Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Bone Lesions of the Knee.

Numerous anatomical variants are described around the knee, many of which look like bony lesions, so it is important to know them to avoid unnecessary complementary tests and inadequate management. Likewise, several alterations in relation to normal development can also simulate bone lesions.However, numerous pathologic processes frequently affect the knee, including traumatic, inflammatory, infectious, and tumor pathology. Many of these entities show typical radiologic features that facilitate their diagnosis. In other cases, a correct differential diagnosis is necessary for proper clinical management.Despite the availability of increasingly advanced imaging techniques, plain radiography is still the technique of choice in the initial study of many of these pathologies. This article reviews the radiologic characteristics of tumor and nontumor lesions that may appear around the knee to make a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary complementary radiologic examinations and inadequate clinical management.

Economic evaluation of percutaneous cryoablation vs conventional surgery in extra-abdominal desmoid tumours in the Spanish healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: Desmoid tumours (DTs) or deep fibromatosis are benign soft-tissue tumours, sometimes locally aggressive, requiring intervention on some cases. Surgery has been the gold standard, but new less invasive techniques such as percutaneous cryoablation have proved their effectiveness, reducing health resources and complications. The study aimed to compare the total cost of percutaneous cryoablation and conventional surgery for patients with extra-abdominal and/or abdominal wall DTs, candidates for local ablative treatment in Spain. METHODS: A cost-analysis model was developed. An expert panel provided data about resource consumption for the percutaneous cryoablation technique and validated the epidemiology used for target population estimation. Unitary resources cost (€ 2022) derived from local cost databases. A retrospective analysis of 54 surgical cases in 3 Spanish hospitals was performed to estimate the cost of conventional surgery based on the cost of the Diagnosis-Related group (DRG) codes identified on this patient sample, weighted by each DRG proportion. The total cost for each alternative included intervention cost and complications cost, considering debridement required in 4.5% of cases with percutaneous cryoablation and minor surgery for surgical site infection in 18.0% for conventional surgery. RESULTS: The total cost for percutaneous cryoablation (€ 5774.78/patient-year) was lower than the total cost for conventional surgery (€ 6780.98/patient-year), yielding cost savings up to € 80,002 in 1 year for the entire cohort of 80 patients with DTs eligible for intervention estimated in Spain. One-way sensitivity analyses confirmed the results' robustness. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous cryoablation versus conventional surgery would yield cost savings for the management of DT patients in Spain. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This manuscript provides insight into the economic impact derived from the savings related to the use of percutaneous cryoablation for desmoid-type tumours from the perspective of the Spanish National Healthcare System, providing useful information for the health decision-making process. KEY POINTS: • Desmoid tumours are locally aggressive and may require local therapy. • Percutaneous cryoablation procedure is less invasive than the conventional surgery. • Cost comparison shows savings associated to percutaneous cryoablation use.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes in Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Complexity Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Palliation or Surgical Repair.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) survival rate has improved dramatically due to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. However, concerning the unrepaired CHD population of moderate and severe complexity, the data regarding risk predictors and surgical outcomes are scarce. Our aim was to describe the surgical results and predictors of in-hospital outcomes in adult patients with moderate-to-severe complexity CHD that were not repaired in childhood. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 49 adult patients with moderate-to-complex CHD who were treated in a single medical centre. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were obtained on admission, after surgical procedures and during follow-up. Results: Most of the patients were female (66%). Left ventricular ejection fraction and right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening were within the normal range. The median pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 37 (27-55) mm Hg. The median time was 118 (80-181) minutes for extracorporeal circulation and 76 (49-121) minutes for aortic cross-clamping. The most frequent complication was postoperative complete atrioventricular block (12.2%). In-hospital survival rate was 87.7%. The development of low cardiac output syndrome with predominant right ventricle failure in the postoperative period was the most important predictor of in-hospital death (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Deciding to treat adults with CHD is challenging in moderate and severe unrepaired cases. Adequate clinical, functional, and imaging evaluation is essential to determine each patient's suitability for surgical management and to achieve the best clinical outcome for this population.

