[Non-invasive ventilation in patients with diaphragmatic paralysis. Case report]. / Utilización de la ventilación no invasiva en pacientes con parálisis diafragmética. Reporte de casos.

Background Diaphragmatic paralysis (DP) is a rare disease, usually secondary to systemic processes, although idiopathic forms have been described. Aim To describe the use of non-invasive ventilation as a treatment to patients with DP. Material and methods Descriptive study about consecutive cases of DP in a general hospital. Results It has been described 4 patients, all of them with a diminished the maximum mouth pressures and vital capacity in supine position. Three patients presented hypercapnia, and one of them, required intubation with invasive mechanical ventilation. All patients were treated with non-invasive positive pressure (NPPV) mode S/T bilevel, allowing with a reduction in the PCO2, improvement in the symptoms and in the parameters to the nocturnal respiratory polygraphy. Conclusions Use of NPPV in patients with DP could provide a clinical improvement and contributing to recovery of lung functionality that make it recommendable in selected cases.

[Lung eosinophilic syndrome: clinical presentation and cases report]. / Síndrome de eosinofília pulmonar presentación clínica y serie de casos.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary eosinophilia syndrome is characterized by a group of diseases that present clinical-radiological conditions, pulmonary eosinophilia or peripheral lung parenchyma in its evolution. We described the clinical and radiological presentation. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive analysis of medical records of 7 patients between 2007 and 2010. RESULTS: The highest numbers of cases were observed in women, with peripheral eosinophilia with values between 550 and 10,000 cells/mm3. The more frequent signs and symptoms were cough, dyspnea, fever and wheezing. The more prevalent radiological findings were alveolar interstitial and alveolar pattern. At CT scan, the most frequent pattern was ground glass. The main diagnoses made were acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia in equal proportions, both with response to steroids. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary eosinophilia syndrome shares common features with clinical and radiological entities most prevalent, particularly community-adquired pneumonia.

Introducción: El síndrome de eosinofilia pulmonar se caracteriza por un grupo de patologías que presentan afección clínico ­ radiológica pulmonar con eosinofilia periférica o en parénquima pulmonar en su evolución. Materiales y métodos: Se describen las características de presentaciones clínico-radiológicas y evolutivas de pacientes atendidos entre 2007 y 2010 en Hospital Rawson. Resultados: Sobre 8 casos, se observó mayor número de casos en mujeres. Los signos y síntomas principales fueron tos, disnea, fiebre y sibilancias. Los hallazgos radiológicos más prevalentes fueron patrón alveolar y alveolointersticial. En la TAC el más frecuente fue el patrón en vidrio esmerilado. La eosinofilia periférica presentó valores entre 550 y 10.000 cel/mm3. Los pacientes fueron abdordados inicialmente como neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en el 62% de los casos. Los diagnósticos principales realizados fueron neumonía eosinofílica aguda y crónica, ambas con respuesta a esteroides. Conclusiones: El síndrome de eosinofilias pulmonares comparte características clínico-radiológicas comunes con entidades de mayor prevalencia, particularmente NAC.

Síndrome de eosinofília pulmonar presentación clínica y serie de casos / [Lung eosinophilic syndrome: clinical presentation and cases report].

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary eosinophilia syndrome is characterized by a group of diseases that present clinical-radiological conditions, pulmonary eosinophilia or peripheral lung parenchyma in its evolution. We described the clinical and radiological presentation. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive analysis of medical records of 7 patients between 2007 and 2010. RESULTS: The highest numbers of cases were observed in women, with peripheral eosinophilia with values between 550 and 10,000 cells/mm3. The more frequent signs and symptoms were cough, dyspnea, fever and wheezing. The more prevalent radiological findings were alveolar interstitial and alveolar pattern. At CT scan, the most frequent pattern was ground glass. The main diagnoses made were acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia in equal proportions, both with response to steroids. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary eosinophilia syndrome shares common features with clinical and radiological entities most prevalent, particularly community-adquired pneumonia.

