"Nurses and health professionals facing female genital mutilation: a qualitative study ".

BACKGROUND: Transnational migratory movements make Spain a country with a very diverse population, including women and girls from countries where Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is practiced. Given this reality, we set out to carry out a qualitative study to identify the knowledge, attitudes and skills of health professionals regarding FGM. METHOD: Qualitative study with a content analysis approach. Forty-seven health professionals with the profiles of Nursing, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Midwifery and Gynecology and Obstetrics were purposively selected. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups. The qualitative content analysis approach was used for data analysis. The study was conducted in the years 2019 and 2022. RESULTS: Although most professionals are aware of the current legislation on FGM in Spain, only a few of them are aware of the existence of the FGM prevention protocol in Castilla-La Mancha. This lack of knowledge together with the perception that FGM belongs to the private sphere of women, contributes to the loss of opportunities to identify and prevent FGM. CONCLUSION: Health professionals' training, especially midwives and pediatricians, is essential to the identification and action against Female Genital Mutilation.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: a pictorial essay of an under-recognized entity.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a self-limited disorder predominantly affecting full-term and post-term neonates during the first 6 weeks after birth. Subcutaneous fat necrosis can be focal or multifocal and affect one or both sides with a predilection for areas of pressure in certain anatomical areas. Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is associated with perinatal asphyxia and other neonatal and maternal risk factors. Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn presents as a self-limited area of dermal edema followed by indurated subcutaneous plaques, or nontender and mobile nodules, sometimes with skin discoloration [1-3]. The diagnosis is based on the child's history and physical examination, but when in doubt, imaging is helpful. US is the imaging modality of choice to confirm the diagnosis of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn because it provides the best resolution of superficial lesions, requires no sedation and lacks ionizing radiation. US can also help evaluate and characterize other pathologies affecting the superficial subcutaneous soft tissues at this age. Familiarity with subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is important to make a prompt and precise diagnosis and avoid unnecessary imaging tests or invasive procedures.

Efficacy and safety of the CVnCoV SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine candidate in ten countries in Europe and Latin America (HERALD): a randomised, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 2b/3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Additional safe and efficacious vaccines are needed to control the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to analyse the efficacy and safety of the CVnCoV SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine candidate. METHODS: HERALD is a randomised, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 2b/3 clinical trial conducted in 47 centres in ten countries in Europe and Latin America. By use of an interactive web response system and stratification by country and age group (18-60 years and ≥61 years), adults with no history of virologically confirmed COVID-19 were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intramuscularly either two 0·6 mL doses of CVnCoV containing 12 µg of mRNA or two 0·6 mL doses of 0·9% NaCl (placebo) on days 1 and 29. The primary efficacy endpoint was the occurrence of a first episode of virologically confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 of any severity and caused by any strain from 15 days after the second dose. For the primary endpoint, the trial was considered successful if the lower limit of the CI was greater than 30%. Key secondary endpoints were the occurrence of a first episode of virologically confirmed moderate-to-severe COVID-19, severe COVID-19, and COVID-19 of any severity by age group. Primary safety outcomes were solicited local and systemic adverse events within 7 days after each dose and unsolicited adverse events within 28 days after each dose in phase 2b participants, and serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest up to 1 year after the second dose in phase 2b and phase 3 participants. Here, we report data up to June 18, 2021. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04652102, and EudraCT, 2020-003998-22, and is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between Dec 11, 2020, and April 12, 2021, 39 680 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either CVnCoV (n=19 846) or placebo (n=19 834), of whom 19 783 received at least one dose of CVnCoV and 19 746 received at least one dose of placebo. After a mean observation period of 48·2 days (SE 0·2), 83 cases of COVID-19 occurred in the CVnCoV group (n=12 851) in 1735·29 person-years and 145 cases occurred in the placebo group (n=12 211) in 1569·87 person-years, resulting in an overall vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 of 48·2% (95·826% CI 31·0-61·4; p=0·016). Vaccine efficacy against moderate-to-severe COVID-19 was 70·7% (95% CI 42·5-86·1; CVnCoV 12 cases in 1735·29 person-years, placebo 37 cases in 1569·87 person-years). In participants aged 18-60 years, vaccine efficacy against symptomatic disease was 52·5% (95% CI 36·2-64·8; CVnCoV 71 cases in 1591·47 person-years, placebo, 136 cases in 1449·23 person-years). Too few cases occurred in participants aged 61 years or older (CVnCoV 12, placebo nine) to allow meaningful assessment of vaccine efficacy. Solicited adverse events, which were mostly systemic, were more common in CVnCoV recipients (1933 [96·5%] of 2003) than in placebo recipients (1344 [67·9%] of 1978), with 542 (27·1%) CVnCoV recipients and 61 (3·1%) placebo recipients reporting grade 3 solicited adverse events. The most frequently reported local reaction after any dose in the CVnCoV group was injection-site pain (1678 [83·6%] of 2007), with 22 grade 3 reactions, and the most frequently reported systematic reactions were fatigue (1603 [80·0%] of 2003) and headache (1541 [76·9%] of 2003). 82 (0·4%) of 19 783 CVnCoV recipients reported 100 serious adverse events and 66 (0·3%) of 19 746 placebo recipients reported 76 serious adverse events. Eight serious adverse events in five CVnCoV recipients and two serious adverse events in two placebo recipients were considered vaccination-related. None of the fatal serious adverse events reported (eight in the CVnCoV group and six in the placebo group) were considered to be related to study vaccination. Adverse events of special interest were reported for 38 (0·2%) participants in the CVnCoV group and 31 (0·2%) participants in the placebo group. These events were considered to be related to the trial vaccine for 14 (<0·1%) participants in the CVnCoV group and for five (<0·1%) participants in the placebo group. INTERPRETATION: CVnCoV was efficacious in the prevention of COVID-19 of any severity and had an acceptable safety profile. Taking into account the changing environment, including the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, and timelines for further development, the decision has been made to cease activities on the CVnCoV candidate and to focus efforts on the development of next-generation vaccine candidates. FUNDING: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and CureVac.

