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L Guinea Esquerdo

Publications and source records attributed to L Guinea Esquerdo.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Inflammatory pseudotumor of spleen. Report of two cases and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: We report two new cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen and review the cases reported to date. We discuss the diagnostic value of the clinical manifestations, the modern image technics and the laboratory data and conclude that only pathological and immunohistochemical studies allow a reliable diagnosis of this disease. DATA SOURCES: We have obtained the cases for the review through a computer search with the system SilverPlatter 3.11 (SilverPlatter Software Copyright NU 1992). The new cases have been obtained from our files. DATA SYNTHESIS: 53% were random findings (47% in the workup of another disease and 5% at autopsy). In the remaining cases, the clinical signs were not specific and none of the image technics could establish diagnosis. Neither fine needle aspiration nor laboratory data rendered conclusive results. Only pathological and immunohistochemical study after splenectomy allowed diagnosis. The clinical signs disappeared in all the cases following splenectomy and none of the patients have had recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory pseudotumor is a benign disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. It consists of solitary or multiple tumors that can affect virtually any organ. Clinical signs are non-specific. This lesion can render diagnostic problems with neoplasms of the lymphoreticular system. Splenectomy is diagnostic and curative.

Aged↗

[Brucellosis after treatment: the diagnosis of recurrences].

BACKGROUND: Given the frequency of relapse following treatment of brucellosis as well as the persistence of symptoms the authors attempted to discover a recommendable position for surveillance of patients once treatment has been completed. METHODS: A series of 105 patients treated for brucellosis was prospectively analyzed, 11 of whom had relapse. Post treatment symptoms, serology titers and the results of the cultures between the cured patients and those with relapse were compared. RESULTS: Hemocultures (sensitivity 0.73) and "specific" symptoms (prolonged fever, spondylitis, arthritis, orchitis and others) were the most useful data for diagnosis of relapse. The presence of vague symptoms following treatment was of slight value specially in the first months. Elevation of serology titers following treatment offered little aid in diagnosis (likelihood ratio 1.7). The persistence of high titers of serology several months following completion of treatment offered high likelihood ratios which may aid in therapeutic decision making. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that no tests be made on asymptomatic patients following treatment of brucellosis and to treat those patients with "specific" symptoms. Hemocultures are recommended for patients with vague symptoms and if several months have passed serology should be carried out from which the probability of relapse may be calculated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Diagnosis of brucellosis in an endemic area. Evaluation of routine diagnostic tests].

BACKGROUND: The use of classic methods of diagnosis of brucellosis was analyzed, particularly serologic methods whose use in endemic areas and risk groups has been questioned in the literature. METHODS: Prospective analysis of these methods was performed in a group of 171 patients suspected as having brucellosis proceeding from an endemic area, with progressions of risk and frequent antecedents of brucellosis. The results obtained were compared in 119 patients in whom brucellosis was confirmed (80 with positive cultures and 39 with clinic-serologic diagnosis) and in 52 in whom the diagnosis was excluded. RESULTS: The hemocultures provided a sensitivity of 70% with a mean delay in growth of 13.6 days. The rise of Bengal test showed sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 75%. The most adequate cut-off point for seroagglutination was of 1/160 and for the Coombs test 1/320 with sensitivities of 93 and 92% and specificities of 97 and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The routine serologic tests offer good results for the diagnosis of brucellosis in endemic areas upon use of adequate cut-off points and permitting therapeutic decisions to be taken prior to knowledge of the results of the cultures. The rose of Bengal test is valid for initial selection of this type of population.

Adolescent↗

[Systemic mastocytosis].

We record a case of systemic mastocytosis in a 70 year old male whose clinical picture started with abdominal symptomatology (pain and diarrhea) and syncopal episodes, who was found to have hepatosplenomegaly and skin, bone and bone-marrow involvement. Papulo-erythematous lesions appeared over the scar tissue of a previous colyscectomy. Scratching of these lesions produced urtication. Histologically an infiltration of mastocytes was found, being compatible with the diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis with Köebner's phenomenon. We review the most remarkable characteristics of systemic mastocytosis.

Aged↗