RESUMO

Migraine with aura may be confused with a stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging is an important tool for the differential diagnosis. Cerebral hypoperfusion has been described in classic migraine, mainly during the aura. A 47-year-old male had an unremarkable past medical history. After sneezing, he developed a left hemi hypoesthesia, bitemporal vision loss, photopsia, and some distortion in the position of letters and words. This lasted <1 h, and it was followed by a severe headache. A magnetic resonance angiography was performed during the headache. It showed a left hemispheric hypoperfusion that did not correlate with the symptoms described by the patient. It is believed that during the aura, cerebral blood flow decreases, leading to hypoxia and decreased cellular energy generation, and these metabolic alterations define the symptoms of the patient. In our case, we documented brain hypoperfusion during the headache in the ipsilateral brain hemisphere to the symptoms, which has no clinical correlation. This condition could be due to spasm in the capillary arteries, and it may persist and influence the clinical manifestations during the headache phase in migraine with aura. A state of generalized cerebral hyperperfusion has been suggested, and there may be a coexistence of both phenomena for some period. This may open a new line of research regarding the pathophysiology and vascular changes of migraine with aura.

RESUMO

Maize (Zea mays) is the second most cultivated grain crop in Ecuador, with growing significance as a source of fodder and food. During the rainy season (November and December) of 2018 and 2019, a disease of maize that was not previously observed in Ecuador was found at commercial fields of Misqui Sara variety, at four parishes of canton Quito (Tumbaco, Pifo, Puembo, and Checa), province of Pichincha. Infected plants, at tassel initiation, displayed symptoms of localized chlorotic streaks on leaves that expanded with time, and around a month later turned necrotic. Severely affected plants wilted and died. Symptoms appeared in lower leaves first and were later observed in upper leaves as the disease progressed. Disease incidence was between 20 and 30% in the affected plantations, with around 30% of infected plants wilting and dying, resulting in 20-25% of yield losses. Upper leaves from ten symptomatic plants, five from Puembo and five from Checa, were collected randomly. Two 0.5 cm2 pieces of leaf from each plant were excised from the margins of the necrotic lesions, surface sterilized and macerated in 9 mL of sterile peptone water. The 10-3 dilutions were plated onto nutrient agar and incubated at 28°C for 24 hours. Yellow, mucoid colonies were isolated on nutrient agar. Three isolates from Puembo and two from Checa were selected for testing Koch´s postulates and further biochemical and molecular characterization. Isolates were Gram-negative rods, oxidase negative, catalase, indol and citrate positive. Fragments of the 16S, gyrB, and rpoB loci were amplified and sequenced using the 27F/1492R (Lane, D. J., 1991), UP-1/UP-2r (Yamamoto & Harayama, 1995), and rpoBCM81-F/rpoBCM32b-R (Brady, C., et al., 2008) primer pairs, respectively. All isolates presented identical sequences for the different loci, therefore only sequences from isolate FP191505 were deposited in GenBank (GenBank accession no. MW528428-MW528430). A search of homologous sequences using BLAST resulted in identities of 99.3, 99.7, and 100 % for 16S, gyrB, and rpoB, respectively, with sequences from Pantoea ananatis type specimen LGM 2665 (Brady, C., et al., 2008; Hauben, L., et al., 1998; GenBank accession nos NR_119362.1, EF988824.1 EF988996.1), indicating that our isolates belong to this species. Pathogenicity tests were performed by syringe infiltration of bacterial suspensions. Each one of the five characterized P. ananatis isolates was inoculated in four leaves (500 ul of 1 x 108 CFU mL-1 per leave) of three healthy maize plants. Negative control plants were infiltrated with sterile distilled water. Plants were incubated at 28-30°C and 60% relative humidity for 24 hours. Later, plants were maintained in a greenhouse with 27°C/21°C day/night temperatures and observed daily. After six weeks all bacteria-inoculated plants developed symptoms of chlorosis and necrosis while the control was symptomless. Bacteria were re-isolated from symptomatic leaves and identified as P. ananatis following the same methodologies used for the initial identification. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. ananatis causing leaf spot of maize in Ecuador.

