Improving individualised dosimetry in radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism using population biokinetic modelling.

The application of an individualised dosimetric procedure for radioiodine therapy requires the intensive use of resources in nuclear medicine facilities. In practice, the amount of data taken per patient is too limited to obtain an accurate estimate of the absorbed dose in the thyroid. The individualised absorbed dose estimates can be enhanced using statistical tools for population-based approaches. The aim of this work was to build a population biokinetic model of thyroid uptake and elimination of radioiodine using a nonlinear mixed-effects approach in patients with Graves' disease. Input data for the model development were taken from a dosimetric method based on 123I imaging data. 123I decay-corrected uptake values were estimated at 4, 24, and 96 h post-administration and for 58 patients. The root mean squared error (RMSE) for predicted 123I uptake values by the fitted model was 4%. The root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) for out-of-sample 123I uptake values, computed by a leave-one-out cross-validation, was 12%. We calculated 131I activity to administer from out-of-sample predicted 123I uptake values and compared the result with that calculated from observed 123I uptake values. RMSEP values for therapeutic activity revealed that there were measuring points with higher weight than others in the model. The mixed-effects approach can be used to enhance the accuracy of dosimetric calculations in therapies using 131I. Assessing the accuracy of the predictive model enables choosing among different time-sampling schedules of the radioiodine thyroid uptake curve. This methodology can also be applied in other areas of radiation dosimetry.

Ovarian mature teratoma: a ten year experience in our institution.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To describe the surgical management and diagnoses of mature ovarian teratomas and ovarian strumas in the present centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive retrospective analysis of cases of mature ovarian teratoma at the present university-associated hospital over ten years. RESULTS: The mean age was 29 years and in 17 patients the diagnosis was made during other surgery. When surgery was planned, the approach was 80.2% laparoscopic and 16.1% laparotomic. In the laparoscopy group more cases had been diagnosed previously as dermoid cyst by ultrasound and fewer days of hospital admission. In the laparotomy group the authors found higher ultrasound size and the size in the gross pathology description. With regards to treatment, 45.3% of cases underwent ovariectomy and 49.3% a cystectomy. Comparing these two groups, the authors found larger pelvic mass size in the group of ovariectomies. Healthy ovarian tissue in the removed specimen was found more frequently in the ovariectomies group (29.1%) but also in some cystectomies (7.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment of the ovarian mature teratoma in the present center was directed on the basis of ultrasound diagnosis, ultrasound tumor size, and the existence of associated gynecologic pathology. The authors strongly recommend a laparoscopic approach and a cystectomy in order to preserve fertility especially in young women.

Implementation and assessment of a fast-track programme to improve communication between primary and specialized care in patients with suspected cancer: how to shorten time between initial symptoms of cancer, diagnosis and initiation of treatment

Purpose. This study aims to asses a cancer fast-track programme (CFP) to shorten the time since a patient with suspicion of cancer is referred by the primary care (PC) physician to the specialized medical team. Methods. Guidelines for main suspected tumours were designed to help PC physicians to detect and rapidly refer cases to the CFP oncology coordinator, who sent them to the appropriate department to accelerate diagnosis, staging and therapy. All patients analysed in this report were referred from June 2009 to July 2012. Results. A total of 897 suspected cancer cases were submitted and finally 705 were studied. In 205 (29 %) a cancer diagnosis was confirmed within 23 days (median). Therapy was initiated within 46 days after referral (median). Early diagnoses with a potential curative approach were made in 166 (82 %). Conclusions. This CFP decreased the waiting time for cancer diagnosis, by improving communication between PC physician and specialized care teams. Most patients included in this program could get therapy with curative intent (AU)

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Implementation and assessment of a fast-track programme to improve communication between primary and specialized care in patients with suspected cancer: how to shorten time between initial symptoms of cancer, diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

PURPOSE: This study aims to asses a cancer fast-track programme (CFP) to shorten the time since a patient with suspicion of cancer is referred by the primary care (PC) physician to the specialized medical team. METHODS: Guidelines for main suspected tumours were designed to help PC physicians to detect and rapidly refer cases to the CFP oncology coordinator, who sent them to the appropriate department to accelerate diagnosis, staging and therapy. All patients analysed in this report were referred from June 2009 to July 2012. RESULTS: A total of 897 suspected cancer cases were submitted and finally 705 were studied. In 205 (29 %) a cancer diagnosis was confirmed within 23 days (median). Therapy was initiated within 46 days after referral (median). Early diagnoses with a potential curative approach were made in 166 (82 %). CONCLUSIONS: This CFP decreased the waiting time for cancer diagnosis, by improving communication between PC physician and specialized care teams. Most patients included in this program could get therapy with curative intent.

Hysteroscopic diagnosis of a high-grade endometrial sarcoma in a 41-year-old woman.

