Variables asociadas a complicaciones de la punción con aguja fina frente a biopsia con aguja gruesa de las lesiones pulmonares / Variables associated with complications of fine needle puncture against core needle biopsy of pulmonary injuries

Introducción. El cáncer de pulmón es la primera causa de muerte por cáncer contando con terapias específicas que exigen identificar estructuras moleculares; por ello se utiliza más biopsia aguja gruesa, pudiendo aumentar el riesgo de complicaciones. El objetivo es comparar tasa de complicaciones de punción aguja fina (PAAF) frente a biopsia aguja gruesa (BAG) y analizar variables asociadas. Material y método. Análisis retrospectivo observacional de 146 pacientes con lesiones pulmonares periféricas, practicando PAAF o BAG guiada con técnicas de imagen. El periodo de estudio (marzo 2012-septiembre 2013), durante la primera mitad se realizó PAAF y durante la segunda BAG. Se calculó la tasa de complicaciones y se analizaron variables relativas al tamaño y localización lesión, técnica y presencia de enfisema. El estudio estadístico se realizó mediante un análisis univariado seguido de un modelo de regresión logística. Resultados. Se realizó PAAF en 66 pacientes (45,2%) y BAG en 80 (54,8%). Tasa global complicaciones 36,3% (53 casos), siendo neumotórax la más frecuente 43 casos (29,5%). La tasa de complicaciones fue menor en BAG que PAAF (28,8% vs 45,5%) (p= 0,037) en análisis univariado. En análisis multivariado las variables que asociaron mayor probabilidad complicaciones fueron: número pases ≥ 3 (OR 0,57), tamaño lesión < 30 mm (OR 3,45) y distancia lesión-pleura > 15 mm (OR 0,94). Conclusiones. Los factores que asociaron de forma independiente complicaciones fueron tamaño lesión, distancia lesión-pleura y número pases. La menor tasa complicaciones de BAG se explica por el menor número de pases realizados

Introduction. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, with specific therapies that require identification of molecular structures; therefore, a core needle biopsy is used, which can increase the risk of complications. The objective is to compare the rate of complications of fine needle puncture (FNP) versus core needle biopsy (CNB) and analyze associated variables. Material and method. Retrospective observational analysis of 146 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions, practicing FNP or CNB guided with imaging techniques. Study period (March 2012-September 2013), during the first half FNP was carried out and during the second CNB. The complication rate was calculated and variables related to size and location of the lesion, technique and presence of emphysema were analyzed. The statistical study was carried out through a univariate analysis followed by a logistic regression model. Results. FNP was performed in 66 patients (45.2%) and CNB in 80 (54.8%). Overall rate complications 36.3% (53 cases) with pneumothorax being the most frequent 43 cases (29.5%). The complication rate was lower in CNB than FNP (28.8% vs 45.5%) (p= 0.037) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, variables that associated the highest probability of complications were: number of passes ≥ 3 (OR 0.57), lesion size < 30 mm (OR 3.45) and lesion-pleura distance > 15 mm (OR 0.94). Conclusions. Factors that independently associated complications were lesion size, lesion-pleura distance and number of passes. The lower complication rate of BAG is explained by lower number of passes made

Punción transvascular guiada por ecobroncoscopia / Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transvascular needle aspiration

Presentamos el caso de un varón de 74 años con un nódulo pulmonar en lóbulo medio en el que el único abordaje posible para la toma de biopsia era la punción transvascular, atravesando la arteria interlobar para alcanzar la adenopatía localizada en 11Ri, todo esto guiado por ecobroncoscopia

We report a case of a 74-year-old man with a pulmonary nodule in the middle lobe in whom the only possible approach for biopsy was transvascular puncture, crossing the interlobar artery to reach the localized adenopathy in 11Ri, all guided by ecobronchoscopy

[High resolution computerized tomography in pulmonary tuberculosis with negative sputum bacilloscopy]. / Tomografía computarizada de alta resolución en tuberculosis pulmonar con baciloscopia de esputo negativa.

CONTEXT: Pulmonary tuberculosis with negative sputum bacilloscopy involves diagnostic difficulties when there are not available liquid culture media due to the slow growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the traditional culture media, and also due to the need for carrying out invasive examinations. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the high resolution computerized tomography findings (HRCT) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and negative bacilloscopy of sputum. METHOD: Prospectively 28 patients (12 with active tuberculosis and 16 with inactive tuberculosis) were evaluated through HRCT, assessing the following findings: centrolobular nodules, multiple branched linear structures, macronodules, cavitation, consolidation, enlargement of interlobular septums, ground-glass change, bronchiectases, emphysema, broncovascular distortion, fibrotic changes, calcified mediastinal adenopathies, parenchymous calcification, pleural enlargement, and pleural effusion. RESULTS: The findings that were associated significantly to the active disease were: consolidation (67%), macronodules (67%) and centrolobular nodules (67%). The presence of centrolobular nodules and/or consolidation had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 87%. The findings significantly associated to inactive disease were bronchiectases (87%) and broncovascular distortion (62%). CONCLUSION: Our results support the value of HRCT in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and negative sputum bacilloscopy, since the finding of centrolobular nodules and/or consolidation has good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of active pulmonary disease.

