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A Capelastegui

Publications and source records attributed to A Capelastegui.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Antibiotic treatment in pneumonia due to Q fever.

BACKGROUND: Whether Q fever responds better to doxycycline or erythromycin is unknown. METHODS: The efficacy of doxycycline and erythromycin in the treatment of pneumonia due to Q fever was assessed in a prospective, randomised, double blind study of 82 patients with a diagnosis of pneumonia and features suggestive of Q fever infection; 48 proved to have Q fever. Of the 48, 23 received doxycycline 100 mg twice a day and 25 patients received erythromycin 500 mg six hourly, both for 10 days. RESULTS: Both treatment groups had similar demographic characteristics. Fever showed a more rapid reduction in the doxycycline group (3(1.6) days versus 4.3(2) days). Side effects were observed in two patients receiving doxycycline compared with 11 patients receiving erythromycin (p less than 0.01). No differences were observed in other clinical or radiological measures. By day 40 the chest radiograph was normal in 47 of 48 patients. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the self limiting and benign nature of most cases of pneumonia due to Q fever. Doxycycline was more effective than erythromycin.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MRI diagnosis and follow-up of subcutaneous fat necrosis.

The purpose of this report is to present the MRI features of subcutaneous fat necrosis (SFN) and the natural history of this process. We have seen 12 patients with SFN, one case of which was confirmed histopathologically. In six patients, a follow-up MRI study was performed. MRI findings were very similar in all of the cases: small, linear, and spiculated lesions with one or two components: a globular area yielding high signal intensity on T1-weighted images, intermediate to high signal intensity on fast SE T2-weighted images and focal signal void on short-inversion -time inversion recovery (STIR) sequence, corresponding to an area of fat necrosis; and a laminar starred component, with low signal intensity on T1 and fast SE T2-weighted images and high signal intensity on the STIR sequence, corresponding to reactive fibrous tissue. The follow-up MRI study of six patients showed either disappearance (n = 2) or decrease in size (n = 3) of the globular component; in one patient, no change was observed. A less prominent decrease of the laminar component also was seen in five patients. One patient did not present any change in this laminar component. The most characteristic MRI findings of this lesion are the high signal intensity areas on T1-weighted images, their small size (< 3 cm), their linear spiculated shape with both laminar and globular components, and no contrast enhancement after injection of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) injection. We believe that the location, size, morphology, and MRI signal intensity of SFN may allow its differentiation from other types of soft tissue lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The safety of magnetic resonance imaging: an analysis based on a review of incidents at the Osatek Center].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dangers to persons in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment and review Osatek's safety policies. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We review and analyze the incidents occurring throughout our organization from 1994 to 2004 to establish their frequency, causal risk, and effects. Incident registers were implemented in all units in 2001. Data for the initial period prior to 2001 were derived from a survey of Unit Chiefs. We also reviewed other registers (complaints, malpractice suits, Health and Safety Committee). RESULTS: We identified 176 incidentes, 20.4% attributable to specific risks inherent in MRI (missile effect, quench, burns, introduction of patients with contraindications), 69.9% to the injection of contrast agents (adverse reactions and allergies, extravasations), and 9.7% to general risks (medical complications, anxiety, trauma). Among specific risks, the most common was burns, while the incident with greatest potential risk was the missile effect. People were affected in 87% of the incidents; effects on persons were minor in all cases, although one incident occasioned a lawsuit. We consider that 25% of the incidents involving potential or real risks could have been avoided. CONCLUSIONS: Although MRI is a safe technique, it is necessary to establish a safety policy based on preventive measures and staff training to minimize incidents and their effects. The implementation of a quality assurance program provides a starting point that can help to improve the safety of MRI by implementing written registers of incidents.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of quality of life in lung cancer patients].

OBJETIVES: The aim of this study was to describe lung cancer patients' quality of life, measuring physical, psychological and social parameters, and general and specific symptoms of the disease using different questionnaires. METHODS: 103 primary lung cancer patients who were between 20 and 80 years old and recruited during one year were included. All patients fulfilled the generic health related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire SF-36 and the specific EORTC-C30. Also sociodemographic and clinical important data were collected. Differences in aspects of perceived quality of life by diagnostic group and stage were analysed. RESULTS: The results indicate that the patients with a higher disease stage had worse perception of their quality of life in comparison with patients in a lower stage of the disease. Likewise, small cell lung cancer patients, overall, showed a worse perception of their quality of life than non-small cell lung cancer patients. These differences were shown either by generic and the specific questionnaire scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the study show that the SF-36 and EORTC capture the differences in the perceived quality of life in patients by diagnosis and evolution stage of the disease. All quality of life areas were already affected at the moment of the diagnosis of the disease. The scores of both questionnaires are coherent with clinical evaluation, based on the clinical stage, which support the discriminative validity of those instruments.

Adult↗