Valoración del grado de resección de los macroadenomas hipofisarios en la resonancia magnética posquirúrgica inmediata / Assessment of the extent of pituitary macroadenomas resection in immediate postoperative MRI

Objetivo. Comprobar si es posible determinar el grado de resección de macroadenomas hipofisarios en la resonancia magnética (RM) hipofisaria posquirúrgica inmediata. Material y métodos. Se revisaron las RM hipofisarias de pacientes intervenidos desde enero de 2010 hasta octubre de 2014. Se incluyeron aquellos que tenían RM diagnóstica, RM posquirúrgica inmediata y al menos un control posterior. Se comprobó si los hallazgos entre la RM posquirúrgica inmediata y las RM posteriores eran concordantes. Se excluyeron los casos sin controles evolutivos y las reintervenciones por recidivas. El grado de resección tumoral lo dividimos en grupos: resección total, resección parcial y dudoso. Los estudios se realizaron en una máquina de 1.5 Tesla siguiendo el mismo protocolo de secuencias: una parte morfológica, otra dinámica con contraste intravenoso y otra con contraste tardío. Resultados. De 73 casos incluidos, la RM posquirúrgica inmediata se interpretó como resección total en 38 casos y resto tumoral en 28 casos, habiendo dudas en 7 casos. En los controles evolutivos se determinó resección total en 41 casos y resto tumoral en 32. Se obtuvo una sensibilidad para detección de restos tumorales de 0,71, una especificidad de 0,82, un valor predictivo positivo de 0,89 y un valor predictivo negativo de 0,85 en la RM posquirúrgica inmediata respecto a los controles evolutivos. Conclusión. La RM posquirúrgica inmediata de macroadenomas hipofisarios es útil para valorar el grado de resección tumoral y es un buen predictor del grado de resección real definitivo al comparar con las RM posteriores, permitiendo plantear el tratamiento adecuado de forma precoz (AU)

Objective. To evaluate if it is possible to determine the extent of pituitary macroadenomas resection in the immediate postoperative pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and methods. MRI of patient with pituitary macroadenomas from January 2010 until October 2014 were reviewed. Those patients who had diagnostic MRI, immediate post-surgical MRI and at least one MRI control were included. We evaluate if the findings between the immediate postsurgical MRI and the subsequent MRI were concordant. Cases which didn’t have evolutionary controls and those who were reoperation for recurrence were excluded. The degree of tumor resection was divided into groups: total resection, partial resection and doubtful. All MRI studies were performed on a1.5T machine following the same protocol sequences for all cases. One morphological part, a dynamic contrast iv and late contrast part. Results. Of the 73 cases included, immediate postoperative pituitary MRI was interpreted as total resection in 38 cases and tumoral rest in 28 cases, uncertainty among rest or inflammatory changes in 7 cases. Follow- up MRI identified 41 cases total resection and tumoral rest in 32. Sensitivity and specificity of 0.78 and 0.82 and positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) 0.89 and 0.89 respectively were calculated. Conclusion. Immediate post-surgery pituitary MRI is useful for assessing the degree of tumor resection and is a good predictor of the final degree of real resection compared with the following MRI studies. It allows us to decide the most appropriate treatment at an early stage (AU)

Assessment of the extent of pituitary macroadenomas resection in immediate postoperative MRI. / Valoración del grado de resección de los macroadenomas hipofisarios en la resonancia magnética posquirúrgica inmediata.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if it is possible to determine the extent of pituitary macroadenomas resection in the immediate postoperative pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: MRI of patient with pituitary macroadenomas from January 2010 until October 2014 were reviewed. Those patients who had diagnostic MRI, immediate post-surgical MRI and at least one MRI control were included. We evaluate if the findings between the immediate postsurgical MRI and the subsequent MRI were concordant. Cases which didn't have evolutionary controls and those who were reoperation for recurrence were excluded. The degree of tumor resection was divided into groups: total resection, partial resection and doubtful. All MRI studies were performed on a1.5T machine following the same protocol sequences for all cases. One morphological part, a dynamic contrast iv and late contrast part. RESULTS: Of the 73 cases included, immediate postoperative pituitary MRI was interpreted as total resection in 38 cases and tumoral rest in 28 cases, uncertainty among rest or inflammatory changes in 7 cases. Follow- up MRI identified 41 cases total resection and tumoral rest in 32. Sensitivity and specificity of 0.78 and 0.82 and positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) 0.89 and 0.89 respectively were calculated. CONCLUSION: Immediate post-surgery pituitary MRI is useful for assessing the degree of tumor resection and is a good predictor of the final degree of real resection compared with the following MRI studies. It allows us to decide the most appropriate treatment at an early stage.