RESUMO

Pain located in the lateral aspect of the elbow is a common cause of consultation in the trauma consultation. The most common cause is "lateral epicondylitis," however there are several differential diagnoses that may require different management. There is a case of radial tunnel syndrome secondary to extrinsic compression, with an emphasis on its diagnosis and surgical technique.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Clenbuterol is a steroid-type drug used in respiratory treatments in both humans and animals. However, it has a secondary effect related to the hypertrophy process in muscle and fat reduction. The illegal or bad use of clenbuterol has been reported in several countries, but there is scarce information in South America, where the production and consumption of meat are considerable. In this sense, the present study aimed at evaluating the occurrence of clenbuterol in bovine muscle and liver samples from a high cattle production area of Ecuador in 2015 and 2018. For this purpose, 57-58 samples were evaluated in 2015 and 20 samples in 2018 using the Enzyme-Linked Inmuno Sorbent Assay and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed complained results for clenbuterol in meat samples from both years and 23% (2015) and 85% (2018) of the samples of meat complied the maximum residue level defined by CODEX.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumen ANTECEDENTES Los tumores cardiacos fetales son hallazgos esporádicos en el ultrasonido fetal con una incidencia de 1 caso por cada 10,000 nacidos vivos. Los rabdomiomas son los tumores cardiacos más comunes en la vida intrauterina (60-86%) seguidos por los fibromas y teratomas. Casi siempre tienen regresión espontánea, pueden ocasionar alteraciones hemodinámicas e incrementar la morbilidad y mortalidad perinatal; además de su importante asociación con el complejo de la esclerosis tuberosa, enfermedad genésica que cursa con epilepsia y déficit cognitivo. OBJETIVO Reportar la primera serie mexicana de casos de detección prenatal de rabdomiomas. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS Estudio retrospectivo consistente en la revisión de los expedientes de todos los fetos con diagnóstico prenatal de tumores cardiacos registrados de enero de 2007 a diciembre de 2017 en el Hospital Ángeles Lomas. A todas las pacientes se les realizó ultrasonido de segundo nivel y ecocardiografía avanzada prenatal y postnatal. RESULTADOS Se estudiaron siete casos, la mayoría con tumoraciones únicas. En un caso hubo alteraciones hemodinámicas durante el periodo fetal que le ocasionaron la muerte. En dos casos se confirmó esclerosis tuberosa. CONCLUSIONES Se trata de la primera serie de casos mexicanos de tumores cardiacos fetales. Los hallazgos fueron similares a los reportados en la bibliografía mundial, excepto que se encontraron más casos de tumores únicos que de múltiples. El tamaño del tumor, el número y la localización pueden predecir el pronóstico perinatal y, en especial, la posibilidad de esclerosis tuberosa.

Abstract BACKGROUND Fetal cardiac tumors are sporadic findings in fetal ultrasound with an incidence of 1 case per 10,000 live births. Rhabdomyomas are the most common cardiac tumors in intrauterine life (60-86%) followed by fibroids and teratomas. They almost always have spontaneous regression, can cause hemodynamic alterations and increase perinatal morbidity and mortality; in addition to its important association with the tuberous sclerosis complex, a genetic disease that presents with epilepsy and cognitive deficit. OBJECTIVE To report the first Mexican series of cases of prenatal detection of rhabdomyomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study consisting of the review of the records of all fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of cardiac tumors registered from January 2007 to December 2017 at the Ángeles Lomas Hospital. All patients underwent second-level ultrasound and advanced prenatal and postnatal echocardiography. RESULTS Seven cases were studied, most of them with single tumors. In one case there were hemodynamic alterations during the fetal period that caused his death. In two cases, tuberous sclerosis was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS This is the first series of Mexican cases of fetal cardiac tumors. The findings were similar to those reported in the world literature, except that more cases of single tumors were found than multiple tumors. The size of the tumor, the number and the location can predict the perinatal prognosis and, especially, the possibility of tuberous sclerosis.

