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OBJECTIVE: To estimate rates and time to reach emergence of consciousness from vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS), and explore factors associated with improved recovery in children and adolescents with disorders of consciousness (DoC) following severe traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury. METHODS: Analytical, retrospective, cohort study. Clinical records of consecutively referred patients admitted in VS/UWS to a neurological rehabilitation institute in Argentina, between 2005 and 2021 were reviewed. Seventy children and adolescents were included in the analysis. A specialized 12-week rehabilitation program was administered, and emergence was defined by scores ≥44 points on the Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP), sustained for at least 3 weeks on consecutive weekly evaluations. RESULTS: Emergence from VS/UWS to consciousness occurred within 5.4 (SD 2.6) weeks in almost one-third of patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed emergence was significantly lower in patients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy compared to patients with other non-traumatic etiologies [HRadj 0.23 (95% CI 0.06-0.89); p = 0.03)]. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reinforce growing evidence on the impact of etiology on DoC recovery in pediatric populations, ultimately influencing treatment and family-related decisions in child neurorehabilitation.

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Introducción y objetivoAunque los comités multidisciplinares (CMD) están recomendados en el manejo del cáncer de próstata avanzado (CPA), su funcionamiento en práctica real se ha evaluado escasamente. Desarrollamos un estudio multicéntrico con el objetivo de evaluar el funcionamiento de los CMD urooncológicos en seis hospitales.Materiales y métodosRealizamos un estudio transversal descriptivo. El nivel de cumplimiento de los requisitos de calidad fundamentales (CRCF) de los CMD, se evaluó aplicando un cuestionario a los coordinadores de los CMD de cada hospital. La perspectiva de los miembros de los CMD se evaluó aplicando una encuesta anónima telemática.ResultadosEvidenciamos un alto nivel de CRCF en los CMD (75%), mostrando deficiencias en la actualización de protocolos, agendas, auditorías y producción científica. La encuesta fue respondida por un 62,32% de los 69 médicos encuestados (urólogos, oncólogos, radioterapéutas, radiólogos y anatomopatólogos). El 88,4% considera adecuado el tiempo de las reuniones. Existen opiniones dispares sobre la protección del tiempo de las reuniones y la actualización de protocolos. El 62,8% de los pacientes presentados requieren la intervención de dos especialidades. La mitad de los encuestados cree que se discuten todos los casos de CPRC y que existe una agenda previa. Las decisiones del CMD quedan reflejadas en la historia clínica en un 65,1% y son vinculantes en un 60,5%. La mitad de los encuestados niegan capacitación en CMD. La mayoría de los participantes (90,7%) avalan los beneficios de los CMD.ConclusionesLas evaluaciones de los CMD identifican deficiencias subsanables modificando la inercia hospitalaria y la planificación asistencial (AU)

Introduction and objectiveAlthough Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) are recommended in the management of Advanced Prostate Cancer (APC), their functioning in real practice has been poorly evaluated. We carried out a multicenter study with the objective of evaluating the functioning of uro-oncology MDTs in 6 hospitals.Materials and methodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. The level of Compliance with the Fundamental Quality Requirements (CFQR) of the MDTs was evaluated by means of a questionnaire filled out by the coordinators of the MDTs in each hospital. The information on the perspective of the members of the MDTs was evaluated through an anonymous survey.ResultsA high level of CFQR in MDTs was evidenced (75%), showing deficiencies in terms of protocol update, agendas, audits, and scientific production. The survey was answered by 62.32% of the 69 physicians surveyed (urologists, oncologists, radiation therapists, radiologists, and pathologists). The 88.4% consider the duration of the meetings appropriate. There are disparate opinions concerning the protection of the MDT meeting time as well as protocol update. Of the patients with APC presented at the MDTs meeting, 62,8% require intervention from two specialties. Only 50% of respondents believe that all CRPC cases are discussed and that there is a prior agenda. The decisions made by the MDTs are reflected in the clinical history in 65.1% and are binding only in 60.5% of the cases. Half of the respondents have not been trained in MDTs. Most participants (90.7%) agree on the fact that MDTs. convey benefits.ConclusionsThe evaluations of the MDTs identify rectifiable deficiencies by modifying hospital inertia and care planning (AU)