Síndrome de eosinofília pulmonar presentación clínica y serie de casos. / [Lung eosinophilic syndrome: clinical presentation and cases report].

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary eosinophilia syndrome is characterized by a group of diseases that present clinical-radiological conditions, pulmonary eosinophilia or peripheral lung parenchyma in its evolution. We described the clinical and radiological presentation. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive analysis of medical records of 7 patients between 2007 and 2010. RESULTS: The highest numbers of cases were observed in women, with peripheral eosinophilia with values between 550 and 10,000 cells/mm3. The more frequent signs and symptoms were cough, dyspnea, fever and wheezing. The more prevalent radiological findings were alveolar interstitial and alveolar pattern. At CT scan, the most frequent pattern was ground glass. The main diagnoses made were acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia in equal proportions, both with response to steroids. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary eosinophilia syndrome shares common features with clinical and radiological entities most prevalent, particularly community-adquired pneumonia.

[Pulmonary carcinomatous lymphangitis: presentation as acute pneumopathy. Report of two cases]. / Linfangitis carcinomatosa pulmonar: presentación como neumopatía aguda. Reporte de dos casos.

INTRODUCTION: Carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung accounts for 6-8% of lung's metastases. There are evidence that it can be a treatable condition with an impact on progression of dyspnea and radiographic lesions, and survival improvement. Two cases are reported, with the aim of increase the clinical suspicion at compatible cases. METHODS: Case 1: woman 32 years old. Progressive dyspnea and cough two weeks ago, without antibiotic response. Tachypnea, increase of respiratory work, basal crackles. Respiratory failure. Radiography: basal alveolointerstitial opacities. Treatment for severe community-acquired pneumonia is started. She evolves unfavorably, with need of MRA and fatal outcome. Case 2: woman 46 years old. Progressive dyspnea and cough from one week ago. Tachypnea, diffuse crackles. Respiratory failure. Radiography: diffuse nodular-interstitialradiopacity, with radiopacy lesion in right apex. HRCT: nodular thickening of interlobular septum and peribrochovascular interstitial. Treatment for tuberculosis of the lung is started. She evolves unfavorably, with need of MRA and fatal outcome. In both cases a lung biopsy was performed, diagnosing carcinomatous lymphangitis. DISCUSSION: Two cases are reported, with acute afebrilepneumopathyin young patients, whose manifestations guided to treatment of respiratory infection, and evolved quickly to refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure with need of MRA and fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung should be included as a differential diagnosis of cases of acute lung pathology, especially when there was an unfavorable evolution under antibiotics or have excluded more common etiologies.

Introducción: La linfangitis carcinomatosa(LC) representa el 6-8% de las metástasis pulmonares. Existe evidencia de que puede ser una condición oncológicamente tratable, con impacto sobre la progresión de la disnea y lesiones radiológicas, con mejoría de la sobrevida. Se describen dos casos con el objetivo de inducir la sospecha de esta entidad ante un paciente con datos de neumopatía aguda. Métodos: Caso 1: mujer 32 años, disnea progresiva y tos de dos semanas de evolución sin respuesta a antibióticos. Taquipnea, aumento del trabajo respiratorio, crepitantes bibasales. Insuficiencia respiratoria. Radiografía: radiopacidadalvéolointersticialbibasal. Se inicia tratamiento para neumonía grave de la comunidad. Evoluciona desfavorablemente con requerimiento de ARM y desenlace fatal. Caso 2: mujer 46 años, disnea progresiva y tos de una semana de evolución. Taquipnea, subcrepitantes difusos.Insuficiencia respiratoria. Radiografía: radiopacidadintersticionodulillar difusa, con imagen radiopaca homogénea en vértice derecho. TC-AR: engrosamiento nodular de los septos interlobulares e intersticio peribroncovascular. Se inicia tratamiento para TBC pulmonar. Evoluciona desfavorablemente con requerimiento de ARM y desenlace fatal. En ambos casos se realizó biopsia pulmonar con diagnóstico de LC. Discusión: Se presentan dos casos de neumopatía aguda afebril en pacientes jóvenes, cuyas manifestaciones orientaron al diagnóstico de infección respiratoria, y evolucionaron rápidamente hacia la insuficiencia respiratoria refractaria con requerimiento de ARM y desenlace fatal. Conclusión: La LC pulmonar debe incluirse comodiagnóstico diferencial ante cuadros de neumopatía aguda, principalmente cuando la evolución es desfavorable bajo antibióticos o se han excluido etiologías más frecuentes.

