[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in gastric pathology in Aragon]. / Prevalencia del Helicobacter pylori en patología gástrica en Aragón.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in 400 patients referred for upper digestive tract endoscopy. In our area it hasn't developed yet any epidemiologic study about this disease. Helicobacter pylori was observed in 281 of the 400 patients studied (70%). No significant differences by sex were found in the subjects analyzed. There was a rise in the percentage of positivities as age increased. Helicobacter pylori were positive in 74 of the 88 patients with chronic superficial gastritis (84.1%), in 53 of the 65 with chronic atrophic gastritis (81.5%), in 16 of the 25 with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia (64%), in 49 of the 63 with gastric ulcer (77.8%), in 73 of the 85 with duodenal ulcer (85.9%), in 9 of the 24 patients with gastric carcinoma (37.5%), in 5 of the 19 with stump gastritis (26.3%), where as only a few Helicobacter pylori were found in 2 of the 31 histologically normal subjects (6.5%). These findings support the wiew that Helicobacter pylori may be etiologically related to chronic gastritis and peptic ulceration, even though their precise role still remains to be determined.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mediastinum]. / Histiocitoma fibroso maligno mediastínico.

Soft tissue sarcomas are neoplasms which envolve from mesodermic tissue, being characterized for their low incidence (1% of all malignant tumors), histologic heterogeneity and diverseness regarding their localization. We present a new case of this infrequent tumor: malignant fibrous histiocytoma of exceptional localization: mediastinum.

[Duodenal obstruction due to a biliary calculus (Bouveret's syndrome)]. / Obstrucción duodenal por cálculo biliar (síndrome de Bouveret).

We present a case of duodenal obstruction caused by biliary calculus (Bouveret's syndrome) an unusual cause of gallstone ileus. The clinical presentation simulated a pyloric stenosis, the gastrointestinal X-ray study being that which allowed us to establish diagnosis. Surgery was carried out only on the duodenal obstruction with successful results.

[Boerhaave syndrome, as a cause of acute abdomen]. / Síndrome de Boerhaave, como causa de abdomen agudo.

Boerhaave's syndrome, or spontaneous esophageal perforation, is an infrequent entity with an elevated morbidity and mortality. Its clinical manifestations are such that an extensive differential diagnosis with other entities in necessary, but diagnostic delay worsens the prognosis. We present a new case of Boerhaave's syndrome, that debuted as a picture of acute abdomen which led to the realization of an exploratory laparotomy that failed to evidence the esophageal perforation.

[Esophageal ulcer caused by doxycycline]. / Ulcera esofágica por doxiciclina.

We describe a case of esophageal ulcer produced by oral ingestion of a capsule of doxycycline. A review is made of medications that produce esophageal lesions, and the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of these lesions. We emphasize the importance of taking these drugs with abundant liquids, in erect position, never before going to bed, to prevent these lesions.