Anatomical, behavioural and physiological analyses of craniofacial development by cineradiographic imaging in marmosets.

BACKGROUND: Non-human primates are the closest animal models to humans regarding genetics, physiology and behaviour. Marmoset monkeys in particular are one of the most versatile species for biomedical research. OBJECTIVE: To assess the craniofacial growth and development of the masticatory function in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), from birth to the fourth month of life through minimally invasive cineradiographic imaging. METHODS: Ten individuals were followed-up from 0 to 4 months of age regarding craniofacial growth and masticatory function assessed by cineradiography. For the experimental procedure, we used a microfocal X-ray source apparatus and a beryllium fast-response image-intensifier. RESULTS: The duration of the masticatory cycles was stable across age groups. Chewing a very soft Castella cake or the slightly harder Marshmallow did not change the masticatory cycle in the time domain. On the other hand, linear and angular measurements of the jaw-opening movement showed a tendency for bigger movements at the latter stages of craniofacial growth. Qualitative analysis showed that marmosets had a small preference for Castella over Marshmallow, that they most often bit off pieces of food to chew with their posterior teeth, that they manipulated the food with their hands, and that they chewed the food continuously. CONCLUSION: We observed critical developmental events during the first 3 months of life in marmosets. Cineradiographic imaging in marmosets may provide valuable information on craniofacial form and function for basic and preclinical research models.

Development and characterization of two novel 68 Ga-labelled neuropeptide Y short analogues with potential application in breast cancer imaging.

In vivo receptor targeting with radiolabelled peptide-based probes is an attractive approach for the development of novel radiotracers for molecular imaging. This work presents the development and characterization of two novel neuropeptide Y analogues labelled with a positron emitter 68 Ga, for potential use in breast cancer imaging. Both analogues share the same amino acid sequence and were derivatized with NOTA through either a lysine linker (L1) or an acetylated lysine (L2). In both cases, a single product with radiochemical purity higher than 95% was obtained. The two complexes were hydrophilic, showed remarkable in vitro stability, good cellular uptake, binding affinity in the nanomolar range and high cellular internalization rate. Biodistribution studies revealed low blood uptake and elimination through the urinary tract. The addition of an acetyl group in the spacer increased the lipophilicity of C2 and modified the reactivity of the ε-amino group of the lysine which resulted in lower protein binding and lower percentage of injected dose in bladder and urine. The tumour versus muscle ratio was (3.8 ± 0.4) for 68 Ga-L1 and (4.7 ± 0.4) for 68 Ga-L2. These results encourage performing further studies in order to complete the evaluation of both tracers as potential radiopharmaceutical for breast cancer imaging.

Oropharyngeal Swallowing Dynamic Findings in People with Asthma.

Airflow obstruction in people with asthma, similar to COPD, may interfere with swallowing, increasing the risk of food or liquid entrance into the lower airways, and favoring the uncontrolled disease. To describe the complaints and findings of the oropharyngeal swallowing mechanisms in patients with mild and severe asthma, a cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 135 participants with asthma were studied, of whom 97 had severe asthma and 38 had mild asthma. All subjects answered a questionnaire with demographic information, disease exacerbations, Asthma Control Questionnaire 6 (ACQ6-Juniper 1999), GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms Questionnaire (GERD-SQ-Fornari et al. 2004), and Eating Assessment Tool 10 (EAT-10-Gonçalves et al., 2013). The oral and pharyngeal swallowing assessment occurred via videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation. The age range of the participants was from 19 to 80 years, with a predominance of females (78.6%). Uncontrolled asthma was observed in 50 (52%) of the patients with severe asthma and in 11 (29%) of the patients with mild asthma (ACQ6 > 1.5). The GERD-SQ and EAT-10 scores were similar in both groups. In the bivariate analysis, the group with severe asthma presented with more changes when compared to the group with mild asthma in the following events: atypical lingual movement during the swallowing of liquid in the volumes of 5 ml (p = 0.003) and 10 ml (p = 0.001), and solid (p = 0.009); oral transit time increased in swallowing of liquid in the volumes of 5 ml (p = 0.003) and 20 ml (p = 0.026); beginning of the pharyngeal swallowing phase below the mandibular ramus (p = 0.003); pharyngeal residue (p = 0.017) of solid consistency; laryngeal penetration of 5 ml (p = 0.050) and 20 ml (p = 0.032) of liquid; increased transition time between the oral and pharyngeal swallowing phases (p = 0.035) and increased pharyngeal transit time (p = 0.045) of solid consistency. Tracheal aspiration was observed only in the group with severe asthma. After the multivariate analysis, atypical tongue movement maintained a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Oropharyngeal swallowing alternations were frequent in the studied sample and more markedly present in patients with severe asthma. Multivariate regression revealed atypical lingual movement, which was greater in patients with severe asthma. The clinical significance of these findings should be further investigated.

