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High-performance validated tests are essential for successful epidemiological monitoring, surveillance of parasitic infections, and comparative studies in wildlife populations. The Mini-FLOTAC is a novel flotation-based technique for the sensitive detection and quantification of gastrointestinal parasites that is recently being explored for use in wildlife. A limitation of any flotation-based copromicroscopic method is the selection of the flotation solution (FS), which might influence the performance of the test. However, no study has compared the influence of using different FS in the Mini-FLOTAC technique for parasite detection in wild birds. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the Mini-FLOTAC in three waterbird host species using two widely used FS: saturated salt (NaCl; specific gravity 1.20) and saturated zinc sulfate (ZnSO4; specific gravity 1.35). One hundred fresh fecal samples were analyzed for parasite fecal egg counts (FEC). Regardless of the host species, fecal samples evaluated with the Mini-FLOTAC method using ZnSO4 resulted in a significantly higher detection rate and higher FEC of strongylid, capillarid, cestode, and trematode parasites, than samples analyzed with the NaCl solution. Our concise study demonstrated the importance of using an appropriate FS for the identification of parasite eggs in wildlife species, especially in hosts with an expected aggregated distribution and low parasite load such as waterbird hosts. The higher analytical sensitivity of the Mini-FLOTAC technique achieved with ZnSO4, and its applicability to fieldwork, highlights this method as a promising tool for the quantitative surveillance of parasite infections in wild bird populations.

Objective: The aim of this work is to formulate recommendations based on global expert consensus to guide the surgical community on the safe resumption of surgical and endoscopic activities. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused marked disruptions in the delivery of surgical care worldwide. A thoughtful, structured approach to resuming surgical services is necessary as the impact of COVID-19 becomes better controlled. The Coronavirus Global Surgical Collaborative sought to formulate, through rigorous scientific methodology, consensus-based recommendations in collaboration with a multidisciplinary group of international experts and policymakers. Methods: Recommendations were developed following a Delphi process. Domain topics were formulated and subsequently subdivided into questions pertinent to different aspects of surgical care in the COVID-19 crisis. Forty-four experts from 15 countries across 4 continents drafted statements based on the specific questions. Anonymous Delphi voting on the statements was performed in 2 rounds, as well as in a telepresence meeting. Results: One hundred statements were formulated across 10 domains. The statements addressed terminology, impact on procedural services, patient/staff safety, managing a backlog of surgeries, methods to restart and sustain surgical services, education, and research. Eighty-three of the statements were approved during the first round of Delphi voting, and 11 during the second round. A final telepresence meeting and discussion yielded acceptance of 5 other statements. Conclusions: The Delphi process resulted in 99 recommendations. These consensus statements provide expert guidance, based on scientific methodology, for the safe resumption of surgical activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurotoxocariasis is uncommon. Its manifestations include events of meningitis, encephalitis and less frequently vasculitis, which manifest as headache, seizures, focalization, confusion, cognitive alterations and /or fever. Peripheral eosinophilia with clinical and neurological imaging elements, allow its early suspicion. We report a 48-year-old agricultural worker, admitted in our hospital for one week of gastrointestinal complaints, headache, progressive left hemiparesis and impaired consciousness. He had leukocytosis (13,530/μL) with peripheral eosinophilia (25%, absolute count 3,400 /μL). CSF analysis revealed no abnormalities and brain CT showed poorly defined hypodense lesions on subcortical areas and semioval centers. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple foci with increased signals predominantly in the white matter in both hemispheres, especially at frontal and occipital regions and at semioval centers. Lesions reinforced after paramagnetic contrast. Serological studies found specific IgG antibodies by ELISA against antigens of the genus Toxocara, which were confirmed by a positive IgG Western Blot. The patient was treated with albendazole (800 mg/d) for 14 days associated with parenteral and then oral corticosteroids with a favorable response and gradual complete recovery.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on provision of endoscopy services globally as staff and real estate were repurposed. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, a cohesive international approach is needed, and guidance on how to resume endoscopy services safely to avoid unintended harm from diagnostic delays. The aim of these guidelines is to provide consensus recommendations that clinicians can use to facilitate the swift and safe resumption of endoscopy services. An evidence-based literature review was carried out on the various strategies used globally to manage endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic and control infection. A modified Delphi process involving international endoscopy experts was used to agree on the consensus statements. A threshold of 80% agreement was used to establish consensus for each statement. 27 of 30 statements achieved consensus after two rounds of voting by 34 experts. The statements were categorised as pre-endoscopy, during endoscopy and postendoscopy addressing relevant areas of practice, such as screening, personal protective equipment, appropriate environments for endoscopy and infection control precautions, particularly in areas of high disease prevalence. Recommendations for testing of patients and for healthcare workers, appropriate locations of donning and doffing areas and social distancing measures before endoscopy are unique and not dealt with by any other guidelines. This international consensus using a modified Delphi method to produce a series of best practice recommendations to aid the safe resumption of endoscopy services globally in the era of COVID-19. ispartof: GUT vol:69 issue:11 pages:1915-1924 ispartof: location:England status: published