RESUMO

Placental acretism is an adherencial pathology associated with a high maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Antepartum diagnosis is essential to plan a proper management and reduce serious complications. Risk factors in these patients include prior cesarean sections, uterine scars and placenta previa. Second level ultrasonography may detect placental acretism with high sensitivity and specificity; magnetic resonance imaging may play a complimentary role in the diagnosis of placental acretism when ultrasonographic findings are non-conclusive, specially when determining miometrium invasion in placental acretism (incretism, percretism). This paper reports the case of a patient treated at the ABC Medical Center of Santa Fe, in her second gestation with the diagnosis of an arcuate uterus, previous cesarean section and placenta previa who presented a vaginal bleeding during pregnancy; ultrasound evaluation, in the second trimester, identified a probable placental acretism, in the third trimester, the same technology suggested placenta percreta, complimentary magnetic resonance imaging supported this diagnosis, with probable invasion to bladder, bowel and abdominal wall muscles. Imaging studies were performed at the Hospital Angeles Lomas (Maternal Fetal Clinic). A diagnosis of placenta acreta-percreta, called for a multidisciplinary surgical team, availability of blood products and other resources to face probable complications associated to the obstetrical resolution. Maternal results were optimal since histopathological evaluation reported miometrial incretism, with placental invasion millimeters away from the uterine serosa. Most ultrasonographic studies evaluating the invasion degree of the placenta have small sample sizes, generating a greater degree of false positive or false negative observations. Therefore, we agree with other authors that in all acretism cases (independent of their invasion degree), a multidisciplinary surgical team should be assembled in order to increase patient's safety. Risk factor identification, precise prenatal diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management diminish maternal morbidity and mortality rates during obstetric resolution procedures.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic transdural spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is a rare entity with postsurgical and post-trauma forms. ISCH is often omited in the preoperative evaluation. It often affects the thoracic segment and presents clinically as a rare cause of progressive myelopathy or Brown-Séquard syndrome, whose diagnosis is established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report on this rare entity due to its difficult diagnosis, making optimal management difficult. CLINICAL CASE: We present the cases of two patients with ISCH who were misdiagnosed and operated on in other spinal segments without reaching an accurate diagnosis. In our institution, patients with clinical suspicion were evaluated by imaging studies in order to rule out other pathologies. Laminectomy was performed on the involved levels, reducing herniation and with the placement of a synthetic spinal patch to the duramater. CONCLUSIONS: ISCH has been attributed to congenital weakness of the duramater or the dural ventral duplication with herniation through the inner layer due to continuous pressure from cerebrospinal fluid that pushes the marrow out of the subdural space. It is estimated that presurgical diagnosis is done only in one third of the cases, confirmed by MRI. Surgery is performed on patients with symptom progression. Surveillance in those patients with mild symptoms is recommended. Treatment may allow recovery of the neurological deficit, improving motor affection in 80% of patients and sensory affection in 35%.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Introducción: La herniación medular transdural idiopática es una entidad rara cuyas formas son la postraumática y posquirúrgica; es omitida en la valoración preoperatoria y con frecuencia afecta al segmento torácico. Clínicamente puede causar mielopatía progresiva o síndrome de Brown-Séquard, cuyo diagnóstico se establece por resonancia magnética. La finalidad de informar esta entidad es su dificultad diagnóstica y, por lo tanto, para establecer un manejo óptimo. Casos clínicos: Dos pacientes mal diagnosticados al inicio e intervenidos en otros segmentos del raquis. Finalmente fueron valorados por sospecha clínica de herniación medular transdural idiopática y por exclusión de otras patologías. Se les realizó laminectomía en los niveles afectados, reducción de la hernia medular y colocación de parche sintético en duramadre. Conclusiones: La herniación medular transdural idiopática se ha atribuido a debilidad congénita de la duramadre o duplicación dural ventral con herniación a través de la capa interna debido a la presión continua del líquido cefalorraquídeo que empuja la médula fuera del espacio subdural. Se estima que el diagnóstico preoperatorio se realiza en una tercera parte de los casos, confirmándose con resonancia magnética. El tratamiento quirúrgico se efectúa en pacientes con progresión de los síntomas; los pacientes cuyos síntomas son leves o ausentes se mantienen bajo monitoreo. El tratamiento oportuno puede permitir la recuperación del déficit neurológico, mejorando la afección motora en 80% y la afección sensitiva en 35%.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic transdural spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is a rare entity with postsurgical and post-trauma forms. ISCH is often omited in the preoperative evaluation. It often affects the thoracic segment and presents clinically as a rare cause of progressive myelopathy or Brown-Séquard syndrome, whose diagnosis is established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report on this rare entity due to its difficult diagnosis, making optimal management difficult. CLINICAL CASE: We present the cases of two patients with ISCH who were misdiagnosed and operated on in other spinal segments without reaching an accurate diagnosis. In our institution, patients with clinical suspicion were evaluated by imaging studies in order to rule out other pathologies. Laminectomy was performed on the involved levels, reducing herniation and with the placement of a synthetic spinal patch to the duramater. CONCLUSIONS: ISCH has been attributed to congenital weakness of the duramater or the dural ventral duplication with herniation through the inner layer due to continuous pressure from cerebrospinal fluid that pushes the marrow out of the subdural space. It is estimated that presurgical diagnosis is done only in one third of the cases, confirmed by MRI. Surgery is performed on patients with symptom progression. Surveillance in those patients with mild symptoms is recommended. Treatment may allow recovery of the neurological deficit, improving motor affection in 80% of patients and sensory affection in 35%.

Assuntos