Effect of Colchicine vs Usual Care Alone on Intubation and 28-Day Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Objective: To assess the efficacy of colchicine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Estudios Clínicos Latino América (ECLA) Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) COLCOVID trial was a multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial performed from April 17, 2020, to March 28, 2021, in adults with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection followed for up to 28 days. Participants received colchicine vs usual care if they were hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms and had severe acute respiratory syndrome or oxygen desaturation. The main exclusion criteria were clear indications or contraindications for colchicine, chronic kidney disease, and negative results on a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 before randomization. Data were analyzed from June 20 to July 25, 2021. Interventions: Patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to usual care or usual care plus colchicine. Colchicine was administered orally in a loading dose of 1.5 mg immediately after randomization, followed by 0.5 mg orally within 2 hours of the initial dose and 0.5 mg orally twice a day for 14 days or discharge, whichever occurred first. Main Outcomes and Measures: The first coprimary outcome was the composite of a new requirement for mechanical ventilation or death evaluated at 28 days. The second coprimary outcome was death at 28 days. Results: A total of 1279 hospitalized patients (mean [SD] age, 61.8 [14.6] years; 449 [35.1%] women and 830 [64.9%] men) were randomized, including 639 patients in the usual care group and 640 patients in the colchicine group. Corticosteroids were used in 1171 patients (91.5%). The coprimary outcome of mechanical ventilation or 28-day death occurred in 160 patients (25.0%) in the colchicine group and 184 patients (28.8%) in the usual care group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.67-1.02; P = .08). The second coprimary outcome, 28-day death, occurred in 131 patients (20.5%) in the colchicine group and 142 patients (22.2%) in the usual care group (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.70-1.12). Diarrhea was the most frequent adverse effect of colchicine, reported in 68 patients (11.3%). Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial found that compared with usual care, colchicine did not significantly reduce mechanical ventilation or 28-day mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04328480.