Effective interventions are mandatory to control the transmission and spread of SARS-CoV-2, a highly contagious virus causing devastating effects worldwide. Cost-effective approaches are pivotal tools required to increase the detection rates and escalate further in massive surveillance programs, especially in countries with limited resources that most of the efforts have focused on symptomatic cases only. Here, we compared the performance of the RT-qPCR using an intercalating dye with the probe-based assay. Then, we tested and compared these two RT-qPCR chemistries in different pooling systems: after RNA extraction (post-RNA extraction) and before RNA extraction (pre-RNA extraction) optimizing by pool size and template volume. We evaluated these approaches in 610 clinical samples. Our results show that the dye-based technique has a high analytical sensitivity similar to the probe-based detection assay used worldwide. Further, this assay may also be applicable in testing by pool systems post-RNA extraction up to 20 samples. However, the most efficient system for massive surveillance, the pre-RNA extraction pooling approach, was obtained with the probe-based assay in test up to 10 samples adding 13.5 µL of RNA template. The low cost and the potential use in pre-RNA extraction pool systems, place of this assays as a valuable resource for scalable sampling to larger populations. Implementing a pool system for population sampling results in an important savings of laboratory resources and time, which are two key factors during an epidemic outbreak. Using the pooling approaches evaluated here, we are confident that it can be used as a valid alternative assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human samples.

Background and Aims: Before the covid-19 pandemic, medicine was practice and taught almost entirely face-to-face. The new normal, presented us with an opportunity to change the paradigm. Previously, live video transmission was only possible with the use of satellites, that were too expensive to be use regular bases. Now it is possible to broadcast live cases, from anywhere around de world, at a relative low cost. Methodology: This is a descriptive study to show the experience in transmissions of endoscopy live procedures from endoscopy rooms of different centers of Latin America ascribed to the Latin American Training Center (LAGE-TC) adapting virtual transmission technologies for a diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, to broadcast cases in real-time through the internet. Results: From April 2020 to July 31th, 2020 we have made transmissions every week, for each center, being Tuesdays designated for transmissions from Manizales in Colombia from the Union de Cirujanos SAS (Dr Lazaro Arango M), Wednesdays from San Borja Arriaran, in Santiago de Chile (fellows training center of Latin America and from where the LAGE-TC is born) (Drs. Claudio Sergio Navarrete Garcia- Cecilia Castillo T, Carlos Barrientos- Ignacio Robles and Arturo Valle) and from San Juan in Argentina (Dr Marcelo Ponce), on Thursdays from Santa Fe Argentina (Dr. Hugo Imcof), and the Clinica del Norte in Barranquilla - Colombia (Drs. Jesus Rodriguez and Alvaro Jalal). Transmissions have also been made from other centers in Santiago de Chile, Mendoza (Dr Jorge Isaguirre) and Cordoba (Dra Jackelina Gobelet) in Argentina, and in Bucaramanga - Colombia (Dr Eduardo Valdivieso – Fundacion Ildetecsa). 23 live broadcasts of cases from all the named cities in Latin America have been made, almost all from one center and being seen by the other centers already named as initial tests. One of the last meetings was held simultaneously between the Latin American Training Center in Santiago de Chile and the Hospital de San Juan in Argentina. The transmissions were done with good quality of video and sound, at a relative low cost. Conclusion: The study shows in detail different ways in which an endoscopy room can be adapted to perform live broadcasts with elements easy to get and at low cost, with good quality images. The adaptation of this technology will allow live transmission of medical classes, conferences with large audience, consultation form experts on line in other units, cities or countries, to improve medical knowledge and care.

