Impact of 3-dimensional anatomical changes secondary to orthognathic surgery on voice resonance and articulatory function: a prospective study.

An evaluation was made of the impact of orthognathic surgery (OS) on speech, addressing in particular the effects of skeletal and airway changes on voice resonance characteristics and articulatory function. A prospective study was carried out involving 29 consecutive patientssubjected to OS. Preoperative, and short and long-term postoperative evaluations were made of anatomical changes (skeletal and airway measurements), speech evolution (assessed objectively by acoustic analysis: fundamental frequency, local jitter, local shimmer of each vowel, and formants F1 and F2 of vowel /a/), and articulatory function (use of compensatory musculature, point of articulation, and speech intelligibility). These were also assessed subjectively by means of a visual analogue scale. Articulatory function after OS showed immediate improvement and had further progressed at one year of follow up. This improvement significantly correlated with the anatomical changes, and was also notably perceived by the patient. On the other hand, although a slight modification in vocal resonance was reported and seen to correlate with anatomical changes of the tongue, hyoid bone, and airway, it was not subjectively perceived by the patients. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that OS had beneficial effects on articulatory function and imperceptible subjective changes in a patient's voice. Patients subjected to OS, apart from benefitting from improved articulatory function, should not be afraid that they will not recognise their voice after treatment.

Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) exhibit factors that, in other populations, have been associated with rhabdomyolysis. PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to determine the incidence of rhabdomyolysis in patients with acute traumatic SCI admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as well as the development of secondary acute kidney injury and associated factors. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an observational, retrospective study. PATIENT SAMPLE: All adult patients admitted to the ICU with acute traumatic SCI who presented rhabdomyolysis, diagnosed through creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels >500 IU/L. OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of rhabdomyolysis and subsequent renal dysfunction was calculated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data about demographic variables, comorbidity, rhabdomyolysis risk factors, and variables involving SCI, severity scores, and laboratory parameters were obtained from clinical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify renal injury risk factors. RESULTS: In 2006-2014, 200 patients with acute SCI were admitted to ICU. Of these, 103 had rhabdomyolysis (incidence = 51.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 44.3%-58.7%). The most typical American Spinal Injury Association classification was A (70.3%). The injury severity score was 30.3 ± 12.1 and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was 5.6 ± 3.3 points. During their stay, 57 patients (55.3%; 95% CI: 45.2%-65.4%) presented renal dysfunction (creatinine ≥1.2 mg/dL). In the multivariate analysis, variables associated with renal dysfunction were creatinine at admission (odds ratio [OR] = 9.20; P = 0.006) and hemodynamic SOFA score the day following admission (OR = 1.33; P = 0.024). Creatinine was a better predictor of renal dysfunction than the peak CPK value during the rhabdomyolysis (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.91 vs. 0.63, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Rhabdomyolysis is a frequent condition in patients with acute traumatic SCI admitted to the ICU, and renal dysfunction occurs in half of the cases. Creatinine values should be requested starting at the admission while neither the peak CPK values nor the hemodynamic SOFA scores could be used to properly discriminate between patients with and without renal dysfunction.

The Madrid Affective Database for Spanish (MADS): Ratings of Dominance, Familiarity, Subjective Age of Acquisition and Sensory Experience.

The current study presents ratings by 540 Spanish native speakers for dominance, familiarity, subjective age of acquisition (AoA), and sensory experience (SER) for the 875 Spanish words included in the Madrid Affective Database for Spanish (MADS). The norms can be downloaded as supplementary materials for this manuscript from https://figshare.com/s/8e7b445b729527262c88 These ratings may be of potential relevance to researches who are interested in characterizing the interplay between language and emotion. Additionally, with the aim of investigating how the affective features interact with the lexicosemantic properties of words, we performed correlational analyses between norms for familiarity, subjective AoA and SER, and scores for those affective variables which are currently included in the MADs. A distinct pattern of significant correlations with affective features was found for different lexicosemantic variables. These results show that familiarity, subjective AoA and SERs may have independent effects on the processing of emotional words. They also suggest that these psycholinguistic variables should be fully considered when formulating theoretical approaches to the processing of affective language.