Female Genital Mutilation: Knowledge and Skills of Health Professionals.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is any process that injures female genitals for non-medical reasons and is a violation of women's human rights. An important number of women from countries where FGM is performed are arriving to Western countries. Health professionals are important for detecting cases of FGM. No surveys to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices on FGM among healthcare professionals has been conducted in Castilla la Mancha (Spain) until now. METHODS: The main goal of the study is assessing knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare professionals in relation to FGM. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted based on self-administered online surveys to nurses, midwives, family doctors, pediatricians, obstetrics and gynecologists. RESULTS: In total, 1168 professionals answered the surveys. Just 13.9% indicated that they had received training in FGM, however just 10.7% correctly identified the three types of FGM, 10.7% the countries where it is usually practiced, 33.9% knew the legislation in Spain and only 4.4% found a case of FGM during their professional practice. Regarding the knowledge about protocols, 8.64% of the sample indicated to know one of them. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrate that it is necessary to improve the training and awareness of healthcare professionals related to FGM in Castilla la Mancha.

Facilitating Factors of Professional Health Practice Regarding Female Genital Mutilation: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: According to figures released by UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), more than 200 million girls and women have suffered female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 African and Middle East countries. An increasing number of African women who come from ethnic groups where FGM is practised are arriving in Western countries. Healthcare professionals play a fundamental role in its prevention. Goals: To learn about the factors that healthcare professionals consider as facilitators for prevention and action when faced with female genital mutilation. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study developed on the basis of the qualitative methodological perspective, where 43 healthcare professionals participated. A series of analysis dimensions were established, based on which, the interview and discussion group scripts were designed. Results: Addressing FGM requires a series of structural adaptations of the healthcare system that facilitate the recording and monitoring of cases, both for treatment and for prevention. In addition, it is necessary to establish coordination between the healthcare, social services and education sectors. Conclusions: The existence of a protocol of action and training in its use is one of the key tools to take into account.

Estrategia de control de la resistencia bacteriana a los antimicrobianos en Argentina / Strategy for controlling bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs in Argentina / Estratégia de controle da resistência bacteriana aos antimicrobianos na Argentina

La aceleración observada en las últimas décadas sobre la emergencia y diseminación de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos está vinculada al abuso y/o mal uso de los antimicrobianos. En 2014, el Ministerio de Salud de Argentina, junto a otros organismos e instituciones, implementó una estrategia nacional para el control de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos con el objetivo de retrasar o impedir la emergencia y diseminación de bacterias resistentes. Este trabajo describe las acciones propuestas y los resultados obtenidos durante el primer período de implementación en materia de fortalecimiento de la vigilancia en salud humana, creación de una red de vigilancia en salud animal, planificación de la vigilancia del consumo de antimicrobianos, fiscalización de restricciones en la venta de estos, adecuación de las formas farmacéuticas a las necesidades de tratamiento, actualización del registro de antimicrobianos y de métodos de diagnóstico, restricción de su uso como promotores de crecimiento, promoción de su uso responsable, elaboración de guías de diagnóstico y tratamiento, creación de programas de gestión de antimicrobianos, y fortalecimiento de los programas de prevención y control de infecciones en establecimientos de salud y de producción agropecuaria. Muchas de estas medidas son de implementación inmediata, particularmente en materia de regulación, fiscalización y gestión de antimicrobianos, y pueden reducir su uso innecesario y con ello el impacto sobre la resistencia a los antimicrobianos.

The accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance observed in recent decades is associated with the abuse and/or misuse of antimicrobial drugs. In 2014, Argentina’s Ministry of Health, in conjunction with other agencies and institutions, rolled out a national antimicrobial resistance control strategy designed to slow or prevent the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. This article describes the action proposed and results obtained during the first implementation period in terms of improving human health surveillance, creating an animal health surveillance network, planning antimicrobial drugs consumption surveillance, monitoring restrictions on sales, adapting dosage forms to treatment needs, updating the antimicrobial drugs registry and diagnostic methods, restricting the use of these drugs as growth promoters, encouraging responsible use, preparing diagnostic and treatment guidelines, creating antimicrobial drugs management programs, and strengthening infection prevention and control programs in health facilities and livestock production. Many of these measures, particularly those related to antimicrobial drugs regulation, control, and management, can be implemented immediately, reducing the unnecessary use of these products, and with it, the impact on antimicrobial resistance.