Zoonotic meningitis by Streptococcus suis has been described occasionally in Chile and linked to pig farmers in the south of the country. We report a female case that developed acute bacterial meningitis by this agent, two days after handling a piece of raw swine meat. She did not participate on swine breeding nor visited farms. Diagnosis was obtained by CSF culture. A severe hearing loss and not recovered despite corticosteroids use and antimicrobial treatment, without others complications. Meningitis by S. suis is emerging as a new pathogen and linked to swine in different forms. Hypoacusis happens frequently with this agent.

Resumen En Chile se han descrito ocasionalmente casos de meningitis zoonótica por Streptococcus suis ligados a criaderos de cerdos en el sur del país. Presentamos el caso de una mujer que desarrolló un cuadro de meningitis aguda bacteriana por este agente dos días después de manipular un cerdo faenado. No tenía crianza de cerdos ni visitaba granjas de animales. El diagnóstico fue establecido por el cultivo del LCR. Desarrolló una hipoacusia profunda que no mejoró a pesar del uso de corticoesteroides ni tratamiento antimicrobiano, sin otras complicaciones. La meningitis por S. suis es una condición emergente y ligada a porcinos en diferentes formas. La hipoacusia es una complicación frecuente con este agente.

This article has an accompanying continuing medical education activity on page e15. Learning Objective: upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to discuss the indications to use self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) for management of benign biliary strictures, identify patients at high-risk and low-risk for migration of these stents after placement, and understand the risks and benefits of fully-covered, self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) versus plastic stents for management of chronic pancreatitis. BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) are gaining acceptance for the treatment of benign biliary strictures. We performed a large prospective multinational study to study the ability to remove these stents after extended indwell and the frequency and durability of stricture resolution. METHODS: In a nonrandomized study at 13 centers in 11 countries, 187 patients with benign biliary strictures received FCSEMS. Removal was scheduled at 10-12 months for patients with chronic pancreatitis or cholecystectomy and at 4-6 months for patients who received liver transplants. The primary outcome measure was removal success, defined as either scheduled endoscopic removal of the stent with no removal-related serious adverse events or spontaneous stent passage without the need for immediate restenting. RESULTS: Endoscopic removal of FCSEMS was not performed for 10 patients because of death (from unrelated causes), withdrawal of consent, or switch to palliative treatment. For the remaining 177 patients, removal success was accomplished in 74.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67.5%-80.8%). Removal success was more frequent in the chronic pancreatitis group (80.5%) than in the liver transplantation (63.4%) or cholecystectomy (61.1%) groups (P = .017). FCSEMS were removed by endoscopy from all patients in whom this procedure was attempted. Stricture resolution without restenting upon FCSEMS removal occurred in 76.3% of patients (95% CI, 69.3%-82.3%). The rate of resolution was lower in patients with FCSEMS migration (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.11-0.46). Over a median follow-up period of 20.3 months (interquartile range, 12.9-24.3 mo), the rate of stricture recurrence was 14.8% (95% CI, 8.2%-20.9%). Stent-or removal-related serious adverse events, most often cholangitis, occurred in 27.3% of patients. There was no stent-or removal-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a large prospective multinational study, removal success of FCSEMS after extended indwell and stricture resolution were achieved for approximately 75% of patients.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare disease in Western developed countries, but it is a highly prevalent and lethal disease in Chile and other countries in Latin America. No randomized controlled trials have been performed in gallbladder cancer to establish standard treatments. We therefore performed the first Latin American consensus meeting for the management of gallbladder cancer. In this article we present the conclusions of the panel of experts for the palliative treatment of unresectable or metastatic gallbladder cancer based on a review of the literature, the discussion of the participating experts and the opinion of the assistants. The topics reviewed included: (1) Gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma--are they the same disease?; (2) Palliative chemotherapy: indications, drugs and schedules; (3) Palliative radiotherapy; (4) Palliative Surgery; (5) Management of malignant biliary obstruction.