Endometrial stromal sarcomas originate in the endometrial cavity. These tumors represent between 15-27.9% of uterine sarcomas. We present the case of a 41-year-old woman who underwent surgical hysteroscopy for metrorrhagia over a period of one month who had an intrauterine polypoid mass detected by ultrasonography. Histologic analysis of the polypoid mass removed by hysteroscopy was a high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma of the uterus. The description of this case provides an opportunity to review the literature on uterine sarcomas diagnosed by surgical hysteroscopy.

Cauterization of meso-ovarian vessels, a new model of intrauterine growth restriction in rats.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remains an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Both IUGR and low birth weight have been identified as risk factors for increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, dyslipemia, and other diseases in the adulthood. Several animal models have been developed to study the underlying mechanisms of IUGR and its later consequences, with utero-placental ischemia by uterine artery ligation (UAL) being the most frequently used in rats. The relevance of this model lies in the fact that it induces altered placental perfusion, the main cause of IUGR in humans in Western countries. However, there is also controversy over the grade and homogeneity of IUGR obtained. In this study, we propose a new animal model of IUGR related to placental ischemia through the cauterization of meso-ovarian vessels. We aimed to test the feasibility of meso-ovarian vessel cauterization (CMO), and to compare it with uterine artery ligation (UAL). The CMO group had similar incidence of perinatal mortality, percentage of IUGR, and evolution of body weight during early extrauterine life to the UAL group, indicating that both methods are similarly efficient for inducing IUGR. Moreover, both of them affect the ratio of fetal to placental weight, and the weight of vital organs, supporting the hypothesis of a fetal compensatory response or "brain- and heart-sparing effect". Both operative models suffer approximately 50% perinatal mortality, implying that they are both more efficient in the production of IUGR when C-section is performed. On the other hand, CMO was significantly faster to perform than UAL and seemed to produce a more uniform ischemia throughout the uterus than the UAL method, resulting in a more homogeneous group of IUGR pups.

Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a case report and literature review.

Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma is an infrequent form of well differentiated cervical papillary adenocarcinoma that has recently been described. It usually affects young women and is distinguished from other adenocarcinomas by its generally good prognosis, since it infrequently invades the lymphovascular space. We present a case of villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma in a 28-year-old woman presenting risk factors for developing it: use of oral contraceptives, tobacco use, and infection with human papillomavirus types 16 and 33. The presentation of this case provides an opportunity to review the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma, and the factors that may influence the prognosis of women diagnosed with this histological type of cervical cancer.

Long-term efficacy and tolerability of flutamide combined with oral contraception in moderate to severe hirsutism: a 12-month, double-blind, parallel clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to test the efficacy and tolerability of three doses of flutamide (125, 250, and 375 mg) combined with a triphasic oral contraceptive (ethynylestradiol/levonorgestrel) during 12 months to treat moderate to severe hirsutism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism. DESIGN: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel clinical trial. PATIENTS: A total of 131 premenopausal women, suffering from moderate to severe hirsutism, were randomized to placebo or 125, 250, or 375 mg flutamide daily associated with a triphasic oral contraceptive pill. Hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallwey), acne and seborrhea (Cremoncini), and hormone serum levels were monitored at baseline and at 3 (except hormone serum levels), 6, and 12 months. Side effects and biochemical, hematological, and hepatic parameters were assessed. METHODS: We used three-way ANOVA (subject, dose, and visit) with Scheffé adjustment for multiple comparisons or nonparametrical Friedman test and least-squares mean (paired data) and Kruskall-Wallis test for unpaired data analyses. We used chi(2) or Fisher's test for categorical data. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. All flutamide doses induced a significant decrease in hirsutism, acne, and seborrhea scores after 12 months compared with placebo without differences among dose levels. Similar related side effects were observed with placebo and 125 mg flutamide (12.5%), and slightly higher with 250 mg (17.3%) and 375 mg (21.2%). No statistically significant differences were observed either among doses or compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Flutamide at 125 mg daily during 12 months was the minimum effective dose to diminish hirsutism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome or with idiopathic hirsutism.

Cancer of the vulva in a 25-year-old woman with VIN III and high-grade cervical SIL--case report.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with an increase in intraepithelial lesions of the genital tract which are often multicentric. Following is a presentation of a case of vulvar cancer in a young woman (25 years of age) with multiple vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN III) lesions, a high-grade squamous intraepithelial cervical lesion, and a HPV type 16 infection at high risk of oncogenic transformation. This case offers an opportunity to discuss the risk factors that may favor the appearance of these lesions in young women, and their clinical management, diagnosis, and treatment.

