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Introduction: PRP is a rare entity of unknown etiopathogenesis. Lack of management guidelines makes it a challenge for clinicians., Objective: To add our experience to increase evidence about PRP., Methods: We performed a retrospective, descriptive and multicentric study of 65 patients with PRP, being the largest European case series of patients with PRP., Results: PRP was more frequent in male patients with an average age of 51 years, but erythrodermic forms presented in older patients (average age 61 years). Six (75%) paediatric patients and ten (60%) non-erythrodermic adults controlled their disease with topical corticosteroids. On the contrary, 26 (68%) erythrodermic patients required biologic therapy as last and effective therapy line requiring an average of 6.5 months to achieve complete response., Conclusion: Our study showed a statistical difference in terms of outcome and response to treatment between children or patients with limited disease and patients who develop erythroderma., (Copyright © 2024 AEDV. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To detect and characterise visual field (VF) defects using static Octopus perimetry in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and to determine VF quality and time duration., Material and Methods: Eighty-eight eyes of 70 patients diagnosed with PCG were included. Assessments were performed using an Octopus 900 and each eye was assessed with the tendency-oriented perimetry (G-TOP) algorithm. Quantitative VF data were collected: quality data (false positive and negative response, and time duration) and results of mean deviation (MD) and square root of loss variance (sLV). Qualitative data were collected: the presence of diffuse and localized defects, the affected hemifield and grade of defects using the Aulhorn and Karmeyer classification. Correlations between perimetric results and clinical variables were analysed., Results: Median age was 11 (8-17) years. 65.9% (58/88) of PCG eyes showed VF defects. Diffuse defects were observed in 10/58 eyes (16.94%) (mean MD = 23.92 [SD: 2.52]) dB) and localized defects in 48/58 eyes (82.75%). The most frequent defect was spot-like/stroke-like/incipient paracentral scotoma (n = 15), nasal step (n = 8), adding arcuate defect (n = 2), half ring-shaped (n = 13) and concentric defect with a central island (n = 9). And the most frequent affected visual hemifield was inferior hemifield. Mean test duration was 2 min 12 s (SD: 21.6 s). MD and sLV values were correlated with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cup to disc ratio and number of antiglaucoma surgeries (all P < .001)., Conclusion: A high number of diffuse and localized defects were identified using Octopus perimetry in PCG patients. The most frequent defect was paracentral scotoma and inferior hemifield was the most affected., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Traumatic injuries can be severe and complex, requiring the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team. Imaging tests play a fundamental role in rapid and accurate diagnosis. In particular, whole-body computed tomography (CT) has become a key tool. There are different CT protocols depending on the patient's condition; whereas dose-optimized protocols can be used in stable patients, time/precision protocols prioritizing speed at the cost of delivering higher doses of radiation should be used in more severe patients. In unstable patients who cannot be examined by CT, X-rays of the chest and pelvis and FAST or e-FAST ultrasound studies, although less sensitive than CT, enable the detection of situations that require immediate treatment. This article reviews the imaging techniques and CT protocols for the initial hospital workup for patients with multiple trauma., (Copyright © 2022 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Acute appendicitis is the most common indication for emergency abdominal surgery throughout the world and a common reason for consultation in emergency departments. In recent decades, diagnostic imaging has played a fundamental role in identifying acute appendicitis, helping to reduce the rate of blind laparotomies and hospital costs. Given the results of clinical trials supporting the use of antibiotic therapy over surgical treatment, radiologists need to know the diagnostic criteria for complicated acute appendicitis to be able to recommend the best treatment option. This review aims not only to define the diagnostic criteria for appendicitis in different imaging modalities (ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging), but also to explain the diagnostic protocols, atypical presentations, and other conditions that can mimic appendicitis., (Copyright © 2022 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The Spanish Society of Emergency Radiology (SERAU), the Spanish Society of Neuroradiology (SENR), the Spanish Society of Neurology through its Cerebrovascular Diseases Study Group (GEECV-SEN) and the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM) have met to draft this consensus document