Análisis psicométrico de las preguntas asociadas a imágenes radiológicas en el examen para médico interno residente en España / Psychometric analysis of questions associated with radiological images in the competitive examination for access to residency programs in Spain

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: La psicometría es una técnica sencilla e intuitiva que se utiliza en el campo de la docencia y en el de los cuestionarios de respuesta múltiple. El examen MIR incluye desde el año 2009 preguntas asociadas a imagen radiológica. El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar los resultados del análisis psicométrico de estas preguntas con objeto de comparar el grado de dificultad, la capacidad de discriminación y la estructura interna respecto al resto de preguntas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron todas las preguntas del examen desde el año 2009 y se clasificaron en casos clínicos sin y con imagen radiológica, casos clínicos con imagen no radiológica, preguntas test y preguntas negativas. Se utilizó la teoría clásica de test y la teoría de respuesta al ítem para valorar la dificultad y el grado de discriminación de las preguntas. RESULTADOS: Sobre 225 preguntas, los exámenes incluyen entre un 11% y un 15% de preguntas asociadas a imágenes. Las preguntas asociadas a imagen radiológica son más difíciles (grado de dificultad corregida [IDc] 0,51), con una menor capacidad de discriminación. El aumento de la dificultad de la pregunta radiológica se relaciona con una menor discriminación, sobre todo si la información clínica no es adecuada, o es contraria al concepto radiológico, o el concepto nunca ha sido preguntado a lo largo de la historia del MIR. CONCLUSIONES: Para poder igualar los estándares del examen MIR, es necesario mantener una adecuada estructura en la confección de las preguntas de radiología, en términos de entorno clínico, un adecuado uso de distractores y un menor nivel de dificultad, que se puede lograr mediante el uso de imágenes con hallazgos radiológicos típicos

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Psychometrics is a simple, intuitive approach used in educational research and in multiple-choice questionnaires. Since 2009, the competitive examination through which access to residency programs in Spain is determined (MIR) has included questions related to radiological images. The objective of this paper is to show the results of the psychometric analysis of these questions with the aim of comparing their degree of difficulty, discriminative capacity, and internal structure with respect to those of the other questions on the examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed all questions on the examination since 2009, classifying them as clinical cases with and without radiological images, clinical cases with and without non-radiological images, multiple choice questions, and negative questions. We used classical test theory and item response theory to assess the difficulty and degree of discrimination of the questions. RESULTS: Of 225 questions, between 11% and 15% of the questions included in the examinations were associated with images. The questions associated with radiological images were more difficult (corrected difficulty index, 0.51) and had worse discriminative capacity. The increased difficulty of radiological questions was associated with worse discriminative capacity, especially if the clinical information provided was inadequate or if the clinical information was contrary to the radiological concept or if there had never been any questions about the concept in previoous MIR examinations. CONCLUSIONS: To equalize the standards of the MIR examination, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate structure in devising radiology questions, with terms from the clinical context, appropriate use of distracters, and a lower level of difficulty, which could be achieved by using radiological images with typical radiological findings

Exoftalmos unilateral secundario a metástasis en músculo recto interno de adenocarcinoma de esófago / Unilateral exophthalmos secondary to esophageal adenocarcinoma metastasis to the medial rectus muscle

Varón de 51 años con diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de esófago estadio IV. Es referido desde oncología médica para valoración oftalmológica urgente por llamativo exoftalmos izquierdo de dos semanas de evolución además de diplopía binocular. En la exploración oftalmológica destaca la presencia de un exoftalmos axial no reductible y una limitación de la motilidad ocular a la levoducción. Se realiza una tomografía axial computarizada craneal urgente donde se objetiva una masa orbitaria izquierda polilobulada y heterogénea, intra- y extraconal, que engloba al músculo recto interno, compatible con metástasis, además de otra pequeña masa extraconal en la base de la órbita contralateral. Se indica entonces tratamiento con radioterapia paliativa. Las metástasis en los músculos extraoculares son un hallazgo muy poco frecuente, pero deben sospecharse ante un caso de exoftalmos unilateral y, de ser necesario, remitir al paciente para realizar las pruebas complementarias correspondientes

A case is presented on a 51 year-old man with stage IV oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The patient was referred by the Oncology Department urgently for a same-day assessment by an ophthalmologist due to two weeks of severe unilateral exophthalmos and binocular diplopia. A comprehensive eye exam revealed the presence of an axial non-reductive exophthalmos and a limitation in left eye levoduction. A computed tomography scan was performed that showed a multiple lobed, intra-and extra-conal, heterogeneous left orbital mass, that surrounded the internal rectus muscle, compatible with metastasis, as well as another small extraconal mass at the base of the contralateral orbit. Palliative radiotherapy was then indicated. Metastases in the extraocular muscles are a very rare finding, but should be suspected in a case of unilateral exophthalmos and, if necessary, refer the patient to have the corresponding complementary tests performed

Unilateral exophthalmos secondary to esophageal adenocarcinoma metastasis to the medial rectus muscle. / Exoftalmos unilateral secundario a metástasis en músculo recto interno de adenocarcinoma de esófago.