[Chronic Salmonella typhimurium diarrhea in an immunocompetent patient]. / Diarrea crónica por Salmonella typhimuriumen paciente inmunocompentente.

Chronic diarrhea caused by infection in immunocompetent patients is an infrequent condition in developed countries, although certain pathogens,generally parasites (Giardia lamblia, Isospora belli,Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Strongyloides, Ameba,Trichuris and Schistosoma) and some bacteria (Aeromonas,Plesiomonas, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, Salmonella or Mycobacterium tuberculosis)can cause persistent diarrhea.We present the case of a patient who showed Salmonella typhimurium in his stool culture and recovered following treatment with levofloxacin for 7 days.

Diarrea crónica por Salmonella typhimurium en paciente inmunocompentente / Chronic Salmonella typhimurium diarrhea in an immunocompetent patient

La diarrea crónica de origen infeccioso en pacientes inmunocompetentes es un cuadro poco frecuente en países desarrollados, aunque ciertos patógenos, generalmente parásitos (Giardia lamblia, Isospora belli, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Strongyloides, Ameba, Trichuris y Schistosoma) y algunas bacterias (Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, Salmonella o Mycobacterium tuberculosis) pueden ser causantes de diarrea persistente. Se presenta un caso de un paciente que presentó Salmonella typhimunium en el coprocultivo y se recuperó tras tratamiento con levofloxacino durante 7 días (AU)

Chronic diarrhea caused by infection in immunocompetent patients is an infrequent condition in developed countries, although certain pathogens, generally parasites (Giardia lamblia, Isospora belli, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Strongyloides, Ameba, Trichuris and Schistosoma) and some bacteria (Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, Salmonella or Mycobacterium tuberculosis) can cause persistent diarrhea. We present the case of a patient who showed Salmonella typhimurium in his stool culture and recovered following treatment with levofloxacin for 7 days (AU)

Miocardiopatía dilatada e infarto de arteria cerebral media derecha / Dilated cardiomyopathy and right middle cerebral artery stroke

No disponible

High dynamics of rDNA cluster location in kissing bug holocentric chromosomes (Triatominae, Heteroptera).

In this paper, we determine by fluorescent in situ hybridization the variability in the chromosomal location of 45S rDNA clusters in 38 species belonging to 7 genera of the Triatominae subfamily, using a triatomine-specific 18S rDNA probe. Our results show a striking variability at the inter- and intraspecific level, never reported so far in holocentric chromosomes, revealing the extraordinary genomic dynamics that occurred during the evolution in this group of insects. Our results also demonstrate that the chromosomal position of rDNA clusters is an important marker to disclose chromosomal differentiation in species karyotypically homogenous in their chromosome number.

Cytogenetics and genome evolution in the subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

The subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), vectors of Chagas disease, includes over 140 species. Karyotypic information is currently available for 80 of these species. This paper summarizes the chromosomal variability of the subfamily and how it may reveal aspects of genome evolution in this group. The Triatominae present a highly conserved chromosome number. All species, except 3, present 20 autosomes. The differences in chromosome number are mainly caused by variation in the number of sex chromosomes, due to the existence of 3 sex systems in males (XY, X(1)X(2)Y and X(1)X(2)X(3)Y). However, inter- and intraspecific differences in the position, quantity and meiotic behavior of constitutive heterochromatin, in the total genome size, and in the location of ribosomal 45S rRNA clusters, have revealed considerable cytogenetic variability within the subfamily. This cytogenetic diversity offers the opportunity to perform cytotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies, as well as structural, evolutionary, and functional analyses of the genome. The imminent availability of the complete genome of Rhodnius prolixus also opens new perspectives for understanding the evolution and genome expression of triatomines. The application of fluorescence in situ hybridization for the mapping of genes and sequences, as well as comparative analyses of genome homology by comparative genomic hybridization will be useful tools for understanding the genomic changes in relation to evolutionary processes such as speciation and adaptation to different environments.