High-Resolution Cervical Auscultation and Data Science: New Tools to Address an Old Problem.

High-resolution cervical auscultation (HRCA) is an evolving clinical method for noninvasive screening of dysphagia that relies on data science, machine learning, and wearable sensors to investigate the characteristics of disordered swallowing function in people with dysphagia. HRCA has shown promising results in categorizing normal and disordered swallowing (i.e., screening) independent of human input, identifying a variety of swallowing physiological events as accurately as trained human judges. The system has been developed through a collaboration of data scientists, computer-electrical engineers, and speech-language pathologists. Its potential to automate dysphagia screening and contribute to evaluation lies in its noninvasive nature (wearable electronic sensors) and its growing ability to accurately replicate human judgments of swallowing data typically formed on the basis of videofluoroscopic imaging data. Potential contributions of HRCA when videofluoroscopic swallowing study may be unavailable, undesired, or not feasible for many patients in various settings are discussed, along with the development and capabilities of HRCA. The use of technological advances and wearable devices can extend the dysphagia clinician's reach and reinforce top-of-license practice for patients with swallowing disorders.

Temporal and Sequential Analysis of the Pharyngeal Phase of Swallowing in Poststroke Patients.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis of the temporal and sequential events of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing in 45 poststroke patients who presented or did not present with supraglottic penetration and/or laryngotracheal aspiration and to compare the groups with each other and to a group of 46 patients with normal swallowing. All individuals were assessed by videofluoroscopy and the temporal and sequential measures for the swallowing of 3 mL and 5 mL of thickened liquid, 3 mL of liquid, and 3 mL and 5 mL of pasty were obtained by analyzing the recorded exams on Virtual Dub software. The following events were measured: time of maximal displacement and sustaining of the hyoid and larynx, duration of velopharyngeal sphincter (VS) and supraglottic closure, total inversion time of the epiglottis, duration of pharyngeal constriction, and duration of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening. For the analysis of the temporal sequence, the initial time of larynx and hyoid elevation, VS closure, epiglottic inversion, supraglottic closure, pharyngeal constriction, and opening of the UES were obtained. For 5 mL of thickened liquid, the maximum hyoid elevation time was greater for patients with normal swallowing and the time the supraglottis remained closed was higher in the aspirators group. The time of pharyngeal constriction during swallowing of 3 mL of thickened liquid was lower in the aspirators group. During the swallowing of 3 mL of thin liquid, it was observed that in the aspirators group, the larynx took longer to reach its maximum elevation and the epiglottis took longer to complete its total inversion. The analysis of the temporal sequence showed that patients in the aspirators group presented greater disorganization with significant alteration of the time interval between the events.

Detection of Swallow Kinematic Events From Acoustic High-Resolution Cervical Auscultation Signals in Patients With Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there were any associations between high-resolution cervical auscultation (HRCA) acoustic signals recorded by a contact microphone and swallowing kinematic events during pharyngeal swallow as assessed by a videofluoroscopic (VF) examination. DESIGN: Prospective pilot study. SETTING: University teaching hospital, university research laboratories. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=35) with stroke who have suspected dysphagia (26 men + 9 women; age = 65.8±11.2). METHODS: VF recordings of 100 liquid swallows from 35 stroke patients were analyzed, and a variety of HRCA signal features to characterize each swallow were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percent of signal feature maxima (peak) occurring within 0.1 seconds of swallow kinematic event identified from VF recording. RESULTS: Maxima of HRCA signal features, such as standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, centroid frequency, bandwidth, and wave entropy, were associated with hyoid elevation, laryngeal vestibule closure, and upper esophageal sphincter opening, and the contact of the base of the tongue and posterior pharyngeal wall. CONCLUSIONS: Although the kinematic source of HRCA acoustic signals has yet to be fully elucidated, these results indicate a strong relationship between these HRCA signals and several swallow kinematic events. There is a potential for HRCA to be developed for diagnostic and rehabilitative clinical management of dysphagia.