Resumen Introduccion La fistula traqueoesofagica recurrente (FTER) es una complicacion que ocurre en un 5–15% de los pacientes operados por atresia esofagica. Clinicamente se presenta con dificultad respiratoria durante la alimentacion, neumonia recurrente y retardo del crecimiento. El tratamiento es quirurgico. Sin embargo, desde 1980 se ha implementado la via endoscopica como alternativa para resolver este proceso patologico. Se han utilizado distintas tecnicas con una tasa de exito de un 63%. Objetivo Evaluar el uso de una nueva modalidad de tratamiento endoscopico de FTER mediante termocoagulacion con plasma de argon (APC). Metodos Se incluye a 6 pacientes con FTER tratados por via endoscopica con un nuevo tratamiento mediante APC en la Clinica Alemana de Santiago entre los anos 2003 y 2007. Ademas, se realizo una busqueda bibliografica sistematica que concluyo en 19 articulos y un total de 77 pacientes tratados por via endoscopica. Resultados El tratamiento fue exitoso en el 66% de los pacientes en un seguimiento alejado mas de 12 meses de la correccion endoscopica. Los pacientes requirieron, en promedio, 2 aplicaciones de APC. Esta respuesta es similar a los resultados de las series publicadas. Conclusiones El tratamiento endoscopico con APC para FTER parece ser una herramienta util y de facil aplicacion. Dada la complejidad de la resolucion quirurgica, el tratamiento endoscopico esta recomendado como aproximacion inicial en los pacientes con FTER.

Resumen Introduccion El diverticulo colonico invertido (DCI) tiene una apariencia similar a las lesiones polipoideas elevadas. El objetivo del presente estudio es describir las caracteristicas endoscopicas del DCI a fin de evitar errores en el diagnostico y reportar la frecuencia de estas lesiones. Material y metodo Se realizo un analisis retrospectivo de todos los pacientes que se sometieron a una colonoscopia entre julio de 2001 y julio de 2004, usando una base de datos endoscopicos. Se incluyeron los pacientes con diagnostico de DCI y se analizaron sus caracteristicas. Con respecto al DCI, se registro la localizacion, las caracteristicas endoscopicas y la presencia de polipos colonicos sincronicos. Resultados Entre las 4.508 colonoscopias realizadas, 33 pacientes (0,7%) tuvieron el diagnostico de DCI. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 62,3 anos, y hubo un leve predominio del sexo femenino con una relacion 1:1,2. El 89 % de los DCI se localizo en un area de diverticulosis, y el 75% se localizo en el colon sigmoides. Un paciente presento una hemorragia digestiva activa con su origen en el diverticulo invertido y se trato con inyectoterapia. Se describieron las caracteristicas endoscopicas del DCI. No se reportaron complicaciones en esta serie. Conclusiones El DCI es un hallazgo endoscopico raro que puede complicarse por el sangrado local. El error diagnostico puede ser peligroso y su biopsia o reseccion conllevarian graves complicaciones. Los criterios diagnosticos descritos deberian considerarse para evitar la aparicion de complicaciones.