A case is presented on a 51 year-old man with stage IV oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The patient was referred by the Oncology Department urgently for a same-day assessment by an ophthalmologist due to two weeks of severe unilateral exophthalmos and binocular diplopia. A comprehensive eye exam revealed the presence of an axial non-reductive exophthalmos and a limitation in left eye levoduction. A computed tomography scan was performed that showed a multiple lobed, intra-and extra-conal, heterogeneous left orbital mass, that surrounded the internal rectus muscle, compatible with metastasis, as well as another small extraconal mass at the base of the contralateral orbit. Palliative radiotherapy was then indicated. Metastases in the extraocular muscles are a very rare finding, but should be suspected in a case of unilateral exophthalmos and, if necessary, refer the patient to have the corresponding complementary tests performed.

Psychometric analysis of questions associated with radiological images in the competitive examination for access to residency programs in Spain. / Análisis psicométrico de las preguntas asociadas a imágenes radiológicas en el examen para médico interno residente en España.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Psychometrics is a simple, intuitive approach used in educational research and in multiple-choice questionnaires. Since 2009, the competitive examination through which access to residency programs in Spain is determined (MIR) has included questions related to radiological images. The objective of this paper is to show the results of the psychometric analysis of these questions with the aim of comparing their degree of difficulty, discriminative capacity, and internal structure with respect to those of the other questions on the examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed all questions on the examination since 2009, classifying them as clinical cases with and without radiological images, clinical cases with and without non-radiological images, multiple choice questions, and negative questions. We used classical test theory and item response theory to assess the difficulty and degree of discrimination of the questions. RESULTS: Of 225 questions, between 11% and 15% of the questions included in the examinations were associated with images. The questions associated with radiological images were more difficult (corrected difficulty index, 0.51) and had worse discriminative capacity. The increased difficulty of radiological questions was associated with worse discriminative capacity, especially if the clinical information provided was inadequate or if the clinical information was contrary to the radiological concept or if there had never been any questions about the concept in previoous MIR examinations. CONCLUSIONS: To equalize the standards of the MIR examination, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate structure in devising radiology questions, with terms from the clinical context, appropriate use of distracters, and a lower level of difficulty, which could be achieved by using radiological images with typical radiological findings.

Sialoadenitis aguda bilateral como reacción adversa a contraste yodado / Acute sialadenitis as adverse reaction to iodinated contrast

La inflamación de las glándulas salivales secundaria a la administración de contraste yodado es una reacción adversa muy poco frecuente. Su etiología no está aclarada y, aunque tiene un curso benigno, se han descrito complicaciones asociadas. Presentamos dos casos de submaxilitis aguda bilateral como reacción adversa tras la administración intravenosa de contraste yodado en dos varones de 60 y 63 años de edad a los que se realizó en los días previos una tomografía computarizada

Swelling of the salivary glands after administration of iodinated contrast is a very rare adverse reaction. Its etiology is not clear and although it has a benign course associated complications have been reported. We report two cases of acute bilateral sialadenitis after intravenous iodinated contrast in 60 and 63 year-old men who underwent a computed tomography scan in the previous days

Acute sialadenitis as adverse reaction to iodinated contrast. / Sialoadenitis aguda bilateral como reacción adversa a contraste yodado.

Swelling of the salivary glands after administration of iodinated contrast is a very rare adverse reaction. Its etiology is not clear and although it has a benign course associated complications have been reported. We report two cases of acute bilateral sialadenitis after intravenous iodinated contrast in 60 and 63 year-old men who underwent a computed tomography scan in the previous days.

Neurofibroma plexiforme de íleon y mesenterio: una manifestación infrecuente de la enfermedad de Von Recklinghausen / Plexiform neurofibroma of the ileum and mesentery: an uncommon manifestation of neurofibromatosis Type I

El neurofibroma plexiforme es un tumor de los troncos nerviosos y sus ramas que se considera virtualmente diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Von Recklinghausen. Presentamos un caso de neurofibroma plexiforme con afectación de íleon y mesenterio en un paciente con neurofibromatosis tipo 1. El interés del caso radica, tanto en la rareza de la afectación intestinal por el neurofibroma, como en su forma de presentación como cuadro intestinal sintomático que precisó cirugía(AU)

Plexiform neurofibroma is a tumor of the nerve trunks and their branches; it is considered virtually pathognomic of neurofibromatosis type 1. We present the case of a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 and a plexiform neurofibroma involving the ileum and mesentery. This case is interesting because intestinal involvement by neurofibroma is rare and because the patient presented with symptomatic intestinal involvement that required surgery(AU)

[Plexiform neurofibroma of the ileum and mesentery: an uncommon manifestation of neurofibromatosis type I]. / Neurofibroma plexiforme de íleon y mesenterio: una manifestación infrecuente de la enfermedad de Von Recklinghausen.

Plexiform neurofibroma is a tumor of the nerve trunks and their branches; it is considered virtually pathognomic of neurofibromatosis type 1. We present the case of a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 and a plexiform neurofibroma involving the ileum and mesentery. This case is interesting because intestinal involvement by neurofibroma is rare and because the patient presented with symptomatic intestinal involvement that required surgery.

[Adrenal oncocytoma]. / Oncocitoma suprarrenal.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an additional case of adrenocortical oncocytoma that had been incidentally discovered. METHODS/RESULTS: A case of adrenocortical oncocytoma in a 30-year-old male is presented. Patient evaluation by US, CT and arteriography revealed a well-defined mass between the upper pole of the left kidney, spleen and stomach, that appeared to be of adrenal origin. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies revealed a benign adrenocortical oncocytoma with moderate cell atypia but with no signs of infiltration. CONCLUSION: Adrenocortical oncocytoma must be included in the differential diagnosis of solid adrenal tumors.