Analysis of respiratory movements in a mouse model of late Parkinson's disease submitted to stress.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is known to cause tremor and rigidity, but other symptoms such as respiratory and autonomic dysfunctions are a major cause of disability and mortality in patients. In this study, we examined respiratory movements by using cineradiography on a murine model of late/advanced PD. Under surgical anesthesia, C57BL/6J mice received an injection of either 6-OHDA or vehicle solution to the right striatum. Two weeks after surgery, the animals had their respiratory movements recorded by video X-ray without any restraint. During recordings the animals were submitted to a mild acute-stress challenge. Behavioral tests were performed to assess the severity of the 6-OHDA lesion. As a result, behavioral tests confirmed severe motor impairments in 6-OHDA mice as compared to controls. 6-OHDA mice showed a predominantly thoracic respiratory pattern with reduced diaphragmatic excursion, and reduced respiratory frequency after stress. These results suggest that advanced nigrostrial degeneration may cause respiratory alterations with the features of obstructive-type respiratory disorders.

Recommendations for the imaging assessment of prosthetic heart valves: a report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging endorsed by the Chinese Society of Echocardiography, the Inter-American Society of Echocardiography, and the Brazilian Department of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Prosthetic heart valve (PHV) dysfunction is rare but potentially life-threatening. Although often challenging, establishing the exact cause of PHV dysfunction is essential to determine the appropriate treatment strategy. In clinical practice, a comprehensive approach that integrates several parameters of valve morphology and function assessed with 2D/3D transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography is a key to appropriately detect and quantitate PHV dysfunction. Cinefluoroscopy, multidetector computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and to a lesser extent, nuclear imaging are complementary tools for the diagnosis and management of PHV complications. The present document provides recommendations for the use of multimodality imaging in the assessment of PHVs.

Cineradiographic analysis of respiratory movements in a mouse model for early Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system known to cause a typical pattern of motor symptoms. In its later stages, PD is known to cause respiratory alterations including shortening of operational volumes and reduced velocity of respiratory-muscle contraction. It has been proposed that such changes are secondary to changes in posture and osteoarticular degeneration, leading to an alteration in the spinal axis that in turn could affect breathing mechanics. In this study, we examined respiratory movements by using cineradiography on a murine (C57BL/6J) model of mild hemi-PD. Under surgical anesthesia, PD mice received an injection of 6-OHDA solution to the right striatum, and were compared to control mice, which received an injection of saline solution. Two weeks after surgery, all mice had their respiratory movements recorded by video X-ray without any restraint. Behavioral tests were performed to assess the severity of the 6-OHDA lesion. As a result, behavioral tests confirmed mild motor impairments in PD mice as compared to controls. Parameters of respiratory function showed mild alterations in the PD group, suggestive of a restrictive-type respiratory disorder. These results suggest that respiratory alterations in PD may emerge simultaneously to other motor symptoms, and not as a consequence of the latter.

Velopharyngeal valving during speech, in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome and patients with non-syndromic palatal clefts after surgical and speech pathology management.

BACKGROUND: Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is the most common genetic syndrome associated with cleft palate. There are reports describing several anomalies associated with the palatal cleft in patients with VCFS, which can affect the characteristics of the velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in these cases. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess velopharyngeal sphincter function during speech, using videonasopharyngoscopy (VNP) and videofluoroscopy (VF), in patients with VCFS, as compared with patients with non-syndromic palatal clefts (NSCP). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty patients with VCFS corroborated by a FISH test were studied. All patients showed a palatal cleft. All patients had received previous management including speech therapy and palatal repair. These patients underwent a thorough clinical speech evaluation, including VNP and VF. Twenty patients with NSCP matched by sex, type of cleft and within the age range of the patients with VCFS were studied as controls. RESULTS: From the patients with VCFS, seventeen patients showed a submucous cleft palate. Three patients showed sub-total cleft of the secondary palate. Fourteen patients (70%) showed a coronal velopharyngeal closure pattern. Six patients (30%) showed a circular pattern. In contrast, 10 patients (50%) from the NSCP group showed a circular pattern, two of them showed a Passavant's ridge. Seven patients (35%) showed a coronal pattern and 3 patients (15%) showed a saggital pattern. Mean velum (V) and lateral pharyngeal wall (LPW) motion were significantly decreased in patients with VCFS (V=46% vs 71%; LPW=14% vs 30%; P<0.001). Size of the defect during speech was significantly increased in patients with VCFS (34.57% vs 67.37%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Velopharyngeal valving during speech is significantly different in patients with VCFS as compared with patients with NSCP. Several anomalies associated with the palatal cleft in patients with VCFS can explain these differences. Thus, the surgical approach for repairing a palatal cleft should consider these differences. Moreover, surgical planning should be performed according to the specific findings of the velopharyngeal sphincter in order to improve speech outcome.

