¿Cómo detectar a los pacientes mayores no institucionalizados en riesgo de malnutrición durante su hospitalización? Comparación de 8 herramientas de cribado de malnutrición o de riesgo nutricional / How to detect non-institutionalized older patients at risk of malnutrition during their hospitalization? Comparison of 8 screening tools for malnutrition or nutritional risk

Antecedentes: La prevalencia de malnutrición es elevada entre la población mayor. El ingreso hospitalario es una ventana de oportunidad para su detección. Objetivo: Valorar la concordancia de distintas escalas nutricionales en pacientes hospitalizados.Método: Estudio prospectivo en pacientes mayores de 65años no institucionalizados ingresados en un servicio de Medicina Interna. Se compararon 5 encuestas de cribado de malnutrición (MNA, MST, MUST, NRS-2000 y CONUT) y 3 encuestas de cribado de riesgo nutricional (SCREEN3, 8 y 14). Como patrón de referencia se utilizó la definición de malnutrición de la Iniciativa Global para el Liderazgo en Malnutrición (GLIM). Resultados: Se incluyeron 85 pacientes (37% mujeres, mediana de edad 83años). El 48% (IC95%: 38-59%) de los pacientes fueron clasificados como malnutridos según criterios GLIM. La escala SCREEN3 fue la más sensible (93%; IC95%: 87-98) y MUST la más específica (91%; IC95%: 85-99). La escala más eficaz para excluir la sospecha de malnutrición fue SCREEN3 (LR− 0,17; IC95%: 0,05-0,53) y la mejor para confirmarla fue MST (LR+ 7,08; IC95%: 3,06-16,39). La concordancia entre las distintas escalas fue baja o muy baja, con índices kappa entre 0,082 y 0,465.Conclusiones: Se precisa un abordaje integral para detectar la malnutrición en adultos mayores ingresados. Las escalas más sensibles son más útiles en el cribado inicial. Las herramientas de riesgo nutricional podrían ser eficaces en esta etapa. En un segundo paso se debe confirmar la malnutrición de acuerdo con criterios establecidos como los de la GLIM.(AU)

Background: The prevalence of malnutrition is high among the elderly population. Hospital admission is a window of opportunity for its detection. Objective: To assess the concordance of different nutritional scales in hospitalized patients. Methods: Prospective study in non-institutionalized patients over 65years of age admitted to an internal medicine department. Five malnutrition screening surveys (MNA, MST, MUST, NRS-2000 and CONUT) and three nutritional risk screening surveys (SCREEN3, 8 and 14) were compared. As gold standard we use the Global Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM) definition of malnutrition. Results: Eighty-five patients (37% female, median age 83years) were included. Forty-eight percent (95%CI: 38-59%) of patients were classified as malnourished according to GLIM criteria. The SCREEN3 scale was the most sensitive (93%; 95%CI: 87-98) and MUST the most specific (91%; 95%CI: 85-99). The most effective scale for excluding suspected malnutrition was SCREEN3 (LR− 0.17; 95%CI: 0.05-0.53) and the best for confirming it was MST (LR+ 7.08; 95%CI: 3.06-16.39). Concordance between the different scales was low or very low with kappa indices between 0.082 and 0.465. Conclusions: A comprehensive approach is needed to detect malnutrition in hospitalized patients. More sensitive scales are more useful in initial screening. Nutritional risk tools could be effective at this stage. In a second step, malnutrition should be confirmed according to established criteria such as GLIM.(AU)

