Cerebral Myiasis, An Unexpected Intraoperative Finding - A Case Report and Systematic Review.

Postoperative complications, exemplified by surgical site infections, are commonplace in the realm of daily surgical interventions. Conversely, certain infectious entities, such as cerebral myiasis (CM), are distinctly rare. This report elucidates the clinical presentation of a 74-year-old female afflicted with a CSF fistula, within the context of a preceding surgical microvascular decompression employing a suboccipital craniotomy approach. Notably, the course of evaluation and treatment unveiled an intraoperative manifestation of severe CM. This case report underscores the critical significance of prompt identification, precise diagnostic elucidation, and comprehensive multidisciplinary management to optimize patient outcomes in instances of CM. Furthermore, a systematic literature review on CM supplements this report, contributing to the understanding of this infrequent complication.

Uterine Artery Pulsatility Index as a Pre-eclampsia Predictor in the 3 Trimesters in Women with Singleton Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtAPI) in each trimester of pregnancy as a predictor of early or late pre-eclampsia (PE) in Colombian pregnant women. METHODS: The UtAPI was measured in singleton pregnancies in each trimester. Uterine artery pulsatility index as predictor of PE was evaluated by odds ratio (OR), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and Kaplan-Meier diagram. RESULTS: Analysis in the 1st and 3rd trimester showed that abnormal UtAPI was associated with early PE (OR: 5.99: 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64-21.13; and OR: 10.32; 95%CI: 2.75-42.49, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity were 71.4 and 79.6%, respectively, for developing PE (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.922). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that a UtAPI of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.58-1.0) in the 1st trimester was associated with early PE, and a UtAPI of 0.73 (95%CI: 0.55-0.97) in the 3rd trimester was associated with late PE. CONCLUSION: Uterine arteries proved to be a useful predictor tool in the 1st and 3rd trimesters for early PE and in the 3rd trimester for late PE in a pregnant population with high prevalence of PE.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o índice médio de pulsatilidade da artéria uterina (UtAPI) em cada trimestre da gravidez como preditor de pré-eclâmpsia (PE) precoce ou tardia em gestantes colombianas. MéTODOS: O UtAPI foi medido em gestações únicas em cada trimestre. O UtAPI como preditor de PE foi avaliado por odds ratio (OR), curvas receiver operating characteristic (ROC) e diagrama de Kaplan-Meier. RESULTADOS: A análise no 1° e 3° trimestres mostrou que um UtAPI anormal foi associado com PE inicial (OR: 5,99; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95%: 1,64­21,13; OR: 10,32; IC95%: 2,75­42,49, respectivamente). A sensibilidade e a especificidade foram de 71,4 e 79,6%, respectivamente, para o desenvolvimento de PE (area under the curve [AUC]: 0,922). A curva de Kaplan-Meier mostrou que um UtAPI de 0,76 (IC95%: 0,58­1,0) no 1° trimestre foi associado com PE precoce, e que um UtAPI de 0,73 (IC95%: 0,55­0,97) no 3° trimestre foi associado com PE tardia. CONCLUSãO: As artérias uterinas mostraram ser uma ferramenta preditora útil no 1° e 3° trimestres para PE inicial e no 3° trimestre para PE tardia em uma população de gestantes com alta prevalência de PE.

Uterine Artery Pulsatility Index as a Pre-eclampsia Predictor in the 3 Trimesters in Women with Singleton Pregnancies / Índice de pulsatilidade da artéria uterina como preditor de pré-eclâmpsia nos 3 trimestres em mulheres com gestações únicas

Abstract Objective To evaluate the mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtAPI) in each trimester of pregnancy as a predictor of early or late pre-eclampsia (PE) in Colombian pregnant women. Methods The UtAPI was measured in singleton pregnancies in each trimester. Uterine artery pulsatility index as predictor of PE was evaluated by odds ratio (OR), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and Kaplan-Meier diagram. Results Analysis in the 1st and 3rd trimester showed that abnormal UtAPI was associated with early PE (OR: 5.99: 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64-21.13; and OR: 10.32; 95%CI: 2.75-42.49, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity were 71.4 and 79.6%, respectively, for developing PE (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.922). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that a UtAPI of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.58-1.0) in the 1st trimester was associated with early PE, and a UtAPI of 0.73 (95%CI: 0.55-0.97) in the 3rd trimester was associated with late PE. Conclusion Uterine arteries proved to be a useful predictor tool in the 1st and 3rd trimesters for early PE and in the 3rd trimester for late PE in a pregnant population with high prevalence of PE.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o índice médio de pulsatilidade da artéria uterina (UtAPI) em cada trimestre da gravidez como preditor de pré-eclâmpsia (PE) precoce ou tardia em gestantes colombianas. Métodos O UtAPI foi medido em gestações únicas em cada trimestre. O UtAPI como preditor de PE foi avaliado por odds ratio (OR), curvas receiver operating characteristic (ROC) e diagrama de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados A análise no 1° e 3° trimestres mostrou que um UtAPI anormal foi associado com PE inicial (OR: 5,99; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95%: 1,64-21,13; OR: 10,32; IC95%: 2,75-42,49, respectivamente). A sensibilidade e a especificidade foram de 71,4 e 79,6%, respectivamente, para o desenvolvimento de PE (area under the curve [AUC]: 0,922). A curva de Kaplan-Meier mostrou que um UtAPI de 0,76 (IC95%: 0,58- 1,0) no 1° trimestre foi associado com PE precoce, e que um UtAPI de 0,73 (IC95%: 0,55-0,97) no 3° trimestre foi associado com PE tardia. Conclusão As artérias uterinas mostraram ser uma ferramenta preditora útil no 1° e 3° trimestres para PE inicial e no 3° trimestre para PE tardia em uma população de gestantes com alta prevalência de PE.

