Caracterización del carcinoma hepatocelular en México

Introduction and aims

In Mexico, complications of cirrhosis are the third leading cause of death in adult males. In recent decades, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma has increased worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma at two Mexican tertiary care hospitals.

Técnicas de imagen en infección musculoesquelética

Imaging techniques are routinely used to evaluate patients with suspected musculoskeletal infection. Although radiographs will not establish the diagnosis, they should always be performed when infection is suspected because of their utility in differential diagnosis and follow-up. Radiographs provide an overview of the anatomical region of interest and of previous alterations that can influence the selection and interpretation of subsequently used techniques. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most sensitive examination, does not irradiate, and provides excellent anatomic detail and rapid results. This technique is especially valuable in spondylodiscitis, osteomyelitis, and diabetic foot infections. Its main limitations are the false-positives caused by nonspecific bone edema and poor reliability in the assessment of short-term therapeutic response. Among nuclear medicine procedures, the 3-phase bone scan is widely available and highly accurate in previously healthy bone. Labeled leukocyte scintigraphy should be used in complicated osteomyelitis, such as prosthetic infection, although it is also useful to exclude infection in diabetic foot and neuropathic joints. Ga-67 scintigraphy is useful in spinal infections. In these infections, positron emission tomography can also be a useful alternative. Finally, it is important to remember atypical radiological presentations in distinct locations and particular clinical situations, as well as certain conditions that can mimic infection.     

Osificación heterotópica de las piernas en un varón

Heterotopic ossification is an uncommon disorder that consists of deposition of ectopic bone outside the extraskeletal tissues. In the skin, it can be primary, in association with genetic syndromes, or be secondary to different disorders. The latter include subcutaneous ossification of the legs in chronic venousinsufficiency, an infrequent and unrecognized complication. We report the case of a patient with subcutaneous ossification of both legs secondary to venous insufficiency and review the literature.     

Detección de Clostridium difficile toxigénico en pediatría

Introduction

Our main objective was a revision of clinical, microbiological and epidemiological results of Clostridium difficile-associated infection in paediatric patients (2010-2015). We compared the diagnoses performed by detection of toxins in feces and those performed by real-time PCR.

Anticoagulación oral en la enfermedad renal crónica con fibrilación auricular

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist, amplifying the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. In patients with CKD stage 3 and non-valvular AF, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have shown, compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA), equal or greater efficacy in the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism, and greater safety. There are no randomized trials of the efficacy and safety of DOACs and VKA in advanced CKD. On the other hand, observational studies suggest that DOACs, compared to warfarin, are associated with a lower risk of acute kidney damage and generation/progression of CKD. This paper reviews the epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of the CKD and AF association, the evidence of the efficacy and safety of warfarin and ACODs in various stages of CKD with AF as well as the comparison between warfarin and ACODs in efficacy and anticoagulant safety, and in its renal effects.     

¿Se puede suspender la medicación en los pacientes con artritis reumatoide en remisión?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality. The combined use of methotrexate and biological agents directed against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has achieved significant improvement in clinical, radiographic and functional parameters not seen previously and has revolutionized the therapeutic goal of achieving remission in clinical, structural and functional parameters. The next goal should be to achieve remission without the use of biological drugs and later without medication. Although there is evidence about the efficacy and safety of TNF inhibitors, there is none on remission without the use of biological agents or disease modifying drugs.     

Actualización en cardiología intervencionista

This article contains a review of the most important studies on interventional cardiology reported in either publications or presentations. In the area of coronary interventions, ST-elevation myocardial infarction continues to take center place: recent studies have confirmed the importance of timely intervention and the safety of drug-eluting stents. The numerous studies that have compared different generations of drugeluting stents indicate that there has been a steady improvement in safety and efficacy. In addition, the use of stents in the left main coronary artery and in multivessel disease have also been investigated in major studies. Of the different intracoronary diagnostic techniques, optical coherence tomography is highlighted by this review, particularly for its use in the study of drug-eluting stents. There is increasing interest in the percutaneous treatment of structural heart disease, specifically percutaneous aortic valve implantation, especially following the publication of the first randomized trial, which produced encouraging results.     

Actualización en cardiología intervencionista

This article contains a detailed review of the most important studies on interventional cardiology reported in either publications or presentations. With regard to coronary interventions, ST-elevation myocardial infarction is highlighted because of the ongoing substantial expansion in primary angioplasty programs. Drug-eluting stents, especially new-generation stents, continue to be the focus of numerous studies. Clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with left main coronary artery or multivessel disease are also dealt with by much research. In addition, intracoronary diagnostic techniques, particularly optical coherence tomography, is reviewed. Finally, there is increasing interest in the percutaneous treatment of structural heart disease, particularly percutaneous aortic valve implantation