Histological and radiological evaluation of subcutaneous implants in mouse of a 3D-printable material (Fulcure 720) and experimental application in mandibular reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactivity of Fullcure compared to porous polyethylene implants (Medpor) in rats prior to custom-made scaffold support manufacturing for mandible segmental defects (MSD) reconstruction in sheep. METHODS: Twelve Fullcure and Medpor laminaes were implanted in the left and right dorsum respectively of six wistar rats. Toxicity was assessed by skin, kidney and liver histopathology three months post-implantation. Computed Tomography (CT) was carried out in order to assess radiological differences between implants. Fullcure containers were subsequently manufactured by CAD/CAM to hold scaffold cylinders for MSD reconstruction in sheep. RESULTS: No statistical differences were observed in tissue response between implants. Fullcure radiodensity was higher than Medpor (P<0.05). Fullcure manufactured support was successfully used for mandible repair in sheep. Nevertheless, the manufactured container did not accomplish the goal of guiding new bone formation according to the mandible shape. CONCLUSIONS: Fullcure showed similar biocompatibility and stronger radiodensity than Medpor. Despite its cheaper price and endless 3D-printing possibilities as scaffold holder for mandible reconstruction, further animal studies are needed to ensure Fullcure biocompatibility as implantable biomaterial.

Estudio experimental sobre los efectos de la quercetina en la disfunción orgánica y cognitiva originada por radiación ionizante / Experimental study about the effects of quercetin on the organic and cognitive dysfunction induced by ionizing radiation

Objetivo: Comprobar el efecto de la incorporación de quercetina por vía oral sobre las alteraciones comportamentales, bioquímicas e histológicas de una dosis subletal de rayos X en la rata. Material y método: Se irradiaron a cuerpo entero con 6 Gy de rayos X ratas Wistar macho suplementadas o no con 50 mg/kg de quercetina. Se obtuvieron imágenes por RM a los dos, siete, 15 y 30 días tras la irradiación, y se observó el comportamiento exploratorio mediante open field antes y después de la irradiación. Los animales se sacrificaron a los siete y 30 días, obteniéndose muestras de sangre, cerebro, médula espinal y médula ósea. Resultados: Se observó un fuerte descenso en el recuento eritrocitario, leucocitario y plaquetario a los siete días, recuperándose a los 30 días los recuentos leucocitario y plaquetario, sin efecto de la quercetina. La RM mostraba focos de microsangrado consistentes con los hallazgos histológicos de infiltración celular por alteraciones neurovasculares, más evidentes en animales no suplementados. La quercetina atenuó estas alteraciones y revertió la disminución de la actividad exploratoria ocasionada por la irradiación. Conclusiones: El uso preventivo de quercetina podría mejorar los síntomas comportamentales y disminuir el daño tisular a corto plazo tras sesiones de radioterapia (AU)

Objective: To assess the effect of oral quercetin supplementation on the behavioral, biochemical, and histological alterations by a sublethal X-ray dose in rats. Materials and method: Male Wistar rats, supplemented with 50 mg/kg quercetin or solvent, were whole-body irradiated with 6 Gy X-rays. MRI was obtained at 2, 7, 15, and 30 days post-irradiation. Open field exploratory behavior was observed before and after irradiation. Rats were sacrificed at 7 and 30 days post-irradiation, and blood, brain, spinal cord, and bone marrow samples were obtained. Results: Red cell, white cell, and platelet counts strongly decreased at 7 days post-irradiation. White cell and platelet counts recovered at 30 days post-irradiation, with no effect by quercetin. MRI shows focal microbleeds consistent with the histological findings of cell infiltration by neurovascular alterations, more evident in non-supplemented rats. Quercetin improved these changes and reverted the decrease in exploratory activity due to Xirradiation. Conclusions: Preventive use of quercetin could improve early behavioral symptoms and decrease tissue damage appearing shortly after radiotherapy (AU)

Comparación de la ecografía abdominal con la tomografía computarizada abdominal en el seguimiento del tumor de células germinales testicular / Abdominal ultrasonography versus abdominal CT in the follow-up of testicular germ cell tumors