O aceleramento observado nas últimas décadas no surgimento e na disseminação da resistência aos antimicrobianos está vinculado ao uso excessivo e/ou mau uso dos antimicrobianos. Em 2014, o Ministério da Saúde da Argentina, junto com outros órgãos e instituições, implementou uma estratégia nacional para o controle da resistência aos antimicrobianos com o objetivo de retardar ou impedir o surgimento e disseminação de bactérias resistentes. Este estudo descreve as ações propostas e os resultados obtidos no primeiro período de implementação no que se refere ao reforço da vigilância em saúde humana, criação de uma rede de vigilância em saúde animal, planejamento da vigilância do uso de antimicrobianos, fiscalização das restrições na venda de antimicrobianos, adequação das formas farmacêuticas à necessidade de tratamento, atualização do registro de antimicrobianos e de métodos diagnósticos, restrição do uso de antimicrobianos como promotores de crescimento, incentivo ao uso responsável dos antimicrobianos, elaboração de guias de diagnóstico e tratamento, criação de programas de controle de antimicrobianos e fortalecimento dos programas de prevenção e controle de infecções em estabelecimentos de assistência à saúde e de atividade agropecuária. Muitas das medidas são de implementação imediata, em particular a regulamentação, fiscalização e controle dos antimicrobianos, e podem reduzir o uso desnecessário e consequentemente o impacto na resistência aos antimicrobianos.

Estrategia de control de la resistencia bacteriana a los antimicrobianos en Argentina.

La aceleración observada en las últimas décadas sobre la emergencia y diseminación de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos está vinculada al abuso y/o mal uso de los antimicrobianos. En 2014, el Ministerio de Salud de Argentina, junto a otros organismos e instituciones, implementó una estrategia nacional para el control de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos con el objetivo de retrasar o impedir la emergencia y diseminación de bacterias resistentes. Este trabajo describe las acciones propuestas y los resultados obtenidos durante el primer período de implementación en materia de fortalecimiento de la vigilancia en salud humana, creación de una red de vigilancia en salud animal, planificación de la vigilancia del consumo de antimicrobianos, fiscalización de restricciones en la venta de estos, adecuación de las formas farmacéuticas a las necesidades de tratamiento, actualización del registro de antimicrobianos y de métodos de diagnóstico, restricción de su uso como promotores de crecimiento, promoción de su uso responsable, elaboración de guías de diagnóstico y tratamiento, creación de programas de gestión de antimicrobianos, y fortalecimiento de los programas de prevención y control de infecciones en establecimientos de salud y de producción agropecuaria. Muchas de estas medidas son de implementación inmediata, particularmente en materia de regulación, fiscalización y gestión de antimicrobianos, y pueden reducir su uso innecesario y con ello el impacto sobre la resistencia a los antimicrobianos.

The accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance observed in recent decades is associated with the abuse and/or misuse of antimicrobial drugs. In 2014, Argentina's Ministry of Health, in conjunction with other agencies and institutions, rolled out a national antimicrobial resistance control strategy designed to slow or prevent the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. This article describes the action proposed and results obtained during the first implementation period in terms of improving human health surveillance, creating an animal health surveillance network, planning antimicrobial drugs consumption surveillance, monitoring restrictions on sales, adapting dosage forms to treatment needs, updating the antimicrobial drugs registry and diagnostic methods, restricting the use of these drugs as growth promoters, encouraging responsible use, preparing diagnostic and treatment guidelines, creating antimicrobial drugs management programs, and strengthening infection prevention and control programs in health facilities and livestock production.Many of these measures, particularly those related to antimicrobial drugs regulation, control, and management, can be implemented immediately, reducing the unnecessary use of these products, and with it, the impact on antimicrobial resistance.

