Evaluation and Optimization of the Wallace Rule of Nines for the Estimation of Total Body Surface Area in Obese and Nonobese Populations.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the Wallace Rule of Nines is the most widely used method to measure total body surface area (TBSA) in burned patients due to its practicality and speed in its application; however, it often provides inaccurate estimations in obese patients, affecting the fluid resuscitation process. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to modify and optimize the Rule of Nines' values for its application in these patients. METHODS: We compared the estimations of the TBSA established by the Wallace Rule of Nines against the measurements of the three-dimensional (3D) software Skanect - Meshmixer 3.5Ⓡ in participants without different obesity grades. Based on our results, we generate an optimized guideline for the evaluation of TBSA in normal body mass index (BMI) and obese patients. RESULTS: In our study, 32 participants were recruited with a mean age of 28.5 ± 3.3 years. In the general population, we observed a poor correlation between the Wallace Rule of Nines and the 3D method measures in all body regions (e.g., Anterior Trunk: 18.0 vs. 16.61 ± 2.11, p = 0.0008) except the anterior arm. Interestingly, these differences narrowed in the Trunk and Leg regions as the participants' BMI increased (e.g., Anterior Trunk in Obesity Grade II patients: 18.0 vs. 18.66 ± 1.69, p = 0.3089). CONCLUSIONS: We found important differences in TBSA determination using the 3D Skanect-MeshmixerⓇ software compared with the Wallace Rule of Nines. Therefore, we generated a modified and optimized Wallace Rule of Nines estimations based on BMI. Future studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of this optimized table.

False-Positive Nodes With Axillary Silicone Lymphadenopathy in an Oncologic Patient With a Rare Breast Cancer and Implant Rupture.

In this case, a 43-year-old woman with a rare breast tumor and a history of augmentation mammoplasty is presented. The patient arrived at the clinic reporting a palpable lump in the right mammary gland and two ipsilateral axillary nodes with pain on palpation. Mammography and ultrasound confirmed the presence of a 4 cm tumor and 2 metastatic lymph nodes of 2 cm each, histopathological diagnosis was an encapsulated papillary cancer and two siliconomas, respectively. Interestingly, these nodes were able to take up technetium 99 and methylene blue contrast media. Due to these findings, adequate patient management was carried out with a skin-sparing mastectomy and hormonal treatment with tamoxifen. This report is relevant as it shows that axillary lymphadenopathy caused by silicone must be considered in the evaluation of a patient with a cancer diagnosis and history of augmentation mammoplasty, especially breast cancer as the node siliconomas present a high risk of being considered a false positive metastasis.

Virus del papiloma humano en carcinoma colorrectal / Human papilloma virus in colorectal carcinoma

Resumen Introducción: Previos trabajos han reportado una asociación entre la infección del virus del papiloma humano (VPH) y el desarrollo de cáncer colorrectal, aunque existe controversia al respecto. Materiales y Método: Estudio observacional, transversal, descriptivo, retrospectivo, no ciego. Se utilizaron 50 muestras de patología con diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma colorrectal, incluidas en parafina, para aislar ADN de las muestras. Se realizó la extracción de ADN mediante protocolos establecidos para extracción, lisis y rehidratación de muestra. Se identificó y genotipicó el ADN del virus para amplificar y detectar subtipos oncogénicos de entre 35 subtipos diferentes incluidos en la prueba, secuenciando las muestras positivas, utilizando protocolos ya establecidos de purificación y análisis de muestra, mediante microarreglos. Resultados: Se identificaron 14 muestras de 50 (28%) estudiadas positivas para el virus de papiloma humano de las cuales 11 (22%) incluyen uno o más subtipos de alto riesgo para neoplasia. No se identificaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre grupos en cuanto a edad, sexo, localización del tumor, grado de diferenciación, infiltración, ganglios afectados, metástasis o número de paquetes/año. Conclusión: La detección de los subtipos de VPH de alto riesgo en un alto porcentaje de las muestras positivas, sugiere una asociación entre la infección con el desarrollo de cáncer colorrectal.

Introduction: Previous works have reported an association between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the development of colorectal cancer, and although controversy regarding this association exists. Materials and Method: This was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective unblinded study. Fifty pathology samples embedded in paraffin with a diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma were used to isolate DNA from the tissue. DNA was extracted according to established protocols for extraction, lysis and sample rehydration. Viral DNA was identified and genotypified to amplify and detect oncogenic subtypes among 35 different subtypes included in the study, sequencing positive samples with established protocols of purification and sample analysis using microarrays. Results: Fourteen of 50 (28%) samples were identified as positive for human papilloma virus; of these 11 (22%) included one or more high-risk subtypes for neoplasia. Statistically significant differences were not found between the groups regarding age, sex, tumor location, degree of differentiation, infiltration, affected lymph nodes, metastasis and number of pack years. Conclusion: The detection of high-risk VPH subtypes in a high percentage of positive samples, suggests an association between infection and the development of colorectal cancer.

A Test for the Clinical Evaluation of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis of the Fifth Finger.

Physical examination is essential in diagnosing tendinous lesions. This is particularly true of the flexor digitorum superficialis of the little finger (FDS5), which is functionally absent in approximately 30% of the population. The objective of our study was to determine the diagnostic value of 3 clinical tests commonly used to assess the function of this tendon. METHODS: Patients with wounds of the FDS5 were included in this study. Under local or regional anesthesia, 3 described clinical tests were performed to assess the function of the FDS5: (i) the classic test; (ii) Stein's modified test, and (iii) Mecott's modified test. We determined sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of all such tests. The integrity of the tendon was assessed surgically. Correlation among blinded observers was also established. RESULTS: A total of 28 subjects with a mean age of 28 years (ranging from 5 to 56) participated in this study. The classic test obtained a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 72%; Stein's test resulted in a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 95%, whereas Mecott's test reached a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Among the 3 tests described and used in our study, Mecott's modified test proved to be more sensitive and specific than the other two; therefore, we consider this to be the test that should be used in determining the integrity of the FDS5.

