Introduction: the radiation of tumours located in pelvic organs can cause mucositis in the bowel. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and complications of chronic radiation enteritis in patients who had received pelvic radiotherapy. Patients and methods: cross-sectional study recruiting 150 patients that had been treated with radiation therapy during the year 2008 because of a prostate, cervical, endometrial or rectal cáncer. The patients were asked about symptoms related to enteritis, and about changes in body weight and in dietary patterns. Sex, age, treatment modalities, acute enteritis, and type of cáncer were considered possible risk factors, and were analysed with univariate and multivariate methods. Results: the study included 100 patients, 84% males, median age 72.3 years. Chronic radiation enteritis was found in 20% of the patients, most of them grade 1 (45%). Furthermore, 10% had lost ≥ 5 kg of weight, 3% had been hospitalized due to diarrhoea or bowel obstruction, and 11% had changed their diet, mainly by removing vegetables, legumes and pastry. Male gender, age, previous acute radiation enteritis, and chemotherapy were associated with chronic enteritis, but only chemotherapy remained independently related to bowel toxicity after multivariate analysis (OR = 3.59 [95% CI 1.20.10.73]). Conclusion: chronic enteritis is common among patients treated with pelvic radiotherapy, especially if chemotherapy is associated. The complication rate is low, but a significant number of patients change their usual diet in order to prevent symptoms.

Introducción: la radiación de los tumores de la cavidad pelvica puede provocar mucositis a nivel intestinal. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue determinar la prevalencia, los factores de riesgo y las complicaciones de la enteritis radica crónica en los pacientes tratados con radioterapia pélvica. Pacientes y métodos: estudio transversal sobre 150 pacientes tratados con radioterapia pélvica durante el ano 2008 debido a un cáncer de prostata, cervix, endometrio o recto. Se interrogó a los pacientes sobre la presencia de síntomas sugestivos de enteritis y sobre cambios en el peso habitual y modificaciones en su dieta. Los parámetros considerados como posibles factores de riesgo de enteritis crónica (sexo, edad, tratamiento antitumoral, enteritis aguda previa y tipo de tumor) se analizaron con métodos univariantes y multivariantes. Resultados: el estudio incluyó finalmente a 100 pacientes, el 84% varones, con una mediana de edad de 72,3 años. Se encontró una prevalencia de enteritis rádica crónica del 20%, en la mayoría de grado 1 (45%). Por otra parte, el 10% referian una pérdida de peso ≥ 5 kg, el 3% habian requerido hospitalización debido a diarrea incoercible o a obstruccion intestinal, y el 11% habian modificado su patrón de alimentación habitual, reduciendo principalmente el consumo de verduras, legumbres y dulces. Se encontró asociación entre la enteritis radica crónica y el sexo masculino, la edad, la enteritis radica aguda previa y la quimioterapia, pero solo esta resultó asociarse de forma independiente con el desarrollo de enteritis radica crónica despues del analisis multivariante (OR = 3,59 [95% CI 1,20.10,73]). Conclusión: la enteritis crónica es una entidad frecuente en los pacientes tratados con radioterapia pélvica, sobre todo cuando se asocia con quimioterapia. La tasa de complicaciones por esta patología es baja, pero un numero importante de pacientes realiza modificaciones en su dieta habitual para aliviar o evitar la sintomatologia derivada de aquella.

