-length ssu rRNA gene sequence of the protist was generated using MinION long-read sequencing technology. The validity of the novel subtype was confirmed via phylogenetic and pairwise distance analyses of the full-length ST41 sequence and all other valid subtypes. The study provides reference material essential for conducting subsequent experimental studies.

Recommendations of the Colombian Consensus Committee for the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury in Prehospital, Emergency Department, Surgery, and Intensive Care (Beyond One Option for Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Stratified Protocol [BOOTStraP]).

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health problem. In Colombia, it is estimated that 70% of deaths from violence and 90% of deaths from road traffic accidents are TBI related. In the year 2014, the Ministry of Health of Colombia funded the development of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with severe TBI. A critical barrier to the widespread implementation was identified-that is, the lack of a specific protocol that spans various levels of resources and complexity across the four treatment phases. The objective of this article is to present the process and recommendations for the management of patients with TBI in various resource environments, across the treatment phases of prehospital care, emergency department (ED), surgery, and intensive care unit. Methods Using the Delphi methodology, a consensus of 20 experts in emergency medicine, neurosurgery, prehospital care, and intensive care nationwide developed recommendations based on 13 questions for the management of patients with TBI in Colombia. Discussion It is estimated that 80% of the global population live in developing economies where access to resources required for optimum treatment is limited. There is limitation for applications of CPGs recommendations in areas where there is low availability or absence of resources for integral care. Development of mixed methods consensus, including evidence review and expertise points of good clinical practices can fill gaps in application of CPGs. BOOTStraP (Beyond One Option for Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Stratified Protocol) is intended to be a practical handbook for care providers to use to treat TBI patients with whatever resources are available. Results Stratification of recommendations for interventions according to the availability of the resources on different stages of integral care is a proposed method for filling gaps in actual evidence, to organize a better strategy for interventions in different real-life scenarios. We develop 10 algorithms of management for building TBI protocols based on expert consensus to articulate treatment options in prehospital care, EDs, neurological surgery, and intensive care, independent of the level of availability of resources for care.

[Meningovascular neurosyphilis with basilar artery thrombosis, a case report and literature review]. / Neurosífilis meningovascular con trombosis de la arteria basilar.

Herein a case is described of a 54-years old patient, HIV negative, with cerebro-vascular disease by basilar artery thrombosis secondary to meningovascular neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis is the impairment at any stage of the central nervous system by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum and includes asymptomatic and symptomatic forms of infection. The presentation can take many forms, depending on the location and extent of tissue damage. The currently recommended treatment is crystalline penicillin, 4 million units every 4 hours for 14 days.

Neurosífilis meningovascular con trombosis de la arteria basilar / Meningovascular neurosyphilis with basilar artery thrombosis, a case report and literature review

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 54 años, negativo para VIH, con enfermedad cerebrovascular por trombosis de la arteria basilar, secundaria a neurosífilis meningovascular. La neurosífilis es el compromiso del sistema nervioso central por Treponema pallidum subespecie pallidum en cualquier estadio de la entidad e incluye las formas asintomáticas y sintomáticas de la infección; sus formas de presentación son diversas y dependen de la localización y la extensión de las lesiones. La recomendación actual es el tratamiento con 4 millones de unidades de penicilina cristalina cada 4 horas por 14 días.

Herein a case is described of a 54-years old patient, HIV negative, with cerebro-vascular disease by basilar artery thrombosis secondary to meningovascular neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis is the impairment at any stage of the central nervous system by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum and includes asymptomatic and symptomatic forms of infection. The presentation can take many forms, depending on the location and extent of tissue damage. The currently recommended treatment is crystalline penicillin, 4 million units every 4 hours for 14 days.

Encefalitis paraneoplásica por anticuerpos contra el receptor de NMDA. Remisión completa después de la resección de un teratoma ovárico / Anti-NMDA receptor paraneoplastic encephalitis: complete recovery after ovarian teratoma removal