How to detect non-institutionalized older patients at risk of malnutrition during their hospitalization? Comparison of 8 screening tools for malnutrition or nutritional risk.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of malnutrition is high among the elderly population. Hospital admission is a window of opportunity for its detection. OBJECTIVE: To assess the concordance of different nutritional scales in hospitalized patients. METHODS: Prospective study in non-institutionalized patients over 65 years of age admitted to an internal medicine department. Five malnutrition screening surveys (MNA, MST, MUST, NRS-2000 and CONUT) and three nutritional risk screening surveys (SCREEN 3, 8 and 14) were compared. As gold standard we use the Global Malnutrition Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM) definition of malnutrition. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (37% female, median age 83 years) were included. Forty-eight percent (95% CI 38-59%) of patients were classified as malnourished according to GLIM criteria. The SCREEN 3 scale was the most sensitive (93%; 95% CI 87-98) and MUST the most specific (91%; CI 85-99). The most effective scale for excluding suspected malnutrition was SCREEN 3 (LR- 0.17; 95% CI 0.05-0.53) and the best for confirming it was MST (LR+ 7.08; 95% CI 3.06-16.39). Concordance between the different scales was low or very low with kappa indices between 0.082 and 0.465. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive approach is needed to detect malnutrition in hospitalized patients. More sensitive scales are more useful in initial screening. Nutritional risk tools could be effective at this stage. In a second step, malnutrition should be confirmed according to established criteria such as GLIM.

Utilidad de la diferencia venoarterial de PCO2 como predictor de complicaciones en el postoperatorio inmediato del trasplante hepático / Utility of the central venous-to-arterial CO2 difference to predict adverse outcomes after liver transplantation

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación de la diferencia venoarterial de PCO2 (ΔPCO2) con la aparición de complicaciones en el manejo postoperatorio precoz del trasplante hepático. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional y prospectivo realizado en una unidad de cuidados intensivos médico-quirúrgica de un hospital universitario. Se incluyó a 150 pacientes adultos que recibieron un trasplante de hígado ortotópico entre enero de 2015 y noviembre de 2018. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en 4grupos predefinidos de acuerdo con la evolución de la ΔPCO2 durante las primeras 6 h del postoperatorio en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, al considerar ese periodo como el de mayor riesgo de alteraciones hemodinámicas: 1) ΔPCO2 persistentemente normal (normal en T0 y T6); 2) ΔPCO2 descendente (alta en T0, normal en T6); 3) ΔPCO2 ascendente (normal en T0, alta en T6) y 4) ΔPCO2 persistentemente alta (alta en T0 y T6). Se comparó la relación de dichos grupos con la aparición de disfunción multiorgánica a las 72 h y las probabilidades de supervivencia globales y en el día 30 se describieron mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier; las diferencias se calcularon mediante un test log-rank. Para el estudio de la correlación entre índice cardiaco y ΔPCO2 se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: La disfunción multiorgánica representada mediante el SOFA a las 72 h (p=0,86) y el Δ-SOFA (p=0,088) no presentó diferencias significativas entre los 4grupos a estudio, de la misma forma que ocurrió con la mortalidad hospitalaria (χ2=5,72; p=0,126) y a los 30 días (χ2=2,23; p=0,5252). Con respecto a la relación entre índice cardiaco y ΔPCO2, se demostró una correlación inversa estadísticamente significativa de valor bajo (rho de Spearman: −0,17; p=0,002). Conclusiones: En pacientes críticos admitidos tras un trasplante hepático, la diferencia venoarterial de PCO2 no predice la mortalidad ni la incidencia de complicaciones en el periodo postoperatorio inmediato.(AU)

Objective: Test whether the development of abnormal venous-to arterial CO2 difference (ΔPCO2) during the early phases of postoperative care after a liver transplantation is related to multi-organ dysfunction and outcomes. Materials and methods: Prospective cohort study accomplished in a mixed intensive care unit at a university hospital. We included 150 eligible patients after a liver transplantation between 2015 and 2018. Patients were classified in 4predefined groups according to the ΔPCO2 evolution during the first 6h of resuscitation: 1) persistently normal ΔPCO2 (normal at T0 and T6); 2) decreasing ΔPCO2 (high at T0, normal at T6); 3) increasing ΔPCO2 (normal at T0, high at T6); and 4) persistently high ΔPCO2 (high at T0 and T6). Multiorgan dysfunction at day-3 was compared for predefined groups and a Kaplan Meier curve was constructed to show the survival probabilities using a log-rank test to evaluate differences between groups. A Spearman-rho was used to test the agreement between cardiac output and ΔPCO2. Results: There were no significant differences between the study groups regarding higher SOFA scores at day-3 (P=0.86), Δ-SOFA (P=0.088), as well as global mortality rates (χ2=5.72; P=0.126) and mortality rates at day-30 (χ2=2.23; P=0.5252). A significantly poor inverse agreement between cardiac output and ΔPCO2 was observed (rho de Spearman −0,17; P=0,002) at different points of resuscitation. Conclusions: After a liver transplantation, central venous-to-arterial CO2 difference was not associated with survival or postoperative adverse outcomes in a critical care patients population.(AU)