Prevención de la fertilidad femenina en los tratamientos oncológicos. Criopreservación de tejido ovárico / Female fertility prevention in the oncologic treatments. Criopreservation of ovarian tissue

En este capítulo se revisan diversas posibilidades para conservar la fertilidad femenina en pacientes oncológicas: quimioprofilaxis, criopreservación de embriones, oocitos y de tejido ovárico. Se especula sobre opciones futuras

Different options to preserve female fertility in oncologic patients are reviewed in this chapter: Chemoprophylaxis, embryos, oocytes and ovarian tissue criopreservation. It hypothesized over futur options

Prevalence of human papilloma virus infection of the uterine cervix in women with abnormal cervical cytology.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in women with abnormal cytology results. METHODS: A prospective study of 215 women with abnormal cytology results referred consecutively to the cervical pathology clinic was carried out. A second cervical cytology using the Bethesda System was performed on all the patients to confirm the initial diagnosis, as well as to test for the presence of HPV by PCR and a colposcopy and punch biopsy in cases presenting with an abnormal pattern on colposcopy. The sensivitiy, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) were calculated using 2 x 2 tables. RESULTS: The women aged 35 years or younger presented a higher percentage of HPV infection (85.6%) than the women over 35 years of age (54%). The highest percentage of women with a positive result for HPV was found in those with a cytological high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (85.5%), as compared with 47.4% of the women with a cytological low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). HPV infection has a high negative predictive value (93.2% of cases) and a high sensitivity (93.5%) for the detection of HSIL by biopsy, although the specificity and positive predictive value were low, 51.5% and 52.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with cytological HSIL have a high prevalence of HPV infection.

Uterine adenosarcoma diagnosed following hysteroscopic resection of an intrauterine tumour.

Uterine adenosarcoma is a mixed müllerian tumour consisting of a benign epithelial component and a malignant stromal component. It is a rare tumour that represents 8% of uterine sarcomas. We present a case of a 61-year-old woman who underwent a surgical hysteroscopy for postmenopausal metrorrhagia and thickened endometrium detected by ultrasonography. The pathologic diagnosis of the tumour removed by hysteroscopy was uterine adenosarcoma. The description of this case provides an opportunity to review the literature on uterine sarcomas diagnosed by surgical hysteroscopy.

[Cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) leaks in ear: revision of 5 cases]. / Fístulas de líquido cefalorraquídeo en oído: a propósito de 5 casos.

CSF leaks in the ear are the result of an abnormal communication between subarachnoid and tympano mastoid areas, most of then as a result of trauma (90%). They mean a lisk of meningitis (4-50%) directly related to the etiology. Our aim is to present the CSF leak cases seen in our hospital in the last 2 years and a revision of their management. The main factor for a sucessful surgical repair is to use a multilayer tecnhique with a sucess rate close to 100%.

Fístulas de líquido cefalorraquídeo en oído: a propósito de 5 casos / Cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) leaks in ear: revision of 5 cases

Las fístulas de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) en el oído derivan de una comunicación anormal entre el espacio subaracnoideo y el tímpanomastoideo, la mayoría de etiología traumática (90%). Van a tener gran interés desde el punto de vista clínico por el potencial riesgo de meningitis (4-50%), directamente relacionado con la etiología. Nuestro objetivo es realizar una presentación de los casos de fístulas de LCR en oído aparecidos en nuestro hospital en los últimos dos años, haciendo así mismo una revisión y un estudio crítico de los métodos empleados actualmente para el manejo de dicho proceso. El factor más importante para el éxito de la cirugía es el uso de una técnica multicapa con dos o más materiales de soporte, presentando un éxito cercano al 100%, cuando materiales artificiales sean usados en combinación con múltiples capas de tejido autólogo

CSF leaks in the ear are the result of an abnormal communication between subarachnoid and tympano mastoid areas, most of then as a result of trauma (90%). They mean a lisk of meningitis (4-50%) directly related to the etiology. Our aim is to present the CSF leak cases seen in our hospital in the last 2 years and a revision of their management. The main factor for a sucessful surgical repair is to use a multilayer tecnhique with a sucess rate close to 100%

Insulin-sensitizing agents: use in pregnancy and as therapy in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Treatment with insulin-sensitizing agents is a relatively recent therapeutic strategy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance. The key areas addressed in this review include PCOS and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes, as well as the use of insulin-sensitizing agents, particularly metformin, in the management of infertility in obese and non-obese PCOS women. Treatment with metformin in PCOS women undergoing IVF and the use of metformin during gestation will be discussed. The challenge for the health care professional should be the appropriate utilization of pharmacotherapies to improve insulin sensitivity and lower circulating insulin levels resulting in beneficial changes in PCOS phenotype. Further research into the potential role of other insulin-sensitizing agents, such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, in the treatment of infertile women with PCOS is needed.

Effect of a low-dose oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 150 microg desogestrel on dysmenorrhea.