Introducción. La presencia de anticuerpos dirigidos contra el receptor de NMDA (N-metil-D-aspartato) se ha asociado recientemente a un síndrome neurológico caracterizado por alteraciones de conciencia, movimientos involuntarios y crisis convulsivas. Se considera como un síndrome paraneoplásico relacionado principalmente con tumores de ovario en mujeres jóvenes, aunque puede presentarse en ausencia de neoplasia. En la mayoría de los casos, se presentan alteraciones graves de conciencia, disautonomía, movimientos involuntarios complejos, hipertermia y fallo respiratorio que requieren tratamiento en unidades de cuidados intensivos. La resección del tumor lleva a la recuperación completa del cuadro clínicocon pocas secuelas neurológicas a largo plazo. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente joven con alteraciones de conciencia graves y movimientos coreoatetósicos en quien se encontró un teratoma ovárico y la presencia de anticuerpos contra el receptor de NMDA. Los síntomas mejoraron completamente después de la ooferectomía, con una recuperación total sin secuelas neurológicas. Conclusiones. El tratamiento de los síndromes paraneoplásicos reside en el manejo oncológico del tumor subyacente asociado a terapias inmunomoduladoras. Como en este caso, la encefalitis asociada a anticuerpos contra el receptor de NMDA puede mejorar significativamente después de la resección del tumor y tratamiento con inmunoglobulina por vía intravenosa (AU)

Introduction. A paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms, involuntary movements and seizures has been recently associated with antibodies targeting NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor in patients with an ovarian teratoma. Severe neurological impairment is frequent and treatment in the intensive care unit is often required because of ventilatory failure and life-threatening autonomic instability. Tumor removal is curative in many cases and neurological improvement is demonstrated shortly after surgery. Case report. Here we report on a patient with paraneoplastic encephalitis manifested by unconsciousness and coreoathetosic movements related to NMDA receptor antibodies associated with an immature ovarian teratoma grade III. She made a complete recovery after oophorectomy, intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. Conclusions. Treatment of paraneoplastic syndromes is based on specific therapy for underlying tumor associated to immunomodulators. As in this case, anti-NMDA encephalitis may significantly improve after tumor removal and intravenous immunoglobuline (AU)

[Anti-NMDA receptor paraneoplastic encephalitis: complete recovery after ovarian teratoma removal]. / Encefalitis paraneoplásica por anticuerpos contra el receptor de NMDA. Remisión completa después de la resección de un teratoma ovárico.

INTRODUCTION: A paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms, involuntary movements and seizures has been recently associated with antibodies targeting NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor in patients with an ovarian teratoma. Severe neurological impairment is frequent and treatment in the intensive care unit is often required because of ventilatory failure and life-threatening autonomic instability. Tumor removal is curative in many cases and neurological improvement is demonstrated shortly after surgery. CASE REPORT: Here we report on a patient with paraneoplastic encephalitis manifested by unconsciousness and coreo-athetosic movements related to NMDA receptor antibodies associated with an immature ovarian teratoma grade III. She made a complete recovery after oophorectomy, intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of paraneoplastic syndromes is based on specific therapy for underlying tumor associated to immunomodulators. As in this case, anti-NMDA encephalitis may significantly improve after tumor removal and intra-venous immunoglobuline.

Hemorragia y trauma, avances del estudio CRASH2 en Colombia / Hemorrhage and trauma; advances in the CRASH2 study in Colombia

Introducción. El trauma es una epidemia mundial que afecta más a la población joven y económicamente activa de los países de medio y bajo ingreso per cápita. La hemorragia es responsable de una alta proporción de muertes por trauma, especialmente durante el primer día.Materiales y métodos. CRASH2 es un ensayo clínico, multicéntrico, doble ciego, controlado y aleatorio, sobre un medicamento fibrinolítico para disminuir las transfusiones, las cirugías y la mortalidad en pacientes con trauma y hemorragia significativa. Este trabajo compara aspectos demográficos y clínicos de la población participante en Colombia, con el resto del mundo. Como el estudio está en curso, no se puede levantar el ciego y no se comparan los grupos de tratamiento. Se calcula que se complete la cantidad planeada de pacientes en diciembre del 2009 y se puedan emitir conclusiones definitivas a mediados del 2010.Resultados. La proporción de hombres es mayor en Colombia; hay mayor proporción de trauma penetrante y menor de trauma craneoencefálico; los pacientes son más jóvenes, consultan más temprano, ingresan a la unidad de cuidados intensivos con menor frecuencia y la mortalidad es menor que en el resto del mundo. La mayoría no tiene hipotensión, aunque hay prolongación del llenado capilar; ambas variables se asocian con mortalidad. La mayoría son transfundidos en proporción similar en Colombia y el resto del mundo; la transfusión se asocia con mayor mortalidad. La incidencia de complicaciones trombóticas es similar en ambos grupos geográficos.Discusión. Los participantes del estudio CRASH2 son similares en Colombia y el resto del mundo; el tipo de trauma y la mortalidad son distintos, lo que refleja la violencia que hay en Colombia. Los “megaestudios” clínicos son posibles y necesarios para contestar preguntas médicas relevantes.