[Superior Cava Venous syndrome as presentation of neoplasic disease]. / Síndrome de vena cava superior: forma inicial de presentacion en enfermedades neoplásicas.

Superior Cava Venous Syndrome (SVCS) encompasses a constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from partial or complete obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC) to the right atrium. Thrombosis can be caused by intrinsic (primary) or extrinsic compression (with or without secondary thrombosis). The causes of SVCS can be grouped according to their etiology in non-neoplastic and neoplastic. The causes malignant correspond to 65-90% of them, thrombosis and nonmalignant conditions are another causes. The presentation may be acute, clinically characterized by dyspnea and a characteristic triad (facial, neck and arms edema, cyanosis and collateral circulation). Early detection improves prognosis and is based on clinical data and imaging studies. We describe 8 cases where the SVCS was the first manifestation of neoplastic diseases. Patients were predominantly of middle-aged, male, without association with consumption of tobacco and lymphoma was most frequent diagnosis.

Se denomina Síndrome de Vena Cava Superior (SVCS) al conjunto de signos y síntomas derivados de la obstrucción parcial o completa del flujo sanguíneo a través de la vena cava superior (VCS) hacia la aurícula derecha. Puede ser causada por trombosis intrínseca (primaria) o a compresión extrínseca (asociada o no a trombosis secundaria) Las causas de SVCS pueden ser agrupadas según su etiología en no neoplásicas y neoplásicas. Las causas malignas corresponden a un 65-90% del total de las causas, la trombosis y las condiciones no malignas son las causantes del resto de los casos. La forma de presentación puede ser aguda, caracterizándose clínicamente por disnea y la triada característica (edema en esclavina, cianosis facial y presencia de circulación colateral). La detección precoz mejora el pronóstico y se asienta sobre los datos clínicos y estudios por imágenes. Presentamos 8 casos registrados en nuestro hospital, donde el SVCS fue la manifestación inicial de enfermedades neoplásicas. En esta serie hubo predominancia de varones de edad media, sin asociación con consumo de tabaco y el diagnóstico más frecuente fue linfoma.

Linfangitis carcinomatosa pulmonar: presentación como neumopatía aguda. Reporte de dos casos / [Pulmonary carcinomatous lymphangitis: presentation as acute pneumopathy. Report of two cases].

INTRODUCTION: Carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung accounts for 6-8

of lung’s metastases. There are evidence that it can be a treatable condition with an impact on progression of dyspnea and radiographic lesions, and survival improvement. Two cases are reported, with the aim of increase the clinical suspicion at compatible cases. METHODS: Case 1: woman 32 years old. Progressive dyspnea and cough two weeks ago, without antibiotic response. Tachypnea, increase of respiratory work, basal crackles. Respiratory failure. Radiography: basal alveolointerstitial opacities. Treatment for severe community-acquired pneumonia is started. She evolves unfavorably, with need of MRA and fatal outcome. Case 2: woman 46 years old. Progressive dyspnea and cough from one week ago. Tachypnea, diffuse crackles. Respiratory failure. Radiography: diffuse nodular-interstitialradiopacity, with radiopacy lesion in right apex. HRCT: nodular thickening of interlobular septum and peribrochovascular interstitial. Treatment for tuberculosis of the lung is started. She evolves unfavorably, with need of MRA and fatal outcome. In both cases a lung biopsy was performed, diagnosing carcinomatous lymphangitis. DISCUSSION: Two cases are reported, with acute afebrilepneumopathyin young patients, whose manifestations guided to treatment of respiratory infection, and evolved quickly to refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure with need of MRA and fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung should be included as a differential diagnosis of cases of acute lung pathology, especially when there was an unfavorable evolution under antibiotics or have excluded more common etiologies.

