Atypical double colorectal metastasis: spleen and uterus.

Oligometastatic disease is a relatively new concept that refers to an intermediate stage between disseminated and localized cancer. Most frequent locations for colorectal metastasis are lung and liver. We present an a typical case of an 85-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a low-grade adenocarcinoma in left colon; she underwent a left laparoscopic hemicolectomy which resulted in a stage IIIb. After 24 months of follow-up, an increase of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) leads to the diagnosis of two metastatic lesions in two uncommon locations: spleen and myometrium. Stepwise surgical resection of both lesions was performed without complications. Spleen and uterus are organs that are rarely affected in colorectal cancer, the affection of both organs being even more infrequent. Despite the atypicality, surgical treatment is a valid strategy in this case of oligometastatic disease, which enables the disease-free survival of the patients.

Predictors of Metachronous Risk Polyps After Index Colonoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Guidelines for surveillance after polypectomy are lacking in strong evidence. Our aim was to identify some precursors of colorectal cancer lesions at 3 years after polypectomy to improve stratification and surveillance programs. METHODS: We included patients with high-risk lesions (HRLs), defined as advanced adenoma (AA), large serrated polyps (SPs), and multiplicity (≥3 of any adenomas/SPs). Data on age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, pharmacological treatment, and the histological characteristics in each individual, and mutations in genes involved in the most advanced index polyp, were collected. Parameters independently associated with a metachronous HRL diagnosis were evaluated through univariate and multivariate analyses. The results are reported as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals along with P values. RESULTS: A total of 537 cases (median age: 60.7 years; 66% male) were included. Dyslipidemia and smoking correlated with metachronous HRLs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of multiplicity with ≥3 polyps on the index colonoscopy was significantly associated with metachronous HRL, AA, proximal AA, and ≥3 polyps at 3 years. In addition, independent predictors of metachronous proximal AA were increasing age, female sex, and the loss of expression of the MLH1 protein. DISCUSSION: Multiplicity was a strong predictor of HRLs at 3 years, although the inclusion of other clinical variables (age, sex, smoking status, and dyslipidemia) improves surveillance recommendations. Without these risk factors, the surveillance could be extended to 5 years; we propose examining the somatic expression of MHL1 in all patients.

[Olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19, a review of the evidence and implications for pandemic management]. / Alteraciones del olfato en la COVID-19, revisión de la evidencia e implicaciones en el manejo de la pandemia.

There is debate as to whether olfactory dysfunction should be considered a symptom of COVID-19 infection. We undertook a systematic literature review of the articles indexed in PubMed on olfactory disorders in viral respiratory tract conditions, with special emphasis on COVID-19. The main objective was to find evidence of clinical interest to support the relationship between anosmia and COVID-19. Olfactory disorders in upper respiratory tract infections are frequent, most caused by obstruction due to oedema of the nasal mucosa. Occasionally, post-viral sensorineural olfactory dysfunction occurs, with a variable prognosis. The evidence on anosmia in COVID-19 patients is extremely limited, corresponding to a level 5 or D of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. According to the available evidence, it seems reasonable to apply isolation, hygiene and social distancing measures in patients with recent olfactory disorders as the only symptom, although the usefulness of diagnostic tests for this type of patient should be studied.

[Olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19, a review of the evidence and implications for pandemic management]. / Alteraciones del olfato en la COVID-19, revisión de la evidencia e implicaciones en el manejo de la pandemia.

There is debate as to whether olfactory dysfunction should be considered a symptom of COVID-19 infection. We undertook a systematic literature review of the articles indexed in PubMed on olfactory disorders in viral respiratory tract conditions, with special emphasis on COVID-19. The main objective was to find evidence of clinical interest to support the relationship between anosmia and COVID-19. Olfactory disorders in upper respiratory tract infections are frequent, most caused by obstruction due to oedema of the nasal mucosa. Occasionally, post-viral sensorineural olfactory dysfunction occurs, with a variable prognosis. The evidence on anosmia in COVID-19 patients is extremely limited, corresponding to a level 5 or D of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. According to the available evidence, it seems reasonable to apply isolation, hygiene and social distancing measures in patients with recent olfactory disorders as the only symptom, although the usefulness of diagnostic tests for this type of patient should be studied.

Incidental focal uptake in colorectal location on oncologic FDG PET and PET/CT studies: Histopathological findings and clinical significances / Captación focal incidental de 18F-FDG en colon en los estudios PET y PET/TAC: Hallazgos histopatológicos y significado clínico

Purpose: Unexpected focal colonic or rectal radiotracer activity is an usual finding in patients subjected to a PET study. The aim of this work has been to evaluate the clinical significance of this finding in the prediction of an existing colorectal malignancy. Material and methods: During the last three years, all patients studied with 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET for oncologic work-up purposes were prospectively surveyed for focal colorectal radiotracer activity. Colonoscopy was performed in all patients with this incidental finding in order to exclude colonic malignancy. CEA level, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), CT findings, colonoscopy findings and histopathological results were prospectively analyzed in all patients. Results: A total of 2290 patients were evaluated, 158 of whom were studied with PET and the remainder with a hybrid PET/CT. Focal FDG colorectal activity was incidentally detected in 27 patients with no previous history of colorectal cancer. Colorectal adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in seven (25.9%) patients. A pre-cancerous lesion was found in eleven patients (40.7%). Eight patients (29.6%) had no macroscopic lesions. One patient was diagnosed with a benign lesion. Any focal activity found in the colon by 18F-FDG PET/CT examination predicts a probability greater than 50% of an underlying malignant or premalignant lesion in the histopathological analysis (logistic regression, p = 0.01), independently of the calculated SUVmax. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, we recommend the performance of a colonoscopy and biopsy of any suspicious lesions, in all patients with unexpected focal FDG activity found in colon or rectum during a 18F-FDG PET/CT examination (AU)

Objetivo: La actividad focal incidental de FDG en colon o recto es un hallazgo usual en pacientes sometidos a una PET. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar el significado clínico que tiene este hallazgo en la predicción de la existencia de una lesión colorectal maligna. Material y métodos: Durante los últimos tres años todos los pacientes estudiados mediante PET/CT con 18F con fines oncológicos fueron valorados de forma prospectiva en busca de actividad focal colónica o rectal. Se realizó colonoscopia a todos los pacientes con este hallazgo, para excluir enfermedad maligna. Tanto los hallazgos de la colonoscopia, como los niveles de CEA, SUVmáx, hallazgos TAC y los resultados histopatológicos fueron prospectivamente analizados en todos ellos. Resultados: Un total de 2290 pacientes fueron evaluados, 158 de ellos fueron estudiados con PET y el resto con un equipo híbrido PET/TAC. En 27 de ellos se halló actividad focal de FDG sospechosa en colon o recto. En siete (25,9%) pacientes se diagnóstico adenocarcinoma colorectal. En 11 pacientes (40,7%) se halló una lesión precancerosa. Ocho pacientes (29,6%) no presentaron ninguna lesión macroscópicamente apreciable en la colonoscopia. Un paciente fue diagnosticado de una lesión benigna. Cualquier actividad focal de FDG predice una probabilidad mayor del 50% de corresponder a una lesión premaligna o maligna en el análisis histopatológico (regresión logística, p=0,01), independientemente del SUVmáx. Conclusión: De acuerdo con los resultados del presente estudio recomendamos la realización de una colonoscopia y biopsia de cualquier lesión sospechosa en todos los pacientes en los que se observe actividad focal de FDG en colon o recto en los estudios PET/TAC (AU)