that will review the use of computed tomography in the stroke code patients, focusing on its indications, the technique for its correct acquisition and the possible interpretation mistakes., (Copyright © 2023 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the evolution of the use of imaging tests (ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT)) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. To determine the positive predictive value of these tests and the percentage of negative and complicated appendectomies., Material and Methods: This retrospective study compared adults who underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis at our tertiary hospital during 2015 versus similar patients at our center during 2007., Results: A total of 278patients were included. The rate of negative appendectomies descended to 5%. The positive predictive value of ultrasonography increased to 97.4% in 2015, and the positive predictive value of CT and combined CT and ultrasonography was 100%. The rate of complicated appendicitis increased (23% in 2015)., Conclusions: The use of imaging tests increased, and the rate of "blind" laparotomies decreased. Nevertheless, the rate of complicated appendicitis increased., (Copyright © 2020 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The consolidation of Telepharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic  has raised the need for managing large volumes of real-time activity data  through data analysis. The aim of this project was to design a dynamic, user- friendly, customizable scorecard in a hospital pharmacy service for the  visualization and analysis of Telepharmacy activity indicators through the use  of advanced business intelligence technology., Method: The software tool was developed by a multidisciplinary team between  April and May 2021, driven from the hospital pharmacy service. Once the Telepharmacy indicators of interest were established,  datasets were extracted from raw databases (administrative databases,  Telepharmacy database, outpatient dispensing software, drug catalogues)  through data analysis. The different data sources were integrated in a  scorecard using PowerBI®. The criteria for processing missing and duplicated  data were defined, and data pre-processing, normalization and transformation were performed. Once the pilot scorecard was validated by  different profiles of users, the structure was designed for the panels to  automatically update as databases were updated., Results: Design and implementation of a scorecard of Telepharmacy activity:  general descriptive panel (demographic profile of patients, count and delivery  conditions, program and medical service); geolocation of destination;  pharmacological profile; relative analysis of patients involved in the  Telepharmacy program with respect to the total of outpatients. In the last  updating as of January 2022, data from 16,000 dispensations to more than  4,000 patients had been collected. This means that 21.93% of outpatients had  benefited at some time point from the Telepharmacy service. Filters enable the  visualization of timeline progress and patient characterization, and  measure Telepharmacy activity by program., Conclusions: The processing of large Telemedicine datasets from various  sources through Business Intelligence in a hospital pharmacy service makes it  possible to synthesize information, generate customized reports, and visualize  information in a dynamic and attractive format. The application of this new  technology will help us improve strategic clinical and management decision  making., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the predictive factors of pulmonary thromboembolic (PTE) in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) assessed in the emergency department at a tertiary hospital during the first pandemic wave., Methods: Observational single-center study conducted in a retrospective cohort of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (or high clinical-radiological suspicion) who underwent PTE screening by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Predictive factors of PTE were explored using logistic regression, creating two predictive models (without or with D-dimer values)., Results: Out of a total of 274 CTPA performed, 70 procedures presented diagnostic findings of PTE, representing a cumulative incidence of 25.54% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.49-31.14). In the non-D-dimer based model, respiratory rate >22 bpm (odds ratio [OR]: 3.162; 95% CI: 1.627-6.148; p = 0.001) and the absence of findings suggestive of COVID-19 in plain chest X-ray (OR: 3.869; 95% CI: 0.869-17.225; p = 0.076) were predictors of PTE. In the D-dimer-based model, tachypnea remained as a predictive factor (OR: 4.967; 95% CI: 2.053-12.018; p < 0.001), as well as D-dimers > 3000 ng/mL (OR: 7.494; 95% CI: 3.038-18.485; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The presence of tachypnea (>22 bpm) and the absence of radiological findings suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the chest X-ray, in addition to D-dimer values >3000 