Arytenoid asymmetry in opera singers.

INTRODUCTION: Otolaryngologists commonly observe asymmetrical movements of the arytenoid cartilages, but few authors have described the clinical implications of this asymmetry, especially in singers. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of arytenoid asymmetry in adduction in a group of healthy opera singers and to evaluate the impact of this asymmetry on the voice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical charts and laryngeal video recordings of 245 healthy opera singers were retrospectively reviewed. Arytenoid asymmetry was defined in relation to the position of the corniculate cartilages, cuneiform cartilages and aryepiglottic angle. RESULTS: The subjects had a mean age of 38.54years (range: 18 to 85 years) and presented a male-to-female sex ratio of 1.02. About 5% of subjects had a history of smoking. The most common vocal symptoms were occasional dysphonia (4%), followed by vocal fatigue (2%) and pharyngeal dryness (2%). Arytenoid asymmetry was slightly more common in males (50.6%) and predominantly affected the right side (64.5%). The most common form of asymmetry was cuneiform asymmetry (37.5%), followed by aryepiglottic angle asymmetry in 33.1% of cases and corniculate asymmetry in 29.4% of cases. Mild asymmetry was observed in the majority of cases. No correlation was observed between arytenoid asymmetry and vocal symptoms. CONCLUSION: Almost one out of two singers was likely to present arytenoid asymmetry in adduction. The presence of this asymmetry does not appear to be correlated with any vocal symptoms.

Rhinophyma: Our experience based on a series of 12 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Rhinophyma is a rare, benign and unsightly disease of the skin of the nose that was first described a very long time ago, as illustrated by portrait of an old man with a bulbous nose holding his grandson, by Ghirlandaio in 1490. It was described for the first time by Ferdinando Hebra Von (1816-1880), as the third stage of rosacea. The objective of this study is to report the author's experience and propose a new treatment option in the management of rhinophyma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe our experience of rhinophyma based on a retrospective case study. RESULTS: We identified 12 cases over a 12-year period, with a marked male predominance. The therapeutic approach was the same in all patients, consisting of a combination of dermabrasion, decortication and application of fibrin glue, with a favourable outcome in every case with complete epithelialisation. CONCLUSION: Rhinophyma is a rare condition of uncertain pathophysiology. Management is surgical and, in view of the many techniques and procedures proposed, we advocate the slogan "to each his own technique", until a consensus has been reached. Our technique combining dermabrasion, decortication and application of fibrin glue has given very good results.

Intraorbital foreign body: A rifle bullet removed 20 years after the accident.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma of the orbit and eyeball is common, but intraorbital bullet is a relatively rare event. CLINICAL CASES: The authors report the management of a patient with chorioretinitis sclopetaria secondary to a gunshot wound twenty years previously. DISCUSSION: The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this unusual case of intraorbital foreign body are discussed.

Post-traumatic Pott's puffy tumour: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Osteomyelitis of the frontal sinus is a rare clinical entity and generally occurs as a complication of trauma to the forehead or frontal sinusitis. It can be responsible for life-threatening complications, as the first symptoms may appear to be minor. Early diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent central nervous system complications significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT: The authors report the case of a 34-year-old man with Pott's puffy tumour following trauma to the frontal sinus. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis was suggested clinically and confirmed radiologically. Treatment was surgical with craniotomy and external drainage.

Drug utilization pattern in children and off-label use of medicines in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the prescription profile and license status of drugs used in a neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit (NPICU). METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on a dynamic cohort of children admitted to an NPICU (N=81) in a tertiary hospital (Granada, Spain). All prescriptions were classified as off-label or unlicensed based on the summary of product characteristics (SPC). RESULTS: Of a total of 601 prescriptions, the patients received a mean of 7.4 ± 6 drugs each. The most commonly prescribed drugs corresponded to classes J (anti-infectious, systemic use) N (nervous system) and C (cardiovascular). A little over one-half of the prescriptions were off-label (52%), usually due to dosages differing from the SPC recommendations (79%), followed by different indications (13.5%), age (5%) and administration route (2.5%). In this NPICU, unlicensed usage represented only 5% of all prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes data on prescription of this kind in a Spanish NPICU, revealing at least one off-label prescription in 89% of the children and at least one unlicensed use in 22.3%. These are high figures, but are to be expected given the inclusion of newborn infants and the critical care setting. Even though such usage follows clinical protocols, we underscore the dual need to base treatment on the best available evidence, and to upgrade the SPC accordingly.

[Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the face: Long term patient of a follow up].

We report the case of a patient 40 years old affected by a facial tumour diagnosed as a dermatofibrosarcoma protu­berans. He has been followed in our clinic for the last 22 years. He got a recurrency after 11 years and after an other surgery he his actually free of disease. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the tumoral recurrency and the long term follow up.

[The silent sinus syndrome: A reconstruction of the orbital floor with Medpor implant]. / Le silent sinus syndrome: reconstruction orbitaire par implant Medpor.

INTRODUCTION: The silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is a rare clinical entity in both ENT and ophthalmology. It is characterized by enophthalmos and ptosis associated with a reduction in pressure in the maxillary sinus caused by chronic hypoventilation. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the importance of maxillary hypoplasia whether congenital or acquired in this disease, and the use of Medpor implant for reconstruction of the orbital floor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report 3 cases of silent sinus syndrome proved clinically and radiologically. The first is a 45 year old male patient complaining of enophthalmos which occurred gradually, without any medical history; the second case is that of a woman of 39 years with a gradual onset enophthalmos, with a history of sinusitis; the third case, a man of 25 years who had a history of nasal trauma and consults for enophthalmos and diplopia. RESULTS: Endoscopic surgery is performed quickly allowing a disappearance of enophthalmos and diplopia. All patients underwent a reconstruction of the orbital floor with a Medpor implant fixed by miniplates without complications.

Interpretación de la prueba de tuberculina en niños con alteración de la inmunidad celular mediada por linfocitos CD4 / Interpretation of the tuberculin test in children with CD4 lymphocyte cell mediated immunity changes

La inmunosupresión puede ser causa de un falso negativo en la interpretación de la prueba de tuberculina (PT). Se realiza un estudio transversal en una población de niños adoptados e inmigrantes para analizar si la alteración de la inmunidad celular mediada por linfocitos CD4 puede modificar el resultado de la PT. Se incluyó a 1.074 niños (enero de 2003-diciembre de 2008). El estudio de subpoblaciones linfocitarias se efectuó en 884 niños. Un 5,3% tuvo valores de linfocitos CD4 < 25%. No existieron diferencias en el resultado de la PT entre niños con valores normales y patológicos de linfocitos CD4. Varios estudios, incluyendo nuestra serie, han demostrado que no existe una correlación directa entre el valor porcentual de linfocitos CD4 y el resultado de la PT. No obstante, estos resultados deberían confirmarse con series más numerosas y con un mayor porcentaje de niños con valores porcentuales de linfocitos CD4 < 25%

Immunosuppression could be a cause of a false negative tuberculin skin test (TST) result. A cross-sectional study was performed on a population of immigrants and internationally adopted children to analyse whether CD4 cell counts could modify the TST results. A total of 1074 children were included between January 2003 and December 2008. CD4 cell counts were performed on 884 children, in whom 5.3% had CD4 values <25%. There were no differences in TST results among children with normal and pathological CD4 cell counts. Several studies, including this one, have shown that there is no direct association between the CD4 value and the TST results. These results should be confirmed with larger series and with a higher percentage of children with CD4 values <25%

[Interpretation of the tuberculin test in children with CD4 lymphocyte cell mediated immunity changes]. / Interpretación de la prueba de tuberculina en niños con alteración de la inmunidad celular mediada por linfocitos CD4.

Immunosuppression could be a cause of a false negative tuberculin skin test (TST) result. A cross-sectional study was performed on a population of immigrants and internationally adopted children to analyse whether CD4 cell counts could modify the TST results. A total of 1074 children were included between January 2003 and December 2008. CD4 cell counts were performed on 884 children, in whom 5.3% had CD4 values <25%. There were no differences in TST results among children with normal and pathological CD4 cell counts. Several studies, including this one, have shown that there is no direct association between the CD4 value and the TST results. These results should be confirmed with larger series and with a higher percentage of children with CD4 values <25%.

