Cicatriz radial sin atipia en biopsia percutánea. ¿Puede evitarse la biopsia quirúrgica? / Radial scars without atypia in percutaneous biopsy specimens: can they obviate surgical biopsy?

Objetivo. Evaluar la necesidad de biopsia quirúrgica en pacientes diagnosticadas por biopsia percutánea de cicatriz radial sin atipia. Material y métodos. Realizamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo y seleccionamos las pacientes con diagnóstico histológico en biopsia percutánea de cicatriz radial durante un periodo de 8 años. El análisis estadístico principal se centró en pacientes con cicatriz radial sin atipia (valoramos la presentación radiológica, los resultados de la biopsia percutánea y su correlación con la biopsia quirúrgica y seguimiento) y añadimos a las pacientes con atipia y cáncer en la elaboración de índices diagnósticos. Resultados. Identificamos 96 pacientes con cicatriz radial en biopsia percutánea. Cincuenta y cuatro no presentaban atipia, 18 asociaban algún tipo de atipia y 24, cáncer. No hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas al comparar las pacientes en seguimiento radiológico con aquellas que se sometieron a biopsia quirúrgica en el grupo sin atipia (p > 0,05). La tasa de infraestimación de la biopsia percutánea en pacientes sin atipia fue del 1,9%. Los índices diagnósticos obtenidos para la biopsia percutánea en relación con el seguimiento y la biopsia quirúrgica en los 96 casos fueron: sensibilidad, 92,3%; especificidad, 100%; valor predictivo positivo, 100%; valor predictivo negativo, 97,2%; y exactitud, 97,9%. El área bajo la curva ROC fue de 0,96 (p < 0,001) y el índice de concordancia kappa de 0,95 (p < 0,001). Conclusión. Consideramos que no es necesario realizar biopsia quirúrgica en pacientes diagnosticadas de cicatriz radial sin atipia en biopsia percutánea, ya que la tasa de infraestimación es muy baja y existe un elevado grado de concordancia entre la biopsia percutánea y el diagnóstico definitivo (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the need for surgical biopsy in patients diagnosed with radial scars without atypia by percutaneous biopsy. Material and methods. In this retrospective observational study, we selected patients with a histological diagnosis of radial scar in specimens obtained by percutaneous biopsy during an 8-year period. The statistical analysis was centered on patients with radial scar without atypia (we assessed the radiologic presentation, the results of the percutaneous biopsy, and their correlation with the results of surgical biopsy and follow-up) and we added the patients with atypia and cancer in the elaboration of the diagnostic indices. Results. We identified 96 patients with radial scar on percutaneous biopsy; 54 had no atypia, 18 had atypia, and 24 had cancer. Among patients with radial scar without atypia, there were no statistically significant differences between patients who underwent imaging follow-up and those who underwent surgical biopsy (p>0.05). The rate of underdiagnosis for percutaneous biopsy in patients without atypia was 1.9%. The rates of diagnosis obtained with percutaneous biopsy in relation to follow-up and surgical biopsy in the 96 cases were sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 97.2%, and accuracy 97.9%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.96 (p<0.001), and the kappa concordance index was 0.95 (p<0.001) Conclusions. We consider that it is not necessary to perform surgical biopsies in patients with radial scars without atypia on percutaneous biopsies because the rate of underestimation is very low and the concordance between the diagnosis reached by percutaneous biopsy and the definitive diagnosis is very high (AU)

Radial scars without atypia in percutaneous biopsy specimens: can they obviate surgical biopsy? / Cicatriz radial sin atipia en biopsia percutánea. ¿Puede evitarse la biopsia quirúrgica?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for surgical biopsy in patients diagnosed with radial scars without atypia by percutaneous biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we selected patients with a histological diagnosis of radial scar in specimens obtained by percutaneous biopsy during an 8-year period. The statistical analysis was centered on patients with radial scar without atypia (we assessed the radiologic presentation, the results of the percutaneous biopsy, and their correlation with the results of surgical biopsy and follow-up) and we added the patients with atypia and cancer in the elaboration of the diagnostic indices. RESULTS: We identified 96 patients with radial scar on percutaneous biopsy; 54 had no atypia, 18 had atypia, and 24 had cancer. Among patients with radial scar without atypia, there were no statistically significant differences between patients who underwent imaging follow-up and those who underwent surgical biopsy (p>0.05). The rate of underdiagnosis for percutaneous biopsy in patients without atypia was 1.9%. The rates of diagnosis obtained with percutaneous biopsy in relation to follow-up and surgical biopsy in the 96 cases were sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 97.2%, and accuracy 97.9%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.96 (p<0.001), and the kappa concordance index was 0.95 (p<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: We consider that it is not necessary to perform surgical biopsies in patients with radial scars without atypia on percutaneous biopsies because the rate of underestimation is very low and the concordance between the diagnosis reached by percutaneous biopsy and the definitive diagnosis is very high.

Organización de una Unidad de Radiología de Mama / The organization of a breast imaging department

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Evaluation of alternatives to methyl bromide in melon crops in Guatemala.

The monoculture of melon in Guatemala has caused the massive appearance of plants with an analogous syndrome for the well-known disease commonly called melon collapse, or vine decline, causing significant losses in crops. Methyl bromide is commonly used to sterilize soil prior to planting in Guatemala, but it must be phased out by 2015. The objective of this study was to evaluate the technique of grafting melon onto hybrids of Cucurbita (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata), as an alternative to using soil disinfectants (such as Metam sodium, 1,3-dichloropropene, and methyl bromide) for the control of collapse. The results suggested that both soil disinfection and grafting were not necessary in these locations, since there were no statistical differences in terms of yields between the treatments and the untreated control. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that decisions to disinfect the soil must be based on the firm identification of the causal agents, in addition to preliminary assessments of yield losses.