Study of survival in patients with malignant lung lesions treated with radiofrequency

OBJECTIVE: To report on the survival of a series of patients with primary and metastatic lung tumours treated with radiofrequency (RF). Four years ago we published our preliminary experience with the use of this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For a period of 8 years we have treated 59 patients (by means of a total of 70 procedures) with primary or metastatic pulmonary neoplastic lesions, which fulfilled inclusion criteria to perform the technique. They were in all cases non-surgical lesions that had been either previously treated or not. The technique was performed in the radiology suite, under conscious analgo-sedation. We treated primary pulmonary lesions, neoplastic recurrences, or metastases with curative or palliative intention (pain management). RESULTS: Current global survival rate is 19 patients (32 %) with a mean of 26.61 ± 3.17 months (range: 20.38 ± 32.83) and a median of 16.00 ± 3.57 (range: 8.99-23.00). If we establish the difference between primary and metastatic tumours, mean survival is 27.62 ± 4.12 months in primary tumours (median: 16.00) vs. 24.65 ± 4.47 months in metastatic tumours (median: 16.00). When we studied the survival in those cases with a curative intent, mean survival in primary tumours was 30.97 ± 4.57 months (median: 21.00) vs. 25.14 ± 4.68 (median: 16.00) months in metastatic tumours. CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation of lung lesions is a minimally invasive procedure that is useful in primary tumours (especially in stage I) and metastatic ones. RF has proven its usefulness in the multidisciplinary treatment of this pathology due to the low incidence of serious complications and survival obtained, considering that patients are elderly with significant comorbidity (AU)

Study of survival in patients with malignant lung lesions treated with radiofrequency.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the survival of a series of patients with primary and metastatic lung tumours treated with radiofrequency (RF). Four years ago we published our preliminary experience with the use of this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For a period of 8 years we have treated 59 patients (by means of a total of 70 procedures) with primary or metastatic pulmonary neoplastic lesions, which fulfilled inclusion criteria to perform the technique. They were in all cases non-surgical lesions that had been either previously treated or not. The technique was performed in the radiology suite, under conscious analgo-sedation. We treated primary pulmonary lesions, neoplastic recurrences, or metastases with curative or palliative intention (pain management). RESULTS: Current global survival rate is 19 patients (32 %) with a mean of 26.61 ± 3.17 months (range: 20.38 ± 32.83) and a median of 16.00 ± 3.57 (range: 8.99-23.00). If we establish the difference between primary and metastatic tumours, mean survival is 27.62 ± 4.12 months in primary tumours (median: 16.00) vs. 24.65 ± 4.47 months in metastatic tumours (median: 16.00). When we studied the survival in those cases with a curative intent, mean survival in primary tumours was 30.97 ± 4.57 months (median: 21.00) vs. 25.14 ± 4.68 (median: 16.00) months in metastatic tumours. CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation of lung lesions is a minimally invasive procedure that is useful in primary tumours (especially in stage I) and metastatic ones. RF has proven its usefulness in the multidisciplinary treatment of this pathology due to the low incidence of serious complications and survival obtained, considering that patients are elderly with significant comorbidity.