Contexte: Grâce aux avancées réalisées en matière de techniques diagnostiques et thérapeutiques, la survie des patients atteints d'une cardiopathie congénitale s'est considérablement améliorée. Cependant, en ce qui concerne les personnes atteintes d'une cardiopathie congénitale non corrigée présentant une complexité modérée ou extrême, les données portant sur les facteurs de risque prédictifs ainsi que sur les résultats chirurgicaux sont rares. Notre objectif était de décrire les résultats chirurgicaux ainsi que les facteurs prédictifs des résultats obtenus en milieu hospitalier chez les patients adultes atteints d'une cardiopathie congénitale présentant une complexité modérée ou extrême qui n'a pas été corrigée pendant l'enfance. Méthodologie: Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte rétrospective comprenant 49 patients adultes atteints d'une cardiopathie congénitale modérée ou complexe qui ont reçu leurs traitements dans un seul centre médical. Les variables cliniques et échocardiographiques ont été obtenues au moment de l'admission, après les interventions chirurgicales et pendant la période de suivi. Résultats: Les patients étaient en majorité des femmes (66 %). La fraction d'éjection du ventricule gauche ainsi que la fraction de raccourcissement de la voie d'éjection ventriculaire droite sont demeurées dans les limites de la normale. La pression systolique médiane de l'artère pulmonaire a été de 37 mmHg (27-55 mmHg). Le temps médian écoulé pour la circulation extracorporelle a été de 118 minutes (80-181 minutes) et pour le clampage de la crosse aortique, de 76 minutes (49-121 minutes). Le bloc auriculo-ventriculaire postopératoire complet a été la complication la plus fréquente (12,2 %). Le taux de survie en milieu hospitalier a été de 87,7 %. Le développement du syndrome du faible débit cardiaque accompagné d'une insuffisance prédominante du ventricule droit durant la période postopératoire a constitué le principal facteur prédictif de décès à l'hôpital (p = 0,03). Conclusion: Il est difficile de traiter les adultes qui présentent une cardiopathie congénitale modérée ou sévère non corrigée. Il est essentiel que les évaluations cliniques, fonctionnelles et par imagerie soient réalisées de façon adéquate pour déterminer si une prise en charge chirurgicale convient aux patients et pour garantir les meilleurs résultats cliniques chez ces derniers.

Stent en una fístula sistémico-pulmonar de Blalock-Taussig modificada en un adulto paliado con atresia tricúspide con estenosis infundibular pulmonar crítica / Stenting of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in an adult with palliated tricuspid atresia and critical pulmonary stenosis

Resumen: Los adultos con cardiopatía congénita compleja, con fisiología univentricular y flujo pulmonar disminuido, constituyen un reto terapéutico. Muchos de ellos reciben tratamiento paliativo con fístula sistémico-pulmonar desde la etapa pediátrica. Dicha fístula puede presentar oclusión o estenosis y ocasionar deterioro de la capacidad funcional y clínica. Colocar una nueva fístula sistémico-pulmonar a través de una cirugía se considera de alto riesgo, por lo que el uso de stents a través de cateterismo cardíaco surge como una opción que ha tenido buenos resultados. Se describe el caso de un adulto con atresia tricúspide con fístula sistémico-pulmonar en la etapa pediátrica, quien acudió al servicio de urgencias por deterioro de su clase funcional y desaturación en aire ambiente de hasta un 64%; en la tomografía cardíaca se evidenció estenosis del tercio distal de la fístula sistémico-pulmonar, por lo que se decidió colocar, mediante cateterismo cardíaco intervencionista, dos stents (Express LD vascular 6 x 37 mm y 6 x 27 mm), luego de lo cual la saturación sistémica fue del 75%, por lo que se consideró exitosa la colocación de los dispositivos. La oclusión de estas fístulas es una complicación habitual, que genera disminución de la perfusión pulmonar con los subsecuentes síntomas respiratorios, disminución de la saturación y la oxigenación, cianosis y acidosis metabólica, y puede generar un evento que amenaza la vida si se presenta de manera aguda. La recanalización transcatéter de una fístula sistémico-pulmonar con stent es una alternativa adecuada para evitar un riesgo quirúrgico y arroja resultados óptimos.