ng/mL, were identified as predictive factors of PTE in patients with COVID-19., (© 2021 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current pandemic, predominantly affects the respiratory tract, and a growing number of publications report the predisposition of patients with COVID-19 to develop thrombotic phenomena., Objective: To determine the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19; to determine the possible relationship between the severity of pulmonary involvement and D-dimer levels; to analyze the location of pulmonary embolisms in patients with COVID-19 and to compare it with the location in patients without COVID-19., Methods: This retrospective study analyzed all CT angiograms of the pulmonary arteries done in patients with suspected pulmonary embolisms between March 15 and April 30, 2020 and compared them with studies done in the same period one year earlier., Results: We included 492 pulmonary CT angiograms (342 (69.9%) in patients with COVID-19 and 147 (30.1%) in patients without COVID-19). The prevalence of pulmonary embolisms was higher in patients with COVID-19 (26% vs. 16.3% in patients without COVID-19, p=0.0197; relative risk=1.6). The prevalence of pulmonary embolisms in the same period in 2019 was 13.2%, similar to that of the group of COVID-19-negative patients in 2020 (p=0.43). There were no significant differences in D-dimer levels or the location of pulmonary embolisms between the two groups. CT showed moderate or severe pulmonary involvement in 78.7% of the patients with COVID-19., Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19 have an increased prevalence of pulmonary embolisms (26%), and most (78.7%) have moderate or severe lung involvement on CT studies. The location of pulmonary embolisms and the degree of elevation of D-dimer levels does not differ between patients with COVID-19 and those without., (Copyright © 2020 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The pandemia caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has triggered an unprecedented health and economic crisis. Although the diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is microbiological, imaging techniques play an important role in supporting the diagnosis, grading the severity of disease, guiding treatment, detecting complications, and evaluating the response to treatment. The lungs are the main organ involved, and chest X-rays, whether obtained in conventional X-ray suites or with portable units, are the first-line imaging test because they are widely available and economical. Chest CT is more sensitive than plain chest X-rays, and CT studies make it possible to identify complications in addition to pulmonary involvement, as well as to suggestive alternative diagnoses. The most common radiologic findings in COVID-19 are airspace opacities (consolidations and/or ground-glass opacities), which are typically bilateral, peripheral, and located primarily in the lower fields., (Copyright © 2020 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Puerperium is the period during which the physiological changes that have taken place during pregnancy revert and the uterus involutes until it reaches its normal size. This is a period of intense systemic changes, and diagnosing complications in this period is a challenge for both gynecologists and radiologists. This paper reviews the complications that can occur during puerperium, classifying them according to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved: the prothrombotic state, hemodynamic and hormonal changes, rapid uterine growth, changes associated with endothelial damage (preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome), and postoperative complications in patients undergoing cesarean sections., Conclusion: Puerperal complications represent a diagnostic challenge. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these complications is fundamental for choosing the most appropriate imaging technique to ensure the correct diagnosis in each case., (Copyright © 2020 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the evolution of the use of imaging tests (ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT)) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. To determine the positive predictive value of these tests and the percentage of negative and complicated appendectomies., Material and Methods: This retrospective study compared adults who underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis at our tertiary hospital during 2015 versus similar patients at our center during 2007., Results: A total of 278 patients were included. The rate of negative appendectomies descended to 5%. The positive predictive value of ultrasonography increased to 97.4% in 2015, and the positive predictive value of CT and combined CT and ultrasonography was 100%. The rate of complicated appendicitis increased (23% in 2015)., Conclusions: The use of imaging tests increased, and the rate of "blind" laparotomies decreased. Nevertheless, the rate of complicated appendicitis increased., (Copyright © 2020 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