Evaluation of swallowing in children with vomiting after feeding.

Vomiting after feeding is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), which are considered to be a cause of infant feeding disorder. The objective of the present study was to evaluate swallowing in children with feeding disorder manifested by vomiting after feeding. Using clinical and videofluoroscopic methods we studied the swallowing of 37 children with vomiting after feeding (mean age=15.4 months), and of 15 healthy children (mean age=20.5 months). In the videofluoroscopic examination the children swallowed a free volume of milk and 5 ml of mashed banana, both mixed with barium sulfate. We evaluated five swallows of liquid and five swallows of paste. The videofluoroscopic examination was recorded at 60 frames/s. Patients had difficulty during feeding, pneumonia, respiratory distress, otitis, and irritability more frequently than controls. During feeding, children with vomiting, choke were irritable, and refused food more frequently than controls, and during the videofluoroscopic examination the patients had more backward movement of the head than controls for both the liquid and paste boluses. There was no difference in the timing of oral swallowing transit, pharyngeal swallowing transit, or pharyngeal clearance between patients and controls. We conclude that children with vomiting after feeding may have difficulties in accepting feeding, although they have no alteration of oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.

Cinefluoroscopic assessment of mechanical disc prostheses: its value as a complementary method to echocardiography.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Many types of mechanical prostheses are used for heart valve replacement, but it is difficult to distinguish between them using transthoracic echocardiography. Hence, cinefluoroscopy complements the echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac prostheses. The aims of the present study were to: (i) describe the contribution of cinefluoroscopy in identifying different prostheses; (ii) compare gradients obtained by Doppler echocardiography with the opening angle of the discs assessed by cinefluoroscopy; and (iii) assess the ability of cinefluoroscopy to distinguish normal from dysfunctional prostheses. METHODS: A total of 229 mechanical disc prostheses was prospectively evaluated with cinefluoroscopy. Eight prosthetic valves (six aortic, two mitral) were excluded due to the coexistence of severe left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, the final analysis comprised 221 prosthetic valves (146 aortic, 75 mitral). RESULTS: Based on the characteristics of the ring and the discs, cinefluoroscopy identified 87 single-leaflet and 134 bileaflet prostheses. Disc motion allowed distinction to be made between normal and dysfunctional prostheses (opening angle: 74 +/- 13 degrees versus 49 +/- 18 degrees). Fluoroscopy could not define disc profile or the ring in 6% of aortic valves and in 26% of mitral prostheses. The technique could be used to identify the TriTechnologies and HP-Biplus valves, but could not provide data on prosthetic function due to radiolucency of the discs. Among the 146 aortic prostheses, Doppler echocardiography helped to identify 109 normal valves and 37 dysfunctional valves. Among 75 mitral prostheses, 54 normal and 21 dysfunctional prosthetic valves were identified. When both methods were correlated, the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of fluoroscopy to distinguish normal from malfunctioning prostheses were 83%, 80%, 89%, and 71%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Each prosthesis type has radioscopic characteristics that allow its identification. Fluoroscopy permitted rapid and easy evaluation of mechanical prosthetic valve function, and in most cases allowed a distinction to be made between normal and dysfunctional prostheses. The presence of high gradients by Doppler echocardiography, with normal opening angles by fluoroscopy, and without pannus on transesophageal echocardiography, is indicative of patient-prosthesis mismatch. Fluoroscopy was superior to echocardiography in identifying disc motion, whilst Doppler study allowed the measurement of gradients and areas, and semiquantification of regurgitation. Thus, cinefluooscopy rapidly provides valuable information which is complementary to that obtained by echocardiography.