Utility of the central venous-to-arterial CO2 difference to predict adverse outcomes after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Test whether the development of abnormal venous-to arterial CO2 difference (ΔPCO2) during the early phases of postoperative care after a liver transplantation (LT) is related to multi-organ dysfunction and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study accomplished in a mixed intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital. We included 150 eligible patients after a LT between 2015 and 2018. Patients were classified in four predefined groups according to the ΔPCO2 evolution during the first 6 h of resuscitation: (1) persistently normal ΔPCO2 (normal at T0 and T6); (2) decreasing ΔPCO2 (high at T0, normal at T6); (3) increasing ΔPCO2 (normal at T0, high at T6); and (4) persistently high ΔPCO2 (high at T0 and T6). Multiorgan dysfunction at day-3 was compared for predefined groups and a Kaplan Meier curve was constructed to show the survival probabilities using a log-rank test to evaluate differences between groups. A Spearman-Rho was used to test the agreement between cardiac output and ΔPCO2. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the study groups regarding higher SOFA scores at day-3 (P = .86), Δ-SOFA (P = .088), as well as global mortality rates (χ²â€¯= 5.72; P = .126) and mortality rates at day-30 (χ²â€¯= 2.23; P = .5252). A significantly poor inverse agreement between cardiac output and ΔPCO2 was observed (r2 -0,17; P = ,002) at different points of resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: After a LT, central venous-to-arterial CO2 difference was not associated with survival or postoperative adverse outcomes in a critical care patients population.

Fanconi-like anemia related to a FANCM mutation.

Fanconi anemia is primarily inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic disorder with common delays in diagnosis and challenging treatments. Fanconi anemia patients have a high risk of developing solid tumors, particularly in the head and neck or anogenital regions. The diagnosis of Fanconi anemia is primarily based on the chromosomal breakage but FA gene sequencing is recommended in all patients with a positive chromosome fragility test. Here, we present a 32-year-old man with advanced tonsil squamous cell carcinoma and fatal toxicity after the first cycle of chemotherapy. No anemia was present. A recent variant mutation if the FANCM gene was detected (c1511_1515delGAGTA (pArg504AsnfsTer29)). Homozygous or double heterozygous pathogenic variants have been reported in FANCM and linked to azoospermia and primary ovarian failure without anemia. Alterations in this gene have also been associated with a genetic predisposition for solid tumors (breast and ovarian cancer) and hematological malignancies (B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Due to the hypersensitivity of these patients to DNA-damaging agents such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, surgery is the best treatment option for malignant solid tumors. Dose reductions or alternative regimens of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are recommended in FA patients who develop a malignant tumor.

Haemoperitoneum caused by spontaneous haemorrhage of the greater omentum: a rare complication occurring in a patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Haemorrhagic events in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) are infrequent but reports have accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic. The pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear, but endothelial damage secondary to systemic vasculitis and the onset of anticoagulation therapy, both associated with severe forms of the infection, have been proposed to play a role in the development of this complication. We present the case of a 66-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain, hypotension and decrease of consciousness, a few hours after being discharged after a prolonged hospitalisation of 26 days due to severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Initial resuscitation was carried out and, when haemodynamic stabilisation was achieved, a computed tomography scan showed contrast extravasation at the topography of the greater omentum. Urgent angiography revealing contrast extravasation originating in a pseudoaneurysm dependent on the right gastroepiploic artery was done, and embolisation with cyanoacrylate was performed at the bleeding point. Owing to persistent haemodynamic instability despite angiographic treatment and aggressive resuscitation, emergency laparotomy was indicated. Partial resection of the greater omentum was carried out and histopathologic examination showed a 5cm×4cm×6cm haematoma, with no signs of abnormalities such as aneurysm or malignancy. No rebleeding occurred. Spontaneous haemorrhage of the greater omentum associated with haemoperitoneum is a serious condition, with reported mortality rates exceeding 30%. This case highlights a very infrequent but potentially life-threatening complication in a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 on anticoagulation therapy.

