Childhood wheezing phenotypes and their association to perinatal factors: a longitudinal study.

Introduction: Multiple gestational and early life factors have been described as the variables that increase the risk for each phenotype of infantile wheezing. Our objective was to study the evolution of wheezing in a cohort of children followed up to 9-10 years of age and its relationship with different perinatal risk factors.

Methods: A longitudinal study was made on the evolution of wheezing, over time, in 1164 children from Salamanca (Spain) included in the International Study of Wheezing in Infants, when the children were 12 months old.

[Cranial lesions due to forceps delivery].

Deliveries with forceps or vacuum-extraction increase the incidence of perinatal craneoencephalic lesions, for which reason cesarean sections are performed more frequently. We report 3 cases of cranial lesions due to forceps deliveries, 2 with depressed skull fractures and 1 with a depressed fracture and an associated epidural hematoma. Diagnosis is made on clinical and radiological founds with CT scan or MRI.

[Childhood spinal tumours].

We report a large series of 48 childhood spine tumors diagnosed and treated at our Hospital between 1986 and 2006. Spinal tumors in children are a rare and heterogeneous condition that frequently are diagnosed late because of their uncharacteristic clinical picture. Symptoms are usually limited to diffuse back pain or spinal deformities, prior to leg paresis or sphincter dysfunction.

[Brain-stem tumors in children].

We report a large series of brain-stem tumors seen during 18 years of at our hospital. We diagnosed and treated a total of 42 patients between 1988 and 2006; 36 of them were operated with partial resection in most cases. Brain-stem tumors constitute a rare condition with very bad prognosis.

Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum following cervical corpectomy and plating. Case report.

This case of a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum was diagnosed 3 years after a corpectomy and fusion for a cervical fracture. The diverticulum was excised, the plate and screws were removed, and the patient was asymptomatic 3 years later. The dense scar tissue around the hardware probably caused traction on the posterior pharyngoesophageal region, followed by development of the diverticulum.

[Similarities and differences among patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis affecting several territories. The AIRVAG cohort (Integral Attention to Global VAscular Risk)].

Background And Objective: Even though atherosclerosis is a systemic disease, few prospective studies have evaluated in a thorough and systematic manner the whole vascular tree in patients with clinical damage of different territories.

Patients And Method: Prospective protocolized study of 269 consecutive patients younger than 70, attended because of symptomatic arteriosclerosis of any territory -53% coronary (CHD), 32% cerebrovascular (CVD), 15% peripheral (PVD)-. Patients underwent evaluation of risk factors and their control, systematic non-invasive study of the vascular tree (Doppler-ultrasound) and comparison between groups according to the index territory.

[Chronic spontaneous lumbar epidural hematoma].

We report an exceptional case of cauda equina syndrome, caused by a chronic epidural hematoma of the lumbar spine, (L2-L3). A 53 year old man without history of trauma, lumbar punctures or antiagregant medication, suffered from progressive back pain and minor motor deficit in the legs. The etiology, MRI, intraoperative findings and microscopical study are presented and discussed.

[Underrecognized peripheral arterial disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome: prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors].

Introduction And Objectives: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently coexists with coronary artery disease. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), with or without PAD.

Patients And Method: A prospective study of 141 consecutive patients (< 70 years old) admitted to our hospital with ACS was performed.

Occult vascular lesions in patients with atherothrombotic events: the AIRVAG cohort.

Objectives: To determine clinical parameters that could predict occult vascular lesions (OVL) in patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis.

Patients And Methods: Prospective evaluation of 269 consecutive patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis (cerebral 32%, peripheral vascular 15%, and coronary 53%): complete laboratory, ultrasound exams (carotids, aorta, heart), ankle-brachial index. OVL were defined as: abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery stenosis > 50%, or left ventricular segmental contraction abnormalities when affecting a different vascular bed from the symptomatic.

The use of spirometers and peak flow meters in the diagnosis and management of asthma among Spanish pediatricians. Results from the TRAP study.

The objective of this study was to determine the level of adherence of pediatricians in Spain to the Spanish National Guidelines for Asthma Treatment with regard to the use of a peak flow meter (PEFR) or a spirometer in the diagnosis and management of asthma in childhood and to analyze sources of variations in these practices. A prospective survey (consisting of demographic and asthma knowledge sections) was conducted over a 2-wk time interval of 3000 pediatricians throughout the country. At least one part of the questionnaire was completed and returned by 2773 individuals (92.