Lateral laryngopharyngeal diverticulum: anatomical and videofluoroscopic study.

The aims were to characterize the anatomical region where the lateral laryngopharyngeal protrusion occurs and to define if this protrusion is a normal or a pathological entity. This protrusion was observed on frontal contrasted radiographs as an addition image on the upper portion of the laryngopharynx. We carried out a plane-by-plane qualitative anatomical study through macroscopic and mesoscopic surgical dissection on 12 pieces and analyzed through a videofluoroscopic method on frontal incidence the pharyngeal phase of the swallowing process of 33 patients who had a lateral laryngopharyngeal protrusion. The anatomical study allowed us to identify the morphological characteristics that configure the high portion of the piriform recess as a weak anatomical point. The videofluoroscopic study allowed us to observe the laryngopharyngeal protrusion and its relation to pharyngeal repletion of the contrast medium. All kinds of the observed protrusions could be classified as "lateral laryngopharyngeal diverticula." The lateral diverticula were more frequent in older people. These lateral protrusions can be found on one or both sides, usually with a small volume, without sex or side prevalence. This formation is probably a sign of a pharyngeal transference difficulty associated with a deficient tissue resistance in the weak anatomical point of the high portion of the piriform recess.

Fibrinolytic therapy for thrombosis in cardiac valvular prosthesis short and long term results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the short- and long-term results of the use of streptokinase (SK) for the treatment of thromboses in cardiac valvular prostheses. METHODS: Seventeen patients with cardiac prosthetic thrombosis diagnosed by clinical, echocardiographic, and radioscopic findings underwent fibrinolytic treatment with a streptokinase bolus of 250,000 U followed by 100.000 U/hour. Short- and long-term results were assessed by radioscopy and echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, 12 had mechanical double-disk prostheses (4 aortic, 6 mitral, 2 tricuspid), 4 had single-disk prostheses (2 aortic, 1 mitral, and 1 tricuspid), and 1 had a tricuspid bioprosthesis. The success rate was 64.8%, the partial success rate was 17.6%, and the nonsuccess rate was 17.6%. All patients with a double-disk prosthesis responded, completely or partially, to the treatment. None of the patients with a single-disk prosthesis had complete resolution of the thrombosis. The time of streptokinase infusion ranged from 6 to 80 hours (mean of 56 h). The mortality rate due to the use of streptokinase was 5.8% and was secondary to cerebral bleeding. During streptokinase infusion, 3 (17.6%) embolic episodes occurred as follows: 1 cerebral, 1 peripheral, and 1 coronary. The rethrombosis index was 33% in a mean follow-up of 42 months. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrinolytic agents was effective and relatively safe in patients with primary thrombosis of a double-disk prosthesis. A fatal hemorrhagic complication occurred in 1 (5.8%) patient, and embolic complications occurred in 3 (17.6%) patients. In a mean 42-month follow-up, 67% of the patients were free from rethrombosis.

Terapia fibrinolítica para trombose de próteses valvares cardíacas: resultados imediatos e tardios / Fibrinolytic therapy for thrombosis in cardiac valvular prosthesis short and long term results

OBJECTIVE: To assess the short- and long-term results of the use of streptokinase (SK) for the treatment of thromboses in cardiac valvular prostheses. METHODS: Seventeen patients with cardiac prosthetic thrombosis diagnosed by clinical, echocardiographic, and radioscopic findings underwent fibrinolytic treatment with a streptokinase bolus of 250,000 U followed by 100.000 U/hour. Short- and long-term results were assessed by radioscopy and echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, 12 had mechanical double-disk prostheses (4 aortic, 6 mitral, 2 tricuspid), 4 had single-disk prostheses (2 aortic, 1 mitral, and 1 tricuspid), and 1 had a tricuspid bioprosthesis. The success rate was 64.8 percent, the partial success rate was 17.6 percent, and the nonsuccess rate was 17.6 percent. All patients with a double-disk prosthesis responded, completely or partially, to the treatment. None of the patients with a single-disk prosthesis had complete resolution of the thrombosis. The time of streptokinase infusion ranged from 6 to 80 hours (mean of 56 h). The mortality rate due to the use of streptokinase was 5.8 percent and was secondary to cerebral bleeding. During streptokinase infusion, 3 (17.6 percent) embolic episodes occurred as follows: 1 cerebral, 1 peripheral, and 1 coronary. The rethrombosis index was 33 percent in a mean follow-up of 42 months. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrinolytic agents was effective and relatively safe in patients with primary thrombosis of a double-disk prosthesis. A fatal hemorrhagic complication occurred in 1 (5.8 percent) patient, and embolic complications occurred in 3 (17.6 percent) patients. In a mean 42-month follow-up, 67 percent of the patients were free from rethrombosis