Asociación de angiomas cavernosos con venosos / Association of cavernous and venous angiomas

Introducción. Los angiomas cavernosos y venosos deforma aislada son malformaciones vasculocerebrales frecuentes.Su asociación se identifica cada vez más debido ala mayor utilización de la resonancia magnética (RM) en losestudios cerebrales. Objetivo. Analizar las características de la asociaciónentre angioma cavernoso y venoso y la relación con su localizacióny tamaño, el sexo del paciente y el uso de contrasteintravenoso para el diagnóstico por RM. Métodos. Retrospectivamente se han revisado los estudiosde RM cerebral de 37 pacientes con angiomas cavernosos.Las relaciones estadísticas se establecieron con tablas decontingencia y el estadístico de la χ2 de Pearson y la t deStudent para muestras independientes. Resultados. Se identificaron 52 angiomas cavernososen 37 pacientes. No se han encontrado diferencias estadísticamentesignificativas que relacionen el tamaño del angiomacavernoso, su localización y el sexo del paciente con laexistencia de un angioma venoso asociado. Sólo la administraciónde contraste ha mostrado una relación estadísticamentesignificativa para su diagnóstico. Conclusiones. La asociación de angioma cavernoso y venosoes frecuente (30 %). Es necesario administrar contrastepara detectar los angiomas venosos. Esta asociación tiene implicacionespronósticas por el riesgo de sangrado y quirúrgicas,ya que la resección de la anomalía venosa no se aconsejapor la posibilidad de desencadenar infartos venosos

Introduction. Isolated cavernous and venous angiomasare common vascular cerebral malformations. Due to theroutine use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cerebral studies, their association has been identified more frequently. Objective. To analyze the characteristics of the association between both lesions (cavernous and venous angiomas), and the relationships with localization, size, patient gender and the use of intravenous contrast material in the diagnosis with MR.Methods. A retrospective analysis of the cerebral MRIstudies of 37 patients with cavernous angiomas was made.Statistical relationships were established with contingency tables and statistical methods of Pearson χ2 and of Student’s test for independent samples. Results. A total of 52 cavernous angiomas were identified in 37 patients. No significant statistical differenceswere found that related the cavernous angioma size, localization or patient gender with the existence ofan associated venous angioma. Only the administrationof contrast material has shown a statistically significantrelationship for the diagnosis. Conclusions. The association of cavernous and venous angioma is frequent (30 %). Contrast material must be administeredto detect venous angiomas. This association hasprognostic implications, due to bleeding risk and surgerysince resection of the venous anomaly is not recommendeddue to the possible venous infarction

[Association of cavernous and venous angiomas]. / Asociación de angiomas cavernosos con venosos.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated cavernous and venous angiomas are common vascular cerebral malformations. The routine use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cerebral studies has shown their frequent association. OBJECTIVE: An analysis of the association characteristics of both lesions (cavernous and venous angiomas), and the relationships with localization, size, patient sex and the use of intravenous contrast material in the diagnosis with MR. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the cerebral MRI studies of 37 patients with cavernous angiomas. Statistical relations were established with contingency tables and statistical methods of Pearson c2 and t of Student for independent samples. Results. 52 cavernous angiomas were identified in the 37 patients. No significant statistical differences were found that related the cavernous angioma size, localization or patient sex with the existence of an associated venous angioma. Only the administration of contrast material has shown a statistical significance for the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The association of cavernous and venous angioma is frequent (30%). This association has prognostic implications, due to bleeding risk, and surgical as it is not recommended the resection of the venous anomaly due to the possible venous infarction. To detect venous angiomas is necessary the administration of contrast material.

[The contribution of magnetic resonance spectroscopy to the classification of high grade gliomas. The predictive value of macromolecules]. / Contribución de la espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética a la clasificación del glioma de alto grado. Valor predictivo de las macromoléculas.

INTRODUCTION: 1H MRS allows the study of metabolite concentration changes in intracranial tumours, relating them, more or less successfully, to the histological type and grade of the tumour. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the patterns which are useful for classifying the grades of cerebral gliomas by means of various ratios obtained using 1H MRS with two echo times (ET), with and without water suppression, paying special attention to the macromolecules. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 8 gliomas (1 grade II, 2 grade III and 5 grade IV) with single volume 1H MRS at ET 31 ms (8/8) and 136 ms (7/8). The intensities of the metabolites, including macromolecules (MMA, 0.9 ppm; MMB, 1.3 ppm), were normalised to water signal intensity for ET 31, to Cr at ET 31 and 136 ms and NAA/Cho for both ET and the ratio MMA/MMB at ET 31. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the three grades on the ratios MMA/MMB (p= 0.000) with descent of the MMA/MMB coefficient as the grade increases, and NNA/Cho at ET 136 (p= 0.018). We found an inverse relationship between the quantity in mI and the increase in grade. No macromolecules were found at ET 136 in any of the tumours of grade II or III. CONCLUSIONS: The spectra of gliomas with ET 31 showed macromolecules around 0.9 and 1.3 ppm with different relative ratios for each tumour grade. The ET 136 spectra informs about the content of NNA and Cho. Apart from the increase in MMB (0.9 ppm), with short ET the higher grades showed lower content of mI. The study of gliomas using 1H MRS with ET 31 and 136 ms contributes to the diagnosis of the grade of tumour.

