Perception of verticality in the post-COVID-19 condition correlates to infection severity.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection affects multiple systems, including musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory systems. Changes associated with physical inactivity due to prolonged hospitalization can affect the functional capacity of individuals with long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or post-COVID-19 condition and may cause changes in some postural control functions, such as verticality. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of verticality in individuals with long COVID. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included 60 participants with post-COVID-19 condition divided into 2 groups: hospitalized group (n = 24), those hospitalized owing to SARS-CoV-2 infection; and non-hospitalized group (n = 36), those infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not hospitalized. All participants were examined using a post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS), sit-to-stand test, grip strength assessment, painful and tactile sensory assessments, visual acuity assessment, and vestibular assessment. Verticality perception was evaluated using the subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective haptic vertical (SHV) tests. In both tests, the absolute values (positive values only) and true values (positive and negative values) were considered. To verify potential confounders that could influence the verticality of the results, logistic regression models were used for categorical variables and multiple linear regressions were used for continuous variables. For analysis between groups, the independent samples test (Mann-Whitney U test) was used. Results: There were no confounders between clinical variables and verticality in either group. There was a significant increase in absolute SVV (mean deviation [MD]: 2.83; P < .0001) and true SVV (MD: -4.18; P = .005) in the hospitalized group compared to the non-hospitalized group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the true SHV (MD: -3.6; P = .026) in the hospitalized group compared to that in the non-hospitalized group. Conclusion: Less accurate visual and haptic verticality perception task performance was observed in hospitalized patients with post-COVID-19 condition.

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: a rare cause of hepatosplenomegaly.

We report a case of a man presenting with an unexplained fever, pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly without lymphadenopathy. Bone marrow flow cytometry strongly suggested hepatosplenic γδ T-cell lymphoma and infiltration of bone marrow samples by pathological T-lymphocytes confirmed the diagnosis. Despite chemotherapy the patient died 1 year after diagnosis. This is a rare disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatosplenomegaly especially when it presents with B-symptoms and no lymph node enlargement. There is no standard therapy and the prognosis is poor.

Sangrado digestivo oscuro por tumor carcinoide ileal / Obscure digestive bleeding by ileal carcinoid tumor

Mujer de 82 años con antecedentes de osteoartrosis, hipotiroidismo y anemia desde hace 14 años (ha recibido transfusiones). Refiere desde hace 9 meses malestar general, hiporexia, astenia y sensación de debilidad; asociadas a episodios de dolor abdominal intermitente. En un centro médico le detectaron anemia y Thevenon positivo. En el examen físico observamos a una paciente en regular estado general, obesa, con edema leve de miembros inferiores, sin alteraciones en tórax, cardiovascular, abdomen, etc. Sus exámenes auxiliares fueron normales, excepto que tenía anemia ferropénica. Le realizaron una endoscopia alta y colonoscopia sin detectar alguna fuente potencial de sangrado; se planteó el diagnóstico de hemorragia digestiva de origen oscuro. La evaluación se complementó con una ecografía y tomografía abdominal observando esteatosis hepática y litiasis vesicular; la radiografía de tránsito intestinal detectó una lesión protruida en un asa intestinal aparentemente correspondiente a yeyuno distal; Se le realizó la enteroscopia (con equipo de un solo balón) anterógrada y retrógrada logrando evaluar yeyuno proximal e ileon distal sin observar alguna lesión. El estudio de cápsula endoscópica mostró un tumor polipoideo ûaparentemente en yeyuno- con evidencia de haber sangrado. La intervención quirúrgica detectó el área tumoral en el íleon proximal; en el espécimen quirúrgico se evidenciaron 3 tumoraciones de 0.7mm, 10mm y 15mm cuyo estudio histológico mostró que se trataban de lesiones correspondientes a tumor carcinoide. La presentación del tumor ileal carcinoide como hemorragia digestiva de origen oscuro no es frecuente.

The patient is an 82 year-old female with a history of osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism and anemia for 14 years (receiving blood transfusions). She was admited to our hospital with a nine months history of malaise, anorexia, fatigue and weakness, associated with intermitten episodes of abdominal pain. She was diagnosed anemia and occult blood positive stools. Physical examination revealed a patient in generally fair condition, obese, with mild edema of lower limbs, no changes in the evaluation of chest, cardiovascular, abdomen, etc. Laboratory data was unremarkable, except for iron deficiency anemia. The upper endoscopy showed duodenal ulcer scar, fundic polyposis and chronic gastritis. Colonoscopy revealed some diverticula, a small sessile polyp and internal hemorrhoids. The diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was made. The CT scan of the abdomen showed gallstones and fatty liver; a radiograph of intestinal transit detected a lesion apparently protruded intestinal loop for distal jejunum; enteroscopy was performed (with one team ball) anterograde and retrograde achieving assess distal jejunum and distal ileum without observing any injuries. The study of capsule endoscopy showed a polypoid tumor intestinal with evidence of having bleeding. Surgery detected the tumor in proximal ileum. The surgical specimen findings showed three tumors 0.7mm, 10mm and 15mm on the proximal ileum. The microscopic examination revealed that these lesions were neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoid). The Ileal carcinoid tumor may rarely presented with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.