[Case report: Rapidly growing abdominal wall giant desmoid tumour during pregnancy]. / Reporte de caso: tumor desmoides gigante de pared abdominal con rápido crecimiento durante el embarazo.

BACKGROUND: Desmoid tumours are one of the rarest tumours worldwide, with an estimated yearly incidence of 2-4 new cases per million people. They are soft tissue monoclonal neoplasms that originate from mesenchymal stem cells. It seems that the hormonal and immunological changes occurring during pregnancy may play a role in the severity and course of the disease. CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented on 28-year-old female in her fifth week of gestation, in whom an abdominal wall tumour was found attached to left adnexa and uterus while performing a prenatal ultrasound. The patient was followed up under clinical and ultrasonographic surveillance. When she presented with abnormal uterine activity at 38.2 weeks of gestation, she was admitted and obstetrics decided to perform a caesarean section. Tumour biopsy was taken during the procedure. Histopathology reported a desmoid fibromatosis. A contrast enhanced abdominal computed tomography scan was performed, showing a tumour of 26×20.5×18cm, with well-defined borders in contact with the uterus, left adnexa, bladder and abdominal wall, with no evidence of infiltration to adjacent structures. A laparotomy, with tumour resection, hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy, components separation techniques, polypropylene mesh insertion, and drainage was performed. The final histopathology report was desmoid fibromatosis. There is no evidence of recurrence after 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Desmoid tumours are locally aggressive and surgical resection with clear margins is the basis for the treatment of this disease, using radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy as an adjunct in the treatment.

A Case Series of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and burkitt lymphoma presenting with peritoneal lymphomatosis.

INTRODUCTION: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can occur at any site of the body, however diffuse and extensive involvement of the peritoneal cavity occurs rarely. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the dominant histological subtypes in extra nodal lymphoma involving the peritoneal cavity while Burkitt lymphoma is seen less commonly. We report two cases of DLBCL and one case of Burkitt lymphoma presenting with peritoneal lymphomatosis (PL). PRESENTATION OF CASE: A retrospective review of two cases involving DLBCL and one case of Burkitt lymphoma with PL was conducted. Findings in all patients were consistent with peritoneal carcinomatosis at initial evaluation. Symptoms included longstanding vague abdominal pain and weight loss. CT imaging along with biopsies showed DLBCL in two cases and Burkitt lymphoma in one case. All three patients were treated with chemotherapy and responded very well. DISCUSSION: We report three cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma presenting with peritoneal lymphomatosis, a rare phenomena. Due to its nonspecific presentation, laparoscopic biopsies with subsequent pathology analysis should be undertaken as quickly and efficiently as possible to accurate diagnose and treat this condition. CONCLUSION: DLBCL with PL may have variable and non-specific presentations. It may resemble peritoneal carcinomatosis or other neoplastic and inflammatory conditions. Focused clinical awareness, high level of suspicion, and complementary approach can lead towards accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic laparoscopy plays a crucial role in facilitating diagnosis and treatment.

The accuracy and cost-effectiveness of strategies used to identify peripheral artery disease among patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) should be evaluated for peripheral artery disease (PAD). We sought to estimate the overall diagnostic accuracy for various strategies that are used to identify PAD in this population. METHODS: A Markov model with probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses was used to simulate the clinical events in a population of 10,000 patients with diabetes. One of 14 different diagnostic strategies was applied to those who developed DFUs. Baseline data on diagnostic accuracy of individual noninvasive tests were based on a meta-analysis of previously reported studies. The overall sensitivity and cost-effectiveness of the 14 strategies were then compared. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of various combinations of diagnostic testing strategies ranged from 32.6% to 92.6%. Cost-effective strategies included ankle-brachial indices for all patients; skin perfusion pressures (SPPs) or toe-brachial indices (TBIs) for all patients; and SPPs or TBIs to corroborate normal pulse examination findings, a strategy that lowered leg amputation rates by 36%. Strategies that used noninvasive vascular testing to investigate only abnormal pulse examination results had low overall diagnostic sensitivity and were weakly dominated in cost-effectiveness evaluations. Population prevalence of PAD did not alter strategy ordering by diagnostic accuracy or cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: TBIs or SPPs used uniformly or to corroborate a normal pulse examination finding are among the most sensitive and cost-effective strategies to improve the identification of PAD among patients presenting with DFUs. These strategies may significantly reduce leg amputation rates with only modest increases in cost.

Cell-assisted lipotransfer for the treatment of parry-romberg syndrome.

Progressive facial hemiatrophy, also known as Parry-Romberg syndrome, is a progressive and self-limited deformation of the subcutaneous tissue volume on one side of the face that creates craniofacial asymmetry. We present the case of a patient with a five-year history of progressive right facial hemiatrophy, who underwent facial volumetric restoration using cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL), which consists of an autologous fat graft enriched with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) extracted from the same patient. ASCs have the capacity to differentiate into adipocytes. They also promote angiogenesis, release angiogenic growth factors, and some can survive as stem cells. The use of autologous fat as a filler in soft tissue atrophy has been satisfactory in patients with mild and moderate Parry-Romberg syndrome. Currently, CAL has showed promising results in the long term by decreasing the rate of fat reabsorption. The permanence and stability of the graft in all the injected areas has showed that autologous fat grafts enriched with stem cells could be a promising technique for the correction of defects caused by this syndrome.