[Cerebral ischemia as first manifestation of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]. / Isquemia cerebral como manifestación inicial de un caso de hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna.

INTRODUCTION: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired clonal disease characterized by chronic intravascular hemolysis, cytopenia and increased tendency to thrombosis. Arterial thrombosis has been observed in patients with PNH but is uncommon compared with venous thrombosis. Cerebral arterial thrombosis has been anecdotally described as the first clinical manifestation of PNH. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 48-yearold male who was admitted because of high-grade fever and infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory. Other associated findings were mild anemia (hemoglobin level: 10.1 g/dl), renal ischemia and intra-abdominal venous thrombosis. Recurrent arterial and venous thromboembolic events were observed during his hospital stay. The diagnosis of PNH was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. CONCLUSIONS: PNH is a rare cause of cerebral ischemia and it should be considered in stroke patients with abnormal blood findings or marked prothrombotic tendency. We discuss the treatment guidelines and prevention of thrombotic complications.

Isquemia cerebral como manifestación inicial de un caso de hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna / Cerebral ischemia as first manifestation of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Introducción. La hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna (HPN) es una rara enfermedad clonal clínicamente caracterizada por hemólisis crónica intravascular, citopenia y tendencia protrombótica. Las trombosis en el sector arterial han sido observadas en pacientes con HPN, pero son muy poco habituales comparadas con las trombosis venosas. Las oclusiones arteriales tromboembólicas en vasos cerebrales han sido descritas excepcionalmente como manifestación clínica inicial en casos de HPN. Caso clínico. Se describe el caso de un paciente varón de 48 años de edad ingresado por fiebre elevada y un ictus en el territorio de la arteria cerebral media izquierda. Otras manifestaciones asociadas fueron anemia moderada (hemoglobina: 10,1 g/dl), isquemias renales y trombosis de localización abdominal. Durante su ingreso se observaron eventos tromboembólicos recurrentes en los sectores arterial y venoso. El diagnóstico de HPN fue confirmado por citometría de flujo. Conclusiones. La HPN es una causa infrecuente de isquemia cerebral que debe ser considerada en el diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes con ictus y alteraciones hematológicas o estados protrombóticos. Se discuten las pautas de tratamiento y prevención de las complicaciones trombóticas (AU)

Introduction. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired clonal disease characterized by chronic intravascular hemolysis, cytopenia and increased tendency to thrombosis. Arterial thrombosis has been observed in patients with PNH but is uncommon compared with venous thrombosis. Cerebral arterial thrombosis has been anecdotally described as the first clinical manifestation of PNH. Case description. We present the case of a 48-year-old male who was admitted because of high-grade fever and infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory. Other associated findings were mild anemia (hemoglobin level: 10.1 g/dl), renal ischemia and intra-abdominal venous thrombosis. Recurrent arterial and venous thromboembolic events were observed during his hospital stay. The diagnosis of PNH was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. Conclusions. PNH is a rare cause of cerebral ischemia and it should be considered in stroke patients with abnormal blood findings or marked prothrombotic tendency. We discuss the treatment guidelines and prevention of thrombotic complications (AU)

[Analysis and predictor of delays in the suspicion and treatment among hospitalized patients with pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Análisis y factores predictores del retraso en la sospecha diagnóstica y tratamiento de los pacientes hospitalizados con tuberculosis pulmonar.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sometimes tuberculosis diagnosis is missed at hospital admission. Delayed diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis among hospitalized patients could to contribute to nosocomial transmission. The objective of this study was to define the occurrence and associated patient risk factors among hospitalized patients with delayed diagnosis of respiratory tuberculosis. METHODS AND PATIENTS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken between 1995 and 2002 on all patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Time intervals between admission, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis were determined. Epidemiological and clinical features were evaluated for their effect on these time intervals. RESULTS: Among 149 patients newly diagnosed to have active pulmonary TB, the diagnosis was initially missed in 102 (68% [95% CI, 61 to 75%]) of all hospitalized patients, of whom 66 (65% [95% CI, 56 to 74%]) were smear positive. Treatment was initiated after a week or more in 62 (42% [95% CI, 34% to 50%]) of all patients, of whom 34 (55% [95% CI, 43 to 67%])) were smear positive. Age >or= 60 years (OR 3.17 [95% CI; 1.27 to 7.87]; p = 0.013), presence of chronic lung disease (OR 2.99 [95% CI; 1.21 to 7.38]; p = 0.017), negative sputum AFB smear (OR 4.51 [95% CI; 1.34 to 15.16]; p = 0.015) and absence of hemoptysis or melanoptysis (OR 2.96 [95% CI; 1.18 a 7.41]; p = 0.020), were independently associated with delays. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and treatment of hospitalized patients with pulmonary tuberculosis is often delayed because absence of clinic suspicion owing to old age, chronic lung disease or atypical presentations and slow confirmation by culture. Improved clinical acumen, development of rapid diagnostic tests, and the institution of early empiric therapy are desirable objectives to improve the tuberculosis control.

Mediastinitis y empiema pleural por Streptococcus constellatus / Mediastinitis and pleural empyema caused by Streptococcus constellatus

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