Síndrome de vena cava superior: forma inicial de presentacion en enfermedades neoplásicas / [Superior Cava Venous syndrome as presentation of neoplasic disease].

Superior Cava Venous Syndrome (SVCS) encompasses a constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from partial or complete obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC) to the right atrium. Thrombosis can be caused by intrinsic (primary) or extrinsic compression (with or without secondary thrombosis). The causes of SVCS can be grouped according to their etiology in non-neoplastic and neoplastic. The causes malignant correspond to 65-90

of them, thrombosis and nonmalignant conditions are another causes. The presentation may be acute, clinically characterized by dyspnea and a characteristic triad (facial, neck and arms edema, cyanosis and collateral circulation). Early detection improves prognosis and is based on clinical data and imaging studies. We describe 8 cases where the SVCS was the first manifestation of neoplastic diseases. Patients were predominantly of middle-aged, male, without association with consumption of tobacco and lymphoma was most frequent diagnosis.

Linfangitis carcinomatosa pulmonar: presentación como neumopatía aguda. Reporte de dos casos. / [Pulmonary carcinomatous lymphangitis: presentation as acute pneumopathy. Report of two cases].

INTRODUCTION: Carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung accounts for 6-8

of lungs metastases. There are evidence that it can be a treatable condition with an impact on progression of dyspnea and radiographic lesions, and survival improvement. Two cases are reported, with the aim of increase the clinical suspicion at compatible cases. METHODS: Case 1: woman 32 years old. Progressive dyspnea and cough two weeks ago, without antibiotic response. Tachypnea, increase of respiratory work, basal crackles. Respiratory failure. Radiography: basal alveolointerstitial opacities. Treatment for severe community-acquired pneumonia is started. She evolves unfavorably, with need of MRA and fatal outcome. Case 2: woman 46 years old. Progressive dyspnea and cough from one week ago. Tachypnea, diffuse crackles. Respiratory failure. Radiography: diffuse nodular-interstitialradiopacity, with radiopacy lesion in right apex. HRCT: nodular thickening of interlobular septum and peribrochovascular interstitial. Treatment for tuberculosis of the lung is started. She evolves unfavorably, with need of MRA and fatal outcome. In both cases a lung biopsy was performed, diagnosing carcinomatous lymphangitis. DISCUSSION: Two cases are reported, with acute afebrilepneumopathyin young patients, whose manifestations guided to treatment of respiratory infection, and evolved quickly to refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure with need of MRA and fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Carcinomatous lymphangitis of the lung should be included as a differential diagnosis of cases of acute lung pathology, especially when there was an unfavorable evolution under antibiotics or have excluded more common etiologies.

Síndrome de vena cava superior: forma inicial de presentacion en enfermedades neoplásicas. / [Superior Cava Venous syndrome as presentation of neoplasic disease].

Superior Cava Venous Syndrome (SVCS) encompasses a constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from partial or complete obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC) to the right atrium. Thrombosis can be caused by intrinsic (primary) or extrinsic compression (with or without secondary thrombosis). The causes of SVCS can be grouped according to their etiology in non-neoplastic and neoplastic. The causes malignant correspond to 65-90

of them, thrombosis and nonmalignant conditions are another causes. The presentation may be acute, clinically characterized by dyspnea and a characteristic triad (facial, neck and arms edema, cyanosis and collateral circulation). Early detection improves prognosis and is based on clinical data and imaging studies. We describe 8 cases where the SVCS was the first manifestation of neoplastic diseases. Patients were predominantly of middle-aged, male, without association with consumption of tobacco and lymphoma was most frequent diagnosis.

[Insomnia: prevalence in Cordoba city hospital]. / Insomnio: prevalencia en un hospital de la ciudad de Cordoba.