Tomografía computarizada de alta resolución en tuberculosis pulmonar con baciloscopia de esputo negativa / High resolution computerized tomography in pulmonary tuberculosis with negative sputum bacilloscopy

Marco de referencia. La tuberculosis pulmonar con baciloscopia de esputo negativa plantea dificultades diagnósticas cuando no se dispone de medios líquidos de cultivo debido al lento crecimiento del Mycobacterium tuberculosis en los medios tradicionales de cultivo y a la necesidad de utilizar exploraciones invasivas. Objetivo. Evaluar los hallazgos de la tomografía computarizada de alta resolución (HRCT) en pacientes con tuberculosis pulmonar y baciloscopia de esputo negativa. Método. Se estudiaron prospectivamente 28 pacientes (12 con tuberculosis activa y 16 inactiva) mediante HRCT, valorando los siguientes hallazgos: nódulos centrolobulillares, estructuras lineales ramificadas múltiples, macronódulos, cavitación, consolidación, engrosamiento de septos interlobulillares, vidrio esmerilado, bronquiectasias, enfisema, distorsión broncovascular, cambios fibróticos, adenopatías mediastínicas calcificadas, calcificación parenquimatosa, engrosamiento pleural y derrame pleural. Resultados. Los hallazgos que se asociaron significativamente a enfermedad activa fueron: consolidación (67 por ciento), macronódulos (67 por ciento) y nódulos centrolobulillares (67 por ciento). La presencia de nódulos centrolobulillares y/o consolidación tuvo una sensibilidad del 83 por ciento y especificidad del 87 por ciento. Los hallazgos que se asociaron significativamente a enfermedad inactiva fueron bronquiectasias (87 por ciento) y distorsión broncovascular (62 por ciento).Conclusión. Nuestros resultados apoyan el valor de la HRCT en pacientes con tuberculosis pulmonar y baciloscopia de esputo negativa, ya que el hallazgo de nódulos centrolobulillares y/o consolidación tiene una buena sensibilidad y especificidad para diagnosticar enfermedad pulmonar activa. (AU)

[Can we improve the prevention of tuberculosis? Analysis of the application of chemoprophylaxis]. / Podemos mejorar la prevención de la tuberculosis? Análisis de la aplicación de la quimioprofilaxis.

To analyze the situations that make chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis difficult. One hundred twenty-eight patients consecutive (106 HIV negative and 22 HIV positive) diagnosed of tuberculosis (TB) were studied. The patients were interviewed and a questionnaire was filled out in order to identify risk groups and determine what steps had been taken to prevent TB. In the HIV negative group, 63 (57.8%) had at least one risk factor. The most common were contact with persons with active TB (31.1%), former TB (15.1%), rapid weight loss or chronic malnutrition (13.2%) and residence in closed institutions (5.6%). Of the 51 (48.1%) for whom evaluation of chemoprophylaxis was indicated, 43 (84.3%) had been examined by a physician within the past five years; only 10 (23.3%) of them, however, had been checked for TB and isoniazide had been prescribed for only 4 (9.3%). In the HIV positive group, 13 (72.2%) of those for whom evaluation of chemoprophylaxis was indicated had been seen by a physician; 12 (97.7%) of them were given tuberculin tests checked for TB and isoniazide was prescribed for 4 (30.7%). None of the patients in either group who were prescribed a full course of prophylaxis actually took the drug enough. Most HIV negative patients for whom evaluation of chemoprophylaxis was indicated had been examined by a physician in the five years before disease was detected; less than a quarter of them were checked for TB, however. This situation is probably a consequence of the structure of health care in Spain as it affects TB control. Nearly all the HIV positive patients were checked for the disease, as they benefited from protocolized health care.

[Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in a young woman]. / Carcinoma bronquioloalveolar en mujer joven.

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is an infrequent malignant lung tumor, specially in patients younger than 50. Diagnosis is difficult and usually late, because its clinical and radiologic features are similar to other lung diseases and because its poor histopathologic differentiation from other primitive o metastatic adenocarcinoma. We report a case of multinodular, diffuse and bilateral bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in a young woman without previous lung disease which suspected diagnosis was by broncho-aspirated cytology and open lung biopsy was necessary for its confirmation.

[Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia at an internal medicine service: study of 12 patients]. / La telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditaria en un servicio de medicina interna: estudio de doce enfermos.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a hereditary dominant autosoma clinical entity characterized by repeated hemorrhages (being epistaxis the more frequent) and telangiectasia in skin, mucosa and internal organs. Incidence in Europe is 1,2 per 100,000 pop. We discuss the experience of an Internal Medicine Department (Arnau de Vilanova Hospital), during 10 years, in which 12 patients were diagnosed. With the aim to provide more information about this rare disease. There was no predominant sex and the age of onset was very variable. All patients referred at admission past history of hemorrhages (either the patient him/herself or some relative), or were suffering it at admission. Except one patient, all of them showed telangiectasias in skin and mucosa. In five of them telangiectaias were found in upper gastrointestinal tract, in two there were localized on the tracheobronchial tree and one patient had teleangiectasia in liver. Three patients were diagnosed of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVF). The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this disease are reviewed.

[Familial outbreak of pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Brote familiar de tuberculosis respiratoria.

A study of 5 patients diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis during a period of 14 months is presented. 3 of them are members of the same family of 7 and the other 2 are closely related. This study calls our attention to the need for carrying out contacts evaluation, relative or not, and for chemoprophylaxis. The presentation of microepidemyes in relation to the decrease of the prevalence was also observed.