Gastric banding has become a common procedure amongst bariatric surgery techniques. Because of the possibility of using a laparoscopic route to achieve a good technical result and low complication rates, this method has become the most frequently used options in the treatment of morbid obesity in Chile. We report an uncommon complication that, if left undiagnosed, could lead to considerable morbidity and even mortality: gastric band erosion and intragastric migration. Radiologists, gastroenterologists and surgeons should be able to recognize this event to provide a prompt diagnosis.

Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy (EPS) has fallen into disuse for some time because of the risk of severe complications. More recently, EPS has been advocated as an effective treatment modality for several pancreatic disorders, including severe chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, ampulloma, pancreas divisum, and pancreatic sphincter dysfunction. Favorable outcomes in patients undergoing EPS to facilitate further interventions, in whom long-term follow-up was available, was 70%; complications occurred in 14% and reintervention was required in 23%. The results were as good as those of surgery after long-term follow-up. Patients who underwent some form of pancreatic drainage after sphincterotomy had fewer complications (p = 0.03). Approximately 75% of patients with pancreas divisum who presented with idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis improved after endoscopic therapy, but only 25% of patients experienced pain reduction of at least 50%. The National Institutes of Health Consensus recommends EPS in patients with type I sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). In patients with type II SOD, prior manometry should be performed. In our series of 17 patients, we obtained results similar to those of other studies, although the number of patients was small. EPS appears to be a safe and effective technique, but further, well-designed, multicenter, prospective and long-term studies are required to evaluate these results and settle current controversies.

In this paper, we present a validation of public transport origin-destination (OD) matrices obtained from smartcard and GPS data. These matrices are very valuable for management and planning but have not been validated until now. In this work, we verify the assumptions and results of the method using three sources of information: the same database used to make the estimations, a Metro OD survey in which the card numbers are registered for a group of users, and a sample of volunteers. The results are very positive, as the percentages of correct estimation are approximately 90% in all cases. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The treatment of common biliary duct injuries after surgery is a permanent challenge for physicians, and management by a multidisciplinary team is often required. The endoscopic approach is a valuable tool because it is able to assess the problem and also provide a therapeutic option for both fistulas and stenosis of the biliary tree. This article discusses the endoscopic management of postsurgical injuries of the common bile duct and discusses the application of practical tools.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare disease in Western developed countries, but it is a highly prevalent and lethal disease in Chile and other countries in Latin America. No randomized controlled trials have been performed in gallbladder cancer to establish standard treatments. We therefore performed the first Latin American consensus meeting for the management of gallbladder cancer. In this article we present the conclusions of the panel of experts for the palliative treatment of unresectable or metastatic gallbladder cancer based on a review of the literature, the discussion of the participating experts and the opinion of the assistants. The topics reviewed included: (1) Gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma--are they the same disease?; (2) Palliative chemotherapy: indications, drugs and schedules; (3) Palliative radiotherapy; (4) Palliative Surgery; (5) Management of malignant biliary obstruction.

We report a 47-year-old woman presenting with dysphagia. A chest CAT scan and barium swallow showed an endoluminal mass that extended to four vertebrae. An endoluminal sonography localized the pediculum of the mass, that was excised endoscopically. The pathological study disclosed a fibrovascular polyp. After 18 months of follow up, the patient is asymptomatic.

Obstructive jaundice secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma fragments migrated to common bile duct Obstructive jaundice is a rare presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HC), and when it occurs, usually is due to progressive damage from cirrhosis, or extensive tumor infiltration. Tumor growth through the bile duct is being described with increasing frequency as a cause of obstructive jaundice. Rarely, it may be hepa- tocarcinoma fragments that migrate to the bile duct, obstructing it. We present a case of obstructive jaundice due to migration of fragments of hepatocellular carcinoma to the bile duct in a patient treated 7 years before, for an HC with a curative resection.