Stiffness, pain, and joint counts in chronic chikungunya disease: relevance to disability and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: To characterize the importance of musculoskeletal stiffness in a cohort of chikungunya patients with chronic joint symptoms. METHOD: Eighty-two patients were followed up 3 years after chikungunya infection. Tender and swollen joint counts, a pain intensity scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the EuroQol EQ-5D quality of life instrument were completed. A musculoskeletal stiffness questionnaire provided scores for overall stiffness and its components: stiffness severity, physical impact, and psychosocial impact. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age 51 ± 14 years. Sixty-seven patients were still experiencing chronic arthralgia. Musculoskeletal stiffness was reported by 43/67 patients with arthralgia and 3/15 patients without arthralgia. A physical impact of stiffness was reported by 87% patients and psychosocial impact by 71% patients. Mean tender joint count in patients reporting arthralgia was 6 ± 7, mean pain intensity 65 ± 20 out of 100, mean HAQ-DI was 0.54 ± 0.52, and mean EQ-VAS global health perception was 68 ± 62 out of 100. Stiffness severity was correlated with tender joint counts (ρ = 0.46) and pain intensity (ρ = 0.40). All three measures were equally well correlated with the EuroQol-VAS global health perception. Pain and tender joints were better correlated with the HAQ-DI (ρ = 0.68 and ρ = 0.63), but stiffness was more strongly correlated with several quality of life domains, including mobility. Swollen joints were a poor predictor of outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal stiffness following chikungunya infection is distinct from arthralgia. It does not always occur in the same patients or with a corresponding intensity. Joint pain and stiffness may be independently associated with disability and quality of life assessments.

Frequency and tendency of malaria in Colombia, 1990 to 2011: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a serious health problem in Colombia. This paper intends to analyse the frequency and tendencies of the disease in Colombia over the last 22 years. The researchers used the Box-Jenkins (ARIMA) methodology for the analysis of time series. METHODS: This descriptive study was done retrospectively by using the morbidity records of the Ministry of Health and of the System for the Monitoring of Public Health (SIVIGILA). The information about the population was obtained from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). The incidence rate according to age and sex was calculated from 1990 to 2011. Also, the Annual Parasite Index (API) for Plasmodium falciparum and for Plasmodium vivax was calculated. The mortality rates per year, from 1990 to 2011, were determined. Finally, the Box-Jenkins (ARIMA) methodology was used for the analysis of time series, grouped weekly. Information for ARIMA modelling was used from the year 2001. RESULTS: The total number of reported cases from 1990 to 2011 was 2,964,818 cases with an annual average of 134,764. In the period from 2001 to 2005 and from 2006 to 2011 a significant decrease of annual cases was observed. In general, a predominance of P. vivax over P. falciparum was observed. With respect to the API, it must be noted that there were peaks in 1994 in the departments of Guainía and Guaviare, and in 1998 in Guaviare and Chocó. The department of Antioquia showed a tendency towards a decrease of the API through the years.In the time series model there were no statistically significant seasonal patterns for the total number of cases of malaria. However, for P. falciparum the number of cases was statistically significant. Lastly, between 1990 and 2009, there were 1,905 deaths caused by malaria in Colombia with a significant tendency towards a decrease in deaths over those years. Plasmodium falciparum was more lethal than P. vivax. CONCLUSIONS: In Colombia, the transmission of malaria occurs in an endemic and epidemic context, which keeps an unstable endemic transmission pattern. Several factors specific to a country such as Colombia encourage the dissemination and permanence of the illness.

[Mortality associated with peak seasons of influenza virus circulation in Bogotá, Colombia, 1997-2005]. / Mortalidad asociada con las temporadas de mayor circulación de los virus de la influenza en Bogotá, Colombia, 1997-2005.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate potential excess mortality attributable to influenza viruses A and B and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) during peak seasons of influenza virus circulation in Colombia from 1997 to 2005. METHODS: A comparison of monthly, general mortality rates from pneumonia in children under 5 years of age and from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease in those more than 60 years of age in Bogota, Colombia, were compared to the city's peak seasons of influenza virus circulation. Mortality data were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics of Colombia; peak seasons of virus circulation were defined as contiguous months in which the number of isolates was equal to or greater than half the total number of isolates for the year. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were determined. RESULTS: Influenza A demonstrated a pattern of seasonal circulation, but influenza B and HRSV did not. The increased circulation of influenza virus was associated with an average annual increase of 5% in overall mortality during the study period (IRR = 1.05; 95%CI: 1.046-1.064). During seasons of increased circulation of influenza viruses, the combined mortality from pneumonia and influenza for all ages was 11% higher than it was at other times (IRR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.051-1.178). CONCLUSIONS: During peak seasons of influenza virus circulation in Colombia, there can be increased mortality, particularly from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease among those more than 60 years of age. Preventive actions specific to protecting against influenza should be taken, especially in these two age groups.