Abstract: Adults with complex congenital heart disease with univentricular physiology and decreased in the pulmonary flow constitute a therapeutic challenge, many of these patients are palliated with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTS). The mBTS can develop occlusion or stenosis over time with deterioration of functional class and poor exercise tolerance. Dysfunction of a mBTS is a life-threatening situation requiring urgent therapy. A new surgical palliation is a high-risk procedure, so stenting a mBTS can be an alternative. We report a 29-year-old female with tricuspid atresia and pulmonary infundibular stenosis palliated with mBTS with progressive cyanosis (oxygen saturation of 54%) and dyspnea; computed tomography revealed a stenosed mBTS, and an interventional percutaneous approach was made. The stenting of the mBTS was made with two stents (Express LD vascular 6 x 37 mm and 6 x 27 mm). Oxygen saturation post-procedure increase to 70-75%. Occlusion of these shunts are a common major complication, leading to a decrease in pulmonary perfusion with subsequent respiratory symptoms, low saturation and oxygenation, cyanosis, metabolic acidosis and can generate a life-threatening event if it occurs acutely. Stent implantation into a previous mBTS through cardiac catheterization can be an alternative to shunt operation in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease having a good long-term results.

Efectividad de intervención educativa sobre conocimientos y aplicación del Proceso de Atención de Enfermería / Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention about Knowledge and Application of the Nursing Care Process

Introducción: Se observan dificultades en el manejo del Proceso de Atención de Enfermería en los internos de enfermería, que limitan su aplicación y pone en riesgo la calidad del cuidado. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de una capacitación para internos, sobre conocimientos y aplicación del Proceso de Atención de Enfermería. Métodos: Estudio pre experimental, con un grupo, antes y después, en el instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal, 2018. Población = 78, Muestra = 60 internos de enfermería. Después del pre test se planificó y realizó la capacitación a 12 grupos de cinco internos cada uno, cada cuatro semanas y se aplicó post test. La prueba de Smirnov- Kolmogorov determinó la distribución de normalidad de los datos y según las variables y tiempo de observación se aplicó estadísticos descriptivos. Trasformando las puntuaciones vigesimales a categorías: desaprobado, regular, bueno, muy bueno y excelente se obtuvo el valor final de las variables. La prueba de hipótesis, se realizó mediante Prueba t de Student para medias de dos muestras emparejadas. Resultados: La edad media fue 24 años, 86 por ciento (52) sexo femenino. Las calificaciones antes de la intervención, fueron de 10,6 ± 1,45 para los conocimientos y 13,7 ± 1,21 para la aplicación, del proceso de atención de enfermería después 16,4 ± 1,57 y 17,2 ± 1,64 respectivamente. Conclusión: Demostró la efectividad del programa la variación positiva en el nivel de conocimientos del Proceso de Atención de Enfermería de "regular "a "muy bueno" y en el de aplicación de un nivel "regular" a "bueno y excelente"(AU)

Introduction: Difficulties are perceived with respect to management of the nursing care process by nursing interns, which limits its application and puts quality of care at risk. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a training received by interns concerning knowledge and application of the nursing care process. Methods: One-group pretest-posttest pre-experimental study carried out in 2018 at the National Maternal and Perinatal Institute. The population and the sample were 78 and 60 nursing interns, respectively. After the pretest, training was planned and carried out, every four weeks, with twelve groups of five interns each. Then posttest was applied. The Smirnov-Kolmogorov test determined the normality distribution of the data and, according to the variables and observation time, descriptive statistics was applied. Transforming the vigesimal scores into the categories disapproved, fair, good, very good and excellent, the final value of the variables was obtained. The hypothesis test was performed using Student's t test for means of two paired samples. Results: The mean age was 24 years. 86 percent (52) were female. The scores before the intervention were 10.6 ± 1.45 for knowledge and 13.7 ± 1.21 for application. For the posttest application of the nursing care process, such scores were 16.4 ± 1.57 and 17.2 ± 1.64, respectively. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the program was demonstrated by the positive level variation in knowledge about the nursing care process, being from regular to very good. In the application level, it moved from the level regular to good and excellent(AU)

[Recommendations on bladder cancer Management during COVID-19 pandemia: lessons learned and future plans.] / Recomendaciones sobre el manejo del carcinoma de vejiga en situación de pandemia por Covid-19. Experiencia aprendida y preparación para el futuro.

OBJECTIVES: The guidelines and recommendation sof good clinical practice have been disrupted by new and urgent policies, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Urothelial carcinoma has a significant prevalence in Spain, whose population has been greatly affected by COVID-19, directly by the disease and indirectly by the confinement. The objective of this work is to offer recommendations on protocols and guidelines adjusted to different phases of the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This document on the management of bladder carcinoma is based on few evidence on urological oncological practice during the first months of the pandemic and on the authors' experience in this pathology during the crisis of COVID-19. Hospital experts in infectious disseases and radiology have participated to design a common strategy to reorganize the activity. RESULTS: Different proposals for treatment and follow-up of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer adjusted for oncological risk and the different phases of the pandemic are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic's spread was unimaginable just a few months ago. Health systems have been shaken by the disease in the most critical phases. It is necessary, at this time, to make an additional effort to develop tools that can facilitate the care of bladder carcinoma and minimize the impact and risks for patients and health professionals in the future.