Estudio de riesgo de recurrencia de trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) en hermanos de niños con diagnóstico TEA / Study on recurrence risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in siblings of children diagnosed with ASD

El trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) es un trastorno del desarrollo, común de la niñez, con una fuerte predisposición genética y alta heredabilidad. El riesgo de recurrencia en hermanos oscila entre 10-20% y en caso de familias con dos o más niños afectados el riesgo de recurrencia aumenta hasta un 35%. Dentro de las pruebas complementarias para el diagnóstico, el gold standard es la escala ADOS, existe además una prueba de pesquisa, el M-CHAT. Objetivo: evaluar riesgo de recurrencia de TEA en hermanos menores de niños con diagnóstico de TEA. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un estudio de tipo transversal, observacional y descriptivo. Fueron estudiados niños entre 18-36 meses, hermanos de pacientes con diagnóstico de TEA. La evaluación del desarrollo se realizó utilizando: Escalas CAT/CLAMS, M-CHAT y ADOS 2. Resultados: se estudiaron 39 hermanos. 25 fueron varones y 14 fueron mujeres. Se identificaron 5 niños con diagnóstico de TEA, por lo que el riesgo de recurrencia en la población estudiada fue de 13%, con una relación varón/mujer de 4/1. Del resto de la población estudiada, 13% reunieron criterios para fenotipo ampliado del autismo (Broader Autism Phenotype ­BAP­ en su sigla en inglés), 31% presentaron retraso del lenguaje(RL) y 7%retraso global del desarrollo (RGD). Solo el 36% presentó desarrollo típico. Conclusión: Los hermanos de niños afectados representan un grupo de riesgo para problemas del desarrollo, que debe ser tenido en cuenta por los profesionales de la salud que siguen longitudinalmente a niños con diagnóstico confirmado de TEA (AU)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is common in childhood with a strong genetic predisposition and high heritability. The risk of recurrence in siblings is found to be between 10-20% and in families with two or more affected children recurrence risk is as high as 35%. Among the complementary diagnostic tests, the gold standard is the ADOS scale, and additionally the M-CHAT screening test. Objective: To evaluate the recurrence risk of ASD in younger siblings of children diagnosed with ASD. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study was conducted. Children between 18- 36 months of age, siblings of children diagnosed with ASD were studied. Development was assessed using the CAT/CLAMS, MCHAT, and ADOS 2 scales. Results: 39 siblings were studied; 25 were male and 14 female. Five children with ASD were identified, accounting for a recurrence risk of 13% in the study population and a male/female ratio of 4/1. Of the remaining children, 13% met the criteria for the broader autism phenotype (BAP), 31% had language delay (LD), and 7% global developmental delay (GDD). Only 36% had normal development. Conclusion: Siblings of affected children are at risk for developmental disorders that should be taken into account by health professionals that ongitudinally follow children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD (AU)

Predicción de hemorragia masiva. Índice de shock e índice de shock modificado / Prediction of massive bleeding. Shock index and modified shock index