Enfermedad coronaria diagnosticada por cinecoronariografía y su relación con la enfermedad periodontal: estudio preliminar / Coronary disease diagnosed by cinecoronariography and its relation to periodontal disease: a preliminary study

En los últimos años, importantes estudios han demostrado la relación existente entre infeción como enfermedad periodontal (EP) y condiciones inflamatorias crónicas como la enfermedad coronaria (EC). Con el objeto de evaluar la relación entre EP y EC, se realizó este estudio prospectivo, observacional, doble ciego. Se estudiaron 181 pacientes de ambos sexos (75 por ciento hombres y 25 por ciento mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 35 y 65 años. La muestra incluyó pacientes que ingresaron al servicio de hemodinamia del ICYCC para ser sometidos a cinecoronariografía diagnóstica. A dichos pacientes se los citó al servicio de odontología para diagnosticar la severidad de la EP. Para ello se registraron en "los dientes de Ramfjord" los siguientes parámetros: profundidad de sondaje, pérdida de inserción, movilidad, lesión de furcación y pérdida ósea radiográfica. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos, A y B, de acuerdo a la presencia o ausencia de enfermedad coronaria significativa (ECS) respectivamente. Se consideró ECS a la presencia de por lo menos una obstrucción en la arteria coronaria epicárdica principal o una de sus ramas que comprometieran la luz en un 70 por ciento. Los grupos antes mencionados A (n=107) y B (n=74) fueron subclasificados de acuerdo a la presencia o ausencia de EP, quedando así la población inicial dividida en 4 subgrupos: A1=ECS+EP; A2=ECS+ sin EP; B1= sin ECS+EP; B2= sin ECS+ sin EP. Al correlacionar los diferentes factores de riesgo coronario (FRC) en análisis univariado utilizando el método de Fisher, la hipercolesterolemia (OR=5,6), el tabaquismo (OR=2,4), la hipertensión arterial (OR=2,6), la diabetes (OR=4,4), el sexo masculino (OR=2,5), dieron resultados estadísticamente significativos (ES) al relacionarlos con la EC. Se evaluó la asociación de EP con EC obteniendo un OR=3,4 siendo ES. Al realizar un análisis multivariado se observó que la hipercolesterolemia (p=0,0002) y la enfermedad periodontal (p=0,0147) demostraron ser FRC independientes (AU)

Enfermedad coronaria diagnosticada por cinecoronariografía y su relación con la enfermedad periodontal: estudio preliminar / Coronary disease diagnosed by cinecoronariography and its relation to periodontal disease: a preliminary study

En los últimos años, importantes estudios han demostrado la relación existente entre infeción como enfermedad periodontal (EP) y condiciones inflamatorias crónicas como la enfermedad coronaria (EC). Con el objeto de evaluar la relación entre EP y EC, se realizó este estudio prospectivo, observacional, doble ciego. Se estudiaron 181 pacientes de ambos sexos (75 por ciento hombres y 25 por ciento mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 35 y 65 años. La muestra incluyó pacientes que ingresaron al servicio de hemodinamia del ICYCC para ser sometidos a cinecoronariografía diagnóstica. A dichos pacientes se los citó al servicio de odontología para diagnosticar la severidad de la EP. Para ello se registraron en "los dientes de Ramfjord" los siguientes parámetros: profundidad de sondaje, pérdida de inserción, movilidad, lesión de furcación y pérdida ósea radiográfica. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos, A y B, de acuerdo a la presencia o ausencia de enfermedad coronaria significativa (ECS) respectivamente. Se consideró ECS a la presencia de por lo menos una obstrucción en la arteria coronaria epicárdica principal o una de sus ramas que comprometieran la luz en un 70 por ciento. Los grupos antes mencionados A (n=107) y B (n=74) fueron subclasificados de acuerdo a la presencia o ausencia de EP, quedando así la población inicial dividida en 4 subgrupos: A1=ECS+EP; A2=ECS+ sin EP; B1= sin ECS+EP; B2= sin ECS+ sin EP. Al correlacionar los diferentes factores de riesgo coronario (FRC) en análisis univariado utilizando el método de Fisher, la hipercolesterolemia (OR=5,6), el tabaquismo (OR=2,4), la hipertensión arterial (OR=2,6), la diabetes (OR=4,4), el sexo masculino (OR=2,5), dieron resultados estadísticamente significativos (ES) al relacionarlos con la EC. Se evaluó la asociación de EP con EC obteniendo un OR=3,4 siendo ES. Al realizar un análisis multivariado se observó que la hipercolesterolemia (p=0,0002) y la enfermedad periodontal (p=0,0147) demostraron ser FRC independientes

