Preventability of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack in a tertiary care center in Argentina.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with many individuals presenting with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (AIS/TIA) due to underlying vascular risk factors (VRF). While these patients typically undergo routine evaluations for acute treatment, the prevention of these conditions is often underestimated. This study reports the prevalence of non-optimized VRF and estimates their degree of avoidability in a cohort of patients treated in a tertiary care center following AIS/TIA.

Towards evidence-based empiric antibiotic recommendations for spontaneous infections in patients with cirrhosis.

Background: With the emergence of multidrug-resistant infections, healthcare professionals must evaluate the effectiveness of empiric antibiotic treatments.

Aims: To assess the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of microorganisms causing spontaneous infections in patients with cirrhosis and to evaluate the suitability of empiric antibiotic treatments based on major clinical guidelines.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized two datasets from prospective studies of patients with cirrhosis and culture-positive spontaneous bacterial infections in Argentina and Uruguay.

[Lung injury associated with vaping: A case report].

Vaping is the practice of inhaling an aerosol created by heating a liquid with an electronic cigarette. These aerosols contain toxic, carcinogenic compounds and nicotine, an addictive substance. In Argentina, the commercialization of electronic cigarettes is prohibited.

[Clinical, functional and tomographic respiratory sequels of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at one year of diagnosis: SECUELAR-19 TRIAL].

Introduction: There is scarce information on longterm evolution of hospitalized patients with moderate (MP) and severe (SP) COVID-19 pneumonia.

Objective: to determine clinical, respiratory function, and tomographic (HRCT) impact after being discharged 12 months after diagnosis.

Methods: Analysis according to MP and SP, desaturator patients (DP) in 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and HRCT fibrotic-like pattern (FLP).

[Analysis of BRAF and NRAS mutations in thyroid tumors in patients from Argentina].

Introduction: Molecular alterations in follicular cells in the BRAF or NRAS genes have been reported to be associated with the process of carcinogenesis. Our aim was to determine the mutational frequency of BRAF and NRAS in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens in our population.

Methods: The mutational status of BRAF (codon 600) and NRAS (codon 61) was analysed by qPCR in 193 FNA specimens from suspicious nodules and compared with pathological data of 115 patients.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis. A prospective cohort study from Argentina and Uruguay.

Introduction And Objectives: there is insufficient data regarding bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis to support recommendations for empiric antibiotic treatments, particularly in Latin America. This study aimed to evaluate bacterial infection's clinical impact and microbiological characteristics, intending to serve as a platform to revise current practices.

Materials And Methods: multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis and bacterial infections from Argentina and Uruguay.

Norfloxacin prophylaxis effect on multidrug resistance in patients with cirrhosis and bacterial infections.

It is unclear whether norfloxacin predisposes to infections by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). We aimed to evaluate if patients with cirrhosis receiving norfloxacin prophylaxis at the time of the diagnosis of bacterial infections were more likely to present a multidrug-resistant isolate than those without prophylaxis. This is a cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and bacterial infections from Argentina and Uruguay (NCT03919032) from September 2018 to December 2020.

[Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors. What does the oncohematologist and the cardiologist need to know?].

Advances in knowledge incorporated in the last decade have modified the treatment paradigm in most of the malignant hematological diseases. In particular, the introduction of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) and other target drugs together with new monoclonal antibodies have become agents of choice for both chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other peripheral "B" lymphomas such as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The results of efficacy against genotoxic therapy are so successful that the end of chemoimmunotherapy, especially for CLL, is already a postulate recognized by the main research groups.

Why are frailty indices not used systematically during preoperative spine consultations?

Introduction: Frailty indices are highly predictive of major medical and mechanical complications, lengths of hospital stay, and mortality rates after spine procedures. However, several barriers limit the extent to which spine surgeons employ these indices. The main purposes of the current study were to assess the use of frailty indices by Latin-American spine surgeons and identify the main barriers perceived to restrict their clinical application.

An independent inter- and intra-observer agreement assessment of the AOSpine upper cervical injury classification system.

Background Context: The complex anatomy of the upper cervical spine resulted in numerous separate classification systems of upper cervical spine trauma. The AOSpine upper cervical classification system (UCCS) was recently described; however, an independent agreement assessment has not been performed.

Purpose: To perform an independent evaluation of the AOSpine UCCS.

Complications in Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Systematic Review of Clinically Used Cages.

Spinal fusion (SF) comprises surgical procedures for several pathologies that affect different spinal levels, and different cages are employed in SF surgery. Few clinical studies highlight the role of cages in complications beyond the outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to collect the last 10 years' worth of clinical studies that include cages in SF surgery, focusing on complications.