Objetivo: Determinar la capacidad de predicción del índice de shock y del índice de shock modificado para hemorragia masiva tras sufrir un trauma grave. Diseño: Cohorte retrospectiva. Ámbito: Atención inicial hospitalaria al paciente con enfermedad traumática grave en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de trauma de un hospital terciario. Sujetos: Pacientes mayores de 14 años con trauma grave (injury severity score [ISS] >15), admitidos de forma consecutiva desde enero de 2014 hasta diciembre de 2015. Variables: Se estudiaron sensibilidad (Se), especificidad (Sp), valores predictivos positivo y negativo (VP+ y VP-), razones de verosimilitud positiva y negativa (RV+ y RV-), curvas ROC (receiver operating characteristics) y el área bajo las mismas (AUROC) para predicción de hemorragia masiva. Resultados: Se incluyeron 287 pacientes, el 76,31% (219) fueron varones, con una edad media de 43,36 (±17,71) e ISS de 26 (rango intercuartil [RIC]: 21-34). La frecuencia global de hemorragia masiva fue de 8,71% (25). Para el índice de shock se obtuvo: AUROC de 0,89 (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 0,84-0,94), con un punto de corte óptimo en 1,11, Se del 91,3% (IC 95%: 73,2-97,58) y Sp del 79,69% (IC 95%: 74,34-84,16). Para el índice de shock modificado se obtuvo: AUROC de 0,90 (IC 95%: 0,86-0,95), con un punto de corte óptimo en 1,46, Se del 95,65% (IC 95%: 79,01-99,23) y Sp del 75,78% (IC 95%: 70,18-80,62). Conclusiones: El índice de shock y el índice de shock modificado son buenos predictores de hemorragia masiva y de fácil aplicación durante la atención inicial del trauma grave (AU)

Objective: To determine the predictive value of the Shock Index and Modified Shock Index in patients with massive bleeding due to severe trauma. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Severe trauma patient's initial attention at the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. Subjects: Patients older than 14 years that were admitted to the hospital with severe trauma (Injury Severity Score >15) form January 2014 to December 2015. Variables: We studied the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive value (PV+ and PV-), positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-), ROC curves (Receiver Operating Characteristics) and the area under the same (AUROC) for prediction of massive hemorrhage. Results: 287 patients were included, 76.31% (219) were male, mean age was 43,36 (±17.71) years and ISS was 26 (interquartile range [IQR]: 21-34). The overall frequency of massive bleeding was 8.71% (25). For Shock Index: AUROC was 0.89 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.84 to 0.94), with an optimal cutoff at 1.11, Se was 91.3% (95% CI: 73.2 to 97.58) and Sp was 79.69% (95% CI: 74.34 to 84.16). For the Modified Shock Index: AUROC was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86 to 0.95), with an optimal cutoff at 1.46, Se was 95.65% (95% CI: 79.01 to 99.23) and Sp was 75.78% (95% CI: 70.18 to 80.62). Conclusion: Shock Index and Modified Shock Index are good predictors of massive bleeding and could be easily incorporated to the initial workup of patients with severe trauma (AU)

La hidroxicloroquina, un fármaco potencialmente letal / Hydroxychloroquine, a potentially lethal drug

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Prediction of massive bleeding. Shock index and modified shock index. / Predicción de hemorragia masiva. Índice de shock e índice de shock modificado.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of the Shock Index and Modified Shock Index in patients with massive bleeding due to severe trauma. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Severe trauma patient's initial attention at the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS: Patients older than 14 years that were admitted to the hospital with severe trauma (Injury Severity Score >15) form January 2014 to December 2015. VARIABLES: We studied the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive value (PV+ and PV-), positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-), ROC curves (Receiver Operating Characteristics) and the area under the same (AUROC) for prediction of massive hemorrhage. RESULTS: 287 patients were included, 76.31% (219) were male, mean age was 43,36 (±17.71) years and ISS was 26 (interquartile range [IQR]: 21-34). The overall frequency of massive bleeding was 8.71% (25). For Shock Index: AUROC was 0.89 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.84 to 0.94), with an optimal cutoff at 1.11, Se was 91.3% (95% CI: 73.2 to 97.58) and Sp was 79.69% (95% CI: 74.34 to 84.16). For the Modified Shock Index: AUROC was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86 to 0.95), with an optimal cutoff at 1.46, Se was 95.65% (95% CI: 79.01 to 99.23) and Sp was 75.78% (95% CI: 70.18 to 80.62). CONCLUSION: Shock Index and Modified Shock Index are good predictors of massive bleeding and could be easily incorporated to the initial workup of patients with severe trauma.