Clinical applications and techniques of cinedefecography.

BACKGROUND: Cinedefecography is of value in routine examination of functional disorders of the pelvic floor. Interest in this technique has rapidly expanded owing to the increased availability of colorectal physiologic testing and better understanding of the multifactorial pathophysiology involving evacuation disorders. METHODS: A summary of the available techniques, methodology, and indications for cinedefecography was undertaken. In addition, information was provided on interpretation of these images particularly in the context of anatomic abnormalities and clinical applications. RESULTS: Cinedefecography can be rapidly and easily performed using standard radiographic equipment. Effective radiation dose is significantly lower than for other intestinal contrast studies. The technique has been found most useful for measurements of perineal descent, puborectalis length, and ascertaining the function of the puborectalis muscle and pelvic floor. Common diagnoses that can be made by this test include nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome, perineal descent, rectocele, enterocele, sigmoidocele, and rectoanal intussusception. CONCLUSION: Cinedefecography provides a wide range of information to assist the surgeon with the evaluation and management of patients with evacuatory and other associated pelvic floor disorders.

Diseño y análisis de un sistema para medir los movimientos mandibulares / Design and analysis of a system to record mandibular movements

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo diseñar un sistema que permitiera analizar y cuantificar el movimiento mandibular en nuestro medio, con las mínimas interferencias posibles. Para ello se utilizó un soporte intraoral en acrílico, un sistema de emisión de luz conformado por cuatro LEDs (diodos emisores de luz), dos superiores y dos inferiores, dos cámaras de video y se creó un software para el análisis. Se evaluó la masticación con zanahoria y chicle y los movimientos bordeantes, todo en el plano frontal y sagital. Los resultados más cercanos a la realidad se obtuvieron con LEDs izquierdos. Los ciclos mostrados durante la masticación de chicle tienen un componente vertical mayor que el anteroposterior o el horizontal, cuando se comparó con la zanahoria. El período de duración de un ciclo fue de 0.68 para la zanahoria y de 0.88 segundos para el chicle. Se encontraron pausas durante el movimiento de 0.06 a 0.33 segundos y una velocidad durante el ciclo de 225 milímetros por segundo. A pesar de que el sistema aún tiene dificultades, demostró ser útil para registrar y cuantificar el movimiento mandibular

Trombolisis reiteradas en protésis tricuspide de Bjork Shiley / Repeated thrombolysis in Bjork-Shiley tricuspic prothesis

Se reportó una paciente de 40 años de edad evolucionada durante cinco años por presentar enfermedad de Ebstein de la válvula tricúspide. En 1986 se le realizó el cierre de la comunicación interrauricular y la sustitución de la válvula por una prótesis biológica, la cual degeneró en abril de 1990;se le sustituye por una prótesis mecánica de Bjork Shiley # 31 en ese propio año. Evolucionó con bajo gasto cardíaco severo y sangramiento por lo que se difirióel cierre esternal dos días después. Reingresó dos meses más tarde, con un episodio de trombosis valvular que se trató exitosamente con trombolisis. Después de tres meses, libre de síntomas, presentó nuevo episodio de trombosis, siendo trombolizada durante ese ingreso, por dos ocasiones con éxito parcial. Actualmente la prótesis tricúspide es insuficiente por la dificultad en el cierre, por probable trombosis parcial. La paciente se encuentra libre de síntomas. Esta observación demuestra la importancia del tratamiento trombolítico en las trombosis protésicas valvulares y la utilidad de la ecocardiografía y de la cinefluoroscopia como guía en el diagnóstico y evaluación de la terapéutica (AU)