An aortoenteric fistula is an abnormal communication between the aorta and the gastrointestinal tract wall. The high mortality associated with this rare entity means it requires early accurate diagnosis. Aortoenteric fistulas are classified as primary when they develop on a native aorta that has not undergone an intervention and as secondary when they develop after vascular repair surgery. All radiologists need to be able to recognize the direct and indirect signs that might suggest the presence of an aortoenteric fistula. This article reviews the types of aortoenteric fistulas and their clinical and pathophysiological correlation, as well as the diagnostic algorithm, illustrating the most characteristic findings on multidetector computed tomography., (Copyright © 2020 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Therapy response assessment is one of the most challenging indications of imaging studies. In clinical trial patients is usually measured with standardized response criteria. However, in the clinical practice, many studies are carried out in which the clinical question is whether or not the treatment is being effective. Answering this question is one of the greatest challenges for diagnostic imaging physicians, especially when a new treatment modality is being introduced, whose effects on tumoral lesions are firstly poorly understood. We have an essential role in the introduction of new therapies, assessing their effects and benefits. The knowledge of these effects has led to the development of many response criteria that, despite being applicable only in clinical trials, offer us information on how to interpret the findings in clinical practice., (Copyright © 2019 Sociedad Española de Medicina Nuclear e Imagen Molecular. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The need for new approaches to strategic planning by incorporating the perspectives of professionals and inhabitants has led to a new model for the 3rd Canary Islands (Spain) Health Plan (IIIPSC). A dual-phase participatory process using qualitative techniques is proposed: 1) local phase: a quantitative and qualitative study based on training and a research-action-participation initiative; and 2) insular phase: health conferences with face-to-face discussion of results in each health area (island) and proposals for action. The process prioritises problems and establishes a specific action plan for each island through initiatives that are considered to be viable, grouped by themes and weighted according to the potential impact on priority problems. This process of interaction may help to guide planning model changes and health policy decision-making, and was included in the IIIPSC Project for its parliamentary procedure., (Copyright © 2016 SESPAS. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Endoscopic sinus surgery is the technique of choice in most of the frontal sinus diseases, both inflammatory and tumour-related. This is why the external approach using osteoplastic flap (OF) would be limited to cases with a difficult endoscopic approach. Our aim was to review the current indications of the osteoplastic flap in the treatment of frontal sinus pathology, through a retrospective study of patients undergoing this technique., Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 14 patients who were treated with the osteoplastic flap procedure. All the surgical indication criteria, type of sinus disease, presence or absence of prior endoscopic surgery, surgical findings, complications and recurrence were reviewed., Results: The pathologies found were 1 osteoma (7.1%), 3 inverted papilloma (21.4%) and 10 mucoceles (71.4%). Nine patients had a prior endoscopic surgery and 10 patients had an orbital dehiscence (9 mucocele, 1 papilloma). Frontal osteoma was Grade IV and the papilloma cases were Krouse Stage III. Surgical revision was required for 21.4%., Conclusions: The main indications for an OF in patients with inflammatory disease are lateral extension and frontal recess neo-osteogenesis. In osteoma cases, it depends on the size of the tumour. In inverted papilloma cases, the indication is multifocal implantation with origin in the anterior and lateral wall. In all cases, performing the osteoplastic flap must be individualised., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial. All rights reserved.)