Fallo multiorgánico en paciente con fungemia por Saprochaete capitata / Multi-organ failure in a patient with fungaemia due to Saprochaete capitata

Antecedentes. El aumento significativo de las infecciones fúngicas sistémicas es debido fundamentalmente al incremento de pacientes inmunodeprimidos. La morbimortalidad de estas infecciones es muy alta, lo que unido a los elevados costes de hospitalización que generan las convierten en una entidad de gran trascendencia en nuestra práctica hospitalaria. Saprochaete capitata es un hongo raro que causa infecciones invasivas habitualmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos y para el que además no existe un consenso en la pauta terapéutica. Caso clínico. Presentamos un caso de infección diseminada por este hongo en una paciente intensamente inmunodeprimida, que fallece como consecuencia de un fallo multiorgánico a pesar de las medidas de soporte vital tomadas y del inicio de antibioterapia de amplio espectro. Conclusiones. Es de vital importancia iniciar el tratamiento antibiótico lo antes posible, así como la realización de cultivos de vigilancia y seguimiento para la búsqueda de hongos en los enfermos neutropénicos (AU)

Uso empírico de antibióticos en niños en España. Resultados de una Encuesta Pediátrica Nacional 2012 (Estudio ABES) / Results from the 2012 Paediatric National Survey on Empirical Use of Antibiotics in Children in Spain (ABES Study)

Introducción: Actualmente existen diversas guías nacionales sobre el uso empírico adecuado de antibióticos en niños. Desconocemos si los pediatras españoles emplean dichas guías al seleccionar antimicrobianos. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal de ámbito nacional, mediante encuesta on-line sobre la selección empírica de antibióticos en niños, enviada por correo electrónico a pediatras socios de la Asociación Española de Pediatría o de sus sociedades de especialidades y regionales, entre abril y junio del 2012. Para considerar la adecuación de las respuestas se tuvieron en cuenta las guías, los documentos de consenso y los protocolos recientes. Resultados: Se recibieron 1.214 respuestas. Los tratamientos seleccionados se ajustan en un 85% a las recomendaciones. Los resultados menos adecuados se obtienen en enfermedades infecciosas en las que no existe un documento de consenso nacional en el momento de realizar la encuesta (73% de adecuación en este caso). Conclusiones: La elección empírica de antibióticos por parte de los pediatras españoles es bastante adecuada a las guías recientes. Sin embargo, la interpretación de los datos debe ser crítica, ya que existen aspectos del manejo racional de antibióticos en niños que podrían mejorar en nuestro país. Se plantea como necesidad continuar con la realización e implementación de documentos de consenso nacionales para el manejo de enfermedades infecciosas pediátricas. Proponemos que este tipo de encuestas se realicen periódicamente, así como análisis similares en otras áreas de capacitación específicas, incluyendo estudios de prescripción real, para promover el uso racional de todos los fármacos pediátricos en nuestro país (AU)

Introduction: There are currently several national guidelines on the appropriate empirical use of antibiotics in Spanish children. But, do the Spanish paediatricians use these guidelines when prescribing antimicrobials. Material and methods: A national study from was conducted from April to June 2012 using an on-line questionnaire on the empirical selection of antibiotics in children. An e-mail was sent to paediatrician members of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics (AEP) or its Regional or Paediatric Specialties Societies. Current guidelines and consensus documents were used to determine the appropriateness of the responses. Results: A total of 1214 responses were received. Eighty five per cent of the treatments selected by Spanish paediatricians were adjusted to guidelines. The least appropriate responses were obtained in those infectious diseases with no national consensus document at the time of the survey (73% in this case). Conclusions: Spanish paediatricians mainly select empirical antibiotics in accordance with current guidelines. However, there are features that could be improved in our country. The preparing and implementation of national consensus documents on the management of paediatric infectious diseases should be continued. We propose to regularly perform these kinds of surveys, including real prescription studies, and to also extend it to other paediatric specialities, in order to promote appropriateness of use of all the paediatric drugs in our country (AU)

[Results from the 2012 Paediatric National Survey on Empirical Use of Antibiotics in Children in Spain (ABES Study)]. / Uso empírico de antibióticos en niños en España. Resultados de una Encuesta Pediátrica Nacional 2012 (Estudio ABES).