Introducción. El tumor de células germinales testicular es una neoplasia frecuente que afecta a varones jóvenes. En la literatura médica existe un consenso en los puntos clave que se refieren a su diagnóstico y tratamiento, aunque hay elementos que se encuentran actualmente en revisión, entre ellos los métodos de seguimiento de esta enfermedad. Presentamos un estudio estadístico que analiza, mediante las herramientas de valoración de pruebas diagnósticas, la utilidad de la ecografía abdominal comparada con la tomografía computarizada (TC) abdominal, que tomamos como prueba de referencia para diagnosticar metástasis hepáticas y adenopatías retroperitoneales en el seguimiento de pacientes con neoplasia germinal testicular. Material y métodos. Analizamos 308 pruebas diagnósticas, 154 estudios de TC abdominal y 154 ecografías abdominales, correspondientes a 59 pacientes seguidos durante un período de al menos un año en nuestra institución. Los pacientes se estudiaron mediante una ecografía abdominal que precedía a la TC abdominal, protocolo de seguimiento estándar. Resultados. La ecografía abdominal presenta, respecto a la prueba de referencia, una sensibilidad del 95%, una especificidad del 92%, un VPP del 82% y un VPN del 98%. Conclusión. La ecografía es una prueba con gran sensibilidad que se puede utilizar para descartar la recidiva abdominal en los protocolos de seguimiento de la neoplasia primitiva de testículo (AU)

Introduction. Testicular germ cell tumors are common in young men. There is a wide consensus regarding the key points in their diagnosis and treatment, although some elements, including the best approach to follow-up, are being reviewed and revised. We present a statistical study that uses tools for the evaluation of diagnostic tests to compare the usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in comparison with that of abdominal CT, taken as the gold standard, in the detection of liver metastases and retroperitoneal adenopathies in patients with testicular germ cell tumors. Material and methods. We analyzed a total of 308 diagnostic tests (154 CT studies and 154 US studies) from 59 patients with at least one year's follow-up at our institution. Patients underwent abdominal US before abdominal CT following a standard protocol. Results. Compared to the gold standard, abdominal US had 95% sensitivity, 92% specificity, 82% PPV, and 98% NPV. Conclusion. US is very sensitive and can be used in protocols for the follow-up of primary testicular tumors to rule out disease (AU)

[Abdominal ultrasonography versus abdominal CT in the follow-up of testicular germ cell tumors]. / Comparación de la ecografía abdominal con la tomografía computarizada abdominal en el seguimiento del tumor de células germinales testicular.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular germ cell tumors are common in young men. There is a wide consensus regarding the key points in their diagnosis and treatment, although some elements, including the best approach to follow-up, are being reviewed and revised. We present a statistical study that uses tools for the evaluation of diagnostic tests to compare the usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in comparison with that of abdominal CT, taken as the gold standard, in the detection of liver metastases and retroperitoneal adenopathies in patients with testicular germ cell tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed a total of 308 diagnostic tests (154 CT studies and 154 US studies) from 59 patients with at least one year's follow-up at our institution. Patients underwent abdominal US before abdominal CT following a standard protocol. RESULTS: Compared to the gold standard, abdominal US had 95% sensitivity, 92% specificity, 82% PPV, and 98% NPV. CONCLUSION: US is very sensitive and can be used in protocols for the follow-up of primary testicular tumors to rule out disease.

Effects of resistance training in multiple sclerosis.

This study examined the effects of an eight-week progressive resistance training on different strength manifestations, muscle mass and functionality in multiple sclerosis patients. Thirteen volunteered patients (average age 43 years; range 35-51) with a confirmed diagnosis by a neurologist and mild to moderate disability participated twice a week in an eight-week progressive resistance training program after an eight-week control period without training. Intensity ranged from 40-70% of their maximal voluntary contraction. Outcome assessments included magnetic resonance image of the right and left thighs, strength manifestations (maximal voluntary contraction, muscular endurance and power), and functionality by the Up and Go test. All outcome assessments remained unaltered during the eight-week control period. After the eight-week strength training period, isometric strength (+16%, p<0.01), muscular endurance (+84%; p<0.001), maximal power (+51%, p<0.001), muscular hypertrophy from slice 6/27 to slice 11/27 of both thighs (p<0.05), and functionality (p<0.001) improved significantly. Moderate resistance training programs can improve muscle function without injuries and can be a promising therapy to delay the functional deterioration in multiple sclerosis patients.