Gastrointestinal volvuli cause processes that manifest as acute abdomen. Volvuli are important not because they are common, but rather because their possible complications can be severe. All types of volvuli share a common pathophysiology, which consists of intestinal obstruction in a closed loop that results in ischemia. The clinical manifestations are nonspecific, so radiologists play a very important role in the early identification of the most common signs of torsion. These include the "bird's beak sign", the "whirlpool sign", and signs of potentially reversible or irreversible ischemia. The treatment of choice in most cases is surgery, either to correct the torsion and save the organ or to resect it if it is necrotic., (Copyright © 2012 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Infective endocarditis is a serious and uncommon condition affecting the endocardium. Less than 10% of these cases are of fungal origin. A growing number of individuals are at high risk, due to insertion of central venous catheters, total parenteral nutrition and prolonged exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics, even without previous heart diseases. We retrospectively analysed the records of six children with Candida endocarditis, reviewing the comorbidities, clinical outcome, and treatment. The antifungal agents used were amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine and fluconazole. Patients underwent surgical excision of vegetation, five tricuspid valve repairs and one mitral valve replacement. There were no hospital deaths, and one child needed a new valvuloplasty one year later. The mean follow up was five years, and all have good valvular function without recurrent endocarditis. A combination of synergistic long-term antifungal treatment and early surgical intervention is recommended., (Copyright © 2011 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Nasal permeability is related to functional and anatomical parameters, which are objectified by active anterior rhinomanometry (AARNM). The study aims to compare alterations visualized through Nasal Endoscopy (NE) with nasal flow parameters in AARNM., Material and Methods: We carried out a prospective observational study of 45 patients suffering from nasal obstruction and septal deviation. They were explored through AARNM and NE, and the deviations were classified into anterosuperior and anteroinferior quadrants. The degree of agreement between observers and the validity of the diagnostic test was then analyzed., Results: A sensitivity of 74.6% and a specificity of 60.5% were obtained comparing AARNM and EN globally., Conclusion: A reduced flow of the expiratory phase is correlated to inferior obstructions observed through NE. In the narrow nasal vestibule this correlation is not predictive., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

We report the case of a young man who presented with atrophy of the musculature of the right forearm and hand. The clinician suspected cervical myelopathy in Hirayama's disease on the basis of the findings at electromyography and recommended an MRI examination in both flexed and neutral position. The typical imaging findings for cervical myelopathy in Hirayama's disease were observed and the diagnosis was confirmed. The key findings for Hirayama's disease consist of asymmetrical medullary atrophy with involvement of the anterior horns, dorsal detachment of the dura mater, and dilatation of the epidural venous plexus.

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to and blocks tumor necrosis factor alpha and is the most effective biologic agent approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. It is administered by intravenous infusion, usually in day hospitals on an outpatient basis. The main problem with the administration of infliximab is the possibility of infusion reactions, which may be immediate or delayed; these reactions are related to the immunogenicity of this monoclonal antibody, leading to the production of anti-infliximab antibodies. Infusion reactions to infliximab are not usually anaphylactic (ie, they are not mediated by immunoglobulin E), and re-exposure of the patient using specific protocols to prevent and treat these reactions is therefore possible. The extensive experience in the use of infliximab for the treatment of rheumatic conditions and chronic inflammatory bowel disease has made it possible to develop infusion reaction management protocols; these can be applied to dermatologic patients, who constitute a growing proportion of patients treated with intravenous biological agents. The aim of this review is to draw up a consensus protocol for the treatment of infusion reactions in dermatologic patients treated with infliximab.

Objectives: To evaluate music perception and enjoyment following cochlear implantation and its impact on quality of life (QOL)., Material and Method: Eighty-eight adult post-lingually deaf cochlear implant users entered the study. The music questionnaire analyzed musical background, listening habits, and quality of musical sound through the cochlear implant. Music perception was evaluated with the Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA). The Glasgow Benefit Inventory evaluated the quality of life (QOL). The music questionnaires, the PMMA and the GBI were completed by 84 %, 74 %, and 82 % of patients, respectively., Results: Subjective enjoyment of music and listening habits decreased post-implantation when compared with prior to deafness. Mean scores for music perception were: tone 71 %, rhythm 78 %, timbre 61 %, songs 59 %, and melodies 23 %. The quality of music sound through the cochlear implant was associated with music enjoyment and with QOL., Conclusions: Music enjoyment and perception are possible with a cochlear implant. The quality of music sound through the cochlear implant influences post-operative QOL.