 OBJETIVOS: Las directrices y recomendaciones de la buena práctica clínica se han visto trastocadas por las nuevas y urgentes prioridades, marcadas po rla pandemia COVID-19. El carcinoma urotelial es una enfermedad de prevalencia significativa en España, cuya población se ha visto muy afectada por la COVID-19, directamente por la enfermedad e indirectamente por el confinamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es ofrecer recomendaciones sobre protocolos y circuitos asistenciales ajustados a diferentes fases de la pandemia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El presente documento sobre el manejo del carcinoma vesical, se basa en la escasa evidencia sobre la práctica oncológica urológica durante los primeros meses de la pandemia y en la experiencia de los autores en esta patología durante la crisis del COVID-19. En ella, han participado expertos hospitalarios en patología infecciosa y radiodiagnóstico para diseñar una estrategia común y reorganizar así la actividad. RESULTADOS: Se presentan distintas propuestas de tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer vesical ajustados al riesgo oncológico en las diferentes fases de la pandemia. CONCLUSIONES: La velocidad de expansión de la pandemia era inimaginable hace solo unos meses. Los sistemas sanitarios se han visto sacudidos por la enfermedad en las fases más críticas. Es necesario, en estos momentos, realizar un esfuerzo más para desarrollar herramientas que puedan facilitar la asistencia del carcinoma vesical y minimizar el impacto y los riesgos para los pacientes y los profesionales de la salud en el futuro.

Recomendaciones sobre el manejo del carcinoma de vejiga en situación de pandemia por Covid-19. Experiencia aprendida y preparación para el futuro / Recommendations on bladder cancer Management during COVID-19 pandemia: lessons learned and future plans

OBJETIVOS: Las directrices y recomendaciones de la buena práctica clínica se han visto trastocadas por las nuevas y urgentes prioridades, marcadas po rla pandemia COVID-19. El carcinoma urotelial es una enfermedad de prevalencia significativa en España, cuya población se ha visto muy afectada por la COVID-19, directamente por la enfermedad e indirectamente por el confinamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es ofrecer recomendaciones sobre protocolos y circuitos asistenciales ajustados a diferentes fases de la pandemia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El presente documento sobre el manejo del carcinoma vesical, se basa en la escasa evidencia sobre la práctica oncológica urológica durante los primeros meses de la pandemia y en la experiencia de los autores en esta patología durante la crisis del COVID-19. En ella, han participado expertos hospitalarios en patología infecciosa y radiodiagnóstico para diseñar una estrategia común y reorganizar así la actividad. RESULTADOS: Se presentan distintas propuestas de tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer vesical ajustados al riesgo oncológico en las diferentes fases de la pandemia. CONCLUSIONES: La velocidad de expansión de la pandemia era inimaginable hace solo unos meses. Los sistemas sanitarios se han visto sacudidos por la enfermedad en las fases más críticas. Es necesario, en estos momentos, realizar un esfuerzo más para desarrollar herramientas que puedan facilitar la asistencia del carcinoma vesical y minimizar el impacto y los riesgos para los pacientes y los profesionales de la salud en el futuro

OBJECTIVES: The guidelines and recommendations of good clinical practice have been disrupted by new and urgent policies, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Urothelial carcinoma has a significant prevalence in Spain, whose population has been greatly affected by COVID-19, directly by the disease and indirectly by the confinement. The objective of this work is to offer recommendations on protocols and guidelines adjusted to different phases of the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This document on the management of bladder carcinoma is based on few evidence on urological oncological practice during the first months of the pandemic and on the authors' experience in this pathology during the crisis of COVID-19. Hospital experts in infectious disseases and radiology have participated to design a common strategy to reorganize the activity. RESULTS: Different proposals for treatment and follow-up of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer adjusted for oncological risk and the different phases of the pandemic are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic's spread was unimaginable just a few months ago. Health systems have been shaken by the disease in the most critical phases. It is necessary, at this time, to make an additional effort to develop tools that can facilitate the care of bladder carcinoma and minimize the impact and risks for patients and health professionals in the future

Adjuvant Effect of Molecular Iodine in Conventional Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. Randomized Pilot Study.

