[Intestinal endometriosis]. / Endometriosis intestinal.

Endometriosis is a chronic, benign gynaecological disorder that is frequent in women of a child-bearing age. It is estimated that there is some degree of endometriosis in as many as 15% of pre-menopausal women, associated with a history of infertility, caesarean antecedents, dysmenorrhoea and abnormality in uterine bleeding. It is believed to be due to the rise of menstrual contents through the Fallopian tubes (retrograde menstruation). In the intestinal affectation, the colon is the segment most frequently affected, above all at the rectosigmoidal level. The clinical features are unspecific, with abdominal pain the most frequent and/or pelvic pain of a cholic type that coincides with, or is exacerbated by, menstruation. Differential diagnosis includes intestinal inflammatory disease, diverticulitis, ischemic colitis and neoplastic processes, with the definitive diagnosis being anatomopathological. With respect to treatment, this will depend on the clinical features and the age of the patient, as well as her wishes with regard to pregnancy.

Carcinoma de células de Merkel. A propósito de un caso / Merkel cell carcinoma. On one case

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 86 años que fue remitida a consulta de Cirugía General por presentar tumoración asintomática en la cara posterior del muslo izquierdo cuyo tamaño había aumentado durante los 2 últimos meses. Se apreciaba en la exploración física una tumoración indolora, excrecente, indurada, móvil y bien delimitada, de 5 cm de diámetro, de coloración rojiza y superficie rugosa. Se realizó la extirpación tumoral con márgenes amplios, con resultado histopatológico de carcinoma neuroendocrino primario cutáneo o carcinoma de células de Merkel. Se realizó tomografía computarizada, observando adenopatías tumorales en los espacios para aórtico, cadenas ilíacas y femorales izquierdas, así como edema en la extremidad inferior izquierda. Se remitió a la paciente al servicio de Oncología para continuar tratamiento pertinente, sin presentar evolución satisfactoria y con progresivo deterioro del estado general, falleciendo dentro del primer año tras el diagnóstico (AU)

We present the case of an 86 year old woman who was sent for consultation at General Surgery due to asymptomatic tumouration on the back face of the left thigh whose size had increased during the 2 previous months. Physical exploration revealed tumouration that was painless, excrescent, indurated, mobile and well delimited, with a diameter of 5 cm, a reddish colour and a rough surface. Tumoural extirpation was carried out with broad margins, with a hystopathological result of primary cutaneous neuro-endocrynal carcinoma or Merkel cell carcinoma. Computerised tomography was carried out, observing tumoural adenopathies in the para-aortic spaces, iliac chains and left femorals, as well as edema in the lower left extremity. The patient was sent to the Oncology service for treatment, without presenting a satisfactory evolution and with a progressive deterioration of her general state, dying within the first year after diagnosis (AU)

Endometriosis intestinal / Intestinal endometriosis

La endometriosis es un trastorno ginecológico crónico, benigno y frecuente entre las mujeres en edad fértil, estimándose que existe algún grado de endometriosis hasta en el 15% de las mujeres premenopáusicas, asociándose a historia de infertilidad, antecedente de cesárea, dismenorrea y anormalidad en el sangrado uterino. Se cree que es debida al ascenso por las trompas de Falopio de contenido menstrual (menstruación retrógrada). En la afectación intestinal, el colon es el segmento más frecuentemente afectado, sobre todo a nivel rectosigmodeo. La clínica de presentación es inespecífica, siendo lo más frecuente el dolor abdominal y/o pélvico de tipo cólico que coincide o se exacerba con la menstruación. El diagnóstico diferencial incluye la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, diverticulitis, colitis isquémica y procesos neoplásicos, siendo el diagnóstico definitivo anatomopatológico. En cuanto al tratamiento, éste dependerá de la clínica y de la edad de la paciente, así como de sus deseos de embarazo (AU)

Endometriosis is a chronic, benign gynaecological disorder that is frequent in women of a child-bearing age. It is estimated that there is some degree of endometriosis in as many as 15% of pre-menopausal women, associated with a history of infertility, caesarean antecedents, dysmenorrhoea and abnormality in uterine bleeding. It is believed to be due to the rise of menstrual contents through the Fallopian tubes (retrograde menstruation). In the intestinal affectation, the colon is the segment most frequently affected, above all at the rectosigmoidal level. The clinical features are unspecific, with abdominal pain the most frequent and/or pelvic pain of a cholic type that coincides with, or is exacerbated by, menstruation. Differential diagnosis includes intestinal inflammatory disease, diverticulitis, ischemic colitis and neoplastic processes, with the definitive diagnosis being anatomopathological. With respect to treatment, this will depend on the clinical features and the age of the patient, as well as her wishes with regard to pregnancy (AU)

[A case of mesenteric panniculitis]. / Paniculitis mesentérica. A propósito de un caso.