Contribución de la espectroscopía de resonancia magnética a la clasificación del glioma de alto grado.Valor predictivo de las macromoléculas / The contribution of magnetic resonance spectroscopy to the classification of high grade gliomas. The predictive value of macromolecules

Introducción. La 1H ERM permite estudiar los cambios en las concentraciones de metabolitos en los tumores intracraneales, relacionándolos con éxito variable con el tipo histológico y el grado tumoral. Objetivo. Analizar los patrones útiles en la gradación de gliomas cerebrales mediante diversos cocientes obtenidos con 1H ERM a dos tiempos de eco (TE), con y sin supresión del agua, con especial interés en la aportación de las macromoléculas. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudiaron ocho gliomas (1grado II, 2 grado III y 5 grado IV) con 1H ERM de volumen único a TE 31 ms (8/8) y 136 ms (7/8). Las intensidades de diversos metabolitos, incluyendo macromoléculas (MMA, 0,9 ppm; MMB, 1,3 ppm), se normalizaron al H2O para TE 31, a Cr para TE 31 y 136 ms y NAA/Co para ambos TE y la relación MMA/MMB para TE 31. Resultados. Existen diferencias significativas para los tres grados en los cocientes MMA/MMB (p=0,000), con un descenso del cociente MMA/MMB al aumentar el grado, y NAA/Co a TE 136 (p=0,018). Se observó una relación inversa entre la cantidad de mio-inositol (mI) y el aumento de grado, pero no se detectaron macromoléculas a TE 136 en ninguno de los tumores de grado II o III. Conclusiones. En los espectros de gliomas a TE 31 aparecen macromoléculas a 0,9 y 1,3 ppm con proporción relativa distinta para cada uno de los grados. Los espectros a TE medio informan del contenido de NAA y Co. Además del aumento de MMB (0,9 ppm), a TE corto, los grados más altos presentan una disminución del contenido de mI. El estudio de gliomas mediante 1H ERM con TE corto y medio contribuye al diagnóstico del grado tumoral (AU)

[Prevalence and characteristics of complications of Baker cysts by MRI]. / Prevalencia y características de las complicaciones de los quistes de Baker mediante resonancia magnética.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and describe the findings of complicated Baker cysts observed in a large series of knee MR studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 145 Baker cysts were detected out of a series of 382 (38%) consecutive patients with knee MR studies performed. Cysts were classified as simple (smooth walls, homogeneous content, signal intensity similar to that of the synovial fluid and with no changes in the surrounding tissues) or complicated (changes of wall, changes in the intensity of the content signal, presence of free bodies or changes in the surrounding tissues). Complications were detected in ten (6.9%) cysts, which were confirmed by means of direct observation (arthroscopy or surgery, n = 9 cases) or by means of clinical evidence with follow-up (n = 1 case). RESULTS: No differences were detected in sex distribution between simple and complicated cysts (chi 2, p = 0.09), although a statistically significant relationship was indeed detected between the presence of complications with older age (p = 0.003) and presence of meniscal lesions (p = 0.019). In five patients a rupture of the Baker cyst was found, in four intracystic free bodies, and in one case pigmented villonodular synovitis with intracystic foci. Only two out of the five patients with cyst rupture had thrombophlebitis symptoms, the remaining of ruptures being asymptomatic. In three out of the four patients with free intracystic bodies they were considered secondary to degenerative osteochondral lesions, the other case having synovial chondromatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Baker cysts are common and usually are not associated with complications. In our series, a prevalence of 6.8% of complicated cysts was observed, either by their contents or wall changes. The most common complication is rupture (50% of complicated cysts) which can be asymptomatic in up to 80% of cases, followed by free intracystic bodies (40% of complications) usually of degenerative origin. The complication is statistically associated with meniscal ruptures and aged patients.