Estudio sobre el inicio de la suplementacióncon ácido fólico en gestantes / Study on the start of folic acid supplementation in pregnancy

Objetivo: Conocer el momento en que se inicia la suplementación conácido fólico en las mujeres gestantes y las que acuden a una visita preconcepcional.Sujetos y método: Estudio descriptivo y transversal de gestantes queacuden a su primera visita con la matrona para el seguimiento de suembarazo.Resultados: En el periodo de estudio se realizaron 567 primeras visitasde mujeres embarazadas. Se seleccionaron para el estudio 183 mujeres(32,3%). La primera visita con la matrona se realizó alrededor de la octavasemana de gestación (desviación estándar [DE] ± 3). El 38,7% delas mujeres (n= 71) no habían iniciado la suplementación con ácido fólicoen el momento de la primera visita. La cuarta semana de gestaciónes el promedio de inicio de toma de ácido fólico (DE ± 6,37). Un26,8% (n= 49) de las mujeres inició la ingesta de ácido fólico duranteel periodo recomendado. La fuente principal de información fue la matronaen un 51,3% (n= 94) de los casos; en el 42% (n= 77) de los casosla primera visita de embarazo con la matrona coincidió con el momentode información y el inicio de la suplementación con ácido fólico.Ninguna mujer había realizado visita preconcepcional.Conclusiones: La tasa de ingesta correcta de ácido fólico durante elembarazo en las mujeres de este estudio fue baja, aunque superior a lade otros estudios de prevalencia; la ingesta se inició como promedio enla cuarta semana de gestación. La principal fuente de información deconsumo de ácido fólico era la matrona (51,3%), pero la primera visitase realizó alrededor de la octava semana de gestación, lo que retrasabacon frecuencia el inicio de la toma del suplemento (AU)

Objective: To determine when folic acid supplementation is started inpregnant women and in women who attend a preconception visit.Subjects and method: A descriptive and transversal study of pregnantwomen who attend their first visit with a midwife to monitor theirpregnancies.Results: During the period of the study 567 first visits of pregnantwomen took place. Of the total, 183 women (32.3%) were selected forthe study. The first visit with the midwife took place around the eighthweek of pregnancy (standard deviation [SD] ± 3). Of the women, 38.7%(n= 71) had not started folic acid supplementation at the time of thefirst visit. The average starting point of folic acid supplementation wasthe fourth week of pregnancy (SD ± 6.37). Of the women, 26.8% (n=49) started taking folic acid during the recommended period. The midwifewas the main source of information in 51.3% (n= 94) of the cases;in 42% (n= 77) of the cases the first pregnancy visit with the midwifecoincided with the time at which the women received the informationand started the folic acid supplementation. None of the women had attendeda preconception visit.Conclusions: The rate of correct folic acid supplementation duringpregnancy in the women of this study was low, although it washigher than the rate in other prevalence studies; on average, thesupplementation started during the fourth week of pregnancy. Themain source of information regarding the consumption of folic acidwas the midwife (51.3%), but the first visit took place around theeighth week of pregnancy, which in many cases delayed the start ofthe supplementation (AU)

Estudio sobre el inicio de la suplementación con ácido fólico en gestantes / Study on the start of folic acid supplementation in pregnancy

Objetivo: Conocer el momento en que se inicia la suplementación con ácido fólico en las mujeres gestantes y las que acuden a una visita preconcepcional. Sujetos y método: Estudio descriptivo y transversal de gestantes que acuden a su primera visita con la matrona para el seguimiento de su embarazo.Resultados: En el periodo de estudio se realizaron 567 primeras visitas de mujeres embarazadas. Se seleccionaron para el estudio 183 mujeres(32,3%). La primera visita con la matrona se realizó alrededor de la octava semana de gestación (desviación estándar [DE] ± 3). El 38,7% de las mujeres (n= 71) no habían iniciado la suplementación con ácido fólico en el momento de la primera visita. La cuarta semana de gestaciónes el promedio de inicio de toma de ácido fólico (DE ± 6,37). Un 26,8% (n= 49) de las mujeres inició la ingesta de ácido fólico durante el periodo recomendado. La fuente principal de información fue la matrona en un 51,3% (n= 94) de los casos; en el 42% (n= 77) de los casosla primera visita de embarazo con la matrona coincidió con el momento de información y el inicio de la suplementación con ácido fólico.Ninguna mujer había realizado visita preconcepcional.Conclusiones: La tasa de ingesta correcta de ácido fólico durante el embarazo en las mujeres de este estudio fue baja, aunque superior a la de otros estudios de prevalencia; la ingesta se inició como promedio en la cuarta semana de gestación. La principal fuente de información de consumo de ácido fólico era la matrona (51,3%), pero la primera visita se realizó alrededor de la octava semana de gestación, lo que retrasaba con frecuencia el inicio de la toma del suplemento (AU)