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) is a relatively new method to evaluate the small intestine.To evaluate the indications of CE in our center and assess whether specific indications are associated with best results during CE studies.Retrospective analysis of 69 patients aged 9 to 85 years (36 males) subjected to a CE at our institution between April 2004 and October 2007.The most common indications for CE were overt gastrointestinal bleeding in 43.5% of patients, iron deficiency anemia in 39.1 %, suspicion of a small bowel tumor in 4.3%, chronic diarrhea in 4.3% and abdominal pain in 2.9%. CE was normal in 23.2% and was able to find lesions in 76.8% of the studies. Gastrointestinal bleeding, followed by iron deficiency anemia were the indications associated with the higher rates of positive findings during CE.Gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia were the indications that obtained the best diagnostic yield for CE.

Fibrovascular polyp is a rare esophageal tumor, which presents with vague symptoms. We present a case with a multimodality imaging study, with an endoscopic approach, in contrast with the classic cervicotomy usually performed.

Background: Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) is a relatively new method to evaluate the small intestine. Aim: To evaluate the indications of CE in our center and assess whether specific indications are associated with best results during CE studies. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 69 patients aged 9 to 85 years (36 males) subjected to a CE at our institution between April 2004 and October 2007. Results: The most common indications for CE were overt gastrointestinal bleeding in 43.5% of patients, iron deficiency anemia in 39.1 %, suspicion of a small bowel tumor in 4.3%, chronic diarrhea in 4.3% and abdominalpain in 2.9%. CE was normal in 23.2% and was able to find lesions in 76.8% of the studies. Gastrointestinal bleeding, followed by iron deficiency anemia were the indications associated with the higher rates of positive findings during CE. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia were the indications that obtained the best diagnostic y ield for CE.

Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (RTEF) is a complication that occurs in up to 15% of patients after esophageal atresia repair. The clinical features include coughing, aspiration, recurrent pneumonia and failure to thrive. Surgical treatment is recommended. However, since 1980, the endoscopic route has been used as a therapeutic alternative. Distinct techniques have been employed with an overall success rate of 63%.To evaluate a new endoscopic treatment for RTEF with argon plasma coagulation (APC).Six patients with RTEF treated with endoscopic APC between 2003 and 2007 at a single institution (Clinica Alemana, Santiago, Chile) were included. We also performed a systematic literature search. Nineteen articles were selected, with a total of 77 patients treated through the endoscopic route.Treatment was successful in 66% of the patients with a follow-up of more than 12 months. On average, the patients required two applications of APC. This success rate was similar to that reported in published series.Endoscopic treatment with APC in RTEF seems to be useful and easily applied. Because of the complexity of surgical treatment, we recommend endoscopic treatment as the first approach in patients with RTEF.

We present a clinical case of a patient who consulted for a cerebelous syndrome and diplopia associated to 10 kg weight loss in six months and multiple adenopathies. Cerebral imagenology study evidenced the presence of granulamatous masses at the cerebellum and midbrain level, there were no cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities. Systemic tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis was done based in finding of acid-fast bacilli positive staining in urine and lymph node biopsy. HIV infection was documented by ELISA serology. CD4 cell count was 590 cell/mm3, classifying the case a AIDS Cl stage. TB was treated according to national guidelines leading to good clinical and imagenology evolution. The clinical case scenario of infratentorial tuberculomas without meningitis as a first manifestation of TB and AIDS is unusual, generating our interest in reporting this case.

The appearance of inverted colonic diverticula (ICD) is similar to that of elevated polypoid lesions. The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic characteristics of ICD with a view to avoiding misdiagnosis, and to report the frequency of these lesions.Using an endoscopic database, we retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent colonoscopy at our institution between July 2001 and July 2004. Patients diagnosed with ICD were identified and both patient and ICD characteristics were recorded, including location, endoscopic characteristics, and the presence of synchronous colon polyps.Among the 4508 colonoscopies performed in the selected period, 33 patients (0.7%) were diagnosed with ICD. The mean age was 62.3 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.2. Most ICD (89%) were in an area of multiple colonic diverticula and 75% were located in the sigmoid colon. One patient had active bleeding directly from the inverted diverticulum and was treated with injection therapy. The endoscopic characteristics of ICDs were described. There were no complications in this series.ICD is a rare endoscopic finding that can be complicated by local bleeding. Misdiagnosis can be dangerous and biopsy or endoscopic resection could lead to serious complications. The endoscopic criteria described should be considered to avoid the complications associated with biopsy or resection.