Introduction: Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor (SXR) has demonstrated its activation by numerous drugs, including cytochrome P450 potent inducers like rifampicina or cotrimazol. The role of SXR is well known, and lies regulating in a positive manner cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) transcription and the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1), it's considered a key in the xenobiotic detoxification mechanism, being involved in all phases of the detoxification process. Enzymes involved in Policyclic Aromatic hidrocarbures (PAH) metabolism and degradation are polymorphic in humans, including glutation S-transferases (GSTs), N-acetiltransferases (NATs), sulfotransferases (SULTs)1A1 and cytochrome p450 (CYP)1B1., Objectives: The objectives we've planned are: 1. Analyze the expression of the transcription factor SXR and MDR1 in bladder by means of RT-PCR real time, both in normal bladder and in tumoral bladder. 2. Analyze the relation between clinical and pathological factors with the expression of SXR and MDR1. 3. Analyze the expression of the polymorphims CYP1B1, GSTM1 GSTT1 and SULT1A1 and their correlation with different clinic-pathological and molecular factors., Material and Methods: In a prospective way the size of the sample was estimated. In 67 patients from two institutions (Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet (49 HUMS) and Clinica Universitaria de Navarra (18 CUN)), diagnosed of invasive bladder cancer and treated by means of radical cystectomy, were determined the expression of both SXR and MDR1 by means of real time PCR, as well as the polymorphisms CYP1B1, GSTM1 GSTT1 y SULT1A1 by means of RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism). Correlations with other prognostic factors by contingency tables were performed., Results: Average follow up was 23.7 months with a median of 28.26 months. Of the 67 patients studied, 31 patients (46.3) presented disease progression, in form of local recurrence or in distant metastasis or both. With a average time to progression of 12.4 months and a median of 10 months, with a range of 1.1 month to 31.9 month. 36 patients (53.7%) did not have any evidence of disease progression during follow up. The Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor as well as the Multidrug Resistance Gene (MDR1) are expressed in both normal bladder (0.94DeltaCt y 0.94DeltaCt) and tumoral bladder in the cystectomy specimen (1.09 DeltaCt y 0.45 DeltaCt). We've analyzed their expression in a quantitative manner and in a qualitative manner. The expression of SXR correlates with the presence of ca. in situ (p=0.024), vasculo-lymphatic invasion (p=0.05) mean while MDR1 correlates with presence of vasculo-lymphatic invasion (p=0.05) Both factors are correlate between each others (p=0.011). Polymorphisms: CYP1B1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and SULT1A1, are expressed in these patients but their expression doesn't correlates with any prognostic factor, Conclusions: Both SXR and MDR1 are expressed in normal bladder as well as in tumoral bladder. And their expression correlates with different prognostic factors with influence in the survival described in the literature.

Introduction: Owing to the different results from the series that evaluate the behavior of the bladder cancer according to the age at the moment of the diagnosis, our objective is based on valuing the characteristics and behaviour according to age of appearance., Methods: A retrospective study of bladder cancer diagnosed in our area during decade 1993-2003, distributed in 3 intervals of age and some characteristics and behaviour are valued., Results: Elderly patients present greater tumors, non differentiated and with greater rate of progression to infiltrated. Moreover the age, the pathological stage and the tumorlike degree appear as independent significant factors in the multivariant study., Conclusions: In our experience, the patients greater than 70 years present neoplasms of similar clinical characteristics, although pathologically more aggressive, with greater percentage of progression and worse survival.

It has long been recognized the epidemiological association of psoriasis, especially the most severe forms, with several diseases that share a common pathogenic substrate involving TNF-alpha and different target organs (arthritis and Crohn's disease, for example), as well as an increased risk of coronary heart disease and occlusive cardiovascular disease. In the patient with severe psoriasis there is also an increased prevalence of obesity, dyslipemia, adult diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse and tobacco habit which contribute to the increased risk of mortality associated with atherosclerosis. Recently it has been identified the so-called metabolic syndrome, characterized by the association of abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipemia, hypertension, insulin resistance with or without glucose intolerance and a proinflammatory and prothrombotic state as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There is evidence that in rheumatoid arthritis as well as in psoriasis, chronic inflammation has a pathogenic role in the metabolic syndrome and associated comorbidities, and its adequate treatment may contribute to revert it. The dermatologist should recognize the elements of the metabolic syndrome and propose the patient with psoriasis, in addition to the optimal dermatologic treatment, changes in life habits and appropriate drug therapy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbi-mortality.

