[Langerhans cell histiocytosis]. / Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans.

We describe the case of male diagnosed with histiocytosis of Langerhans cells. Histiocytosis X is an interstitial disease with a real incidence and an unknown prevalence that can be suspected due to epidemiological and radiological data. The diagnosis can be realized using BAL and/or anatomo-pathological study of a biopsy. The principal treatment is to give up the tobacco habit. Evolution can be favourable.

[Splenic disorders in internal medicines]. / Lesiones esplénicas en medicina interna.

The spleen is the largest lymphopoietic organ, containing 25% of total lymphoid mass. It participates in cellular and humoral immunity and intervenes in the renovation of red cells and the elimination of bacteria. Splenic functions are reduced when the spleen is absent, which entails, amongst other complications, greater susceptibility to suffering from sepsis due to encapsulated organisms. We present 6 clinical cases admitted to the Internal Medicine serve with splenic pathology and we make a review of the approach to be used. The spectrum of splenic lesions in internal medicine is very wide. On occasions, a splenic pathology can be suspected due to clinical history, physical exploration or because of cytopenias in the analyses. Different complementary tests are available for completing study of these lesions. A splenectomy can be carried out in case of diagnostic doubt, with the most frequent diagnoses being hepatic cirrhosis and lymphoma/leukaemia.

Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans / Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Se describe el caso de un varón con diagnóstico de histiocitosis de células de Langerhans. La histiocitosis X es una enfermedad intersticial con una incidencia real y una prevalencia desconocidas que puede sospecharse por datos epidemiológicos y radiológicos. El diagnóstico puede realizarse mediante BAL y/o estudio anatomo-patológico de biopsia. El principal tratamiento consiste en abandonar el hábito tabáquico. La evolución puede ser variable (AU)

We describe the case of male diagnosed with histiocytosis of Langerhans cells. Histiocytosis X is an interstitial disease with a real incidence and an unknown prevalence that can be suspected due to epidemiological and radiological data. The diagnosis can be realized using BAL and/or anatomo-pathological study of a biopsy. The principal treatment is to give up the tobacco habit. Evolution can be favourable (AU)

Lesiones esplénicas en medicina interna / Splenic disorders in internal medicines

El bazo representa el mayor órgano linfopoyético, contiene el 25 % de la masa linfoide total. Participa en la inmunidad celular y humoral e interviene en la renovación de los glóbulos rojos y en la eliminación de las bacterias. Las funciones esplénicas están reducidas cuando el bazo está ausente, lo que implica entre otras complicaciones, una mayor susceptibilidad para padecer una sepsis por organismos encapsulados. Se presentan 6 casos clínicos ingresados en el servicio de Medicina Interna con patología esplénica y se hace una revisión del abordaje a realizar. El espectro de lesiones esplénicas en medicina interna es muy amplio. En ocasiones se puede sospechar patología esplénica por la historia clínica, la exploración física o por citopenias en los análisis. Disponemos de diversas pruebas complementarias para completar el estudio de dichas lesiones. En caso de duda diagnóstica se puede realizar esplenectomía siendo los diagnósticos más frecuentes la cirrosis hepática y el linfoma/leucemia (AU)

The spleen is the largest lymphopoietic organ, containing 25 % of total lymphoid mass. It participates in cellular and humoral immunity and intervenes in the renovation of red cells and the elimination of bacteria. Splenic functions are reduced when the spleen is absent, which entails, amongst other complications, greater susceptibility to suffering from sepsis due to encapsulated organisms. We present 6 clinical cases admitted to the Internal Medicine serve with splenic pathology and we make a review of the approach to be used. The spectrum of splenic lesions in internal medicine is very wide. On occasions, a splenic pathology can be suspected due to clinical history, physical exploration or because of cytopenias in the analyses. Different complementary tests are available for completing study of these lesions. A splenectomy can be carried out in case of diagnostic doubt, with the most frequent diagnoses being hepatic cirrhosis and lymphoma/leukaemia (AU)