Transvenous coil embolization of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a dog.

To treat an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a young dog, thrombogenic material was placed into the vessel lumen (transvenous coil embolization) under fluoroscopic control. One coil was placed into the shunt, followed one month later by two additional coils. Transvenous embolization may become a useful method in the treatment of some portosystemic shunts.

[Helical CT compared to ERCP in obstructive biliary pathology]. / TC helicoidal frente a CPRE en la patología biliar obstructiva.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the examination of choice in the diagnosis of biliary tract pathology although newer, less invasive techniques with high diagnostic sensitivity should be evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of helical computed tomography (CT) in bile duct obstruction, particularly in choledocholithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with suspected bile duct obstruction were prospectively evaluated. Helical TC was carried out 12 hours before ERCP and patients were grouped according to risk of choledocholithiasis. RESULTS: Choledocholithiasis was found in 20 patients (45.4%). Helical TC identified this pathology in 17 and correctly ruled it out in 18 of 24 patients (S: 85%, E: 75%, positive predictive value 74%, negative predictive value 85.7%. Of the patients with choledocholithiasis, bile duct dilatation was found in 18. Helical TC correctly diagnosed this pathology in 16 of the 18 patients (88.8%). Helical TC correctly diagnosed one of two patients (50%) with choledocholithiasis and normal bile ducts. CONCLUSIONS: Helical TC is effective in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis but is not sufficiently accurate to be used in the screening of this entity.

[Carotid stenosis and lacunar infarct]. / Estenosis carotídea e infarto lacunar.

INTRODUCTION: Perforating artery disease is still the main cause of lacunar infarcts (LI), while the relationship between this type of ischemia and carotid stenosis (CS) is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between CS and LI in patients with criteria of localized ischemia in the carotid territory separately analyzing isolated LI and multiples LIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and thirty patients with a first episode of cerebral infarct in the area supplied by the carotid artery were registered prospectively. There were 205 LI (135 isolated and 70 multiple) which could be differentiated from 125 non-lacunar infarcts (NLI). The vascular risk factors were determined and the degree of carotid stenosis measured by duplex-colour ultrasound exploration. RESULTS: In the isolated LI group the frequency of presentation of CS greater than 50% was 22% for the artery ipsilateral to the LI and 8% for the contralateral artery. For significant CS (> 70%) frequencies of 14% (ipsilateral) and 8% (contralateral) were observed. On comparative analysis with the NLI group, the presence of stenosis greater than 50 to 70% was significantly higher in these for both ipsilateral and contralateral arteries. In the LI group, isolated CS was significantly more frequent on the side which was homolateral to the ischemia as compared to its isolated presence on the contralateral side (22/30 vs 4/12; OR: 5.5 [95% CI: 1.2-23]). Ipsilateral CS greater than 70% behaved as a factor which was significantly associated with the multiple LI subtype with a unilateral pattern. CONCLUSION: CS should be considered a risk factor for LI.

[Idiopathic brain herniation in the middle ear and mastoid]. / Herniación cerebral idiopática en el oído medio y mastoides.

Idiopathic brain herniation into the middle ear and the mastoid process is a rare clinico-pathological entity, with only 41 cases described in the literature. It should be suspected in presence of spontaneous otoliquorrhea/rhinoliquorrhea, refractory serous otitis media, or meningitis following acute otitis media in an adult. A new case is presented, with a brief review of the pathogenesis, clinico-pathological, and radiological characteristics of these lesions.

[Arteriosclerotic aneurysms isolated from the internal iliac artery]. / Aneurismas arterioesclerosos aislados de la arteria ilíaca interna.

A case of an isolate, symptomatic, atherosclerotic aneurysm of the left internal iliac artery is presented. A review from this very rare type of pathology reveal that clinical symptoms depends on the comprised anatomical structures. Diagnosis was made by rectal or vaginal touch, ultrasonography and CT. The operatoire mortality rate is high when aneurysms are ruptured.

[Inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. Apropos of a case]. / Aneurismas inflamatorios de aorta abdominal. A propósito de un caso.

The presentation of a case of inflammatory aneurysm in abdominal aorta and its bibliographic revision, makes evident the short knowledge of its etiopathogenesis and the need of TAC for its differential diagnosis and its treatment and correct follow up.