This study analyzes an oral supplement of molecular iodine (I2), alone and in combination with the neoadjuvant therapy 5-fluorouracil/epirubicin/cyclophosphamide or taxotere/epirubicin (FEC/TE) in women with Early (stage II) and Advanced (stage III) breast cancer. In the Early group, 30 women were treated with I2 (5 mg/day) or placebo (colored water) for 7-35 days before surgery. For the Advanced group, 30 patients received I2 or placebo, along with FEC/TE treatment. After surgery, all patients received FEC/TE + I2 for 170 days. I2 supplementation showed a significant attenuation of the side effects and an absence of tumor chemoresistance. The control, I2, FEC/TE, and FEC/TE + I2 groups exhibited response rates of 0, 33%, 73%, and 100%, respectively, and a pathologic complete response of 18%, and 36% in the last two groups. Five-year disease-free survival rate was significantly higher in patients treated with the I2 supplement before and after surgery compared to those receiving the supplement only after surgery (82% versus 46%). I2-treated tumors exhibit less invasive potential, and significant increases in apoptosis, estrogen receptor expression, and immune cell infiltration. Transcriptomic analysis indicated activation of the antitumoral immune response. The results led us to register a phase III clinical trial to analyze chemotherapy + I2 treatment for advanced breast cancer.

Anomalía de Ebstein en un paciente con síndrome de Down. Reporte de un caso / Ebstein's anomaly in a patient with Down syndrome. Case report

Resumen Paciente con síndrome de Down referido a nuestro departamento con cianosis y soplo cardíaco. Un ecocardiograma transtorácico mostró anomalía de Ebstein. Esta asociación es extremadamente rara. Se inició manejo médico ya que la lesión en la válvula tricúspide era leve. De acuerdo con nuestra revisión, se han descrito únicamente 12 casos en literatura médica.

Abstract An infant with Down's syndrome was referred to our department with cyanosis and heart murmur. A transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated the presence of Ebstein's anomaly. This association is extremely unusual. Medical management was initiated since the tricuspid valve lesion was mild. Only twelve cases, to our knowledge, have been previously reported.

Trombofilia hereditaria y trombo intracardíaco / Hereditary thrombophilia and intracardiac thrombus

Resumen La trombofilia es una condición hematológica que predispone a eventos tromboembólicos venosos y arteriales. Es un factor que predispone a trombos intracardíacos en la edad pediátrica y se debe sospechar si no hay otros factores que predispongan a trombosis. Se reporta el caso de una paciente con antecedente de trombosis venosa cerebral a quien se le diagnosticó trombofilia por mutación homocigota G202010A del gen de la protrombina. Desarrolló un trombo auricular derecho, el cual fue tratado con anticoagulación y vigilancia ecocardiográfica. Se resalta la importancia de realizar una evaluación ecocardiográfica en pacientes con trombofilia.

Abstract Thrombophilia is a haematological condition that predisposes to venous and arterial thromboembolic events. It is also a predisposing factor in intracardiac thrombi in paediatrics, and must be suspected if there are no other factors that predispose to thrombosis. The case is presented on a patient with a history cerebral venous thrombosis, who was diagnosed with thrombophilia due to a homozygote G202010A mutation of the prothrombin gene. She developed a right atrial thrombus, which was treated with anticoagulation and echocardiography monitoring. The importance of performing an echocardiography evaluation is highlighted in patients with thrombophilia.

[Kommerell's Diverticulum (KD)]. / Divertículo de Kommerell (DK).

Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery from a Kommerell's diverticulum is a very rare variant of the incomplete vascular ring. Associated symptoms are caused due to tracheal or esophagus compression. Magnetic resonance is the gold standard for diagnosis. Surgical treatment is recommended for symptomatic patients or asymptomatic patients with a large diverticulum. We report three consecutive cases of patients with Kommerell's diverticulum, aberrant left subclavian artery, and right-sided aortic arch.

[Anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta associated with aortopulmonary window]. / Origen anómalo de la rama derecha de la arteria pulmonar de la aorta ascendente asociado con ventana aortopulmonar.

Anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the aorta is rare. We report a case of a three-month-old infant with aortopulmonary window and anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. He underwent surgery with anastomosis of the right pulmonary artery, ligation of the aortopulmonary window and the patent duct. He was released under medical treatment and had no signs of pulmonary hypertension or heart failure.

[Evaluation of the results of percutaneous closure by means of the Amplatzer device in pediatric patients with intra-auricular communication (IAC)]. / Evaluación de los resultados del cierre percutáneo mediante el dispositivo Amplatzer en pacientes pediátricos con comunicación interauricular (CIA).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of percutaneous closure by means of the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) device in pediatric patients with intra-auricular communication (IAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive transversal study in patients submitted to percutaneous closure of IAC from March 2005 to March 2013. Patients aged <16 years, weight>6 kg, IAC type ostium segundum, and patent foramen ovale, with border separations borders>5 mm, and absence of coexisting pathology were included in the study. We excluded from the study children with severe pulmonary blood pressure/arterial hypertension. Descriptive statistics with the SPSS v. 20.0 statistical software package. RESULTS: We included in the study 28 patients, feminine gender (n=19, 68%), median age=8 years (range, 4-14), weight 30.7 kg (range, 15-69). New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I (n=21, 75%), II (n=7, 25%). Median IAC size, 15.50 mm (range, 5-25), and a median ASO size of 17.54 mm (range, 8-28). After ASO placement, 100% presented NYHA I at one month, cardiac murmur (n=2, 7.1%), cessation of cardiac murmur at month 6 (n=28, 100%), without evidence of arrhythmias at one month 100%, residual short circuit at 24 hours (n=4, 14%), complete occlusion at month 6 (n=28, 100%), normalization size of VD, and cessation of tricuspid insufficiency 100% at one year. Complications included minimal bleeding during the procedure (n=2, 7%), transitory cephalea (n=5, 18%), and dysautonomia (n=1, 4%). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure of IAC of children fitted with the ASO device is safe and exhibits good results.

Temporal relationship of conduction system disease and ventricular dysfunction in LMNA cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: LMNA cardiomyopathy presents with electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, conduction system disease (CSD), and/or arrhythmias before the onset of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Knowing the time interval between the onset of CSD and its progression to DCM would help to guide clinical care. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated family members from 16 pedigrees previously identified to carry LMNA mutations for the ages of onset of ECG abnormalities, CSD, or arrhythmia and of left ventricular enlargement (LVE) and/or systolic dysfunction. Of 103 subjects, 64 carried their family LMNA mutation, and 51 (79%) had ECG abnormalities with a mean age of onset of 41.2 years (range 18-76). Ventricular dysfunction was observed in 26 with a mean age of onset of 47.6 years (range 28-82); at diagnosis 9 had systolic dysfunction but no LVE, 5 had LVE but no systolic dysfunction, and 11 had DCM. Of 16 subjects identified with ECG abnormalities who later developed ventricular dysfunction, the median ages of onset by log-rank analyses were 41 and 48 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ECG abnormalities preceded DCM with a median difference of 7 years. Clinical surveillance should occur at least annually in those at risk for LMNA cardiomyopathy with any ECG findings.

Intra-articular osteoid osteoma simulating a painful fabella syndrome.

We present a case of an intra-articular osteoid osteoma in the knee that was mistaken for a painful fabella syndrome after unsuccessful knee arthroscopy for the treatment of postero-lateral knee pain. In this case both the initial clinical presentation and the imaging proved to be deceiving. The diagnosis of intra-articular osteoid osteoma was considered only once typical clinical features appeared and a Computerized Tomography scan was performed. We discuss the difficult of diagnosing an intra-articular osteoid osteoma and the imaging of choice.

Osteoid osteoma of the spine: CT-guided monopolar radiofrequency ablation.

CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and laser photocoagulation have become the methods of choice for the treatment of all osteoid osteomas except those in contact with neural structures. We report 10 patients with spinal osteoid osteoma adjacent to the neural elements treated with 12 sessions of CT-guided monopolar radiofrequency ablation. The size range of the lesion was 3-14 mm (mean, 7.5 mm) and the distance between the nidus and the adjacent spinal cord or nerve root was 2-12 mm (mean, 5 mm). No intact cortex between the tumor and the spinal cord or nerve roots constituted an exclusion criterion because of a higher risk of undesirable neurotoxic effects. Patients were under general anesthesia. After location of the lesion, a 11G-bone biopsy was introduced into the nidus. The radiofrequency electrode was inserted through the biopsy needle and heated at 90 degrees C for 4 min. Primary success was obtained in eight patients. At follow-up (mean, 19.5 months; range, 6-24 months), pain persisted in two patients after 2 months. Both of them were re-treated. All patients are currently pain-free and complications were not detected. In our opinion, radiofrequency ablation can also be considered the treatment of choice for spinal osteoid osteoma.

