Pilar Sanjuán

Escalas de probabilidad clínica y algoritmo diagnóstico en la embolia pulmonar: ¿se siguen en la práctica clínica?

INTRODUCTION Clinical probability scores (CPS) determine the pre-test probability of pulmonary embolism (PE) and assess the need for the tests required in these patients. Our objective is to investigate if PE is diagnosed according to clinical practice guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study of clinically suspected PE in the emergency department between January 2010 and December 2012. A D-dimer value ≥ 500 ng/ml was considered positive. PE was diagnosed on the basis of the multislice computed tomography angiography and, to a lesser extent, with other imaging techniques. The CPS used was the revised Geneva scoring system. RESULTS There was 3,924 cases of suspected PE (56% female). Diagnosis was determined in 360 patients (9.2%) and the incidence was 30.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year. Sensitivity and the negative predictive value of the D-dimer test were 98.7% and 99.2% respectively. CPS was calculated in only 24 cases (0.6%) and diagnostic algorithms were not followed in 2,125 patients (54.2%): in 682 (17.4%) because clinical probability could not be estimated and in 482 (37.6%), 852 (46.4%) and 109 (87.9%) with low, intermediate and high clinical probability, respectively, because the diagnostic algorithms for these probabilities were not applied. CONCLUSIONS CPS are rarely calculated in the diagnosis of PE and the diagnostic algorithm is rarely used in clinical practice. This may result in procedures with potential significant side effects being unnecessarily performed or to a high risk of underdiagnosis.

Revisión de la enfermedad del pulmón de granjero

Farmers lung disease (FLD) is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by inhaling microorganisms from hay or grain stored in conditions of high humidity in the agricultural workplace. It is probably underdiagnosed, especially in northern Spain, where climatic conditions favor the development of this disease. According to previous studies, the most common antigens are usually thermophilic actinomycetes and fungi. The epidemiology of the disease is not well known, and is based on studies conducted by Central European and Asian groups. The clinical presentation may vary, differentiating the chronic (exposure to lower concentrations of the antigen over a longer period time) and the acute forms (after exposure to high concentrations of the antigen). In patients with respiratory symptoms and agricultural occupational exposure, radiological, lung function and/or anatomical pathology findings must be compatible with FLD, bronchoalveolar lavage must show lymphocytosis, and tests must find sensitivity to the antigen. The main treatment is avoidance of the antigen, so it is essential to educate patients on preventive measures. To date, no controlled studies have assessed the role of immunosuppressive therapy in this disease. Corticosteroid treatment has only been shown to accelerate resolution of the acute forms, but there is no evidence that it is effective in preventing disease progression in the long-term or reducing mortality.

Carcinoide bronquial y síndrome de neoplasias endocrinas múltiples TIPO 1. Aportación de un caso

Carcinoid tumours of bronchial origin are rare in type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1) syndrome. The prevalence of histologically confirmed cases is approximately 5-8%, although in more recent studies it is estimated that it could be much higher and a possible relationship with the presence of hypergastrinaemia is suggested. We report a patient with a type 1 MEN syndrome, with no respiratory symptoms, with hypergastrinaemia, and in whom a 5mm diameter nodule was detected in the wall of the left main bronchus by computed tomography. The bronchial biopsy confirmed that it was a typical bronchial carcinoid and the octreoscan showed a single focus of high uptake coinciding with this lesion. A bronchoplastic (sleeve) was performed with extirpation of 3 bronchial rings, which also demonstrated that it was a typical carcinoid.

Bronchial Carcinoid and Type 1 Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome. A Case Report

Carcinoid tumours of bronchial origin are rare in type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1) syndrome. The prevalence of histologically confirmed cases is approximately 5-8%, although in more recent studies it is estimated that it could be much higher and a possible relationship with the presence of hypergastrinaemia is suggested. We report a patient with a type 1 MEN syndrome, with no respiratory symptoms, with hypergastrinaemia, and in whom a 5 mm diameter nodule was detected in the wall of the left main bronchus by computed tomography. The bronchial biopsy confirmed that it was a typical bronchial carcinoid and the octreoscan showed a single focus of high uptake coinciding with this lesion. A bronchoplastic (sleeve) was performed with extirpation of 3 bronchial rings, which also demonstrated that it was a typical carcinoid.