O aceleramento observado nas últimas décadas no surgimento e na disseminação da resistência aos antimicrobianos está vinculado ao uso excessivo e/ou mau uso dos antimicrobianos. Em 2014, o Ministério da Saúde da Argentina, junto com outros órgãos e instituições, implementou uma estratégia nacional para o controle da resistência aos antimicrobianos com o objetivo de retardar ou impedir o surgimento e disseminação de bactérias resistentes. Este estudo descreve as ações propostas e os resultados obtidos no primeiro período de implementação no que se refere ao reforço da vigilância em saúde humana, criação de uma rede de vigilância em saúde animal, planejamento da vigilância do uso de antimicrobianos, fiscalização das restrições na venda de antimicrobianos, adequação das formas farmacêuticas à necessidade de tratamento, atualização do registro de antimicrobianos e de métodos diagnósticos, restrição do uso de antimicrobianos como promotores de crescimento, incentivo ao uso responsável dos antimicrobianos, elaboração de guias de diagnóstico e tratamento, criação de programas de controle de antimicrobianos e fortalecimento dos programas de prevenção e controle de infecções em estabelecimentos de assistência à saúde e de atividade agropecuária.Muitas das medidas são de implementação imediata, em particular a regulamentação, fiscalização e controle dos antimicrobianos, e podem reduzir o uso desnecessário e consequentemente o impacto na resistência aos antimicrobianos.

Estrategia de control de la resistencia bacteriana a los antimicrobianos en Argentina / Strategy for controlling bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs in Argentina / Estratégia de controle da resistência bacteriana aos antimicrobianos na Argentina

RESUMEN La aceleración observada en las últimas décadas sobre la emergencia y diseminación de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos está vinculada al abuso y/o mal uso de los antimicrobianos. En 2014, el Ministerio de Salud de Argentina, junto a otros organismos e instituciones, imple- mentó una estrategia nacional para el control de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos con el objetivo de retrasar o impedir la emergencia y diseminación de bacterias resistentes. Este trabajo describe las acciones propuestas y los resultados obtenidos durante el primer período de implementación en materia de fortalecimiento de la vigilancia en salud humana, creación de una red de vigilancia en salud animal, planificación de la vigilancia del consumo de antimicrobianos, fiscalización de restricciones en la venta de estos, adecuación de las formas farmacéuticas a las necesidades de tratamiento, actualización del registro de antimicrobianos y de métodos de diagnóstico, restricción de su uso como promotores de crecimiento, promoción de su uso responsable, elaboración de guías de diagnóstico y tratamiento, creación de programas de gestión de antimicrobianos, y fortalecimiento de los programas de prevención y control de infecciones en establecimientos de salud y de producción agropecuaria. Muchas de estas medidas son de implementación inmediata, particularmente en materia de regulación, fiscalización y gestión de antimicrobianos, y pueden reducir su uso innecesario y con ello el impacto sobre la resistencia a los antimicrobianos.(AU)

ABSTRACT The accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance observed in recent decades is associated with the abuse and/or misuse of antimicrobial drugs. In 2014, Argentina's Ministry of Health, in conjunction with other agencies and institutions, rolled out a national antimicrobial resistance control strategy designed to slow or prevent the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. This article describes the action proposed and results obtained during the first implementation period in terms of improving human health surveillance, creating an animal health surveillance network, planning antimicrobial drugs consumption surveillance, monitoring restrictions on sales, adapting dosage forms to treatment needs, updating the antimicrobial drugs registry and diagnostic methods, restricting the use of these drugs as growth promoters, encouraging responsible use, preparing diagnostic and treatment guidelines, creating antimicrobial drugs management programs, and strengthening infection prevention and control programs in health facilities and livestock production. Many of these measures, particularly those related to antimicrobial drugs regulation, control, and management, can be implemented immediately, reducing the unnecessary use of these products, and with it, the impact on antimicrobial resistance.(AU)

