[Endoscopic diagnosis of an ileocolic intussusception in an adult]. / Diagnóstico endoscópico de una intususcepción ileocólica en un adulto.

Although intussusception is the most frequent cause of intestinal obstruction in children, it only represents 5-10% of all adults. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult and it is rarely done by endoscopy. We present a case of adult ileocolic intussusception caused by an ileon terminal hamartoma. The diagnosis was done by colonoscopy.

Stereotactic neurosurgery in Mexico.

In his 'Honored Guest' lecture, the author details his long and distinguished career as a pioneer in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, with particular emphasis on his early work in introducing stereotactic techniques into Mexico and his efforts to use his international reputation to disseminate information worldwide.

[Bioethics and environmental health]. / Bioética y salud ambiental.

Institutions such as World Health Organization and United Nations have considered the necessity to establish programs to control and preserve our environment. From the beginning, industrial development has polluted the air, water and soil, in some cases irreversibly affecting the ecosystems. Rampant use of natural resources and inattention to preventive measures have promoted environmental pollution, along with its hereditary effects, producing brain damage, intoxications, cancer, and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, among other problems. It is necessary to put aside self-serving materialism and individualism and become aware of this problem. It is necessary to implement environmental policies, foster bioethical responsibility in environmental health research, conduct epidemiologic, biomedical and toxicologic environmental health research works if we are to have a worthy life and an optimal environment.

[Cardial adenocarcinoma following sclerotherapy of esophageal varices: presentation of a case and review of the literature]. / Adenocarcinoma de cardias después de escleroterapia de varices esofágicas: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

The case of a patient with a diagnosis of chronic alcoholic hepatopathy is discussed. This patient developed an adenocarcinoma of the esophageal-gastric union after several sessions of sclerotherapy indicated to treat hemorrhage of esophageal varices. Similar cases published until now are reviewed.

Archaeological origins of cranial surgery: trephination in Mexico.

Archaeological excavations in Mexico and South America have provided evidence that trephination of the skull was performed by the pre-Hispanic Mexican and Incan cultures. Because those who performed such operations on the skull, presumably for ritual, prophylactic, or therapeutic reasons, can be considered predecessors of modern intracranial surgeons, their techniques and results are a subject of considerable current interest. This article, adapted from a lecture presented to the 1986 Congress of Neurological Surgeons, summarizes published descriptions of 34 trephined South and Central American and Mexican skull specimens, 16 of which were unearthed in Mexico and are currently available for review in anthropological museums in Mexico. Examples of several surgical techniques used on these skulls are presented. Although some trephinations were performed by these early cranial surgeons for apparently therapeutic reasons on skulls with obvious evidence of traumatic fractures, the interpretation of the medical, psychiatric, cultural, or religious significance of such procedures remains largely speculative.

[Incidence of foreign bodies in endoscopic emergencies]. / Incidencia de cuerpos extraños en urgencias endoscópicas.

Retrospective study on 617 foreign bodies (FB) located in the upper digestive tract in the years 1981, 1988 and 1989. Of them pertain 541 to adults (greater than 14 years) and 76 to children (less than or equal to 14 years). The youngest was a girl aged 11 months and the oldest, a male aged 98. In adults, the most frequently encountered FB was impacted food. In children, coins. Clinical findings in adults were mainly dysphagia or FB sensation. In children it is more frequent that another person sees the child swallowing or notices the absence of any object. In adults, its most frequent location was Killian's recess. In children it was the stomach. The removal was achieved in 96% of adults and 100% of children. There weren't any serious complications and mild ones were 0.55%.

[Therapy in nonvaricose upper digestive hemorrhages]. / Terapéutica en hemorragias digestivas altas no varicosas.

In the Central Endoscopy Service of the "San Carlos" University Hospital 218 therapeutic endoscopy procedures have been performed during 1988-1989 in patients with non-variceal upper digestive hemorrhage. Ages of patients were between 6 and 95. Bleeding was more frequent in men over 50. The majority of procedures were done in the first 12 hours (48%), Type IIa Forrest lesions were identified in 57% of cases and gastric and duodenal locations were about the same. Melena was seen in 40%, hematemesis in 28% and both in 32% of patients. In 53% adrenalin and absolute alcohol were injected and in 24% BICAP techniques, in the remaining patients combined procedures were used. Procedures were successful in 93% of cases. No complications were recorded.

[Health challenges as the second millenium is ending. Conceptual epidemiology, social pathology, medicine and professional ethics]. / Retos de salud al finalizar el segundo milenio. Epidemiología conceptual, patología social, medicina y ética profesional.

In this article it is outlined the work of doctor Bustamante in fighting against diseases such as yellow fever, typhus, malaria, and smallpox; and the development and impel that this professional gave to preventive and social medicine is pointed out. It is established that health care professionals currently must not only highly studied and prepared, as they should manage all features related with public health, but also change-men-and-women who are capable to influence future generations, which will be the responsible in relocating men at the equilibrium point concerned to their health. Said equilibrium point is not only modified in its biopsychosocial aspect, but also its essence is deeply affected. This paper is a warning to physicians to fight together in response to humanity, that has set their confidence in them, as the current problem of drugs and dependence to drugs unhinges everything wholeness. To doctor Suarez is intolerable that, in spite of technological advances in the world, yet exist deaths caused by pneumonia or diarrhea. The hazards of the century are frightened: nuclear war and AIDS; but the characteristics that have distinguished human species and allowed its survival and superation are trusted: mental activity, ability of judgement, and consciousness; which are valuable for a deep philosophic discussion that allows us to continue our advance. An enumeration of the medicine achievements in this century is made.