INTRODUCTION: There are currently several national guidelines on the appropriate empirical use of antibiotics in Spanish children. But, do the Spanish paediatricians use these guidelines when prescribing antimicrobials? MATERIAL AND METHODS: A national study from was conducted from April to June 2012 using an on-line questionnaire on the empirical selection of antibiotics in children. An e-mail was sent to paediatrician members of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics (AEP) or its Regional or Paediatric Specialties Societies. Current guidelines and consensus documents were used to determine the appropriateness of the responses. RESULTS: A total of 1214 responses were received. Eighty five per cent of the treatments selected by Spanish paediatricians were adjusted to guidelines. The least appropriate responses were obtained in those infectious diseases with no national consensus document at the time of the survey (73% in this case). CONCLUSIONS: Spanish paediatricians mainly select empirical antibiotics in accordance with current guidelines. However, there are features that could be improved in our country. The preparing and implementation of national consensus documents on the management of paediatric infectious diseases should be continued. We propose to regularly perform these kinds of surveys, including real prescription studies, and to also extend it to other paediatric specialities, in order to promote appropriateness of use of all the paediatric drugs in our country.

[Multi-organ failure in a patient with fungaemia due to Saprochaete capitata]. / Fallo multiorgánico en paciente con fungemia por Saprochaete capitata.

BACKGROUND: The significant increase in systemic fungal infections is mainly due to the increase in immunocompromised patients. The high morbimortality of these infections, along with the high hospitalization costs they generate, makes them a problem of great importance in our hospital practice. Saprochaete capitata is a rare fungus that causes invasive infections, usually in immunocompromised patients, and for which there is still no consensus on the treatment regimen to be used. CASE REPORT: We present a case of disseminated infection by this fungus in a heavily immunosuppressed patient, who died as a result of multiple organ failure despite the life support measures taken and the wide spectrum antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: It is vital to begin the antibiotic treatment as soon as possible, as well as the monitoring and follow-up cultures to test for fungi in neutropenic patients.

[Oncocytoma of the parotid gland: a case report]. / Oncocytome de la glande parotide: a propos d'un cas.

Oncocytoma is a rare benign salivary gland tumour with an incidence rate about 1-2%. It is located in the parotid gland in 82% of cases. The aging mitochondrial hypothesis could explain the predilection between 70 and 90 years. Clinical and radiological features of the parotid oncocytoma are not different from those of the others parotid benign tumors. We report a case of oncocytoma of the left parotid gland in a 69 years woman in whom fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was for a pleomorphic adenoma. Through this case we highlight the importance of histopathology in the positive diagnosis of parotid oncocytoma as well as in it's differential diagnosis and also the place of FNAC.

[Setting up a "Bonebridge"]. / Mise en place d'un "Bonebridge".

Hearing rehabilitation after bilateral radical mastoidectomy has different options. The Bonebridge is a new type of middle ear implant bone conduction. It leaves the external ear canal opened and offers acoustic and aesthetic advantages that make it a new alternative of choice. We report our first case of Bonebridge implanted on a 17 years old patient. He had bilateral conductive hearing loss secondary to a bilateral radical mastoidectomy with open technique and meatoplasty for a bilateral cholesteatoma. The surgical technique is described. After 8 months of use the hearing gain is stable without cutaneous adverse effect.

Complicaciones agudas inusuales de la infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr / Unusual acute complications of Epstein-Barr virus infection

La infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr es muy prevalente en la infancia y, aunque en la mayoría de los casos el diagnóstico es sencillo y su evolución favorable, hay casos como el que presentamos que pueden tener un amplio espectro clínico y complicaciones agudas que dificultan el diagnóstico y pueden ensombrecer el pronóstico. Se han descrito muchas complicaciones agudas que afectan a todos los sistemas y aparatos. Presentamos un caso que presenta complicaciones respiratorias, neurológicas y hepáticas (AU)

The infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus is very common in childhood. In most cases the diagnosis is easy and its evolution of the illness is favourable, but there are some patients in whom the infectious mononucleosis can have a large clinical spectrum with acute complications that make the diagnosis difficult. We report a patient who had respiratory, neurological and hepatic complications (AU)

Lupus eritematooo sistemico pediátrico a propósito de un caso clínico / Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Report of a Case

El lupus eritematoso sistémico pediátrico (LESp) es una enfermedad autoinmunitaria crónica con manifestaciones clínicas complejas y ciertos aspectos especiales que se deben considerar en la población pediátrica. La supervivencia ha mejorado notablemente en la última década gracias a un diagnóstico precoz e instauración de tratamientos tempranos y más agresivos. Sin embargo, su pronóstico continua siendo grave. Presentamos una resumen de esta patología y el caso de una paciente de 11 años que fue diagnosticada en el Hospital del Niñ@ "Manuel Ascencio Villarroel"con LESp Clase IV.