[Clinical, functional and tomographic respiratory sequels of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at six month of diagnosis: SECUELAR-19 trial].

Introduction: There is scarce information about middle-term evolution of hospitalized patients who suffer from pneumonia caused by COVID-19. The objective of this study is to determine the clinical, respiratory, tomographic and functional impact on COVID-19 patients with moderate (MP) to severe (SP) pneumonia after six months of acute infection.

Methods: Analysis was carried out by MP and SP groups, desaturators during the 6-minute-walking test and the presence of fibrotic like pattern on HRCT.

Unstable Thoracolumbar Injuries: Factors Affecting the Decision for Short-Segment vs Long-Segment Posterior Fixation.

Background: Factors influencing the length of spinal instrumentation have been mostly evaluated in burst fractures, receiving more attention than other unstable thoracolumbar injuries. We aimed to evaluate clinical factors affecting surgical decision-making and associated complications.

Methods: This was a multicentric retrospective cohort study.

Percutaneous Versus Open Pedicle Screw Fixation for Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to compare percutaneous (PPS) versus open pedicle screw (OPS) fixation for treatment of thoracic and lumbar spondylodiscitis.

Summary Of Background Data: Pyogenic spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and lumbar spine can produce instability, deformity, and/or neurological compromise.

Appropriate Telemedicine Utilization in Spine Surgery: Results From a Delphi Study.

Study Design: Delphi expert panel consensus.

Objective: To obtain expert consensus on best practices for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Several studies have shown high patient satisfaction associated with telemedicine during the COVID-19 peak pandemic period as well as after easing of restrictions.

An inter- and intra-rater agreement assessment of a novel classification of pyogenic spinal infections.

Purpose: Pola et al. described a clinical-radiological classification of pyogenic spinal infections (PSI) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features including vertebral destruction, soft tissue involvement, and epidural abscess, along with the neurological status. We performed an inter- and intra-observer agreement evaluation of this classification.

Inter- and intra-observer agreement using the new AOSpine sacral fracture classification, with a comparison between spine and pelvic trauma surgeons.

Background: Sacral fractures treatment frequently involves both spine and pelvic trauma surgeons; therefore, a consistent communication among surgical specialists is required. We independently assessed the new AOSpine sacral fracture classification's agreement from the perspective of spine and pelvic trauma surgeons.

Methods: Complete computerized tomography (CT) scans of 80 patients with sacral fractures were selected and classified using the new AOSpine sacral classification system by six spine surgeons and three pelvic trauma surgeons.

Six-Month Glycemic Control with a Hybrid Closed-Loop System in Type 1 Diabetes Patients in a Latin American Country.

The goal of this study was to assess the 6-month effectiveness of hybrid closed loop on glycemic control in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients in Latin America. An exploratory analysis of data prospectively collected from non-selected consecutive patients with T1D who initiated treatment with the MiniMed™ 670G system in Argentina was conducted. Baseline and follow-up visits at days 7, 28, 90, and 180 were carried out and data were downloaded at each visit.

An independent inter- and intra-observer agreement assessment of the Eno classification of sacroiliac joint degeneration.

Background: Recently, a scoring system to grade sacroiliac joint (SIJ) degeneration using computed tomography (CT) scans was described. No independent evaluation has determined the inter- and intra-observer agreement using this scheme.

Purpose: To perform an independent inter- and intra-observer agreement assessment using the Eno classification and determining gas in the SIJ.

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS): a narrative review and the viewpoint of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Intensive Care (SLACIP) Sepsis Committee.

Background: In this review, we discuss some important aspects of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS), a new syndrome that is temporally related to previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This virus has a broad spectrum of presentation that may overlap with Kawasaki disease in terms of presenting symptoms and laboratory and cardiac findings. Our objective was to review and summarise published evidence regarding the most important aspects of PIMS-TS, with special emphasis on the treatment strategies suggested for middle-income and low-income countries.

CT Scan in Subaxial Cervical Facet Injury: Is It Enough for Decision-Making?

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: Assessment of subaxial cervical facet injuries using the AO Spine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System is based on CT scan findings. However, additional radiological evaluations are not directly considered.

Partial Ear Reconstruction with a Prelaminated Induced Expanded Radial Artery Flap.

A 76-year-old man underwent an extensive resection for squamous cell carcinoma 2 years before, resulting in the loss of the superior half of the right ear, without any attempt at reconstruction. The decision was to reconstruct with a combined suprafascial tissue expansion, an alloplastic framework fabricated with porous polyethylene, and a radial artery free flap. At 1-year follow-up, the patient was satisfied with the result.