Acromegalia ectópica por carcinoide bronquial / Ectopic acromegaly due to a bronchial carcinoid

Los tumores que causan acromegalia ectópica pueden hacerlo a través de la secreción de GH o de GHRH. Se han descrito un centenar de casos de acromegalia ectópica por secreción de GHRH. Dado la rareza de esta patología presentamos un caso clínico con el objetivo de aportar nuestra experiencia diagnóstico-terapéutica y de seguimiento posterior. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con rasgos físicos acromegaloides de varios años de evolución. Deforma concomitante también presentaba otros síntomas acompañantes sugestivos de posible origen bronquial. Ante la sospecha clínica de acromegalia se optó por confirmarlo bioquímicamente y posteriormente mediante estudio de imagen. Se descartó el origen hipofisario por lo que se realizó el despistaje de un tumor neuroendocrino bronquial y/o gastrointestinal por serlas localizaciones más frecuentes. El tratamiento de elección fue la resección quirúrgica (AU)

Tumours that cause ectopic acromegaly can do so through the secretion of GH or GHRH. A hundred cases of ectopic acromegaly due to secretion of GHRH have been described. Given the rarity of this pathology, we present a clinical case with the aim of contributing our diagnostic-therapeutic experience and the subsequent follow-up. We present the case of a patient with acromegaloid physical features that had evolved over several years. Concomitantly, he also presented other accompanying symptoms that suggestive of a possible bronchial origin. Facing the clinical suspicion of acromegaly, we opted to confirm it biochemically and subsequently through image study. A hypophysary origin was ruled out, so we carried out screening for a bronchial neuroendocrine and/or gastrointestinal tumor as they are the most frequent localizations. The treatment of choice was surgical resection (AU)

[Ectopic acromegaly due to a bronchial carcinoid]. / Acromegalia ectópica por carcinoide bronquial.

Tumours that cause ectopic acromegaly can do so through the secretion of GH or GHRH. One hundred cases of ectopic acromegaly due to secretion of GHRH have been described. Given the rarity of this pathology, we present a clinical case with the aim of contributing our diagnostic-therapeutic experience and the subsequent follow-up. We present the case of a patient with acromegaloid physical features that had evolved over several years. Concomitantly, he also presented other accompanying symptoms that were suggestive of a possible bronchial origin. Facing the clinical suspicion of acromegaly, we opted to confirm it biochemically and subsequently through image study. A hypophysary origin was ruled out, so we carried out screening for a bronchial neuroendocrine and/or gastrointestinal tumor as they are the most frequent localizations. The treatment of choice was surgical resection.

[Analysis of a series pheochromocytoma cases over 15 years]. / Serie de feocromocitomas durante 15 años en Navarra.

BACKGROUND: The pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine secreting tumour derived from chromaffin cells of the sympathetic nervous system. Eighty to eighty-five percent of these tumours are localized in the adrenal medulla. When pheocromocytomas are found outside the adrenal gland they are referred to as extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas. The diagnosis is confirmed by elevation of catecholamines and the metanephrines in blood plasma and urine. Localization of the tumour should be done following biochemical diagnosis by means of CT scan and/or MRI. The treatment of choice is tumour resection by laparoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review was made of all patient medical histories diagnosed with pheochromocytoma confirmed by the pathology reports of Pathological anatomy of the Navarre hospital Complex (Anatomía patológica del Complejo hospitalario de Navarra A y B) between 1996 to 2010. Descriptive analysis was made using the IBM SPSS statistics program. RESULTS: Our series consists of 43 patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma over a span of 15 years. The average age on presentation was 47 years. Among the younger patients specific genetic syndromes were found. Computerized tomography was the most widely used method of localization. Contradictory results were found regarding perioperative medical management protocols. All pheocromocytoma tumours in this series were benign. CONCLUSIONS: It is advisable to carry out a genetic study on patients under twenty. The biochemical indicators with the greatest diagnostic sensitivity were the levels of normetanephrine and metanephrine in urine. Surgery was the only treatment option.