Mutation status and immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in patients from northwest and central region of Spain with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and mutation status of the immunoglobulin heavy variable chain (IGHV) in a cohort of 224 patients from northwest and central region of Spain diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and to correlate it with cytogenetic abnormalities, overall survival (OS) and time to first treatment (TTFT). 125 patients had mutated IGHV, while 99 had unmutated IGHV. The most frequently used IGHV family was IGHV3, followed by IGHV1 and IGHV4. The regions IGHV3-30, IGHV1-69, IGHV3-23, and IGHV4-34 were the most commonly used. Only 3.1% of the patients belonged to the subfamily IGHV3-21 and we failed to demonstrate a worse clinical outcome in this subgroup. The IGHV4 family appeared more frequently with mutated pattern, similar to IGHV3-23 and IGHV3-74. By contrast, IGHV1-69 was expressed at a higher frequency in unmutated CLL patients. All the cases from IGHV3-11 and almost all from IGHV5-51 subfamily belonged to the group of unmutated CLL.

Parálisis del nervio ciático poplíteo externo como consecuencia de fractura de tobillo. Revisión de un caso / Case report. Common peroneal nerve palsy after an infrasindesmotic ankle fracture

Objetivo: La lesión del nervio ciático poplíteo externo se presenta de forma infrecuente asociada a fracturas de tobillo con mecanismo de inversión forzada y su relación no parece claramente establecida. Material y método: Paciente de 52 años con una fractura infrasindesmal de tobillo derecho y parálisis del nervio ciático poplíteo externo. Conclusión: El conocimiento y sospecha de esta lesión tan poco reconocida nos permitirá un precoz tratamiento de la misma, vital para el buen resultado funcional (AU)

Objective: The common peroneal nerve palsy after an infrasindesmotic ankle fracture is an uncommon pathology and the association between them remains unclear. Material and method: 52 year old patient with an infrasindesmotic ankle fracture and a common peroneal nerve palsy. Conclusion: The knowlegde of this unrecognized pathology will allow us to detect it early, which is very important for having a good outcome (AU)

Encuesta rápida de ceguera evitable en Argentina en 2013 / Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in Argentina in 2013

INTRODUCCIÓN Según datos de 2010, hay 32,4 millones de personas ciegas en el mundo (3,2 millones en América). La población mayor de 50 años concentra el 82%. Según el Censo Nacional 2010, el 24% de la población de Argentina son adultos mayores de 50 años, lo que lo convierte en el país más envejecido de Latinoamérica, con una expectativa de vida de 77,6 años. Es fundamental contar con información específica para evaluar el avance de las estrategias implementadas y diseñar otras nuevas, adecuadas a las necesidades presentes de la población. OBJETIVOS Describir la prevalencia de ceguera, deficiencia visual y sus causas en adultos de más de 50 años en Argentina. MÉTODOS Se realizó un estudio poblacional transversal con muestreo aleatorio, con 82 conglomerados de 50 personas de 50 años o más en todo el país y metodología de Encuesta Rápida de Ceguera Evitable (ERCE). Incluyó medición de agudeza visual (AV) con examen del cristalino y evaluación del polo posterior por oftalmoscopia directa. RESULTADOS De 4100 individuos elegidos, 92% fueron examinados. Hubo una prevalencia de ceguera total de 0,7%. Las principales causas de ceguera fueron catarata (44%), retinopatía diabética (16%), enfermedades de polo posterior (16%), glaucoma (8%), defecto refractivo no corregido (8%) y DMRE (Degeneración Macular Relacionada a la Edad, 4%). La cobertura de cirugía de catarata en la población estudiada fue del 97,3%. Un 82% de los ojos operados de catarata mostraron buenos resultados visuales (AV ≥20/60) y un 9,2%, resultados pobres (AV ≤20/200). DISCUSIÓN La prevalencia de ceguera en la población argentina de adultos de 50 años o más es baja. Esto refleja los resultados de las estrategias implementadas. La catarata sigue siendo la principal causa de ceguera y deficiencia visual severa; en igual proporción contribuyen la suma de patologías del segmento posterior. Debido a la alta cobertura de la cirugía de catarata, la transición epidemiológica y la tendencia poblacional, enfermedades como retinopatía diabética y alteraciones de polo posterior tendrán un impacto mayor en el futuro.