A apoplexia é uma síndrome clínica rara, mas potencialmente fatal, caracterizada por infarto isquêmico ou hemorragia em um tumor pituitário. O diagnóstico de apoplexia de tumor pituitário é frequentemente complicado pela natureza inespecífica dos seus sinais e sintomas, que podem simular diferentes processos neurológicos, incluindo a meningite. Vários fatores estão associados com a apoplexia, como o uso de agonistas dopaminérgicos, radioterapia ou trauma da cabeça, mas a meningite foi raramente relatada. Descrevemos o caso de uma mulher de 51 anos de idade com acromegalia por um macroadenoma pituitário. Antes do tratamento cirúrgico, ela foi trazida ao pronto-socorro com febre, náusea, vômitos e meningismo. Os sintomas e análises laboratoriais sugeriram meningite bacteriana e o tratamento com antibióticos foi iniciado, com melhora rápida dos sintomas. Uma tomografia computadorizada (CT) na admissão ao hospital não revelou nenhuma alteração no adenoma pituitário, mas algumas semanas depois uma ressonância magnética (MRI) mostrou informações de apoplexia pituitária, com desaparecimento completo do adenoma. Atualmente, a acromegalia está curada, mas ela desenvolveu hipopituitarismo e diabetes insipidus depois da apoplexia. Questionamo-nos se a paciente realmente apresentou meningite que levou à apoplexia ou se a apoplexia foi mal interpretada como sendo meningite. A relação entre a meningite e a apoplexia pode ser bidirecional. A apoplexia pode simular a meningite viral ou bacteriana, mas a meningite também pode causar apoplexia. Esse fato enfatiza a importância do diagnóstico diferencial ao se avaliar pacientes com adenomas pituitários e sintomas neurológicos.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but potentially life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by ischemic infarction or hemorrhage into a pituitary tumor. The diagnosis of pituitary tumor apoplexy is frequently complicated because of the nonspecific nature of its signs and symptoms, which can mimic different neurological processes, including meningitis. Several factors have been associated with apoplexy, such as dopamine agonists, radiotherapy, or head trauma, but meningitis is a rarely reported cause. We describe the case of a 51-year-old woman with acromegaly due to a pituitary macroadenoma. Before surgical treatment, she arrived at Emergency with fever, nausea, vomiting and meningismus. Symptoms and laboratory tests suggested bacterial meningitis, and antibiotic therapy was initiated, with quick improvement. A computerized tomography (CT) scan at admission did not reveal any change in pituitary adenoma, but a few weeks later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed data of pituitary apoplexy with complete disappearance of the adenoma. Currently, her acromegaly is cured, but she developed hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus following apoplexy. We question whether she really experienced meningitis leading to apoplexy or whether apoplexy was misinterpreted as meningitis. In conclusion, the relationship between meningitis and pituitary apoplexy may be bidirectional. Apoplexy can mimic viral or bacterial meningitis, but meningitis might cause apoplexy, as well. This fact highlights the importance of differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with pituitary adenomas and acute neurological symptoms.

Background and objective: An inadequate fluid therapy can worsen the outcomes of surgical patients, but there are no data in medical patients. The aim of this study was to determine the adequacy of fluid therapy in hospitalised patients of medical wards, and its influence on outcomes. Methods: Cross-sectional study including nil-per-os patients admitted in medical wards of the Complejo Asis-tencial Universitario de León. The administered fluid therapy was compared with the standardised requirements. Nutritional status was evaluated with Subjective Global Assessment. Fasting was considered inappropriate if it lasted > 7 days in well-nourished, and >5 days in malnourished patients if nutritional support had not been provided. Results: Fluid therapy lasted 4 (IQR = 2) days, and fasting was inadequately maintained in 27% of patients. Fluid requirements were correctly fulfilled, but patients received an excess of sodium (+58.4%) and chloride (+62.2%), and potassium administration was insufficient (-35.1%). Glucose supply was 68.8 (29.2) g/d, and 99% received < 130 g/d. Patients with an inadequate duration of fasting had a longer hospital stay after adjusting for sex, age, nutritional status, infused volume, electrolytes, glucose and diseases. Only malnutrition predicted mortality during hospitalisation (OR 10.5; 95%CI 1.3 to 83.2), when multivariate analysis was performed. Conclusions: Fasting medical patients receive an inadequate supply of glucose and electrolytes. Prolonged fluid therapy and malnutrition may worsen the outcomes of these patients, independently of other conditions like age or diseases.

Introducción y objetivo: La sueroterapia inadecuada en pacientes quirúrgicos puede empeorar sus resultados clínicos, pero para pacientes médicos no existen datos publicados. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la adecuación de la sueroterapia en pacientes médicos hospitalizados y valorar su repercusión en los resultados clínicos. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en pacientes en dieta absoluta de servicios médicos del Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León. Se comparó el aporte de sueros con los requerimientos estandarizados. El estado nutricional se valoró mediante la Valoración Global Subjetiva. Se consideró inadecuado un ayuno con suero como único aporte durante > 7 días en bien nutridos y > 5 días en desnutridos. Resultados: La duración de la sueroterapia fue 4 (RIQ = 2) días y el 27% de los pacientes permanecieron en dieta absoluta con sueros más tiempo del adecuado. El aporte de líquidos fue correctamente administrado pero los pacientes recibieron un exceso de sodio (+58,4%) y cloro (+62,2%) y una administración insuficiente de potasio (-35,1%). El aporte de glucosa fue de 68,8 (29,2) g/d y el 99,0% de los pacientes recibieron menos de 130 g/día de glucosa. Los pacientes con duración inadecuada del ayuno con sueros tuvieron una estancia hospitalaria más prolongada [22,0 (RIQ = 13,0) vs 13,0 (RIQ = 11,0) días; p = 0,001], una vez ajustado por sexo, edad, estado nutricional y aporte de volumen, iones y glucosa. Al realizar el análisis multivariante solo la malnutrición fue un predictor de mortalidad durante la hospitalización (OR 10,5; 95%CI 1,3 to 83,2). Conclusiones: El paciente en dieta absoluta recibe un aporte inadecuado de iones y glucosa. La sueroterapia prolongada y la malnutrición pueden empeorar los resultados clínicos de estos pacientes de manera independiente de otras condiciones como la edad o enfermedad.