Pediatric systemic lupus (pSLE) is a chronic multisystemic autoinmune disease with complex clinical manifestations and special issues, which need to be considered when dealing with SLE in children. In the last decade, survival has improved remarkably as a result of earlier diagnosis and better aproaches therapy. However, it remains a potencially serious condition. We present a summary of this disease and 11 years oíd patient's case diagnosed at "Manuel Ascencio Villarroel" Child's Hospital.

Filariosis en pacientes procedentes de área endémica. Presentación de una serie de 14 casos / Filarial infestation in patients emanating from endemic area. 14 cases series presentation

Introducción: Los flujos migratorios determinan la aparición de enfermedades emergentes. Una de éstas es la filariosis, de rara presentación en la edad pediátrica debido a su ciclo biológico. Se realiza una revisión de los casos de filariosis diagnosticados en los últimos años en una Unidad de Pediatría Tropical. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de 14 pacientes diagnosticados de filariosis entre 1995 y 2007 en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Carlos III (Madrid). Se analizan diferentes variables y se atienden las características clínicas, epidemiológicas, terapéuticas y evolutivas. Resultados: Todos los pacientes del estudio procedían de Guinea Ecuatorial, con edades comprendidas entre 3 y 15 años. Las especies aisladas fueron 6 casos de Onchocerca volvulus, 8 casos de Mansonella perstans y 2 casos de Loa loa. Dos casos presentaron filariosis mixta. El prurito fue el síntoma guía en el 71% de los casos. En el 78% de los pacientes se observó eosinofilia y fue L. loa la especie con cifras más elevadas. El 85% de los pacientes presentaba coparasitación, y la intestinal fue la más frecuente. El diagnóstico se realizó mediante biopsia epidérmica, detección de microfilaremia, visualización directa y serología. Los fármacos utilizados han sido mebendazol para los casos de mansonellosis e ivermectina o dietilcarbamacina para el resto de las especies. En los 8 casos que pudieron seguirse evolutivamente se demostró curación. Conclusiones: Es obligatorio realizar cribado de filariosis en todo paciente procedente de área endémica, especialmente en aquellos que presenten eosinofilia. El diagnóstico en la edad pediátrica, aunque difícil, permite prevenir el desarrollo de la enfermedad, las complicaciones graves como la ceguera e interrumpir el ciclo vital del parásito (AU)

Introduction: The migration causes the emergence of new diseases in our environment. One of them is the filariosis which, due to the biologic cycle peculiarity, it’s weird its appearance in pediatrics. This studio accomplishes a review of all the filariosis cases diagnosed the last years in an Unit specialized in Tropical Pediatrics Diseases. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis comprising 14 patients than were diagnosed with filariosis from 1995 to 2007 in the Pediatrics Unit of Carlos III Hospital (Madrid). They have been analyzed several variables to cope with clinic-epidemiological, therapeutics and evolutional characteristics. Results: All patients in the study came from Equatorial Guinea, their ages were between 3 and 15 years old. The isolated species were: 6 cases with O. volvulus, 8 with M. perstans and 2 with Loa-loa. The pruritus was the main symptom in the 71% of the cases. The eosinophilia was detected in the 78% of the patients, and the Loa-loa was the specie with higher figures. The 85% of the patients showed co-parasitation, being the intestinal the most frecuent. The diagnostics was established by epidermic biopsy, microfilaremia detection, direct visualization and serology. The utilized drugs were: Mebendazole for the cases with M. perstans and Ivermectin or Dietylcarbamazine for the rest of the species. One child showed mixed filariosis. The cure was successful in the 8 cases that could be followed up (AU)