Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2018-12"
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- Endoscopic Removal of Two Esophageal Over-The-Scope Clips with Cold Saline Solution TechniquePublication . Rocha, M.; Küttner-Magalhães, R.; Maia, L.; Moreira, T.; Barrias, S.; Nogueira, C.; Pedroto, I.
- Portuguese consensus document for the management of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiencyPublication . Lopes, A.; Mineiro, M.; Costa, F.; Gomes, J.; Santos, C.; Antunes, C.; Maia, D.; Melo, R.; Canotilho, M.; Magalhães, E.; Vicente, I.; Valente, C.; Gonçalves, B.; Conde, B.; Guimarães, C.; Sousa, C.; Amado, J.; Brandão, M.; Sucena, M.; Oliveira, M.; Seixas, S.; Teixeira, V.; Telo, L.Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic autosomal codominant disorder caused by mutations in SERPINA1 gene. It is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders, although it remains underdiagnosed. Whereas at international level there are several areas of consensus on this disorder, in Portugal, inter-hospital heterogeneity in clinical practice and resources available have been adding difficulties in reaching a diagnosis and in making therapeutic decisions in this group of patients. This raised a need to draft a document expressing a national consensus for AATD. To this end, a group of experts in this field was created within the Portuguese Pulmonology Society - Study group on AATD, in order to elaborate the current manuscript. The authors reviewed the existing literature and provide here general guidance and extensive recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AATD that can be adopted by Portuguese clinicians from different areas of Medicine. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Portuguese consensus document for the management of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency" which is sponsored by Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia.
- Laser flare photometry: a cost-effective method for early detection of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agentsPublication . Lages, V.; Gehrig, B.; Herbort, C.Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents is the most common intraocular procedure worldwide, inevitably causing more cases of post-injection endophthalmitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of laser flare photometry in monitoring inflammation after intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, particularly to detect early stage post-injection endophthalmitis. A retrospective case review was performed of all patients who underwent flare assessment by laser flare photometry before and after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab or aflibercept at the Centre for Ophthalmic Specialized Care in Lausanne, Switzerland, between January 2015 and May 2018. The following data were retrieved: indication for intravitreal injection, medication administered, pre-injection and 72-h post-injection laser flare photometry values, and occurrence of post-injection endophthalmitis. A total of 736 injections were included in this study; 705 cases (95.8%) had a post-injection flare at 72 h ≤ 30 ph/ms, 29 cases (3.9%) had a post-injection flare at 72 h between > 30 and 50 ph/ms, and 2 cases (0.3%) had a post-injection flare at 72 h above > 50 ph/ms (664 and 742 ph/ms). These latter two cases were diagnosed as early-stage endophthalmitis.
- Atypical pathogens in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a worldwide perspectivePublication . Gramegna, A.; Sotgiu, G.; Di Pasquale, M.; Radovanovic, D.; Terraneo, S.; Reyes, L.; Vendrell, E.; Neves, J.; Menzella, F.; Blasi, F.; Aliberti, S.; Restrepo, M.BACKGROUND: Empirical antibiotic coverage for atypical pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has long been debated, mainly because of a lack of epidemiological data. We aimed to assess both testing for atypical pathogens and their prevalence in hospitalized patients with CAP worldwide, especially in relation with disease severity. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the GLIMP database, an international, multicentre, point-prevalence study of adult patients admitted for CAP in 222 hospitals across 6 continents in 2015, was performed. The study evaluated frequency of testing for atypical pathogens, including L. pneumophila, M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and their prevalence. Risk factors for testing and prevalence for atypical pathogens were assessed through univariate analysis. RESULTS: Among 3702 CAP patients 1250 (33.8%) underwent at least one test for atypical pathogens. Testing varies greatly among countries and its frequency was higher in Europe than elsewhere (46.0% vs. 12.7%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Detection of L. pneumophila urinary antigen was the most common test performed worldwide (32.0%). Patients with severe CAP were less likely to be tested for both atypical pathogens considered together (30.5% vs. 35.0%, p = 0.009) and specifically for legionellosis (28.3% vs. 33.5%, p = 0.003) than the rest of the population. Similarly, L. pneumophila testing was lower in ICU patients. At least one atypical pathogen was isolated in 62 patients (4.7%), including M. pneumoniae (26/251 patients, 10.3%), L. pneumophila (30/1186 patients, 2.5%), and C. pneumoniae (8/228 patients, 3.5%). Patients with CAP due to atypical pathogens were significantly younger, showed less cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic comorbidities in comparison to adult patients hospitalized due to non-atypical pathogen CAP. CONCLUSIONS: Testing for atypical pathogens in patients admitted for CAP in poorly standardized in real life and does not mirror atypical prevalence in different settings. Further evidence on the impact of atypical pathogens, expecially in the low-income countries, is needed to guidelines implementation.
- Prenatal Diagnosis and Management of a Fetal Goiter Hypothyroidism due to DyshormonogenesisPublication . Figueiredo, C.; Falcão, I.; Vilaverde, J.; Freitas, J.; Oliveira, M.; Godinho, C.; Dores, J.; Rodrigues, M.; Carvalho, C.; Borges, T.Fetal goiter is a rare disorder not expected to be found during a healthy woman's pregnancy. It can be a prenatal manifestation of congenital hypothyroidism due to thyroid dyshormonogenesis and it can lead to serious perinatal complications. A vascularized fetal neck mass was detected at 29 weeks' gestation of a healthy primigravida. Magnetic resonance was suggestive of goiter causing airway deviation without polyhydramnios. Maternal thyroid function was normal and thyroid antibodies were negative. Two intra-amniotic levothyroxine infusions were performed at 32 and 33 weeks. Serial imaging control showed no progression of the mass. Elective caesarean section was performed at 38 weeks. The male newborn was admitted to the intensive care unit due to cardiorespiratory insufficiency with pulmonary hypertension. Hormonal assays revealed primary congenital hypothyroidism and ultrasonography confirmed diffuse goiter. Levothyroxine was started. Currently, he is 6 years old with adequate growth and normal psychomotor development. Genetic study found a heterozygous mutation in the TPO gene.