El ictus en el hospital comarcal: por favor, llamen al neurólogo / Strokes in the district hospital: please call the neurologist

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[Acute cerebrovascular disease in the Northern Cordoba Health Area]. / Enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda en el Area Sanitaria Norte de Córdoba.

INTRODUCTION: Its high rates of prevalence, mortality and disability make acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) a priority health problem. It is as the second most common cause of admission to internal medicine services. AIMS: To examine inpatient care for ACVD during 2004 in the Valle de los Pedroches health area in the province of Cordoba, as well as survival at six months, so as to be able to carry out the changes needed to improve the attention offered for this condition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study of the acute phase of the illness and survival at six months was conducted by means of face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: The prevalence of arterial hypertension (75.5%) stands out as a risk factor. The mean age was higher than in other series. There is no characteristic profile of clinical symptoms. The proportion of ischaemic to haemorrhagic strokes falls within the normal range. All 110 patients were submitted to a cranial computerised axial tomography scan in less than three hours. A compromised level of consciousness, senility, haemorrhagic stroke, poorer scoring on the Canadian Neurological Scale and complications all affected mortality rates. The study showed that 20% died while in hospital and 19.1% at six months. At discharge, 30.9% were undergoing rehabilitation. The spouse was the main caregiver in 55.5% of cases. A total of 79% had sequelae at six months. CONCLUSIONS: Instruments that allow fast effective diagnoses and treatments and guarantee proper clinical practice while reducing brain damage and its dependence should be made generally available. Improving primary and secondary prevention is essential in order to halt the progression of ACVD.

Enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda en el Área Sanitaria Norte de Córdoba / Acute cerebrovascular disease in the northern cordoba health area

Introducción. La enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda (ECVA) es un problema de salud prioritario por su elevada prevalencia, mortalidad y discapacidad. Constituye la segunda causa de ingreso en el servicio de medicina interna. Objetivo. Conocer la asistencia hospitalaria en la ECVA durante el año 2004 en el área sanitaria del Valle de los Pedroches en la provincia de Córdoba y la supervivencia a los seis meses para emprender los cambios necesarios que mejoren la atención en este proceso. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional de la fase aguda de la enfermedad y de supervivencia a los seis meses mediante una entrevista personal. Resultados. Destaca la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial (75,5%) como factor de riesgo. La edad media es superior a otras series. No hay un perfil de síntomas clínicos característico. La proporción de ictus isquémico y hemorrágico es la habitual. Los 110 pacientes disponían de tomografía axial computarizada craneal en un tiempo inferior a tres horas. La afectación del nivel de conciencia, la senectud, el ictus hemorrágico, la peor puntuación en la escala canadiense y las complicaciones marcaron la mortalidad. El 20% murió durante el ingreso y el 19,1% a los seis meses. El 30,9% realizaba rehabilitación al alta. En el 55,5% el cuidador principal era el cónyuge. El 79% tenía secuelas a los seis meses. Conclusiones. Deberían generalizarse los instrumentos para el diagnóstico y la terapéutica rápidos y eficaces que garanticen una práctica clínica adecuada y disminuyan el daño cerebral y su dependencia. Es imprescindible mejorar la prevención primaria y secundaria para frenar la progresión de la ECVA

Introduction. Its high rates of prevalence, mortality and disability make acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) a priority health problem. It is as the second most common cause of admission to internal medicine services. Aims. To examine inpatient care for ACVD during 2004 in the Valle de los Pedroches health area in the province of Cordoba, as well as survival at six months, so as to be able to carry out the changes needed to improve the attention offered for this condition. Patients and methods. A longitudinal study of the acute phase of the illness and survival at six months was conducted by means of face-toface interviews. Results. The prevalence of arterial hypertension (75.5%) stands out as a risk factor. The mean age was higher than in other series. There is no characteristic profile of clinical symptoms. The proportion of ischaemic to haemorrhagic strokes falls within the normal range. All 110 patients were submitted to a cranial computerised axial tomography scan in less than three hours. A compromised level of consciousness, senility, haemorrhagic stroke, poorer scoring on the Canadian Neurological Scale and complications all affected mortality rates. The study showed that 20% died while in hospital and 19.1% at six months. At discharge, 30.9% were undergoing rehabilitation. The spouse was the main caregiver in 55.5% of cases. A total of 79% had sequelae at six months. Conclusions. Instruments that allow fast effective diagnoses and treatments and guarantee proper clinical practice while reducing brain damage and its dependence should be made generally available. Improving primary and secondary prevention is essential in order to halt the progression of ACVD

[Pituitary magnetic resonance in women with a clinical suspicion of microprolactinoma]. / Resonancia magnética hipofisaria en mujeres con sospecha clínica de microprolactinoma.

Seventy-seven women with clinical suspect of microprolactinoma were studied by means of magnetic resonance of the pituitary gland. The homogeneity and signal intensity of the pituitary gland, presence of intraglandular nodule, height and gland morphology were evaluated. Radiological findings were correlated to prolactinemia values and the definite clinical diagnosis. The pituitary gland was normal in eleven out of the thirteen patients in whom the presence of hypophyseal endocrine pathology was not confirmed. In the remaining 64 women with hyperprolactinemia, 26 hypophyseal nodules were detected (40.6%), 3 questionable nodules (4.7%), 8 homogeneous glands (12.5%), 6 of empty sella turcica (9.4%) and 21 normal pituitary glands (32.8%). A correlation between radiological diagnosis, prolactinemia levels and definite clinical diagnosis was verified. The convexity degree of the pituitary gland was not useful for the diagnosis of microprolactinoma. In contrast, the height of the pituitary gland was indeed useful.