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Durante los meses de febrero a mayo de 2014 se caracterizaron las interconsultas de pacientes del área de internación que no eran atendidos por equipos interdisciplinarios y por los que se consultaba por primera vez, realizadas por los becarios del Servicio de Salud Mental (SSM). Se analizaron los datos ociobiodemográficos de los pacientes, las categorías de los pedidos y los diagnósticos e intervenciones por parte del servicio de salud mental. También se analizó la coincidencia de los diagnósticos realizados por los pediatras solicitantes con los realizados por los especialistas. La muestra total quedó constituida por 62 pacientes, 53% de sexo masculino, 70% proveniente del conurbano. Los pediatras consideraron que el 94% de las consultas debían realizarse en el día. El pedido más frecuente fue el requerimiento de atención por síntomas psicopatológicos en el niño (45%), seguidos por el malestar en el niño inherente a la situación de enfermar (21%). De los síntomas psicopatológicos, los conversivos fueron los más frecuentes. En el 8% de los casos el especialista consideró luego de la evaluación que la interconsulta no era pertinente. En el 41% de los casos existió total coincidencia en el diagnóstico realizado por el pediatra y por el especialista. Los especialistas diagnosticaron 6% menos síntomas psicopatológicos que los pediatras en los niños, y 5% más en los padres. La intervención más utilizada fue la psicoterapéutica (90%). Solo requirieron farmacoterapia el 10% de los pacientes. El 86% de las consultas requirieron seguimiento durante la internación y el 26%, continuar de manera ambulatoria tras el alta (AU)

Between February and May 2014 consultations from the inpatient area for children who were not managed by multidisciplinary teams and who were consulted for the first time were evaluated by fellows from the Department of Mental Health. Sociodemographic data of the patients, consultation categories, diagnoses, and interventions by the Mental Health team were analyzed. Coincidence between the diagnosis made by the pediatricians who requested the consultation and that made by the specialists was also assessed. The total sample consisted of 62 patients; 53% were male and 70% came from Greater Buenos Aires. The pediatricians considered that 94% of the children needed consultation on the same day. The most common request for consultation was because of psychopathological symptoms in the child (45%), followed by disease-related discomfort in the child (21%). Conversion symptoms were the most common psychopathological symptoms observed. In 8% of the cases, after evaluation the specialist did not consider the consultation necessary. In 41% of the cases the diagnosis of the specialist coincided with that of the pediatrician. Specialists diagnosed 6% less psychopathological symptoms in children and 5% more in parents compared to pediatricians. The most commonly used intervention was psychotherapy (90%). Only 10% of the patients required pharmacotherapy. Overall, 86% of the consultations required follow-up during hospital stay and in 26% of the patients, follow-up in an outpatient setting was necessary (AU)

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The objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) in dystonic patients. In 1995, Truong et al reported encouraging results in five patients with idiopathic torsion dystonia (ITD) treated with DPH, an H1 antagonist with sedative and anticholinergic properties. Five patients with generalized ITD, one with secondary generalized dystonia and one with idiopathic segmental dystonia were included in the prospective study. Initially the response to intravenous administration of DPH versus placebo in two sessions a week apart was evaluated. Two weeks later all patients started oral DPH in increasing doses (range 100-300 mg, mean 164 mg). The degree of dystonia was determined by a modified University of Columbia Scale evaluating the baseline score, after placebo and DPH I.V. administration then at one and six months after starting oral treatment. The results were analyzed by Friedman's test for repeated measurements. On comparing scores for baseline severity, I.V. placebo and I.V. DPH presented a highly significant correlation (12.09; p = 0.00) as well as comparing baseline score with oral DPH at one and 6 months, treatment (12.78; p = 0.00). Functional score results were 9.5 p = 0.01 and 8.4 p = 0.02 at one and 6 months respectively. The most common side effects were somnolence and dizziness. It can be concluded that DPH proved effective in our patients with mild to moderate adverse effects not requiring drug withdrawal in any case. However, I.V. challenge was unable to predict the long-term response to oral medication perhaps due to the limited number of cases.

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The objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) in dystonic patients. In 1995, Truong et al reported encouraging results in five patients with idiopathic torsion dystonia (ITD) treated with DPH, an H1 antagonist with sedative and anticholinergic properties. Five patients with generalized ITD, one with secondary generalized dystonia and one with idiopathic segmental dystonia were included in the prospective study. Initially the response to intravenous administration of DPH versus placebo in two sessions a week apart was evaluated. Two weeks later all patients started oral DPH in increasing doses (range 100-300 mg, mean 164 mg). The degree of dystonia was determined by a modified University of Columbia Scale evaluating the baseline score, after placebo and DPH I.V. administration then at one and six months after starting oral treatment. The results were analyzed by Friedmans test for repeated measurements. On comparing scores for baseline severity, I.V. placebo and I.V. DPH presented a highly significant correlation (12.09; p = 0.00) as well as comparing baseline score with oral DPH at one and 6 months, treatment (12.78; p = 0.00). Functional score results were 9.5 p = 0.01 and 8.4 p = 0.02 at one and 6 months respectively. The most common side effects were somnolence and dizziness. It can be concluded that DPH proved effective in our patients with mild to moderate adverse effects not requiring drug withdrawal in any case. However, I.V. challenge was unable to predict the long-term response to oral medication perhaps due to the limited number of cases.

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