Left-sided intraventricular conduction delay concealed by right bundle branch block.

The electrocardiograms of a 69-year-old woman with severe heart failure showed a left-sided nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay (QRS duration, 0.13 seconds) characterized by notches and slurrings in the descending part of the R waves in the left precordial leads and in the ascending parts of the S waves in the right precordial leads. Subsequently, a complete right bundle branch block with wider QRS complexes (0.17 seconds) appeared. It is possible to consider that the left-sided nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay was concealed by the greater conduction delay occurring when the complete right bundle branch block was present. This would be in keeping with a previous study using Doppler tissue imaging in which this was postulated but where the corresponding electrocardiograms were not shown.

Ablación por radiofrecuencia de lesiones malignas pulmonares guiada por tomografía computarizada. Experiencia preliminar / CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of malignant pulmonary lesion: preliminary experience

Objetivo: Describir las experiencias preliminares de la técnica de ablación por radiofrecuencia (ARF) de lesiones malignas pulmonares guiada mediante tomografía computarizada (TC). Material y métodos: Se presentan tres casos realizados en dos hospitales de tercer nivel. Dos pacientes tenían un carcinoma primitivo de pulmón, mientras que el tercero presentaba una metástasis solitaria de hipernefroma. Se describen las indicaciones, la técnica del procedimiento y las posibles complicaciones. Resultados: Se pudo realizar el procedimiento en los tres pacientes. En ningún caso se produjo una complicación importante que impidiera la práctica de la técnica. En dos pacientes se realizaron controles posteriores mediante TC que mostraban respuesta al tratamiento. Conclusión: La ARF de lesiones malignas pulmonares guiada mediante TC es una técnica mínimamente invasiva que puede ser una alternativa al tratamiento estándar en casos seleccionados

Objective: To describe our preliminary experience in the technique of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of malignant pulmonary lesions. Material and methods: We present three cases treated at two tertiary healthcare centers. Two patients had primary lung carcinomas and the third had a single lung metastasis from a hypernephroma. We describe the indications for this procedure, technical aspects of the procedure, and possible complications. Results: The procedure was successfully performed in all three patients. No significant complications that might impede the procedure were observed in any case. Two patients underwent follow-up CT to evaluate the response to the treatment. Conclusion: CT-guided RFA of malignant lung lesions is a minimally invasive technique that can be used as an alternative to standard treatment in selected cases

Percutaneous radiofrequency treatment of osteoid osteoma using cool-tip electrodes.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with percutaneous cool-tip radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteomas and to evaluate clinical outcome. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Forty-one patients with clinically and radiologically suspected osteoid osteoma were seen over a 48-month period (27 males and 14 females with a mean age of 18.7 years; range 5-43 years). Thirty-eight patients were treated by computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. The procedure was performed under regional or general anaesthesia. After location of the nidus, a 14G-bone biopsy needle is introduced into the nidus. Sampling is performed with a 17G-bone biopsy needle using a coaxial technique. The radiofrequency needle with a 10mm active tip (cool-tip) is inserted through the biopsy needle and is connected to the radiofrequency generator for 6-8 min. RESULTS: Primary success was obtained in 37 patients (97%) with a 100% secondary success rate. All patients are currently pain-free. No major complications occurred. Patients could resume unrestricted normal activity within 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteomas is an efficient and safe method that can be considered the procedure of choice for most cases.

Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium: the use of contrast-enhanced echocardiography in diagnosis.

We describe a case of noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium diagnosed in the preoperative evaluation of a patient undergoing renal transplantation. Ventricular noncompaction is characterized by numerous prominent trabecular recesses with intratrabecular blood from the ventricular cavity. Color Doppler was suggestive of intramyocardial flow. With contrast-enhanced echocardiography the endocardial borders were clearly demarcated, allowing for visualization of trabecular recesses and intratrabecular flow. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography facilitates the diagnosis of noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium, circumventing the need for invasive diagnostic testing.