Objective: To determine when folic acid supplementation is started inpregnant women and in women who attend a preconception visit. Subjects and method: A descriptive and transversal study of pregnant women who attend their first visit with a midwife to monitor their pregnancies. Results: During the period of the study 567 first visits of pregnant women took place. Of the total, 183 women (32.3%) were selected forthe study. The first visit with the midwife took place around the eighthweek of pregnancy (standard deviation [SD] ± 3). Of the women, 38.7%(n= 71) had not started folic acid supplementation at the time of the first visit. The average starting point of folic acid supplementation was the fourth week of pregnancy (SD ± 6.37). Of the women, 26.8% (n=49) started taking folic acid during the recommended period. The midwife was the main source of information in 51.3% (n= 94) of the cases;in 42% (n= 77) of the cases the first pregnancy visit with the midwife coincided with the time at which the women received the informationand started the folic acid supplementation. None of the women had attended a preconception visit.Conclusions: The rate of correct folic acid supplementation during pregnancy in the women of this study was low, although it was higher than the rate in other prevalence studies; on average, the supplementation started during the fourth week of pregnancy. The main source of information regarding the consumption of folic acid was the midwife (51.3%), but the first visit took place around the eighth week of pregnancy, which in many cases delayed the start of the supplementation (AU)

Síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño con repercusión sistémica. A propósito de un caso / Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with systemic repercussion. Case report

Presentamos el caso de un niño de 4 años que ingresa en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) por mal estado general, dificultad respiratoria severa con débil esfuerzo y ronquido inspiratorio. La auscultación cardiopulmonar muestra hipoventilación y ritmo de galope, tiene hepatomegalia y, desde el punto de vista neurológico, presenta disminución del nivel de conciencia (Glasgow 6/15). En las pruebas complementarias, se observa un daño hipóxico-isquémico generalizado(creatinina sérica de 1,8 mg/dL; GOT de 23.730 UI/L y GPT de 5.771 UI/L; actividad de protrombina del 31% y troponina de1,73 ng/mL). La radiografía de tórax muestra una discreta cardiomegalia y la ecocardiografía hipertensión pulmonar. En la eco-Doppler abdominal se observa una severa hiperecogenicidad cortical renal y hepatomegalia. En el electroencefalograma hay signos de afectación cerebral generalizada, y en la tomografía computarizada (TC) craneal aparecen dos áreas cerebrales sugestivas de infartos isquémicos e hipertrofia adenoidea. A los pocos días del ingreso, se realiza una adenoamigdalectomía. En el momento del alta, los parámetros analíticos son normales, y en la ecocardiografía no se observa hipertensión pulmonar (AU)

We present a case report of a four year old child who is admittedat the PICU due to general bad condition, serious respiratorydifficulty with low effort and inspiratory snoring. The cardiopulmonarauscultation shows hypoventilation and gallop rhythm.He also shows hepatomegaly and awareness reduction at aneurological level (Glasgow 6/15). The complementary testsshow a generalized hypoxic-ischemic injury (serum creatinine of1.8 mg/dL; GOT of 23,730 IUI/L and GPT of 5,771 IU/L; prothrombinactivity 31% and troponin 1.73 ng/mL). Thorax X-rayshows cardiomegaly and the echocardiography pulmonary hypertension.The abdominal echo-doppler shows a serious renalcortical hyperechogenicity and hepatomegaly. At the electroencephalographthere are some signs of generalized cerebraldamage and in the cranial scan there are two cerebral areasthat suggest ischemic infarctions and adenoid hypertrophy. Atonsillectomy is performed some days after admission. At thedischarge, the analytical parameters are normal and there is nopulmonary hypertension (PHT) in the echocardiography (AU)

[Clinical and functional characteristics of patients prior to lung transplantation: report of experience at the Clínica Puerta de Hierro]. / Características clínicas y funcionales antes del trasplante pulmonar. Experiencia en la Clínica Puerta de Hierro.