RESUMO O aceleramento observado nas últimas décadas no surgimento e na disseminação da resistência aos antimicrobianos está vinculado ao uso excessivo e/ou mau uso dos antimicrobianos. Em 2014, o Ministério da Saúde da Argentina, junto com outros órgãos e instituições, implementou uma estratégia nacional para o controle da resistência aos antimicrobianos com o objetivo de retardar ou impedir o surgimento e disseminação de bactérias resistentes. Este estudo descreve as ações propostas e os resultados obtidos no primeiro período de implementação no que se refere ao reforço da vigilância em saúde humana, criação de uma rede de vigilância em saúde animal, planejamento da vigilância do uso de antimicrobianos, fiscalização das restrições na venda de antimicrobianos, adequação das formas farmacêuticas à necessidade de tratamento, atualização do registro de antimicrobianos e de métodos diagnósticos, restrição do uso de antimicrobianos como promotores de crescimento, incentivo ao uso responsável dos antimicrobianos, elaboração de guias de diagnóstico e tratamento, criação de programas de controle de antimicrobianos e fortalecimento dos programas de prevenção e controle de infecções em estabelecimentos de assistência à saúde e de atividade agropecuária. Muitas das medidas são de implementação imediata, em particular a regulamentação, fiscalização e controle dos antimicrobianos, e podem reduzir o uso desnecessário e consequentemente o impacto na resistência aos antimicrobianos.(AU)

Resonancia magnética fetal en el estudio prequirúrgico de disrafia espinal / Foetal magnetic resonance imaging in the pre-surgical assessment of spinal dysraphism

Abstract. Spinal dysraphism is an important indication for foetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), considering the evaluation of potential candidates for intrauterine surgery. Foetal MRI has proved to be superior to 2D and 3D ultrasound for the posterior fossa, brain stem, corpus callosum, and cortical development abnormalities. The description and level of spinal injury, hydrocephalus, magnitude of cerebellum herniation, and associated injuries, are valuable information, which is useful for the preoperative assessment, as well as for the comparison with postnatal studies.

Resumen. Las disrafias espinales son una indicación importante de resonancia magnética fetal (RMF), considerando la evaluación de posibles candidatos para cirugía intrauterina. La RMF ha demostrado ser superior a la ultrasonografía 3D y 2D para la evaluación de la fosa posterior, el tronco cerebral, el cuerpo calloso, y las anormalidades del desarrollo de la corteza cerebral. La descripción y el nivel del daño espinal, el grado de hidrocefalia, la magnitud de la herniación del cerebelo, y la presencia de lesiones asociadas son variables importantes, útiles para la planificación preoperatoria y la comparación con estudios posnatales.

Variabilidad en la determinación de fracción grasa muscular en resonancia magnética utilizando la técnica de Dixon / Variability in magnetic resonance quantification of muscle fat fraction using Dixon's technique

Abstract. Muscle MRI has emerged as a valuable tool in the diagnosis of neuromuscular-disorders. The Dixon fat-water separation technique allows objective intra-muscular fat quantification. There are few reports concerning measurement standardisation with Dixon technique. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variability in fat quantification using Dixon's technique in a cohort of patients with congenital myopathies, by analysing intra-segment, intra-muscle, and inter-muscle variability of 60 muscles in each patient. Whole body MRI was performed on 31 patients, 23 with congenital myopathies and 8 healthy controls, aged between 10 months and 35 years old, from January 2014 to June 2016. The mean fat-fraction in healthy patients was around 5%, with less than 2% intra-muscle variability. An intra-muscle variability between 3.1-7.8% was estimated in patients with congenital myopathies. It may be concluded that there is high intra- and inter-muscle fat-fraction variability among patients with congenital myopathies, and this is an observation that should be incorporated in the analysis of fat replacement.

Resumen. La resonancia magnética muscular ha emergido como una valiosa herramienta de apoyo diagnóstico en enfermedades neuromusculares. La técnica de Dixon permite objetivar la fracción grasa muscular, pero no existe consenso sobre la estandarización de estas mediciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la variabilidad en la determinación de fracción grasa utilizando la técnica de Dixon, estudiando la variabilidad intrasegmentaria, intramuscular e intermuscular en 60 músculos por paciente. Se realizó RM de cuerpo completo a 31 pacientes: 23 con miopatía congénita y 8 controles, entre 10 meses y 35 años de edad, desde enero del 2014 a junio del 2016. En pacientes sanos se estimó una fracción grasa promedio cercana al 5%, con una variabilidad intramuscular inferior al 2%. En pacientes con miopatías congénitas existe una variabilidad entre el 3,1-7,8%. El estudio permite concluir que existe una alta variabilidad intra e intermuscular en pacientes miopáticos, que no se observa en pacientes sanos.