A method for obtaining Schwann cell cultures from adult rabbit nerve based on "in vitro" pre-degeneration and neuregulin treatment.

Schwann cells (SCs) are basic elements for cell therapy and tissue engineering in the central and peripheral nervous system. Therefore, the development of a reliable method to obtain SC cultures is required. For possible therapeutic applications the cultures need to produce a sufficiently large number of SCs with a high level of purity in a relatively short period of time. To increase SC yield and purity we pre-degenerated pieces of 1-2 mm of adult rabbit sciatic nerves by incubating them for seven days in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin/streptomycin and NRG1-ß1. Following pre-degeneration the nerve pieces were dissociated and then cultured for 6 or 15 days in the same culture medium. After 6 days of culture we obtained around 9.5x10³ cells/mg with approximately 94% SCs (S-100 positive) purity. After 15 days of culture the yield was about 80x10³ cells/mg and the purity was approximately 75%. Pre-degeneration and subsequent culture of small pieces of adult nerve with NRG1-ß1 supplemented medium increased the number of SCs and restricted the overgrowth of fibroblast-like cells.

Cavernomas in children with brain tumors: a late complication of radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Delayed complications of radiation therapy comprise cerebral atrophy, radionecrosis and induction of tumors. Recent reports indicate the possibility of the "de-novo" formation of intracranial cavernomas in patients submitted to radiation therapy to the brain. OBJECTIVES: To report three children, two with medulloblastomas and one with a pineal germinoma, treated with radiotherapy that developed intracerebral cavernous hemangiomas some years after treatment. With this work, we aim to draw attention to this occurrence in the neurosurgical community. RESULTS: The patients were two girls and one boy with ages comprised between 2.5 and 7 years (mean 5.2 years). The average interval from irradiation to the appearance of cavernoma was of 5.3 years (range 5-6 years). The lesions were found during the routine neuroimaging studies performed for the follow-up of their primary neoplasms. No patient showed signs or symptoms related to the cavernomas. However, the three children will need both clinical and neuroimaging surveillance to monitor the evolution of these incidentally discovered lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial cavernomas can occur years after cerebral radiation therapy. In spite of previous reports that show a high incidence of bleeding lesions, cavernomas may be found incidentally during the neuroimaging surveillance studies that are performed to children with brain tumors previously treated with radiotherapy. In these cases, a conservative attitude seems to be advisable, reserving surgery only for those lesions that grow or bleed.

Indoor radon in a Spanish region with different gamma exposure levels.

In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 points, radon measurements were performed in more than 100 houses located in Galicia region, in the Northwest area of Spain. The houses were randomly selected only bearing in mind general geological aspects of the region. Subsequently, a nationwide project called MARNA dealt with external gamma radiation measurements in order to draw a Spanish natural radiation map. The comparison in Galicia between these estimations and the indoor radon levels previously obtained showed good agreement. With the purpose of getting a confirmation of this relationship and also of creating a radon map of the zone, a new set of measurements were carried out in 2005. A total of 300 external gamma radiation measurements were carried out as well as 300 measurements of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K content in soil. Concerning radon, 300 1-m-depth radon measurements in soil were performed, and indoor radon concentration was determined in a total of 600 dwellings. Radon content in soil gave more accurate indoor radon predictions than external gamma radiation or 226Ra concentration in soil.