OBJECTIVE: The time at which lung transplantation is indicated is determined by clinical and functional criteria that vary according to the particular disease. The aim of our study was to present the criteria according to which patients were placed on waiting lists for lung transplantation in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical characteristics, lung function, heart function, and 6-minute walk test results of patients who had received a lung transplant in our hospital from January 2002 through September 2005. RESULTS: During the study period 100 lung transplants were performed. The mean age of the patients was 45 years (range, 15-67 years) and 57% were men. The diseases that most often led to a lung transplant were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (35%), pulmonary fibrosis (29%), and bronchiectasis (21%). Lung function values differed by disease: mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 20% (11%) and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 37% (15%) in patients with COPD; FEV1 was 41% (15%) and FVC, 40% (17%) in patients with pulmonary fibrosis; and FEV1 was 23% (7%) and FVC, 37% (10%) in patients with bronchiectasis. CONCLUSIONS: The patients who received lung transplants in our hospital were in advanced phases of their disease and met the inclusion criteria accepted by the various medical associations when they were placed on the waiting list.

Características clínicas y funcionales antes del trasplante pulmonar. Experiencia en la Clínica Puerta de Hierro / Clinical and functional characteristics of patients prior to lung transplantation: report of experience at the Clínica Puerta de Hierro

OBJETIVO: El momento para indicar un trasplante pulmonar está definido por criterios clínicos y funcionales diferentes para cada enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar cuáles fueron los criterios por los que en nuestro hospital se incluyó a los pacientes en lista de espera de trasplante pulmonar. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se ha realizado un análisis retrospectivo de las características clínicas, la función respiratoria, la prueba de la marcha de 6 minutos y el estudio cardiológico de los pacientes que recibieron un trasplante pulmonar entre enero de 2002 y septiembre de 2005. RESULTADOS: En el período estudiado se realizaron 100 trasplantes pulmonares. La edad media de los pacientes era de 45 años (rango: 15-67) y el 57% eran varones. Las enfermedades que con mayor frecuencia motivaron el trasplante pulmonar fueron la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC, 35%), la fibrosis pulmonar (29%) y las bronquiectasias (BQ) (21%). La media ± desviación estándar de la función pulmonar osciló entre el 20 ± 11% del volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (FEV1) y el 37 ± 15% de la capacidad vital forzada (FVC) en la EPOC; del 41 ± 15% del FEV1 y el 40 ± 17% de la FVC en la fibrosis pulmonar, y del 23 ± 7% del FEV1 y el 37 ± 10% de la FVC en las BQ. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes que recibieron un trasplante pulmonar en nuestro centro se encontraban en fases muy evolucionadas de su enfermedad y cumplían los criterios de inclusión admitidos por las diferentes sociedades médicas cuando se les incluyó en lista de espera

OBJECTIVE: The time at which lung transplantation is indicated is determined by clinical and functional criteria that vary according to the particular disease. The aim of our study was to present the criteria according to which patients were placed on waiting lists for lung transplantation in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical characteristics, lung function, heart function, and 6-minute walk test results of patients who had received a lung transplant in our hospital from January 2002 through September 2005. RESULTS: During the study period 100 lung transplants were performed. The mean age of the patients was 45 years (range, 15-67 years) and 57% were men. The diseases that most often led to a lung transplant were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (35%), pulmonary fibrosis (29%), and bronchiectasis (21%). Lung function values differed by disease: mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 20% (11%) and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 37% (15%) in patients with COPD; FEV1 was 41% (15%) and FVC, 40% (17%) in patients with pulmonary fibrosis; and FEV1 was 23% (7%) and FVC, 37% (10%) in patients with bronchiectasis. CONCLUSIONS: The patients who received lung transplants in our hospital were in advanced phases of their disease and met the inclusion criteria accepted by the various medical associations when they were placed on the waiting list

[Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine failure in HIV-infected child. Clinical case]. / Fallo de la vacuna antineumocócica conjugada en un niño VIH positivo. A propósito de un caso.

Despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy and vaccination, invasive pneumococcal infections remain associated with significant mortality, especially in selected high-risk groups (asplenic, humoral immunity deficient patients, etc.). We present a 13-year-old caucasian boy with HIV infection (vertical transmission). He received treatment with highly-active antiretroviral therapy (amprenavir, lamivudine and zidovudine) and vaccination with 23-valent vaccine (6 years old) and 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (10 years old). His CD4 count and his viral load at these times were 2,063/microl and 13461 cop/ml, when he was 6 years old and 1,315/microl and 32400 cop/ml when he was 10 years old, respectively. The latest CD4 count (1,000/microl) and his viral load (3800 cop/ml) confirmed satisfactory control of the disease. He was referred to our emergency department presenting with fever, head and stomach-ache and vomiting. In the following hours his condition continued to deteriorate and depressed level of consciousness and meningismus were observed. Streptococcus pneumoniae, serotype 18 C, was detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Despite appropriate treatment with antibiotics (cefotaxime and vancomycin) and anti-oedema medications, brain-death was confirmed 24 hours after his admittance.

Fallo de la vacuna antineumocócica conjugada en un niño VIH positivo. A propósito de un caso / Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine failure in HIV-infected child

La infección neumocócica sigue asociada con una importante mortalidad, especialmente en grupos de riesgo (esplenectomizados, déficit de la inmunidad humoral, etc.) a pesar de vacunas y antibióticos adecuados. Presentamos a un niño de 13 años VIH positivo por transmisión vertical tratado con triple terapia (amprenavir, lamivudina y zidovudina). Fue vacunado con vacuna 23-valente a los 6 años y conjugada heptavalente a los 10 años de edad. El recuento de células CD4 y su carga viral a los 6 años eran de 2.063/μl y 13.461 copias/ml, respectivamente. A los 10 años el recuento de CD4 y su carga viral eran de 1.315/μl y 32.400 copias/ml, respectivamente. El último recuento de CD4 (1.000/μl) y la carga viral (3.800 copias/ml) confirmaban un buen control de la enfermedad 15 días antes del ingreso. Acude a urgencias por fiebre, dolor abdominal y vómitos. Hay un progresivo deterioro del nivel de conciencia y signos meníngeos. En el hemocultivo y en el cultivo de LCR crece Streptococcus pneumoniae serotipo 18C, y es tratado con cefotaxima y vancomicina, así como medidas antiedema cerebral, pero evoluciona a muerte cerebral en 24 h (AU)

Despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy and vaccination, invasive pneumococcal infections remain associated with significant mortality, especially in selected high-risk groups (asplenic, humoral immunity deficient patients, etc.). We present a 13-year-old caucasian boy with HIV infection (vertical transmission). He received treatment with highly-active antiretroviral therapy (amprenavir, lamivudine and zidovudine) and vaccination with 23-valent vaccine (6 years old) and 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (10 years old). His CD4 count and his viral load at these times were 2,063/μl and 13461 cop/ml, when he was 6 years old and 1,315/μl and 32400 cop/ml when he was 10 years old, respectively. The latest CD4 count (1,000/μl) and his viral load (3800 cop/ml) confirmed satisfactory control of the disease. He was referred to our emergency department presenting with fever, head and stomach-ache and vomiting. In the following hours his condition continued to deteriorate and depressed level of consciousness and meningismus were observed. Streptococcus pneumoniae, serotype 18 C, was detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Despite appropriate treatment with antibiotics (cefotaxime and vancomycin) and anti-oedema medications, brain-death was confirmed 24 hours after his admittance (AU)

Linfomatosis cerebral como causa de leucoencefalopatía / Lymphomatosis cerebri as the cause of leukoencephalopathy