Objective: The study was focused on determining the effectiveness and reliability of using the renal resistance index as a method of diagnosing and monitoring the evolution of obstructive uropathy treatment. For this purpose, we conducted an experimental study on a homogenous group of animals that all had the same level of obstruction., Material and Methods: 15 healthy female pigs were used. The experiment was divided into three phases: phase I consisted of a study prior to unilateral pyeloureteral junction obstruction, performing retrograde ureteropyelography, renal B-mode ultrasound and duplex-Doppler (of both kidneys) at a level of the arcuate arteries. Then, the obstruction was performed on the animals. Phase II commenced by diagnosing the lesion, 6 weeks after the previous phase, by means of the aforementioned diagnostic methods. Finally, the endourological treatment was completed. Animals were monitored (Phase III) 15 weeks after the endopyelotomy, using the same methods as in the study, by assessing the urinary tract (fluoroscopy) and both kidneys by determining the renal resistance index and ratio., Results: All the animals in the study showed signs of urinary obstruction on radiology and renal ultrasound 6 weeks after ureteral ligature. After treatment and follow-up, all animals showed signs of having recovered from the obstructive uropathy. Values of deltaRI during the 3 phases are detailed below. Fase I deltaIR = 0.01, Fase II deltaIR = 0.11, Fase III deltaIR = 0.02., Conclusion: RI determination using duplex-Doppler is effective for distinguishing obstructive dilatation using non-invasive techniques. However, this parameter provides very slight differences and it can also be influenced by too many direct and indirect factors (observational, patient age, anaesthesia, haemodynamic parameters, etc.), to supplant the classic diagnostic methods.

Objectives: To evaluate the data of progression and survival in 43 patients who underwent cystectomy with stage pT0 according to classification TNM-2002., Materials and Methods: between 1988 and 2003 in our center had realized 420 cystectomies, 43 patients (10.2%) had not tumor in the cystectomy specimen., Results: In these 43 cases the initial clinical stage (in the transuretral resection of bladder) was T1 in 10 cases (23,3 %), T2 in 31 cases (72%) and T3 in 2 cases. As far as the degree 24 patients presented G2 (55.8%) and 19 (44.2%) were G3. Median time from the transuretral resection to the cistectomy was of 44 days at a median follow-up of 89.3 months. Progression-free survival in the 43 patients was of 180,6 months, but during the follow-up it appeared progression in 7 patients, with disease free survival at 36 months (3-126), since the date of the cistectomia. During the follow up, 5 patients died. When we analyzed the cancer-specific survival according to tumor stage, for the T2 with an average cancer-specific survival is of 180 months, decreasing to 35 months considerably for T3. Similar it happens with the degree of differentiation, significantly diminishing as it advances the degree, with an average of cancer-specific survival for the G3 at 122.6 months. In the same way it happens with pathological positive lymph nodes in the radical cistectomy, with a cancer-specific survival of 188 months when it is N0 and of 54 months if the adenopathy was positive (N+)., Conclusion: In our experiencie urothelial carcinoma pT0 present a prolonged free period of disease (medium of 180 months). The associated factors of risk to a smaller free period of disease are high degree of differentiation (G3, 116 months), the infiltration of deep layers in the transuretral resection (T3, 32 months) and the ganglionary affectation (pN+ 45 months).

Objectives: To analyse the progress of T1a and T1b prostate cancer diagnosed in our hospital., Material and Methods: Retrospective study of 40 patients in T1a-T1b clinical stage diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma in our hospital, from 1986 to 1999. A restaging biopsy was performed on the 16 T1a patients after initial diagnosis and control. A radical prostatectomy was performed on the 24 T1b patients. They were all monitored every six months with rectal exam and PSA. We analysed biological and/or clinical progression, time to progression, mortality caused by the tumour and survival., Results: None of the 16 patients with T1a clinical stage presented tumour progression, with a median follow-up of 90 months. 12,5% of the 24 T1b cases presented tumour progression, with a median follow-up of 70 months. Cancer-specific mortality was one patient (4,16 %) in the T1b group., Conclusions: Observation and follow-up with PSA and rectal exam appears to be a good option for T1a clinical stage, given the good prognosis. Our results show that patients with T1a clinical stage and good prognostic factors could be at a similar risk of suffering from a new prostate cancer as the normal population, although prospective studies are required to validate these results. T1b cases require active treatment and closer monitoring.