Prevalencia y características de las complicaciones de los quistes de Baker mediante resonancia magnética / Prevalence and characteristics of complications of Baker cysts by MRI

Objetivo. Valorar la prevalencia y describir los hallazgos de los quistes de Baker complicados observados en una serie larga de estudios de resonancia magnética (RM) de rodilla. Material y métodos. De una serie de 382 pacientes consecutivos con estudio de RM de rodilla se detectaron 145 (38 por ciento) quistes de Baker. Los quistes se clasificaron como simples (paredes lisas, contenido homogéneo, intensidad de señal semejante a la del líquido sinovial y sin alteraciones en los tejidos circundantes) o complicados (alteración de las paredes, alteraciones de la intensidad de señal del contenido, presencia de cuerpos libres o alteraciones en los tejidos de alrededor). Se observaron complicaciones en 10 (6,9 por ciento) quistes, confirmadas mediante observación directa (artroscópica o quirúrgicamente, n = 9 casos) o por evidencia clínica con seguimiento (n = 1 caso).Resultados. No se detectaron diferencias en la distribución por sexos entre quistes simples y complicados ( 2, p = 0,9), aunque sí se evidenció una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la existencia de complicaciones con una mayor edad del paciente (p = 0,003) y la presencia de lesiones meniscales (p = 0,019). En 5 pacientes se encontró rotura del quiste de Baker, en 4 cuerpos libres intraquísticos y en 1 caso se trataba de una sinovitis villonodular pigmentada con focos intraquísticos. De los 5 pacientes con rotura del quiste, sólo 2 presentaron síntomas de tromboflebitis, siendo el resto de roturas asintomáticas. En 3 de los 4 pacientes con cuerpos libres intraquísticos, éstos se consideraron secundarios a lesiones osteocondrales degenerativas, presentando el otro caso una condromatosis sinovial. Conclusión. Los quistes de Baker son frecuentes y generalmente no presentan complicaciones asociadas. En nuestra serie se ha observado una prevalencia de un 6,8 por ciento de quistes complicados, bien por su contenido o por alteraciones en sus paredes. La complicación más frecuente es la rotura (50 por ciento de los quistes complicados), que puede ser asintomática hasta en un 80 por ciento de los casos, seguida de cuerpos libres intraquísticos (40 por ciento de las complicaciones), usualmente de origen degenerativo. La complicación se asocia estadísticamente a roturas meniscales y pacientes mayores (AU)

[Gastric emptying in children with gastroesophageal reflux. Evaluation by real time ultrasonography of the pyloric antrum]. / Vaciamiento gástrico en el niño afecto de reflujo gastroesofágico. Valoración mediante ecografía en tiempo real de la región antro-pilórica.

OBJECTIVE: We have studied gastric emptying using real time ultrasound in 25 healthy children and 25 children with RGE. Our aim was to establish the time and mode of gastric emptying and the volume and the degree of antral dilation in both groups at baseline and after a test meal. We also evaluated the same parameters in the RGE cases after supplying a prokinetic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Bolondi technique was used to measure the basal antrum volume and emptying ratio, as well as the mode and final gastric emptying time at different time-points after a solid-liquid test meal. RESULTS: Patients with RGE have a clearly longer gastric emptying time with respect to the healthy subjects in both children less than one year of age (238 +/- 48.4 vs 176.3 +/- 36.7 minute; p = 0.03) and those 1-14 years old (206.3 +/- 48.2 vs 163.3 +/- 48.1 minutes, p = 0.03). An anomalous gastric emptying, similar to a broken line, can be observed in children suffering from RGE. In contrast, a progressive reduction of antrum dilation ration was seen in healthy children and not in patients with RGE. After cisapride, gastric volume goes down at all test times in RGE children. Therefore, a decrease in final gastric emptying time cannot be observed. CONCLUSIONS: Children suffering from RGE show an alteration in gastric emptying with a clearly greater time and an anomalous mode of emptying. The antrum remained dilated for longer periods after ingestion of test food.