La linfomatosis cerebral (LC) es un tipo poco frecuente de linfoma primario del sistema nervioso centralcaracterizado por la afectación difusa e infiltrante de la sustancia blanca cerebral sin formar una masa. Objetivo. Presentar el caso de una paciente con LC para llamar la atención sobre la existencia de esta enfermedad, raramente diagnosticada, y sobre su presentación inicial en la resonancia magnética (RM) como leucoencefalopatía. Caso clínico. Mujer de 56 años que inició un cuadro de demencia subaguda. La tomografía axial computarizada y la RM craneal revelaron una afectación extensa, difusa y bilateral de la sustancia blanca, núcleos basales, mesencéfalo y protuberancia, sin efecto masa ni captación de contraste. Biopsia estereotáxica de la sustancia blanca, no concluyente, que mostró un infiltrado inflamatorio mononuclearmixto, de células B y T, de disposición perivascular. No se observó atipia citológica. Se realizó tratamiento con corticoides, con lo que se obtuvo mejoría clínica y radiológica en los dos primeros meses. Al siguiente mes se produjo un deterioro clínico rápido con somnolencia y empeoramiento de la marcha. La RM mostró un aspecto más heterogéneo de la lesión, con efecto masa sobre estructuras adyacentes y realce parcheado del contraste. Una biopsia cerebral en cuña llevó al diagnóstico de linfoma de células B de alto grado. Conclusiones. La apariencia radiológica e histológica de la LC puede no ser la habitual de los linfomas primarios del sistema nervioso central, y su presentación clínica puede ser similar a la de otros procesos difusos de afectación de la sustancia blanca (gliomatosis cerebral, enfermedades inflamatorias de la sustancia blanca como la enfermedad de Behçet, la enfermedad de Sjögren o el lupus eritematoso sistémico)

Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is an infrequent type of primary lymphoma of the central nervous systemthat is characterised by diffuse, infiltrating involvement of the white matter of the brain without the formation of a mass. Aim. To report the case of a patient with LC in order to draw attention to this disease, which is rarely diagnosed, and to its initialpresentation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as leukoencephalopathy. Case report. Our patient was a 56-year-old female who had clinical signs and symptoms of sub-acute dementia. Computerised axial tomography and MRI of the head revealed extensive, diffuse and bilateral involvement of the white matter, basal nuclei, mesencephalon and pons, with no masseffect or contrast enhancement. A stereotactic biopsy of the white matter (which was not conclusive) showed a perivascular mixed mononuclear-cell inflammatory infiltrate of B and T cells. No cytologic atypia was observed. Treatment was establishedwith corticoids, which produced a clinical and radiological improvement in the first two months. During the next month the patient underwent rapid clinical deterioration with sleepiness and a worsening of the ability to walk. In an MRI scan the lesion had a more heterogeneous appearance with mass effect on adjacent structures and patchy contrast enhancement. A wedge biopsy of brain tissue led to a diagnosis of high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Conclusions. The imaging and histological appearance of LC may not be the one typically found in primary lymphomas of the central nervous system, and its clinical presentation may be similar to that of other diffuse processes involving compromise of the white matter (cerebral gliomatosis, inflammatory diseases of the white matter, such as Behçet’s disease, Sjögren’s disease or systemic lupus erythematosus)

[Lymphomatosis cerebri as the cause of leukoencephalopathy]. / Linfomatosis cerebral como causa de leucoencefalopatía.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is an infrequent type of primary lymphoma of the central nervous system that is characterised by diffuse, infiltrating involvement of the white matter of the brain without the formation of a mass. AIM: To report the case of a patient with LC in order to draw attention to this disease, which is rarely diagnosed, and to its initial presentation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as leukoencephalopathy. CASE REPORT: Our patient was a 56-year-old female who had clinical signs and symptoms of sub-acute dementia. Computerised axial tomography and MRI of the head revealed extensive, diffuse and bilateral involvement of the white matter, basal nuclei, mesencephalon and pons, with no mass effect or contrast enhancement. A stereotactic biopsy of the white matter (which was not conclusive) showed a perivascular mixed mononuclear-cell inflammatory infiltrate of B and T cells. No cytologic atypia was observed. Treatment was established with corticoids, which produced a clinical and radiological improvement in the first two months. During the next month the patient underwent rapid clinical deterioration with sleepiness and a worsening of the ability to walk. In an MRI scan the lesion had a more heterogeneous appearance with mass effect on adjacent structures and patchy contrast enhancement. A wedge biopsy of brain tissue led to a diagnosis of high-grade B-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging and histological appearance of LC may not be the one typically found in primary lymphomas of the central nervous system, and its clinical presentation may be similar to that of other diffuse processes involving compromise of the white matter (cerebral gliomatosis, inflammatory diseases of the white matter, such as Behçet's disease, Sjögren's disease or systemic lupus erythematosus).