Mesenteric panniculitis can be considered as an evolved state of a mesenteric disease, with a first phase of mesenteric lipodystrophy without inflammatory signs, followed by a second phase of panniculitis, ending in fibrosis, at which point it is denominated retractile mesentiritis, which principally affects males over the age of 50. Its aetiology is unknown, with a description made of different associated factors, and its clinical presentation is variable, depending on the stage of the disease. The image test indicated for its diagnosis is the TAC, while an histopathological study provides the definitive diagnosis. There are different medicines and therapeutic guidelines, although studies establishing the ideal treatment are lacking. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with mesenteric panniculitis who evolved favourably followed treatment with cyclophosphamide associated with corticoids.

Paniculitis mesentérica. A propósito de un caso / A case of mesenteric panniculitis

La paniculitis mesentérica puede ser considerada como un estadio evolutivo de una enfermedad mesentérica, con una primera fase de lipodistrofia mesentérica sin signos inflamatorios, seguida de una segunda fase de paniculitis, para finalizar en fibrosis, denominándose entonces mesenteritis retráctil, que afecta principalmente a varones con más de 50 años. La etiología es desconocida, habiéndose descrito diferentes factores asociados, y la presentación clínica es variable, en función del estadio de la enfermedad. Para su diagnóstico la TAC es la prueba de imagen indicada, siendo el estudio histopatológico el que arrojará el diagnóstico definitivo. Existen diferentes fármacos y pautas terapéuticas, si bien se carecen de estudios donde se establezca el tratamiento idóneo. Presentamos el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de paniculitis mesentérica que ha evolucionado satisfactoriamente tras haber sido tratado con ciclofosfamida asociada a corticoides (AU)

Mesenteric panniculitis can be considered as a nevolved state of a mesenteric disease, with a first phase of mesenteric lipodys trophy without inflammatory signs, followed by a second phase of panniculitis, ending in fibrosis, at which point it is denominated retractile mesentiritis, which principally affects males over the age of 50. It’s a etiology is unknown, with a description made of different associated factors, and its clinical presentation is variable, depending on the stage of the disease. The image test indicated for its diagnosis is the TAC, while an histopathological study provides the definitive diagnosis. There are different medicines and therapeutic guidelines, although studies establishing the ideal treatment are lacking. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with mesenteric panniculitis who evolved favourably followed treatment with cyclophosphamide associated with corticoids (AU)

Síndrome de Paget-Schroetter asociado a hiperhomocisteinemia / Paget-Schroetter síndrome associated with hyperhomocsyteinemia

La enfermedad tromboembólica venosa (ETEV) en extremidades superiores es una entidad poco frecuente, si bien su incidencia ha aumentado en relación con el empleo de catéteres venosos centrales. La etiología puede ser primaria (idiopática, espontánea, de esfuerzo o traumática) o secundaria (relacionada con tumores, catéteres venosos centrales, etc.). Presentamos un caso de trombosis venosa primaria de extremidad superior derecha, también llamada síndrome de Paget- Schroetter. Este cuadro suele asociarse a ejercicios o esfuerzos intensos y/o repetitivos de la extremidad afecta, alteraciones anatómicas en la zona, o bien puede ser la primera manifestación de un estado trombofílico desconocido hasta ese momento, como en el caso que nos ocupa. La clínica suele consistir en dolor en extremidad afecta, acompañado frecuentemente de edema y circulación colateral. La ecografía-doppler presenta con frecuencia falsos negativos, recomendando la realización de TAC por su mayor especificidad y para valoración de las estructuras vecinas, aunque la flebografía continúa siendo la prueba oro para el diagnóstico de este cuadro. No existe unanimidad acerca del tratamiento, recomendándose individualizar de acuerdo con las características propias de cada caso

Venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) in the upper extremities is an infrequent entity, although its incidence has increased in relation to the use of central venous catheters. Its etiology can be primary (idiopathic, spontaneous, due to effort or traumatic) or secondary (related to tumours, central venous catheters, etc.). We present a case of primary venous thrombosis of the upper right extremity, also called the Paget-Schroetter syndrome. This clinical picture is usually associated with intensive and/or repetitive exercise or effort of the affected extremity, anatomical alterations in the zone, or it can be the first manifestation of a previously unknown thrombophilic state, as in the case that concerns us. The clinical picture usually consists of pain in the affected extremity, frequently accompanied by edema and collateral circulation. Echography-Doppler frequently presents false negatives, and it is recommendable to carry out CAT, due to its greater specificity and for evaluating the neighbouring structures, although flebography continues to be the cardinal test for diagnosing this picture. There is no unanimity of opinion concerning treatment, and it is recommendable that this should be individualised in accordance with the characteristics of each case

[Calcinosis cutis: on one case]. / Calcinosis cutis: a propósito de un caso.