This observational study evaluated the effect of a low-dose oral contraceptive (OC), containing 20 mug ethinylestradiol and 150 mug desogestrel (20EE/150DSG) on dysmenorrhea. Of the 346 women enrolled, 301 (87%) completed the three-cycle study. All participants (mean age: 22.6 years) wished to use oral contraception and had dysmenorrhea for at least 3 months. Dysmenorrhea was assessed using both the adapted verbal multidimensional scoring system (VMSS-A) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate pain intensity. General dysmenorrhea symptoms and the use of analgesics were also assessed. The mean total combined scores on the VMSS-A scale decreased from 5.4 to 1.4 (p < 0.001), during the three cycles of OC use. The mean VAS pain-intensity score decreased from 6.8 to 1.8 (p < 0.001). During treatment there were substantial improvements in most individual parameters of dysmenorrhea. The percentage of women with dysmenorrhea lasting > or =2 days decreased from 81% at baseline to 14% at cycle 3. The percentage of women reporting generalized dysmenorrhea symptoms (e.g., lumbago, asthenia) decreased from 79% to 21% and the percentage needing analgesics dropped from 100% to 41%. The percentage of women for whom dysmenorrhea interfered with daily activities decreased from 73% to 10%. The results indicate that 20EE/150DSG can statistically and clinically significantly reduce the incidence and severity of dysmenorrhea, and its impact on daily activities.

Torsión bilateral de trompas en una adolescente y tratamiento vía endoscópica / Bilateral torsion of the Fallopian tubes in an adolescent and its endoscopic treatment

La torsión aislada de la trompa de falopio es poco frecuente, y su sintomatología es muy inespecífica. Suele evolucionar con dolor abdominal, náuseas, vómitos y febrícula. Son útiles en su diagnóstico la ecografía y la tomografía axial computarizada, aunque el diagnóstico definitivo se realiza al practicar una laparoscopia o laparotomía exploradora. Éste suele ser tardío, lo que dificulta realizar un tratamiento conservador, y es la cirugía laparoscópica la que se considera de elección tanto para su diagnóstico como para su tratamiento (AU)

[Thrombosis of the vertebral artery, shown on angioresonance, in the lateral bulbar syndrome]. / Trombosis de arteria vertebral demostrada por angiorresonancia en el síndrome bulbar lateral.

INTRODUCTION: The lateral bulbar syndrome is a heterogeneous clinical condition. It is usually of vascular origin, due to a reduction in postero inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and vertebral artery blood flow. CASE REPORT: We studied two cases: a woman aged 59 years and a man of 49 years, who were admitted with Wallenberg s syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed on magnetic resonance which showed an ischaemic lesion in the lateral bulbar region ipsilateral to the clinical signs. On angioresonance there was lack of filling of the vertebral artery involved, and the PICA was not seen. CONCLUSIONS: At the present time, the most sensitive technique available for the diagnosis of the lateral bulbar syndrome is cranial magnetic resonance (it even appears to be useful for making aetiopathogenic hypotheses). Similarly, arteriography is widely used for assessing disorders of the posterior cerebral circulation, although it is not without risk. According to recent studies, angioresonance gives sensitivity and specificity of over 75% when used to assess anomalies of the vertebral and basilar arteries. So our observations corroborate the finding that angioresonance is a very sensitive, specific investigation for showing disorders of the vertebral arteries and PICA, which spares patients the morbidity associated with conventional arteriography.

Trombosis de arteria vertebral demostrada por angiorresonancia en el síndrome bulbar lateral / Thrombosis of the vertebral artery, shown on angioresonance, in the lateral bulbar syndrome

Introducción. El síndrome bulbar lateral es un cuadro clínico heterogéneo, habitualmente de origen vascular, caracterizado por disminución del flujo en la arteria cerebelosa posteroinferior (ACPI) y, eventualmente, de la arteria vertebral. Casos clínicos. Estudiamos dos casos, mujer de 59 años y varón de 49 años que ingresan con un síndrome de Wallenberg. La resonancia magnética confirma el diagnóstico mostrando una lesión isquémica en región bulbar lateral ipsilateral a la clínica. En la angiorresonancia se observa una falta de relleno de la arteria vertebral responsable, sin que se visualice la ACPI. Conclusiones. En la actualidad, la técnica más sensible para el diagnóstico del síndrome bulbar lateral es la resonancia magnética craneal (incluso parece ser útil para formular hipótesis etiopatogénicas). Del mismo modo, la arteriografía se utiliza ampliamente para evaluar trastornos de la circulación cerebral posterior, aun sin estar exenta de riesgos. La angiorresonancia demuestra, según los últimos estudios, una sensibilidad y una especificidad superiores al 75 por ciento en la valoración de anomalías en las arterias vertebrales y basilar. De esta forma, nuestra observación corrobora que la angioresonancia es una prueba muy sensible y específica para la demostración de patología en las arterias vertebrales y la ACPI, ahorrando al paciente la morbilidad que conlleva la arteriografía convencional (AU)