Cavernomas in children with brain tumors: a late complication of radiotherapy / Cavernomas en niños con tumores cerebrales: una complicación ardía de la radioterapia

Antecedentes. Entre las complicaciones tardías dela radioterapia se encuentran la atrofia cerebral, la radio necrosis y el desarrollo de tumores radio inducidos. Se ha descrito recientemente la formación de cavernomas intracraneales en pacientes tratados con radioterapia cerebral. Objetivo. Presentar los casos de tres niños, dos con meduloblastomas y uno con un germinoma pineal, en los que se encontraron cavernomas cerebrales años después del tratamiento con radioterapia, a fin de contribuir al conocimiento de esta eventualidad en el medio neuroquirúrgico. Resultados. Los pacientes fueron dos niñas y un niño entre 2,5 y 7 años de edad (media 5,2 años). El intervalo medio entre la radioterapia y la aparición del cavernoma fue de 5,3 años (extremos 5 y 6 años). Las lesiones fueron encontradas en los estudios de neuroimagen que se realizan habitualmente a estos pacientes para seguimiento de sus tumores originarios. Durante el período de observación, ningún paciente presentó síntomas o signos relacionados con el cavernoma. No obstante, los tres niños requerirán un seguimiento clínico y de neuroimagen para vigilar la evolución clínica de estas lesiones descubiertas accidentalmente. Conclusiones. La presencia de cavernomas intracraneales puede detectarse años después del tratamiento con radioterapia. Al contrario de casos previos publicados en los que fue frecuente su presentación con hemorragia, los cavernomas también pueden ser detectados de manera casual en los estudios de seguimiento que se realizan habitualmente a niños con tumores cerebrales tratados previamente con radioterapia. En este caso, parece aconsejable mantener una actitud conservadora, reservando la cirugía para las lesiones que crecen o sangran

Background. Delayed complications of radiation therapy comprise cerebral atrophy, radionecrosis and induction of tumors. Recent reports indicate the possibility of the “de-novo” formation of intracranial cavernomas in patients submitted to radiation therapy to the brain. Objectives. To report three children, two with medullo blastomas and one with a pineal germinoma, treated with radiotherapy that developed intracerebral cavernous hemangiomas some years after treatment. With this work, we aim to draw attention to this occurrence in the neurosurgical community. Results. The patients were two girls and one boy with ages comprised between 2.5 and 7 years (mean5.2 years). The average interval from irradiation to the appearance of cavernoma was of 5.3 years (range5-6 years). The lesions were found during the routine neuroimaging studies performed for the follow-up of their primary neoplasms. No patient showed signs or symptoms related to the cavernomas. However, the three children will need both clinical and neuroimaging surveillance to monitor the evolution of these incidentally discovered lesions. Conclusions. Intracranial cavernomas can occur years after cerebral radiation therapy. In spite of previous reports that show a high incidence of bleeding lesions, cavernomas may be found incidentally during the neuroimaging surveillance studies that are performed to children with brain tumors previously treated with radiotherapy. In these cases, a conservative attitude seems to be advisable, reserving surgery only for those lesions that grow or bleed

High background radiation areas: the case of Villar de la Yegua village (Spain).

The starting point of the Spanish experience in the study of High Background Radiation Areas is the development of a nationwide indoor radon survey carried out in 1988. This campaign, belonging to the first Spanish Radon Framework, consisted of approximately 2000 indoor radon measurements which represented a valuable basis to face rigorously the radon issue in Spain. Together but indepently from this survey, since 1991 the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council, the National Uranium Company and several Universities have developed the so-called MARNA project with the aim of estimating potential radon emission from external gamma dose rates, radium concentrations in soil and geological parameters. During the last decade, several regional surveys have also been conducted to determine exposure to natural sources of radiation in different highly populated background radiation areas. Among them, the surroundings of the village of Villar de la Yegua Town, located in the western province of Salamanca, is the most important area of Spain from a radiological point of view, with the highest indoor radon concentrations, of up to 15,000 Bq m(-3) being found there. Until now, the main result of the study in this area showed a geometric mean radon concentration of 818 Bq m(-3), which is 18 times higher than the national average. In this article, the results of the last survey, carried out in Villar de la Yegua during 2004 are summarised. A geometric mean radon concentration of 1356 Bq m(-3) was found. Dose estimation coming from radon inhalation is also shown.