Gastric banding has become a common procedure amongst bariatric surgery techniques. Because of the possibility of using a laparoscopic route to achieve a good technical result and low complication rates, this method has become the most frequently used options in the treatment of morbid obesity in Chile. We report an uncommon complication that, if left undiagnosed, could lead to considerable morbidity and even mortality: gastric band erosion and intragastric migration. Radiologists, gastroenterologists and surgeons should be able to recognize this event to provide a prompt diagnosis.

Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy (EPS) has fallen into disuse for some time because of the risk of severe complications. More recently, EPS has been advocated as an effective treatment modality for several pancreatic disorders, including severe chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, ampulloma, pancreas divisum, and pancreatic sphincter dysfunction. Favorable outcomes in patients undergoing EPS to facilitate further interventions, in whom long-term follow-up was available, was 70%; complications occurred in 14% and reintervention was required in 23%. The results were as good as those of surgery after long-term follow-up. Patients who underwent some form of pancreatic drainage after sphincterotomy had fewer complications (p = 0.03). Approximately 75% of patients with pancreas divisum who presented with idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis improved after endoscopic therapy, but only 25% of patients experienced pain reduction of at least 50%. The National Institutes of Health Consensus recommends EPS in patients with type I sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). In patients with type II SOD, prior manometry should be performed. In our series of 17 patients, we obtained results similar to those of other studies, although the number of patients was small. EPS appears to be a safe and effective technique, but further, well-designed, multicenter, prospective and long-term studies are required to evaluate these results and settle current controversies.

El diagnóstico precoz de la infección por Aspergillus del Sistema Nervioso Central (SNC) es un gran desafío, donde la sospecha clínica fundamentada es clave por la alta letalidad de la entidad aún con tratamiento oportuno. La importante dificultad diagnostica es favorecida por algunas características de la entidad: baja incidencia, compromiso de individuos inmunocomprometidos que presentan múltiples infecciones, manifestaciones neurológicas clínicas e imagenológicas inespecíficas y métodos diagnósticos etiológicos de resultados tardíos. Presentamos el caso de un paciente diabético y alcohólico, con aspergilosis meningovascular precedida en 8 meses por un foco fúngico pulmonar. La presentación clínica fue a la manera de una meningoencefalitis subaguda con: cefalea, vértigo, compromiso de lenguaje, hemiparesia, alteración de conciencia y crisis convulsiva. Se trato con Anfotericina B con recuperación clínica completa. En este artículo revisamos algunos aspectos del compromiso por Aspergillus del SNC: mecanismos patogénicos, formas clínicas, factores de riesgo, principales métodos diagnósticos y alternativas de tratamiento Early diagnosis of an aspergillus infection of the Central Nervous System (CNS) is a great challenge, in which confirming suspicious cases is crucial, as the infection has a high mortality rate even when treated promptly. Several characteristics of the illness make it difficult to diagnose: It has a low incidence rate, affects individuals with impaired immune systems who are suffering multiple infections, has unspecific neurological clinical and imagery symptoms, and uses diagnostic tools that do not deliver immediate results. We discuss the case of a diabetic, alcoholic patient with meningovascular aspergillosis, who 8 months previously had suffered from a pulmonary fungus. The patient presented with subacute meningoencephalitis with headache, dizziness, difficulty speaking, hemiparesia, compromised consciousness, and convulsions. The individual was treated with amphotericin B, resulting in a full clinical recovery. In this paper we review some aspects of CNS aspergillus infections: pathogenic mechanisms, clinical symptoms, risk factors, main diagnostic tools, and treatment options