Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis in COPD Cases and Control Smokers: Analysis in Relation with COPD Exacerbations and Exacerbation-like Episodes.

Purpose: It remains unclear whether there is a pathogenic link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases. Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis is a predictor of future cardiovascular events. Exacerbations increase all-cause mortality in COPD, and exacerbation-like episodes have been described in subjects without COPD.

Blood Pressure Profile and Hypertensive Organ Damage in COPD Patients and Matched Controls. The RETAPOC Study.

Background: Several studies suggest that there is a pathogenic link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, increased sympathetic tone has been described in several respiratory diseases. Our objective was to determine whether hypertension mediated by sympathetic overactivity is a mechanism that explains the association between COPD and cardiovascular diseases.

[Risk factors for the development of medical complications in patients with hip fracture].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical features and outcome of inpatients with hip fracture and to investigate the clinical variables associated with the risk of medical complications.

Methods: Prospective study of hip fracture patients aged 65 or more, admitted to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Xeral-Calde Hospital, in Lugo, Spain, in 2008. The different clinical and biochemical variables as regards the baseline health status and presentation features of the hip fracture and its complications were all recorded.

Aspergillus pacemaker endocarditis presenting as pulmonary embolism.

Pacemaker endocarditis (PME) is a rare but severe complication of endocardial pacemaker implantation. Fungal PME is extremely uncommon. The case of a 66-year-old female patient who was diagnosed as having a pulmonary embolus based upon the patient's clinical presentation and computed tomography angiography findings is presented.

[Pneumoscrotum secondary to a massive subcutaneous emphysema after expontaneous pneumothorax drainage].

We present a case of a pneumoscrotum and pneumopenis which appeared after a trocar drainage placement for treatment of a recidivated expontaneous pneumothorax. In spite of is an entity with easy diagnosis and conservative management, maybe be confused with other more aggressive entities which treatment should be invasive.

[Tuberculous epididymitis caused by Mycobacterium bovis].

Objectives: To focus on the need of including tuberculosis among differential diagnoses of any epidymo-testicular mass, especially if its evolution is torpid.

Methods/results: A 73-year-old man who presented with scrotum abscess underwent surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment, but suppuration relapsed through cutaneous fistulae. A epipidymectomy was then performed, which demonstrated tuberculous granulomas.

[Pulmonary thromboembolism after chronic bladder distention].

Objective: To report a case of pulmonary embolism secondary to chronic over-distended bladder, responsible for iliac vein obstruction.

Clinical Case: A 73-year-old patient presented with sudden onset of pulmonary embolism, confirmed by isotope lung scan, after drainage of 2,300 cc of urine from an over-distended bladder, responsible for bilateral iliac vein obstruction and a bilateral obstructive uropathy. The patient had a favourable course after anticoagulation with heparin and temporary bladder catheterization, leading to resolution of the peripheral oedema and obstructive uropathy.

[Inadequate technique in the use of inhalers in patients seen at a pneumology clinic].

Objective: To assess inhalation technique in out-patient attending a respiratory ward who were using inhaler devices, and to identify factors associated with misuse of these therapies.

Method: One hundred and seven patients were prospectively studied, of whom 100 completed the study; Inhalation technique was evaluated using a previously elaborated check list. We searched for significant differences between individuals with good or bad inhalation technique.

[Clinical profile and prognosis of bacteremia in patients with cirrhosis based on the Child-Pugh classification].

The characteristics of 70 cases of bacteremia in cirrhotic patients were studied according to the Child-Pugh classification as severity marker of liver involvement. Factors influencing on prognosis were determined. For a comparative analysis, 1,006 cases of bacteremia in non-cirrhotic patients were included.

[Kaposi's sarcoma: a sexually transmitted cancer?].

Kaposi's sarcoma is a lymphoproliferative opportunistic tumor associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome whose frequency is going down due to the use of combined therapies including proteases and others antivirals. During the last years, it has been postulated that it's origin is in the oncogenic potential of HVH-8; however, for the development of the disease, it's necessary the presence of some coadjuvant factors including immunodeficiency and probably a propicious hormonal status. We practiced a bibliographic review of some recent works related with it's etiology and coadyuvant factors implicated in the development of this neoplasia, phrasing some questions that should be answered in the light of future investigative works.

[Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis: a benign complication of a common infection].

Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRe A) is a sterile synovitis associated to the evidence of previous streptococcal infection. PSRe A has different clinical features from those observed in rheumatic fever. Regarding systemic complications, PSRe has in general a good prognosis.

[Neuro-Behçet: a follow-up of 4 cases treated with chlorambucil].

Four patients diagnosed with Behçet's disease developing neurologic manifestation are described. Central nervous system findings were observed in three of them and peripheral neuropathy in ther other patient. All the patients were treated with chlorambucil, 0.

[Actinomyces as the etiology of empyema].

Thoracic actinomycosis represents 25% of all cases of the disease, whose presentation varies greatly. Pleural involvement is unusual and only rarely is it found as an isolated sign. We describe 2 cases of empyema due to actinomycosis; both cases responded well to surgical drainage and antibiotics.