We present the case of a woman of 72 years with high blood pressure evaluated in Surgery Outpatient Unit for overinfected and recurring pretibial cutaneous ulcers. In the radiographies of the extremity, calcifications were observed in soft parts and the biopsy showed calcified subepidermic nodules. Because of these findings, she was sent to Internal Medicine Consultations to complete the study. In the anamnesis, traumatism in the zone was ruled out, and was there consumption of calcium or phosphorous rich medicines; the physical exploration was normal, except for the lesions described previously. A study was requested to rule out any underlying pathology that might justify the clinical picture, without a possible etiological pathological cause in evidence. Given that the cutaneous calcinosis of the patient was not secondary to titular lesions, nor was there evidence of metabolic alterations or medical procedures that might justify it, and no lesions at another level were found, the diagnosis was established of idiopathic localised cutaneous calcinosis. It was treated with diltiazem.

Calcinosis cutis: a propósito de un caso / Calcinosis cutis: on one case

Presentamos el caso de una mujer hipertensa de 72 años que es valorada en Consultas de Cirugía por úlceras cutáneas pretibiales sobreinfectadas y recidivantes. En las radiografías de la extremidad se observan calcificaciones en partes blandas y la biopsia informa de nódulos subepidérmicos calcificados. Ante estos hallazgos es remitida a Consultas de Medicina Interna para completar estudio. En la anamnesis se descartan traumatismos en la zona y consumo de fármacos ricos en calcio o fósforo; la exploración física es normal, salvo lesiones previamente descritas. Se solicita estudio para descartar patología subyacente que pudiera justificar cuadro, sin evidenciarse posible causante. Dado que la calcicosis cutánea de la paciente no es secundaria a lesiones titulares, ni se evidencian alteraciones metabólicas ni procedimientos médicos que la justifiquen, y no se objetivan lesiones a otro nivel, se establece del diagnóstico de calcinosis cutánea localizada idiopatía. Se trató con diltiazem

We present the case of a woman of 72 years with high blood pressure evaluated in Surgery Outpatient Unit for overinfected and recurring pretibial cutaneous ulcers. In the radiographies of the extremity, calcifications were observed in soft parts and the biopsy showed calcified subepidermic nodules. Because of these findings, she was sent to Internal Medicine Consultations to complete the study. In the anamnesis, traumatism in the zone was ruled out, and was there consumption of calcium or phosphorous rich medicines; the physical exploration was normal, except for the lesions described previously. A study was requested to rule out any underlying pathology that might justify the clinical picture, without a possible etiological pathological cause in evidence. Given that the cutaneous calcinosis of the patient was not secondary to titular lesions, nor was there evidence of metabolic alterations or medical procedures that might justify it, and no lesions at another level were found, the diagnosis was established of idiopathic localised cutaneous calcinosis. It was treated with diltiazem

[Paget-Schroetter síndrome associated with hyperhomocsyteinemia]. / Síndrome de Paget-Schroetter asociado a hiperhomocisteinemia.

Venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) in the upper extremities is an infrequent entity, although its incidence has increased in relation to the use of central venous catheters. Its etiology can be primary (idiopathic, spontaneous, due to effort or traumatic) or secondary (related to tumours, central venous catheters, etc.). We present a case of primary venous thrombosis of the upper right extremity, also called the Paget-Schroetter syndrome. This clinical picture is usually associated with intensive and/or repetitive exercise or effort of the affected extremity, anatomical alterations in the zone, or it can be the first manifestation of a previously unknown thrombophilic state, as in the case that concerns us. The clinical picture usually consists of pain in the affected extremity, frequently accompanied by edema and collateral circulation. Echography-Doppler frequently presents false negatives, and it is recommendable to carry out CAT, due to its greater specificity and for evaluating the neighbouring structures, although flebography continues to be the cardinal test for diagnosing this picture. There is no unanimity of opinion concerning treatment, and it is recommendable that this should be individualised in accordance with the characteristics of each case.

[Detection of liver metastases in colorectal neoplasms: use of intraoperative echography]. / Detección de metástasis hepáticas por neoplasia colorrectal mediante ecografía intraoperatoria.

Fifty patients were consecutively operated on for colorectal cancer. Preoperative ultrasonography and intraoperative palpation were compared to intraoperative ultrasonography to determine their relative capacities in the detection of liver metastases. Preoperative ultrasonography detected metastases in three patients (6%), intraoperative palpation in four (8%) and intraoperative ultrasonography in 5 (10%). The number of metastases detected were 7, 19 and 19 respectively. The comparison failed to yield significant differences. From statistical viewpoint, both preoperative ultrasonography and intraoperative palpation were found to be as effective as intraoperative ultrasonography in detecting liver metastases.