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by a deficient or poor quality sleep, with adverse daytime consequences. Prevalence is 30-50% in adults and can be associated with depression or lead to the development of this condition. Despite the high prevalence rates, is a unrecognized, misdiagnosis and undertreated. There is not much publications about its prevalence in patients with chronic diseases. OBJECTIVES: to determine prevalence and clinical characteristics of insomnia in outpatients with chronic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational cross-sectional descriptive study. Insomnia was defined based on ICSD-2criteria. The data collection was performed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: We surveyed 100 patients who attended the consultation of various clinical specialties, mean age 50 years old, 57% were women. Sixty nine per cent of them met criteria for insomnia. The most prevalent diseases were hypertension: 57%, asthma 20%, diabetes: 18% and hypothyroidism: 17%. Among patients with insomnia, 62% were women, 35% had insomnia without another illness, and the remaining 65% had secondary conditions associated with insomnia (60% depression). 25% of patients consulting for insomnia ever. The prevalence of criteria for depression in outpatients with chronic diseases was 52%, amounting to 63% in patients suffering from insomnia. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of insomnia in patients with chronic diseases is high (in outpatients with chronic disease: 69%), higher than the average rate described in the general population. It is an undertreated condition. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of insomnia in patients with chronic diseases is high, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is associated with depression in high rate.

Introducción: Insomnio es el trastorno caracterizado por sueño deficiente o de mala calidad con consecuencias diurnas adversas. La prevalencia es 30-50% en adultos y puede llevar al desarrollo de depresión. A pesar de las altas tasas de prevalencia es una entidad poco reconocida, subdiagnosticada y subtratada. Poco se ha publicado acerca de la prevalencia en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas. Objetivos: conocer prevalencia y características clínicas del insomnio en pacientes ambulatorios con enfermedades crónicas. Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo descriptivo observacional de corte transversal. Se definió insomnio en base a los criterios del ICSD-2. La obtención de los datos se realizó por un cuestionario autoadministrado. Resultados: Encuestamos a 100 pacientes que acudieron a la consulta de diferentes especialidades clínicas, edad promedio 50 años. El 57% mujeres. El 69% cumplía criterios de insomnio. Las enfermedades más prevalente fueron HTA: 57%; asma: 20%, diabetes: 18% e hipotiroidismo: 17%. Entre los pacientes con insomnio, el 62% fueron mujeres, el 35 % lo presentaban de manera aislada y el restante 65% presentaba condiciones asociadas a insomnio secundario (el 60% presentaban depresión). La cuarta parte de los pacientes consultó por insomnio alguna vez. La prevalencia de criterios de depresión en los enfermos crónicos analizados fue de 52%, y asciende a 63% en los pacientes que padecen insomnio. Discusión: La prevalencia de insomnio en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas es alta, siendo en pacientes ambulatorios con enfermedades crónicas del 69%, muy superior a la media descripta en la población general. Es una entidad subtratada. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de insomnio en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas es alta, está subdiagnosticada y subtratada. Presenta una asociación significativa con depresión.

[Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: report of two cases and review of the literature]. / Proteinosis alveolar pulmonar: presentación de dos casos y revisión de la bibliografía.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease characterized by extensive radiological and tomographic pulmonary lesions and a variable clinical picture ranging from pulmonary insufficiency to spontaneous remission. Among its three described forms, the so called Idiopathic or Adult form is responsible for more than 80% of published cases. It's physiopathology depends on an autoimmune process directed against the GM-CSF (Granulocite Macrophage- Colony Stimulating Factor) that induces a functional defect of the macrophage with consequent intraalveolar accumulation of surfactant. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections, are common, often with unusual pathogens. Diagnosis can be made from the combination of clinical, radiological and bronchoalveolar lavage data, although sometimes histopathologic material is needed for confirmation. Total pulmonary lavage is currently the treatment of choice. Mortality is usually low and related mostly to infectious complications. We hereby describe our experience with two patients.